A history of the model, their production in New York City, and the story of the two we currently have in our showroom.

The Steinway & Sons K52 upright piano is sought after due to its meticulous craftsmanship and exceptional attention to detail, both hallmarks of the renowned Steinway & Sons brand. Known for its rich and resonant sound, the K52 is designed to deliver a superior musical experience, making it a preferred choice among pianists seeking an instrument that combines elegance with unparalleled performance.

We currently have two pre-war K52s in our collection in two different finishes that have been lovingly and meticulously restored to their original glory. They were built in the late 1800s in New York City. By this time period, the Steinway factory in New York had undergone significant expansion to accommodate the growing demand for Steinway pianos. The facility was substantial in size, reflecting the company's success and market position.

The factory was known for its commitment to craftsmanship and quality. Skilled artisans and craftsmen worked diligently to handcraft each piano, ensuring precision and attention to detail in every step of the manufacturing process. They were also known for embracing significant technological advancements in piano manufacturing. While the process involved a highly involved amount of handcraftsmanship, the factory incorporated cutting-edge technologies of the time to enhance efficiency and precision.

What makes these golden-era Steinway & Sons pianos especially unique compared to other makes is their soundboards. These soundboards are from old growth forests that were around 400 years old at the time of their logging. Much like vintage wines, the sound that emanates from a pre-war Steinway soundboard has a color palette and presence that is almost indescribable.

New Steinway pianos have soundboards that are sourced from younger forests, closer to 100-year-old trees. This is not to say that new-made Steinway uprights don’t sound wonderful, but there is something of great depth to be found in these older Steinway K52 soundboards that is unattainable today.

Furthermore, the ivory found on these two pianos likely came from elephants that would’ve been around 60 years old themselves . It is certainly a tragedy that this is a technique that was commonly used on pianos, (ivory harvesting) though I believe we can honor these animals by preserving the ivory, and telling their story through the music made on these pianos.

As a piano tuner, I have serviced and tuned thousands of Pianos, In my career the most interesting and noteworthy of those pianos were these Steinway uprights. I believe it has to do with the way they are handmade and how a team of multigenerational craftsman and women put each one together over the course of a full year.

The two Steinway K52s we currently have in our showroom have to be some of the two most unique ones we’ve had the pleasure to restore. The Ebony K52 has the quintessential warm and dark sound that the American school of pianos are uniquely known for. The Mahogany K52 boasts a beautiful natural woodgrain, with the all exterior veneer pieces coming from one single tree or flinch.

Something unique about both of these Pianos is that each piece of the piano is uniquely for that piano, and could not be used on another. It is always a joy to work on pianos that were made during a time when durability and uniqueness, were a standard, not a luxury.

You can make an appointment to come see these restored pieces of history at our website, ProsperPianos.com. The majestic sound of them is something that is best experienced in person!