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Square piano

Image Square piano

TLF ID R1773

This is a square piano made by William Rolfe and Sons of London in about 1810. It is made of wood, ivory and metal. It is thought to be the first piano in Wellington, New Zealand, brought by George Hunter, who migrated to Port Nicholson (Wellington) in 1840.

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Educational details

Educational value
  • This asset indicates that some European immigrants brought large amounts of luggage and personal effects to New Zealand - only first-class passengers could afford this luxury, however, as steerage-class passengers had very limited luggage allowance, sometimes arriving with only a small bag each.
  • It indicates that George Hunter was a wealthy settler who could afford to bring a piano as part of his luggage - he later became a well-known store owner and Wellington's first mayor.
  • It indicates that playing and listening to music was a favoured indoor pastime of settlers, and that the effort of bringing a piano on the voyage out to New Zealand was considered worthwhile.
  • It is in good condition, indicating that it was valued and well treated.
Topics Pianos

Other details

Contributors
  • Author
  • Name: William Rolfe and Sons
  • Organization: William Rolfe and Sons
  • Description: Author
  • Contributor
  • Name: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
  • Organization: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
  • Description: Content provider
  • URL: http://www.tepapa.govt.nz
  • Name: William Rolfe and Sons
  • Organization: William Rolfe and Sons
  • Description: Author
  • Name: Education Services Australia
  • Organization: Education Services Australia
  • Description: Data manager
  • Copyright Holder
  • Name: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
  • Organization: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
  • Publisher
  • Name: Education Services Australia Ltd
  • Organization: Education Services Australia Ltd
  • Description: Publisher
  • Address: VIC, AUSTRALIA
  • URL: http://www.esa.edu.au
  • Resource metadata contributed by
  • Name: Education Services Australia Ltd
  • Organisation: Education Services Australia Ltd
  • Address: AUSTRALIA
  • URL: www.esa.edu.au
Access profile
  • Colour independence
  • Device independence
  • Hearing independence
Learning Resource Type
  • Image
Rights
  • © Education Services Australia Ltd and Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, 2013, except where indicated under Acknowledgements