The model is a traditional Pleyel Trois Bis grand, fitted into a special case accommodating the auto Pleyel piano roll mechanism. The Chinoiserie case decoration is signed Leo Huillard. The scarlet lacquered and gilt gesso decoration depicts birds and flowering branches, whilst the underside to the top is painted with birds in a landscape on an old gold ground.

The present lot was originally supplied to Monsieur Roger Sudreau in 1929. Roger Sudreau was a well know figure within New York and Parisian society during the early 20th century. His scandalous marriage to Jacqueline Lebaudy, daughter of the notorious sugar magnate known as the Emperor of the Sahara. He was a fabulously wealthy figure and the toast of the New York and Paris society in the early 20th century.

The 'Auto Pleyela' was Pleyel's most sophisticated pianola mechanism offering considerable personal control of dynamics and tempi. The system runs both by pedalling and via an electric motor. Very few examples can still be found, the present lot is likely to be the only example in UK.

The piano has been restored to playing condition, and all of the main components of the pianola mechanism have been restored. 

AUCTION DETAILS
Thursday 23 September | 10.30am
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE

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IMAGE/MUSIC CREDITS FOR VIDEO:

Photo Credit: B&W image of Auto-Pleyela, Salon d M. Sudreau | Revue Pleyel, April 1926 

Photo Credit: B&W image of M. Sudreau in Top Hat: The National Library of France | Public Domain

Music Credit: Chopin’s Nocturne Eb played by Ohad Ben Ari | Artlist