A.H. Francke Pianino

Type: Pianino

Collection: Kolthoorn Collection

Manufacturer: Francke, August Hermann

Year: 1887

Geography: Leipzig / Germany

Dimensions (cm): L=77 W=148 H=131

Current location: On display at Kaduk Muziekinstrumentenonwikkeling

Additional information

Inscriptions

On the nameboard: A.H. Franke / Hof-Pianoforte-Fabrik / Leipzig.
Below the nameboard: Paul von Janko Patent Claviatur

Context: August Hermann Francke established a factory in Leipzig in 1865 where they built pianinos. This pianino has an unusually designed keyboard known as a Janko keyboard. The Janko keyboard that this pianino hosts was designed in 1882 by Paul von Janko and it drew a lot of attention due to its striking look and design. However the system never caught on in the long term.

Geelvinck collections overview