HARP : SEBASTIAN ERARD 1813 DOUBLE ACTION HARP, GRECIAN ORNAMENTATION

THE MAKER & THE PATENT
Sebastian Erard (1752-1831), born Strasbourg, trained with a Paris harpsichord maker about 1768, where his genius at solving mechanical problems came to attention of the Abbe Roussier. King Louis XIV granted him a special license, bypassing the Paris guild, and protected him from envious rivals. For Marie Antoinette, Erard made a combination piano and organ, with two keyboards.
Forced to London by the French Revolution, by 1792 he had established his London factory at Great Marlboro Street, where this harp was built, the fruit of many years technological improvements by its maker. Starting 1794, Erard is recorded filing at least five English patents for advances in harp and pianoforte technology, culminating in patent # 3332, filed 2 May 1810 for the Double Action Harp with seven pedals, plus an eighth pedal for opening the back of the soundbox.

THE INSTRUMENT
This instrument, assigned Serial # 1571 by Sebastian Erard, is among the first with this historic design, the breakthrough which established Sebastian Erard as inventor of the concert harp.
This instrument is registered with the International Erard Society, where the date of original purchase is recorded as 13 March, 1813.

FIRST OWNER.
Francis Peter Charles Daniel Count O'Hegerty (1767-1849)
Commander of the Order of St. Louis, Chevalier of the Royal Legion of Honor, Knight of Malta, descendent of ancient Irish Royalty serving the Jacobite cause in exile since 1691 as privateers and in service to successive generations of the French Bourbons. O'Hegerty's father, Francis, corresponded with Benjamin Franklin, offering his services in the American Revolution.

EXHIBITION RECORD
Robert E. Lee Boyhood Home, Alexandria, Virginia, 1968 to 2000, in the drawing room called the "Lafayette Room" because Anne Carter Lee received General Lafayette there during his triumphal 1824 return tour of the United States that he had helped liberate by his service in the American Revolution.

Price ..................................................................................................................................................................................................SOLD