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John Broadwood Harpsichord

Started by Victor Potter, September 02, 2015, 06:56:16 PM

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Victor Potter

As a matter of interest an unplayable and unrestored John Broadwood double harpsichord inscribed 'Johannes Broadwood Londini fecit, 1790' was sold at Gorringes auction in Lewes today for a hammer price of £1400 which, with buyers premium, taxes etc would mean a payment nearer £1800. It was knocked down after fierce internet bidding having been estimated at £250/350. I would have liked to buy it and restore it myself, but not at that price! There's certainly everything there for an excellent restoration project though, save that the music desk had disappeared.

Disposition Upper manual 8', Lower manual 8', 4', lute stop, buff stop and coupler.

David Pinnegar

How fascinating!

In googling for it I found http://broadwoodharpsichordcompetition.com/ which is on 15th November and the support for this from players is so strong that entries were closed in March.

The catalogue image for it is interesting


The Colt Collection in Kent has a number of 18th century harpsichords, from memory not a significant number in playable condition, and perhaps not surprisingly. Many of these display a bend at the jackrails, the tail of the instrument rising and this Broadwood that went today is likewise.

The other day during the Hammerwood recital on the Clayson and Garrett 1970, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa6O1V6aAgE I saw that even in this rather younger instrument the same bend is starting to appear. In 30-50 years time after all the current authentic instruments have suffered and reached stages of unplayability the then century old piano frame revival instruments will be in demand. But the sound of the authentic construction leads to much better bass.

Thanks for bringing this Broadwood sale to light.

Best wishes

David P