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This piano was completed early in 1910 and shipped to Hunt Wilkinson in Philadelphia. On November 30, 1910 Wilkinson, who served as the decorator for the Reynolds family’s Fifth Street house, shipped the piano to R.J. Reynolds in Winston-Salem. According to these dates the piano had been purchased for the Fifth Street townhouse. The piano was moved to Reynolda in 1917.
ProvenanceChronology:
From 1910
R. J. Reynolds (1850-1918), Winston-Salem, NC, purchased from Steinway through Hunt, Wilkinson & Co. in Philadelphia, PA in 1910.
From mid-1960s to 2005
Charles H. Babcock Jr. (1932-2005), Winston-Salem, NC
From 2005
Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Winston-Salem, NC, gift of the Estate of Charles Babcock Jr. on behalf of the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation.
NOTES:
[1] Correspondence with Moore Music, November 21, 1991, Object File. It was first located at the Fifth Street House then moved to Reynolda in 1917.
[2] Deed of Gift and Accession Record, Object File.
[3] See note 2.
Letter 11/21/1991 from Moore Music, Greensboro (they got the info from Steinway about original dealer, etc.):
R. J. Reynolds (1850-1918), Winston-Salem, NC, purchased from Steinway through Hunt Wilkinson in Philadelphia, PA in 1910.
“The piano was completed in early 1910 and shipped to Hunt Wilkinson in Philadelphia. On November 30, 1910 it was sent to Winston Salem in care of R. J. Reynolds.” – of Hunt, Wilkinson & Co (decorator of 5th street house)
Deed of Gift – 12/21/2005; 1/3/2006; BBM research writeup (2/25/2003):
Charles Babcock, Jr
Estate of Charles H. Babcock Jr. donating to RHMAA
Was at his home from the mid 1960s until his death
Accession Record – 9/26/2005:
This gift is being made by the Estate of Charles H. Babcock, Jr. on behalf of The Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation and the family of Charles H. Babcock, Jr.
Signed 12/5/2005
Board of Directors Mtg Minutes 11/10/2005:
Proposed Acquisition to the Board
According the Deed of Gift, the Collections Committee Accepted it in November 2005
DepartmentRestricted
Parlor Grand Piano
Date1910
Mediummahogany, marquetry inlay, brass, iron
DimensionsOverall: 39 3/4 × 72 × 56 in. (101 × 182.9 × 142.2 cm)
Credit LineGift of the Estate of Charles Babcock Jr. on behalf of the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation
CopyrightPublic Domain
Object number2005.4.1
DescriptionThe Steinway & Sons parlor grand piano is a Model A, Sketch 380 Sheraton in mahogany veneer with string inlay in the fall board, music rack, and legs. A band of ribbon marquetry runs horizontally beneath the key silo. A Parlor Grand is built to a smaller size for home use, but is intended to give concert hall sound in the intimacy of a home. Several key patents help to produce the sound, including those noted in the marks/inscriptions of the piano. The Wanamaker’s and Keen floorplan of the library calls for the location of the piano on the left of the alcove to the Reception Hall. Since there is no photograph of the west wall, it is not known whether the piano was in fact located on the left or right. In later years, it was located on the right. This piano was completed early in 1910 and shipped to Hunt Wilkinson in Philadelphia. On November 30, 1910 Wilkinson, who served as the decorator for the Reynolds family’s Fifth Street house, shipped the piano to R.J. Reynolds in Winston-Salem. According to these dates the piano had been purchased for the Fifth Street townhouse. The piano was moved to Reynolda in 1917.
ProvenanceChronology:
From 1910
R. J. Reynolds (1850-1918), Winston-Salem, NC, purchased from Steinway through Hunt, Wilkinson & Co. in Philadelphia, PA in 1910.
From mid-1960s to 2005
Charles H. Babcock Jr. (1932-2005), Winston-Salem, NC
From 2005
Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Winston-Salem, NC, gift of the Estate of Charles Babcock Jr. on behalf of the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation.
NOTES:
[1] Correspondence with Moore Music, November 21, 1991, Object File. It was first located at the Fifth Street House then moved to Reynolda in 1917.
[2] Deed of Gift and Accession Record, Object File.
[3] See note 2.
Letter 11/21/1991 from Moore Music, Greensboro (they got the info from Steinway about original dealer, etc.):
R. J. Reynolds (1850-1918), Winston-Salem, NC, purchased from Steinway through Hunt Wilkinson in Philadelphia, PA in 1910.
“The piano was completed in early 1910 and shipped to Hunt Wilkinson in Philadelphia. On November 30, 1910 it was sent to Winston Salem in care of R. J. Reynolds.” – of Hunt, Wilkinson & Co (decorator of 5th street house)
Deed of Gift – 12/21/2005; 1/3/2006; BBM research writeup (2/25/2003):
Charles Babcock, Jr
Estate of Charles H. Babcock Jr. donating to RHMAA
Was at his home from the mid 1960s until his death
Accession Record – 9/26/2005:
This gift is being made by the Estate of Charles H. Babcock, Jr. on behalf of The Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation and the family of Charles H. Babcock, Jr.
Signed 12/5/2005
Board of Directors Mtg Minutes 11/10/2005:
Proposed Acquisition to the Board
According the Deed of Gift, the Collections Committee Accepted it in November 2005
Status
On viewcirca 1917