English Square Piano
Item# JP $120
Retired
No wonder Tía Dolores insisted on bringing her piano with her all the way from Mexico City—it was a beauty! You can help Josefina play this wonderful wooden reproduction. It has the same square shape, inlay trim, and fancy metal ornamentation as the pianos in Josefina’s day. Lift the lid to reveal working keys, and use the sheet music to serenaded Josefina with the melody to Home Sweet Home.
Yeah we all know the drill, "If only in 1997 I would know how much I would spend on Ebay for this thing when it was originally $120...."
The piano is made of wood with metal details. Like most of Josefina's furniture, except for the bed, the piano is on American Girl's Wonky Scale. It is also very light. I think if the piano suffered a fall at the wrong angle from too high from the floor it would shatter. On the other end, My very fat cat has developed a love if sitting and laying on the piano and it seems like it has handled her weight well. However, like so many American Girl things it is a big dust catcher.
You can see some dust already settled in the hard-to-clean places on the keyboard. I really like how it open and closes. In a pinch the piano can be served as a table or a desk. Currently I can not have small things out due to my kitten's "I must destroy/lose everything I can" stage but Josefina's toy farm and vase from birthday treats look lovely on the piano. I find it kind of plain without anything on the piano.
I may be a minority here, but I really like the sound. Maybe it is because I knew going into the purchase that it would not should like a "real" piano. I find the "toyish" sound very enduring and charming. When playing with it I find myself like a child.
It is very plain in the back but I'm sure the original 1824 pianos would had plain backs too.
Each leg has a little brass detail. It does not seem like it tarnishes with age and does not seem like a risk for falling off the piano with careful play or display.
I am pretty sure the details are painted. Much like her other thing's Josefina's piano could be considered plain but I would call them elegant in their simplicity.
There was no bench, but the piano originally came with sheet music to "Home Sweet Home" which is kind of hard to find when buying the piano on Ebay. It's a nice addition but not vital, I don't think Josefina plays it at any time in her stories.
The music is made of parchment like paper and I believe that the music is printed out in full.
I don't know if it is because it was closed or in storage or something for a few years but the sheet music does not stay open very well on the stand. It will probably need to be flatten to be displayed open.
When I can display it again on the piano, I prefer to keep it close.
With Josefina's bed to its side, her chair/table behind and Cécile's table to the side. The piano works well in the dolls worlds. The piano is slightly off with the rest of Josefina's furniture but that could emphasis that this is a special item not found in every home. More on Josie the cat later...
Finally Josefina makes an appearance! I honestly don't know why for $120 original why the piano did not come with a bench. Who plays the piano standing? Currently Josefina uses one of the chairs from her table to sit, at some point I'll get a bench of stool or something. Sitting on the chair Josefina is a bit awkward at the piano, but with some maneuvering I have her kind of sitting/kind of standing, giving it an appearance that she is sitting on the edge of the chair.
If posed just right, Josefina's fingers lay quite nicely on the keys.
I most disagree with some above reviews. I think this piano is lovely for not only Josefina but other collections from Caroline to Molly. Even in a bit of historical reimaging it could be used as a harpsichord for Felicity. Unlike other "large" pieces it is very important in Josefina's core books and at least one short story. It also fits into Josefina's personality as a musically talented, but shy girl who fights between attention and not being noticed. It is also a piece that you can find the piano at the price you want in time. Then, when you get it, you and Josefina will be happy. A
Bonus pic, Josie, musical kitty protégé.