In answer to Bob Baker's query about the year of manufacture of a 5' 6"
Steck Duo-Art grand Serial #65294.

My "Piano Atlas" lists Geo. Steck Serial #65294 as being manufactured
in 1921.  However it seems to be well accepted that the dates for
Aeolian Co. pianos are notoriously unreliable.  I am told that this was
caused by a fire in about 1930 which destroyed their records.

My own Steck is #69884 and the Atlas states that it was manufactured a
year later in 1922.  However it has an 80-note stack (introduced in
1925) and the tracker ears come through holes in the tracker bar which
is moved directly by the tracking mechanism.  I am told that this
feature was introduced in 1927.

At the same time it is clear that the piano was originally manufactured
before the introduction of the 80-note stack, as the keys are cut away
so that the tracker bar tubing can pass between them.  In addition,
(i) cutouts were originally made in the key bed for the disconnects and
(ii) the back side of the keyslip has been milled for the control
levers.  My theory is that the piano was made some time before 1925 and
that for some reason it was not completed until 1927, when the latest
Duo-Art mechanism was installed.

In summary, the dates in the "Piano Atlas" for Aeolian Co. pianos may
give an indication of when the serial number was assigned or the piano
construction started but they certainly do not say when the piano and
installation of the player was completed.

Regards
John Johns