Jay Mallory found the Erard-made instrument among items owned by one of his best friends, a collector of Romantic-period pianos- in her house in Miami Florida USA after she had passed away in 2001. A copy of the register from the now closed House of Erard, supplied by Early piano Experts Jay Mallory and Olivier Marechal/Mallory, reveals that the piano was built in 1834 and purchased by the Exiled Italian Princess Christina Trivulzio de Belgiojoso (picture below) in 1835. The Princess regularly held concerts in her salon in Paris for the great musicians of the day, and in the spring of 1837 she invited her friend Liszt and his rival Thalberg to perform a concert there.

The instrument’s history has since been shrouded in mystery as the House of Erard passed from one owner to another before finally closing.
The piano pictured on top, is a 240 cm long Concert Grand piano made by Erard, being made in solid Rosewood and carved in the Princess’s favorite style: gothic. This piano was delivered from the House of Erard to the salon of the Famous Princess in 1835. The register (pictured below) reveals that Liszt accompanied the Princess when she made the purchase, as well the name of the purchaser, ‘Madame Le Princess Belgiojoso’, and the instruments serial number and when it was made and dispatched. The pianos serial number, 13317, matches that shown on the register.



‘This is one of the most famous and rare pianos in existance from this period because of its Royal provinance and its history,’ Says Jay Mallory.
While the instrument has undergone restoration work in its past, most being done by Erard himself, the piano is otherwise in its original state. There are future plans for a complete restoration of this piano at this time. Anyone interested in the piano should contact Jay Mallory via email at: info@palacepianos.com