Graham WalkerThis is the website of Graham Walker, Dorset, UK who has had an interest in the early piano for over 30 years. He has undertaken the restoration of instruments for private collection and has also carried out research on early pianos and their makers over this period. This has been done alongside a career in management consultancy and performance management. Early retirement in 2007 enabled him to become more involved and he commissioned a cloth manufacturer to produce an authentic keyboard cloth. This cloth is the nearest match to an early 19th century piano cloth that can be made within modern manufacturing processes. It was initially produced for his requirements but it soon came in demand by others.  Further types of cloth have been replicated by request from makers and restorers.  These cloths can be purchased from the online shop on this website.  He has also undertaken some research into the leather used in early English pianos and is currently working in liaison with the Institute of Creative Leather Technology, Northampton University, UK with the objective of determining specifications. He is involved in supporting interest in the early piano and is passionate about ensuring that our heritage of early pianos collections in the UK can be maintained for the future.

Find Out more about these interesting Instruments Buy authentic early keyboard materials

Welcome to this website that gives a wealth of information mainly about early English pianos and their makers but also covers other early pianos. You can also buy authentic early keyboard materials from the online store. Please enjoy your visit and come back soon.  You are welcome to get in touch if you would like any further advice. You may have an early piano that you would like to know more about or offer one for sale on this website. 

21st. January 2021 –  New stock of the 1.5mm Early Keyboard Cloth is now available for purchase from our online store together with all other products.  There is also a new damper cloth in cochineal red and natural off-white

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Eleanor Chinnery’s square piano inscribed Melly

(Made in Dublin between c1792 and c1794) Little is known about Melly to the extent that even his first name alludes us.  He describes himself as a harpsichord and pianoforte maker at 40 Fleet Street Dublin.1   On the nameboard is…

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1812 Broadwood grand

The new early keyboards cloths in use – Examples and guidance

Early 19th century square and grand pianos typically use a keyboard cloth that is about 1.5mm thick applying two thicknesses to the back-touch and front rail of the keyframe and one thickness to the balance rail.  One or two thicknesses…

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William Southwell – The prolific inventor

This paper covers William Southwell’s manufacturing activities in Dublin during the late 18th century and brings into context the progression of instruments he designed and made. He was one of the most prolific inventors of the early piano and made…

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Tangent action

The English Tangent Action Square Piano

A piano with a tangent action is fundamentally different to all other pianos.  It uses a hammer that is detached from the action, known as a tangent. It is raised vertically to the strings by an action lever whereas all…

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Advice about buying a Square Piano

Updated August 2019 Introduction This article provides a background to the recent interest in square pianos, comments on their musical capabilities and provides guidance on buying an instrument. Rise to respectability Many Georgian and Victorian square pianos have survived but…

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