This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/23/2019
Bob Dylan often played this C. Kurtzmann & Company vintage upright Cabinet Grand piano when he was a high school student living in Hibbing, Minnesota. In the summers he would visit his Aunt Ethel and Uncle Chappy Divine (Ethel and Bob's mother Bede Zimmerman were sisters) in Highland Park, a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota. When he was visiting his Aunt Ethel would call Deana Shuster to let her know Bob was visiting and they would arrange for Bob to come hand out with Deana's son Stanford Shuster, who was also in high school. Bob would go over to their house and he would sit at this upright piano, owned by the Shusters, in their rec room and play and sing. According to Stanford, Bob was very single-minded about his music and he played and sung at this piano many times during their high school years. The piano was purchased by Stanford's grandfather Morris Esrig in 1953 and according to Stanford it is in working condition with only two missing keys, one white and one black. The piano is still in the possession of the Shusters. Comes with a letter of authenticity from Stanford Shuster and a Gotta Have Rock & Roll™ Certificate of Authenticity. Background information on the piano maker: C. Kurtzmann & Company was established by Christian Kurtzmann in Buffalo, NY in 1848. In about 1859, C. Kurtzmann went into partnership with a gentleman by the name of Hinze to form the company of “Kurtzmann & Hinze“. Christian Kurtzmann dissolved this partnership sometime in the late 1860’s and started building pianos under his own name. Kurtzmann was known for building very high quality, expensive pianos and organs. These instruments are truly amazing examples of old-world quality and craftsmanship. The piano, a Cabinet Grand upright piano is beautifully detailed fluted columned legs and moldings. Comes with a letter of provenance and a Gotta Have Rock & Roll™ Certificate of Authenticity.