Oxton Kennels and The Piano: Difference between revisions
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Jake was a little older than my dad and they both raised pure-bred dogs so they became almost father and son, in a familial way. | Jake was a little older than my dad and they both raised pure-bred dogs so they became almost father and son, in a familial way. | ||
When the Huizenga's gave the Steinway Box Grand piano to may parents they moved it from Salinas to the room between the Robaleee Kennel office and the living room. | |||
My dad called Steinway in New York City. Steinway asked for the serial number and when my dad gave them number, they came back with, "That's not enough digits." After repeating the number on the piano, he was asked to describe it. "A shipping container with four Redwood Trees for legs. | My dad called Steinway in New York City for information. Steinway asked for the serial number and when my dad gave them number, they came back with, "That's not enough digits." After repeating the number on the piano, he was asked to describe it. "A shipping container with four Redwood Trees for legs. | ||
After a good laugh, Steinway offered to buy it sight unseen for a lot of money. "I don't want to sell it, I want to find someone to tune it." | After a good laugh, Steinway offered to buy it sight unseen for a lot of money. "I don't want to sell it, I want to find someone to tune it." | ||
A loud | A loud gasp preceded the, "What? Do you mean it '''still plays'''?" | ||
After many calls and letters between California and New York, the history of the piano was rebuilt. | After many calls and letters back and forth between California and New York, the history of the piano was rebuilt. | ||
It seems a ships captain from Boston and his wife | It seems a ships captain from Boston and his wife were being transferred to the company offices in San Francisco. She agreed to the move if she could take a piano with her. He was named Captain Roberts, (no relation to my family) and he moved his entire family and their household effects to San Francisco: overland by wagon across the Isthmus of Panama. (The canal would not be built until three decades later in 1916.) | ||
They bought a house on the northeast quadrant of Telegraph Hill (today | They bought a house on the northeast quadrant of Telegraph Hill (today's site of Coit Tower) where she could watch the ships entering the harbor before sailing to Howard Street or Mission Rock whaling stations. They had several children, one of the girls married into the Huizenga family and moved to an estancia in the Salinas family. Two generations later the piano was owned by Jake and Sally. | ||
Another period passes and the piano passes back to another part of the Roberts family name. | Another period passes, and the piano passes back to another part of the Roberts family name. | ||
When my mother passed, my sister had it auctioned off. I don't know where it is today, but I would like to hope this 1880-era piano | When my mother passed away, my sister had it auctioned off. I don't know where it is today, but I would like to hope this 1880-era piano has a good home. | ||
{{Footer}} | {{Footer}} | ||
[[Category:Robalee Setters]] | [[Category:Robalee Setters]] | ||
Revision as of 14:01, 28 January 2023
Jake and Sally Huizenga (of Oxton Kennels in Salinas, California) and my parents (Gerry and Shirlee Roberts of Robalee Setters) became best of friends in the late 1960's.
Jake was a little older than my dad and they both raised pure-bred dogs so they became almost father and son, in a familial way.
When the Huizenga's gave the Steinway Box Grand piano to may parents they moved it from Salinas to the room between the Robaleee Kennel office and the living room.
My dad called Steinway in New York City for information. Steinway asked for the serial number and when my dad gave them number, they came back with, "That's not enough digits." After repeating the number on the piano, he was asked to describe it. "A shipping container with four Redwood Trees for legs.
After a good laugh, Steinway offered to buy it sight unseen for a lot of money. "I don't want to sell it, I want to find someone to tune it."
A loud gasp preceded the, "What? Do you mean it still plays?"
After many calls and letters back and forth between California and New York, the history of the piano was rebuilt.
It seems a ships captain from Boston and his wife were being transferred to the company offices in San Francisco. She agreed to the move if she could take a piano with her. He was named Captain Roberts, (no relation to my family) and he moved his entire family and their household effects to San Francisco: overland by wagon across the Isthmus of Panama. (The canal would not be built until three decades later in 1916.)
They bought a house on the northeast quadrant of Telegraph Hill (today's site of Coit Tower) where she could watch the ships entering the harbor before sailing to Howard Street or Mission Rock whaling stations. They had several children, one of the girls married into the Huizenga family and moved to an estancia in the Salinas family. Two generations later the piano was owned by Jake and Sally.
Another period passes, and the piano passes back to another part of the Roberts family name.
When my mother passed away, my sister had it auctioned off. I don't know where it is today, but I would like to hope this 1880-era piano has a good home.
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