Travelling or Practice Piano

   

 Travelling Piano  1825:

This curious travelling piano dates from 1825.  It reflects a bygone age, which witnessed the growing ascendancy of "pianism" and the itinerant virtuoso.  With this instrument the concert artist could profitably utilise idle hours spent in coaches.

The mirror would enable him/her to monitor finger movements as well as facial expressions.  Designed and developed for pianists in the days when they had long multi day journeys by stage coach, before railroads.  They needed access to practicing,. Clear piano sound. (Sunday Times, TV Times, 1.6.71)  The keyboard slides into the frame. Was surprisingly simple to use, balanced on your knees, even in a bouncing stagecoach.
Purchased in 1970.