Their grandmother’s piano takes up too much space: just as they were going to throw it away, the heirs learn that it is worth 25,000 euros
In Rouen, a family who had decided to get rid of a bulky piano discovered that the Erard brand piano belonged to the composer Isaac Strauss. A historic instrument worth several tens of thousands of euros.
Several months ago, a family from Rouen decided to sell the piano that had always been with their grandmother, because she was placed in a retirement home. Poorly tuned, it was rather there to decorate the living room of their ancestors, relates France 3.
A piano by Isaac Strauss
So the time comes for the family to sort their belongings in their apartment in Mont-Saint-Aignan. They then decided to contact an auctioneer in the region who estimated this mahogany piano at 800 euros and offered it four times in the auction room. But six years later, the descendants must take up the piano again.
Since no one has the space to store it at their home, they agree to make a donation to the Yvetot music school. At the last moment and to avoid any regrets, an uncle decides to call on an expert, reveals France 3. He contacted Vital and Bérangère Romet, piano experts and repairers in Rouen.
With the serial number, he found the former owner in the archives of the Erard brand, a certain Isaac Strauss, a contemporary of Rossini with whom he was close. He is a 19th century French violinist, conductor, composer and collector. He is also the great-grandfather of Claude Lévi-Strauss, as well as an ancestor of Emmanuel Todd.
Estimated between 20,000 and 25,000 euros
The family decides to preserve and restore the piano. Today it is practically refurbished. “It’s complicated to give an estimate, there is sentimental value and it’s a collector’s piano. But if we had to give it a price, it would be between 20,000 and 25,000 euros. If we price him more, we’re really not sure he’ll leave, but that’s what the family wants.” recognizes Berengère Romet.
For several weeks, she has been trying to sell this precious object to a collector or a foundation. But the piano market is in crisis. Indeed, digital models are more appreciated by musicians given their easily transportable size.
