1924 FRANCIS BACON ARTS & CRAFTS UPRIGHT PLAYER PIANO QUARTER-SAWN TIGHT-GRAIN VIRGIN OAK, CADILLAC OF PIANOS Start Price USD 1,000.00 Current Price USD 1,000.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Thursday, October 30, 2008 End Time Saturday, December 13, 2008 Location Appleton, Wisconsin See more about '1924 FRANCIS BACON ARTS & CRAFTS UPRIGHT PLAYER PIANO' Description I admit, I did not know much about pianos until I came across this one and did the research. Last year we purchased a 1924 Arts & Crafts bungalow in a historic area of town. The house next door was a mirror image floor plan, and we later learned that 2 brothers built each house for themselves in 1924. Both houses retained what appear to be original pianos, and since our piano is dated 1924, we believe it is original to the house at the time it was built new. Unfortunately, it had found itself to the basement, and after several remodels, access out of the basement would have been nearly impossible. Pianos in this situation usually get bashed into pieces and put on the curb for refuse pickup. Fortunately, our plans for the house was to tear off the entire roof and re-frame, and also relocate the stairs. Because this happened at the same time, we were able to use the crane and lift the piano vertically through the roof on the same day the crane was used to lift the new roof trusses into place. I am told that this 1924 Francis Bacon player was the cadillac of pianos at the time. There appears to be only 1 thin coat of paint that should be easy to remove, and we believe it reveals solid quarter-sawn tight-grain virgin Oak construction for superior sound resonance, and in the style of Arts & Crafts. It obviously needs a full restoration, but it appears to be complete and in very good condition for its age. As I was doing online research, I came across a piano restorer in Tennessee who sold an identical piano several years ago for $12,000.00. He described to me that the Francis Bacon is a very desirable player, and that the values were increasing (his current estimate was $14,000.00 about 6 months ago). He also does full restorations, so here's the link if you'd like to learn more about it: http://www.vintagepianoshop.com/detail.cfm?id=50 His ballpark estimate to restore this piano from top-to-bottom and inside-out was $10,000.00, and the end result would certainly be worth the investment when finished. This item is located in Appleton, Wisconsin 54914 and local pickup is free. I have a fork lift and will load onto your truck or trailer for free. If shipping is required, buyer must arrange for and pay for all shipping costs, including a crating fee of $300.00. It is located at a legitimate business address and I can accept a full semi truck and load with with the fork lift. Place a Bid!