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Upright Pianos

The first known upright piano was built in 1739 by Domenico del Mela of Gagliano, Italy. It looked like a grand piano with the soundboard tipped up toward the ceiling. Shortly after, in the 1740s, Christian Ernst Frederici of Germany began making upright pyramid pianos, which had a pyramid shape and a flat top. Piano makers experimented with other upright piano forms before returning to the pyramid shape in the early 1800s.

The cabinet piano, a very tall version of the modern upright, was introduced about 1805. This style of piano encased the strings in a tall cabinet that rose from the keyboard almost to the ceiling. Cabinet pianos were built until the 1840s when shorter cottage pianos became popular. The cottage piano was the style used for upright pianos throughout the Victorian era and into the 20th century. Beginning in the '30s, the small console style piano became popular and is the predominant style of personal home piano to this day.

Vintage upright pianos can be classified into grades depending on the quality of materials and the style of the instrument. A grade one piano is typically a plain upright while a grade five may be an artistic case piano that is entirely handmade. Any piano made prior to 1915 can be considered an antique.


Quick Facts

  • The lyre upright piano was a piano style produced by German piano makers in the first part of the 19th century. The upright portion of the piano was shaped like a lyre
  • A player piano is an upright piano with an automatic mechanism that plays slotted music rolls. Antique player pianos in excellent condition are usually valued between $15,000 and $30,000
  • The upright piano played by Sam in the movie "Casablanca," manufactured by Richardson's Inc., was sold by Sotheby's in 2012 for $602,500

Recommended Items at Auction

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Early Bliss Wooden Child's Piano
May 28, 10:00 AM EDT
Early Bliss Wooden Child's Piano
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Est: $50- $100
$300 Bids
WELTE FREIBURG "PIANON" REPRODUCING PIANO
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Est: $100- $1,000
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2003 Dark Cherry Kawai Console Piano w/ Bench.
May 24, 11:00 AM CDT
2003 Dark Cherry Kawai Console Piano w/ Bench.
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Joachim Ehlers, a decorative Children's Piano with a fitting Chair.
Jun 10, 1:00 PM CEST
Joachim Ehlers, a decorative Children's Piano with a fitting Chair.
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Est: €400- €600
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BENTLEY UPRIGHT OVERSTRUNG PIANO
May 27, 10:00 AM IST
BENTLEY UPRIGHT OVERSTRUNG PIANO
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€2400 Bids
TAYLOR & SON, LONDON, UPRIGHT PIANO, LATE 19TH CENTURY
May 27, 10:00 AM IST
TAYLOR & SON, LONDON, UPRIGHT PIANO, LATE 19TH CENTURY
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Est: €400- €600
€2400 Bids
BRODR. JORGENSEN DANISH OAK UPRIGHT PIANO C. 1960S
May 29, 11:00 AM EDT
BRODR. JORGENSEN DANISH OAK UPRIGHT PIANO C. 1960S
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Est: $10- $10,000
$100 Bids
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Upright 'Yamaha' Piano on castors and piano stool.
Jun 01, 11:00 AM AEST
Upright 'Yamaha' Piano on castors and piano stool.
by Kim's Auction
Est: AUD10,000- AUD15,000
AUD4,0000 Bids
ROSLER TEAK UPRIGHT PIANO BY PETROF C. 1960S
May 29, 11:00 AM EDT
ROSLER TEAK UPRIGHT PIANO BY PETROF C. 1960S
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Est: $10- $10,000
$100 Bids
Baldwin Acrosonic Mid Century Piano
May 29, 11:00 AM EDT
Baldwin Acrosonic Mid Century Piano
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Est: $2,000- $3,000
$1,0000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Upright Pianos


Sheppards

Sheppards

Westport Auction

Westport Auction

Morphy Auctions

Morphy Auctions

Gray's Auctioneers

Gray's Auctioneers