J. Becker’s Factory, No. 19400.
Russia, St. Petersburg, 1902

“[the State Emblem of the Russian Empire] / ПОСТАВЩИКЪ ИХЪ ВЕЛИЧЕСТВЪ / [images of 3 the State Emblem] ИМПЕРАТОРА ВСЕРОССИЙСКАГО, ИМПЕРАТОРА АВСТРИЙСКАГО [an image of the State Emblem] / КОРОЛЯ ДАТСКАГО [an image of the State Emblem] / Я. БЕККЕРЪ / ВЪ С. ПЕТЕРБУРГѢ. (Supplier of their Majesties the Emperor of All Russia, Austrian Emperor, Danish King, J. Becker in S. Petersburg)” — a stamp by black dye on the sound board;
“Я. БЕККЕРЪ (J. Becker)” — a cast inscription on the frame (area of the strings of the bass register);
“J. BECKER” — a carved inscription on the lid further tinted golden;
“19400” — a cast inscription on the frame (area of the tuning pegs of the descant register), embossed with a punch on the back side of the music stand;
“18” — embossed with a punch on the back side of the music stand

2105×1484×950
Wood, metal, bone, fabric, felt, leather

1938, gifted by N. A. Rimskiy-Korsakov’s heirs
Stock number: 14555

The instrument belonged to N. A. Rimskiy-Korsakov (1844–1908) and was located in the composer’s apartment (28 Zagorodnyj Avenue, app. 39) until 1918. Not only Nikolay Andreyevich himself and his wife N. N. Rimskaya-Korsakova played the !убрать royal! piano, but also A. K. Glazunov, A. K. Lyadov, S. V. Rakhmaninov, A. M. Scryabin, N. N. Cherepnin, F. M. Blumenfeld, G. F. Stravinskiy and others. The mistress, as well as F. M. Blumenfeld (and a number of other pianists), performed in ensembles with N. M. Zabela-Vrubel, A. G. Zherebtsova, M. N. Insarova, G. F. Stravinskiy, F. I. Chalyapin

N. Rimskiy-Korsakov.
Cavatina of Tsar Berendey from The Snow Maiden opera