Posted 14 years ago
Jackie
(26 items)
Again another wonderful piece from my grandparents. I'm taking this opportunity to share them while they are mine. Some will have to go to other homes. But, until they go I will enjoy them with you.
Tonk pianos had an excellent reputation and were well know for tonal quality--a robust resonant bass, rich warm tenor, and a treble bell-like in its clarity. This piano was created for professional use and for anyone requiring a grand piano's volume and powerful presence.
At the turn of the century, William Tonk & Bros. iniciated unique and distinctive features of construction such as rolled steel backs for durability and "over-stringling" to compete with grands for concert use-- these uprights provided as much total soundboard area as a 7 foot grand.
Oh, by the way, the photo of gentleman is Willaim Tonk.
Love those old pianos, thanks for sharing!
Thank you Tikiray. Do you play the piano?
I would love to, but I don't. I've tried a few different instruments but my hands are so small I have a hard time playing anything! I just love the beauty in an old piano.
Hey, at least you could draw! My brother was the musician and photographer.... my sister the artist and musician.... and me... well, I'm a biology nerd. lol
I know what you mean, Tikiray. My mother and grand mother played extremely well (both are gone); and I never learned. When I was a kid, all I wanted to do was draw.
It looks like you got one in while I was making a correction. I loved biology, too! My drawing helped with lab reports and the like.
But, like you, I'm keeping the piano just for the beauty of it and the occassional friend who will play for me.
You're lucky to have it. It's very pretty!
Thank you Tikiray.
Jackie, I can just hear the quality of this magnificant piano in your description alone. I play piano, was taught on a 9ft Steinway Grand. I know exactly what you'r saying as you write and can just feel the keys and hear the sound in my head. Congrats for keeping it.
Hi Jackie. My husband, Noah Tonk, is a decendant of the Tonk family (I believe William was his great-grandfather) that made your beautiful piano. We have been looking casually for years to try and find one that we could purchase and pass along through our children and their future children. Would you ever consider selling this or can you tell me where you were able to find it?
Thank you so much for your time.
Brie Tonk
Jackie, I have a William Tonk and Bros. Upright Grand Piano very similar to yours. I have been trying to find information about how old it is on the internet, but can't seem to find much information on the William Tonk pianos. I do have the serial number for it, but can't seem to find a database that will tell me how old it is based on that. I was wondering if you had ever had yours appraised?
Thank you,
Melissa Hodne
I have a 15391 Tonk piano. Does anyone have any info?
Nice old sheet music on the cover, pre1918 with a drawing of a Gibson Girl ( many artists around 1900 copied the popular "Gibson Girl" image of creator Chas. Dana Gibson) so "she" was seen on many items. There exists at least one actual C,D. Gibson sheet music art cover to my knowledge. AND....
What a gorgeous piano!!--Back in the day most homes had a piano (not this nice unfortunately).
Hi,
My name is Jamie LaSorsa and I am working on a feature film in New York in search of an original Tonk Brothers piano. If anyone is willing to rent their piano or have any leads on where to find one, it would be greatly appreciated. Please contact me at jlasorsafilm@gmail.com Thank you