The name of Steinway & Sons has been synonymous with quality piano manufacture ever since the company was founded in Manhattan in 1853 by the German immigrant Henry Engelhard Steinway. Their first award came in 1855 when they won a gold medal at the American Institute Fair. Over the next seven years they won a further 34 gold medals, establishing the firm as one of the elite piano manufacturers. With the company awarded a royal warrant to Queen Elizabeth II it is an accolade they still hold today.
On the company’s website they state that each Steinway piano takes nearly a year to create. Nothing is hurried as they are dedicated to making the finest pianos in the world. The Steinway & Sons ebonized grand piano to be offered at Toovey’s on 22nd May 2015, Lot 2200, is circa 1936 and is model Z97 424 No. 286593, length 210cm. It is offered with a pre-sale estimate of £10,000-15,000.