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Sara and Edward Long with
baby ‘Jean’
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The Sepia Saturday prompt this
week involves a piano.
I have a very special piano.
It was given to my great
grandmother Sara Henrietta LONG nee STONEHOUSE by her husband, Edward LONG on
the occasion of the birth of her first child in 1901.
The child was my (great)
Auntie Jean, Frances Jean McVey LONG.
Auntie Jean didn’t have any
children and the piano passed to me when I was nine or ten.
It’s a beautiful piano,
lovely rich walnut wood with brass candlesticks.
I can remember Mum insisting
that I polish these candlesticks every time my Nanna (Auntie Jean’s younger
sister) would be coming to visit.
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The piano in the 1920s in
the Long home at Ballangeich, Victoria
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Every time I have the piano
tuner around, he is surprised as to how great the piano still is.
He said often
pianos deteriorate, and the felts go as they get to this age.
I hope the piano continues
in good condition so I am able to pass it on one day to one of my piano-playing
nieces or nephew.
+1930's+-+Version+2.jpeg) |
| Sara Long |
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| Me at the piano c1970 |
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| Me at the piano a few years ago, ably assisted by my step daughter |
What a beautiful piano. I've never seen one with attached candlesticks like that. And I see you keep photographs atop your piano, too. All my children and grandchildren sit atop mine so I can look up and see them while I'm playing.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to have been left a family heirloom that can be used rather than just being an ornament, although it is that as well. Hope you can keep on playing it, and have someone to leave it who will care for it the same way in due course!
ReplyDeleteI am lucky to have a number of musical nieces and nephews, and a step daughter.
DeleteA great heirloom and terrific that it is still being played and appreciated.
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed too that the piano is still in good shape, but maybe it's because the piano I inherited from my grandaunt was a "newfangled" invention of its day when plastic was young but all the rage. Her piano didn't stand the test of time but became a challenge to tune.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great heirloom to have. The candlesticks are amazing.
ReplyDeleteJust played sounds of silence - needs a tune!
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely memories. You've reminded me that I need to contact our piano tuner.
ReplyDeleteYes, me too!
DeleteThat piano is like a member of the family. I especially enjoyed seeing the 1920 interior.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that you still have (and play) that beautiful piano with such a personal story attached to it.
ReplyDeleteCute photos Jackie, and a special piano indeed!
ReplyDeleteI suppose it is a kind of Sepia Piano - perfect for Sepia Saturday.
ReplyDeleteExcellent that you hold this instrument in high esteem, or you wouldn't have taken pictures of it through the years!
ReplyDeleteThat's really special to have an instrument enjoy such a long life. It must have been a cherished gift in 1901. Does it still have the real ivory keys that everyone has played?
ReplyDeleteYes, still the real ivory keys. I had them 'cleaned' through the piano tuner some years ago as they had become quite yellowed.
DeleteMy great grandmother received many thank you gifts from all the groups she played piano and organ for over the years. My mum still has most of them.
Beautiful piano and what a fantastic heirloom. i love the candlesticks, such a great detail.
ReplyDelete