Dreweatts is to offer an exceptional private collection of rare pianos in a landmark sale on 23 September 2021.  The catalogue is now online, see below for further details. 
 

The collection was amassed by David Winston, who holds a Royal Warrant as Restorer and Conservator of Pianos to HM the Queen. It is comprised of 26 unique instruments dating from the 18th century to present day.

Amongst those expected to achieve the highest bids, and pictured above, is a rare 1925 Pleyel grand piano fitted with an original ‘Auto Pleyela’ self-playing mechanism, in a spectacular Chinoiserie Louis XV case (Est. £30,000-£50,000 + fees).  Learn more and watch videos of the Pleyel in action here.

Another highlight is a remarkable double piano from Pleyel (see video below), which is one of only 50 ever made. This model, which has a guide price of £30,000-£50,000 + fees, was once owned by the concert pianist wife of French writer and minister of culture André Malraux.   In the video below, David Winston sits down with his friend and concert pianist, Dame Imogen Cooper, to discuss the collection as a whole including the Pleyel double grand piano, which can be seen being played by Dame Imogen Cooper and Xiaowen Shang from the Royal Academy of Music, London. 

Commenting on the collection, David Winston says, “The first thing for me is that it must be something that nobody else has. It must be both an excellent musical instrument and a beautiful object. Each was chosen for its’ unique place in history, art and culture.”

Click here to continue reading the press release.


AUCTION:
The auction will take place at Dreweatts on Thursday 23 September at 12pm BST:

Dreweatts
Donnington Priory
Newbury
Berkshire RG14 2JE

VIEWING:
The sale can be viewed by appointment at the Period Piano Company (not Dreweatts) from Monday 6 September:  

Period Piano Company
Park Farm Oast
Frittenden Road
Biddenden
Kent TN27 8LG

To book an appointment, please email: housesales@dreweatts.com or call 44 (0) 1635 553 513. 

ENQUIRIES:
General enquiries: + 44 (0) 1635 553 553 | housesales@dreweatts.com 
Press enquiries: smaylor@dreweatts.com