It had been altered in 1929 by Alec Hodson of Lavenham, Suffolk and converted to a two-tier manual keyboard but it was in reasonable working order and its mahogany case, with an interior inlaid with the maker’s name, and its ivory keys were in decent condition. Offered together with a pastel drawing of the piece, it drew bids from the trade but a private buyer finally secured it at £10,500.
Plucky bidders in a £10,500 battle
UK: CONSIGNED by a private vendor who had played it regularly, this late 18th century harpsichord, right, by the prolific makers, Jacobus & Abraham Kirkham was the centre of attention at the Loughton, Essex rooms of Ambrose Auctioneers (15 per cent buyer's premium) on January 26.
