Rosa Ponselle Autograph Appraisal

Wm. Knabe & Co. Grand Piano with Rosa Ponselle Autograph

This item is the interior harp assembly of a Wm. Knabe & Co. grand piano, featuring a cast-iron plate finished in a classic gold-bronze metallic lacquer. The plate showcases a prominent integrated circular logo casting that reads 'KNABE' within a shield, surrounded by the text 'BALTIMORE, MD' and 'ESTABLISHED 1837' in raised relief lettering. A highly significant and unique feature of this specific instrument is a hand-written signature in cursive on the plate that appears to read 'Rosa Ponselle 1937.' Rosa Ponselle was a legendary American operatic soprano closely associated with the Baltimore area, and Knabe was the official piano of the Metropolitan Opera during her tenure, adding immense historical and provenance value. The construction details show steel piano wire and copper-wound bass strings secured by tuning pins and hitch pins along the bridge. The plate displays a natural age-related patina with minor surface dust and slight discoloration around the autograph area, which is partially covered by a protective transparent film or tape. The quality is indicative of high-end American piano manufacturing from the early 20th century, specifically the Golden Age of piano building. This instrument represents a combination of fine musical craftsmanship and significant cultural memorabilia, likely dating the specific assembly or its commemorative signing to 1937.