This handsome Gothic Harp was recently purchased in Auckland by Jennie Cummins .
"Written in pencil on the soundbox is the name, Martin , preceded by 2 initials, that are not very legible, but may be C. P., and the date,September 1833, and number, No. 1063. Actually this does not correspond with the number on the action plate.
Erards Patent
Manufactured by H.Haarnack
50 Newman St Oxford St No.731
London
On the inside of the action block is written G.C.H(George Christian Haarnack )1912 and on the underneath side of the base Henry D. Haarnack 1914.
On the top side of the action block is further writing, which I am not sure of the first part, but may be the date Sept 29 Henry Haarnack.
The plaster figure has just fallen off the action block and I see there is also some writing underneath that, but it is illegibly smudged. There is also some writing on the metal block between the action plates. "
Jenny tells me that her 170 year old harp and the story behind it attracted a great deal of attention when she played at a wedding recently.
Thank you for sharing this with me and allowing me to use the pictures.
