Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Transcontinental shipment of Steinway piano, 1871

From: "Shirley & Arnold" asgiven1@att.net

Are Transcontinental shipping records available for October 28, 1871? Steinway & Sons Co. shipped Steinway piano, serial #23390, from New York to San Francisco on that date. I am uncertain if it went by rail or sea. Are historical records kept on shipments of this nature?

The piano is still in beautiful, working condition as has made its way to Tehachapi, CA, a small town about 5 hours southeast of San Francisco.

The original owner has since passed away and the history of the piano is not available as to how it traveled so far, 142 years past.

Any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Perhaps if not shipped via rail, would you know where I might begin a search regarding a seafaring shipping, during that time period?

I write for a paper and I am trying to follow the path of this wonderful piece of musical equipment and do an article on its history. ...

—Shirley A. Given, The Loop Newspaper