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Museum object · Musical Instruments

Upright piano used by Thom Bell at Philadelphia International Records

ca. 1900

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America

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Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

An aqua blue painted upright piano used by producer and arranger Thom Bell in his office at Philadelphia International Records. The lid of the piano is hinged and can open to reveal the frame, hammer rail and hammers. At the top of the frame in the upper left corner on raised text with black paint is “STEINWAY & SONS NEW YORK HAMBURG.” On the frame back near the manufacturer’s name is the serial number in black text “96711.” (year: 1900) The top front panel of the piano is cut out with rectangle and is ridged with scalloped edges. Stylized curved upper front side board are on either side of the front. The piano has a fall board that opens to reveal the keyboard. The keyboard is caped on either side with side arms. Attached to the bottom right of the keyboard is a drawer slide on a vinyl covered wood arm.

Sources & collection details

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture — original record ↗

Source collection ↗

Catalog metadata · CC0 · Source checked 2026-10-13

Catalog reference: 2015.203

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