In 1926 Henry David Haarnack told newspaper reporters

"There have been four generations at the trade in our family, and in 1808 my grandfather was head machinist at Erard's. We have been in this workshop for 60 years."

To read the three articles in full click here

To read all about Erard pianos and harps , click hereandhere

Henry David's grandfather was Christian Horneckor Haarnack.

Henry David had a brother called Christian and when he remarried in 1875, this is what the marriage certificate said about his father

We know that Christian Haarnack married at St Martins in the Fields in 1807

And in 1809 he was resident in Tottenham Street and I have been wondering whether it is possible that he went over to Paris to work in the Erard factory there?

In the description below you will note that there was a pencilled signature of " Chrisstian"(sic) on the underside of the top lever key. This is just the kind of evidence that I would like to find about my great great grandfather Christian Haarnack who was Chief mechanic at Erards in London in 1808.

It is not impossible he left his mark in this way.There are similar marks on the HAARNACK harp in New Zealand

If you are restoring an old harp and come across any marks like or if you can help me find out more about the Paris branch of Erards, please contact me.