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Anecdotal History of Annandale

Fate of a Rönisch Piano

Ronisch Piano dumped on Curb in 2006, Nelson St, Annandale.

The nameplate inside this piano indicates it was manufactured at the Rönisch Factor in Dresden.In 1866 Carl Rönisch was the first to put a full cast-iron plate into a piano. This enabled a high-tension scale and is considered the beginning of the use of full cast-metal plates in use today. Source Roenisch Pianos

Each piano has a serial number which would help date it - if the piano is still there tomorrow, I will check for a serial number. Production was taken over by Hupfeld in 1918 and moved to Leipzig, so the piano must have been made before that.

There are two numbers on the Piano 782 visible from the back, located on a diagonal beam and a 29048 printed at the top edge of the right panel (when facing the piano) of the top part of the piano.

According to www.pianos.co.uk/info/pianos/r/ronisch.php, the number 29048 indicates the piano was manufactured between 1891 - 1900. The 782 indicates a manufacture date of 1856 - 1870.

Shortly after these photographs were taken, the piano was broken up and put in the back of a Ute.

Prior to starting the Beale Piano Factory in Annandale , Octavus Beale imported German Pianos to Australia.

Further References to Rönisch Pianos

• Hupfeld Solophonola
• Roenisch Claviola 88-Note Player Piano
• The Rönisch Concert Grand Piano, commissioned in the late 1870's or early 1880?s by Australia's Nicholson & Co A one-of-a-kind, German-crafted, 125-year-old Rönisch Concert Grand Piano has found a home at the ANU School of Music Keyboard Institute, securing its future in Australia.

This photograph of a more loved Ronisch Piano in Queensland, was emailed by Cathy a visitor to this page.

Cathy reported that the piano has the original Australian distributor's details - C Winkworth and Son, ANNANDALE - embossed in gold on the front of the piano.

"Alderman Winkworth was a native of Essex, England. He came to Australia when lie was 17 years old. He Joined a city music firm. Later, he founded the firm of C. Wlnkworth and Son, Ltd. It grew from a small business to a State-wide organisation. About 15 years ago Mr. Winkworth relinquished the manage- ment of the business to his two sons, Messrs. Leslie and Herbert Winkworth." - The Sydney Morning Herald Friday 14 July 1933 Page 16

Advertisement: Reliable Electric Radio...Winkworths Piano and Radio Specialists, 337 George Street....160-164 Parramatta Road, Annandale - The Sydney Morning Herald Saturday 20 September 1930 page 8

"Stanley G Campbell Piano Services,...campbell.s@optusnet.com.au...Experience: 58 years.Training: C. Winkworth & Son - Annandale" - Tuners that are located in New South Wales.

C. Winkworth & Son moved from Annandale to 51 York Street, Sydney and expanded from Pianos to Radios. AWA Radiolette mantel radios in their shop window and the Scots Regiment Parade in Front of the C. Winkworth and Son Pty Ltd (51 York Street, Sydney, N.S.W.).

Jennifer, emailed that her great-grandfather was the Vader in the Beale-Vader tuning system and her mother lived at Ruthville, in Johnston St, next door to their good friends, "the Winkies" (the Winkworths).

Ruthville is listed in the Annandale Association Register of Buildings at 39 Johnston Street.

NORTH ANNANDALE JOHNSTON-STREET VILLAS
Narellan A hansome villa ?? entrance portico hall drawing dining and breakfast rooms, six bedrooms, bathroom (hot and cold water) kitchen pantry and laundry, Ample stable and coachhouses.
Holtenham, a comfortable villa adjoining Narellan, containing hall, drawiing, dining and four bedrooms, bathroom, pantry, and kithen and landry, Brick stabling and coachhouse. Let to Mrs Anderson.
Glenferrie, a Cottage ? close to Holtenham containing hall drawing, dining and four bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom, pantry and laundry. Brick stable and coachhouse. Occupied by Mr ?? solicitor.
Katieville and Ruthville, two fully detached villas each containing hall, drawing, dining, breakfast, and five bedrooms, bathroom, pantry, sewing-room, kitchen, laundry, etc. Brick stables and Coachhouse with loft over. Let to Dr M'?? and W Millard Esq MLA
Building site having a frontage of 20ft to Johnston Street by a depth of 198ft adjoining Ruthville, fenced and with dwarf wall, railing and gates to match adjoining properties.
1897 'Advertising.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 16 December, p. 2, viewed 13 March, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14144514

Women Stringing Pianos at Beale's Piano Factory, Annandale

This page www.ramin.com.au/annandale/ronischpiano.shtml © Ramin Communications last updated: 15 March 2012.