Ivers and Pond Piano Style 395, 1905

Jana and I just scored a totally sweet Ivers and Pond piano. It is style 395, from 1905. I was even able to find an original advertisement in the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers Volume 39, January 1905.

The case is mahogany. The lighter wood at the bottom is from a refinishing project undertaken by the former owner - a refinishing project thankfully abandoned before completed. Acting on the advice of a local piano restorer, I touched up the finish with a 50/50 mix of medium walnut and cherry danish oil. The finish was perfect, and easily covered up all but the deepest of scratches.

The piano was "Selected and Voiced" for the Wise Piano House of Boise, Idaho. According to the history of Idaho, Mr. Wise was a hugely successful piano salesman. According to the prior owners, this piano was used in a silent movie house for years. After "talkies" became popular, the prior owner's mother bought her the piano when she was 14.

The serial number places this piano at late 1905. I had pegged it at early 1906, but a friendly redditor (Thanks OnaZ!) looked it up in the Pierce Piano Atlas and corrected me. Even better.

A small lever by the keyboard operates the "soft stop" mechanism

When the soft stop is engaged, the upper bar rests against the strings, muting the sound and causing the hammers to strike thick felt instead of the strings themselves. The pin was missing from the mechanism, which caused the soft stop to be permanently engaged - which likely saved years of wear from the hammers and strings. The soft stop felt now needs to be replaced, but it is a small price to pay for a piano this well preserved.
As for the mechanism itself, one of Jana's bobby pins has now repaired it to working order.
Ivers and Pond was known for constant innovation

And for hand carving all decorative carving and moldings

The piano was last tuned in 1973 - but it is still in tune (at least with itself, which is what matters most). Neither Jana nor I find any fault with the tone.

For a grand old lady of 105, the piano is awesome. It is in phenomenal condition, and produces a wonderful tone. We are very pleased. Very pleased indeed.

The prior owners were kind enough to sell us this piano for it's original 1905 price.

Edited to Add: More information on Ivers and Pond at The Antique Piano Shop