This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/1/2002.
The World's Greatest Rock n Roll Band, they keep proving it over and over again. The Rolling Stones define rock 'n' roll. They are the longest running act in the history of rock music, having remained wildly popular and prodigiously productive over their 30-year career. The group was formed by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards then eventually included a pianist called Ian Stewart and a gifted blonde blues guitarist named Brian Jones. Success came to the Stones rather quickly as they were transformed from a blues band to a rock band. In the coming years the Stones would experiment with just about every kind of rock music out there. It was Jones and Richards who wrote the blueprint for rock guitar weaving that so many other bands would soon partake in. Jones was also the first white man to play slide guitar and played it superbly. Richards in time would be known as one of rock's best ever rhythm guitar players and his guitar riffs became the trademark sound of the Stones. This rare 1882 Bosendorfer grand piano for offer was owned and used by Keith Richards and the Rolling Stones. Mick Jaggar owned the piano and then sold it to Keith Richards in 1982. The Stones used this piano on their 1981 Tour and later used it in the movie "Let's Spend The Night Together." The piano was originally black when purchased, but since it video taped and photographed poorly with the color black, the Stones had it painted white. The movie "Let's Spend the Night Together" chronicles the Stones tour and the Bosendorfer piano when it was black and later painted white. The present owner of the piano is having it refinished to the original ebony gloss (black) color and is installing a new soundboard, which is signed by Bosendorfer due to the special history of the piano. The total cost for the restorations is near $10,000. This piano is a Model 170, serial # 10032 and date of manufacture is June 1882. The date of original sale was February 2, 1883 and sold to Ritter Von Pollack-Clarwill in Vienna, Austria. The original owner was killed in WW I and it was sold at auction to an unidentified buyer. The piano was originally finished in ebony high polish and constructed from exotic mahogony, spruce, maple, walnut, and elder. Bosendorfer pianos from this era have been recently selling for over $35,000. This concert used piano is well worth the opening bid considering the factors of significance it holds. The documentation accompanying this item is impeccable. Includes an original signed letter from Keith Richards on Stones stationary, copy of a letter from Jane Rose (Richards' manager) to Dana Hawkes (Sotheby's), copy of a letter from Jane Rose to our consignor dated 2/26/01, VHS copy of the movie, and concert photos of the piano on stage. The restoration on the piano was finished during post catalog production and new photos are available upon request.This one of a kind item is truly an incredible conversation piece and would highlight any serious rock n' roll collection. This museum quality item should someday be in the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame. The winning bidder gets free shipping and delivery within the United States.