Those include one of the first Steinways ever produced, a Steinway Square Grand, circa 1855, and one of Steinway’s olive-painted “Victory Verticals,” upright pianos that were parachuted into combat zones during WWII to help lift troop morale. The SS United States’ piano has been in safekeeping at Steinway’s factory since its acquisition by the Conservancy, along with a number of other historic pianos. We are also grateful to Conservancy board members Mark Perry and Robert Forbes, whose generosity enabled us to add this extraordinary artifact to our collections.” “We are very appreciative of Steinway & Sons for providing such a wonderful home for this historic piano while our plans for a museum and the ship’s revitalization are advanced.

“Now thousands of people will be able to see this legendary piano, which, like America’s Flagship, is an amazing feat of American design and craftsmanship,” said Susan Gibbs, President of the SS United States Conservancy, the nonprofit organization dedicated to saving the historic ocean liner and advancing her redevelopment. His stunt demonstrated the fire-resistant qualities of mahogany, proving his pianos wouldn’t be a threat to the ship’s safety. After Steinway vehemently refused, an argument ensued resulting in Steinway, the company president, dousing a piano in kerosene and igniting it. He famously asked Theodore Steinway to craft pianos in aluminum. In order to make the ship completely fireproof, the United States’ designer, William Francis Gibbs, demanded that there would be no wood on board the vessel. Its design and materials were once at the center of an unusual and contentious dispute during the outfitting of the world’s fastest ocean liner. The United States baby grand isn’t only famous for the bandleaders and entertainers, including Duke Ellington, who once played it. The new Steinway Hall opened in 2016 at 1133 Avenue of the Americas in Midtown Manhattan.

Recently acquired by the SS United States Conservancy, the historic baby grand piano specially designed for America’s Flagship will be available for public display for the first time at Steinway Hall in Manhattan starting February 1.

NEW YORK, NY (January 29, 2020) – The Grand Ballroom of the SS United States, which once played host to presidents and celebrities of the 1950s and 60s, was filled nightly with the sounds of a custom Steinway. Piano from America’s Flagship Once Played by Duke Ellington and Other Renowned Musicians Was Recently Acquired by SS United States Conservancy For First Time, Steinway Baby Grand Piano from the Historic SS United States Now on Public Display at Steinway Hall in New York

Francis bacon baby grand piano value