Malcolm piano

[Lisa Sanders]

I have recently been given a 55" Malcolm (stencil?) overstrung upright piano
"made expressly for the Knight Campbell Music Co.", serial #108886.
According to Pierce Piano Atlas, this piano was made by Kohler & Campbell for
the Knight Piano Co. of Denver, CO. Kohler & Campbell serial nos. date
the instrument back to 1909, which has been confirmed by my piano technician.

This piano has been in the family for thirty years (purchased used in
Denver as a matter of fact) and I was recently given it. It has spent
the last 25 of its years quite neglected in a basement in San Francisco and
despite it's neglect this instrument is in PRIMO shape.

The sound board, bridges, pin block and iron plate are in excellent
condition. I have had the keys resurfaced (most of the ivories had popped
off), the bridal tapes replaced, and hammer felts filed. Also, since the
finish was completely crackled and blackened, I have had it refinished to
reveal the beautiful tiger oak veneer. And, of course, it was TUNED,
which it is holding very well. In a few years I will probably need to
have it restrung and the hammers replaced, but in the meanwhile I am
_very_ happy with this instrument's tone.

Whew! To the point of this all--does anyone have any info on the Malcolm
piano, or the Knight Piano Co. (Knight-Campbell Piano Co. according to
the piano's iron plate)?
I am familiar with Kohler & Campbell only from what I have read
in Larry Fine's book
I thought the internet might be a place to start as I try to trace
it's history

Thanks!
Lisa
lisa...@ucdavis.edu

[m2mar...@gmail.com]

Hello Ms. Sanders,
I too have been looking for more information on the Malcolm. I recently purchased one here in Colorado Springs and after delivery plan to use it for recording mad performance. It is quite the instrument. I would really appreciate any information you would like to share as to its history.....maybe even where to find piano rolls for it.