Cordogan's not only restores Steinway pianos, but we have also established a great network of rebuilders and resellers to help locate a piano that we may not have in stock. For various reasons, only a fraction of our used inventory makes it on our site, so please feel free to call chicagopianos.com co-owner John Cordogan at 773.383.1734 to discuss what is currently available.

The prices in the Midwest for properly restored Steinways substantially lags behind the east coast, making long distance purchasing a viable option. If you are searching for a high quality Steinway from the Golden Era of the American piano industry, there is no better place than Cordogan's in Chicagoland. We deliver worldwide!

We usually have many in stock, ranging in size, finish and style, including traditional, period and art-case designs. Our five year parts & labor warranty is honored anywhere in the world.

Cordogan’s "Art-Case" Steinways

The term "Art-case piano" which used to represent one-of-a-kind commissioned works, now is being used by Steinway (and others) to promote limited-edition pieces. The difference is akin to an oil painting and a lithograph. Cordogan's is one of very few knowledgeable resources for true, vintage, Art-case Steinways as well as conventional Steinway models.

Before the Depression, the Steinway & Sons factory in New York had an "Art-Case Department," whereby custom-designed cabinet styles were hand-built for prominent individuals and families at a time when labor rates, craftsmanship and materials allowed for such extravagance. The department closed its doors in 1929, leaving a small number of fortunate customers with one-of-a-kind case designs from the world's most famous piano maker during the most treasured era in the American piano industry.

In 1998, one such original Art-Case Steinway was auctioned for $1.2 million -- the highest price ever paid for a piano anywhere. Perhaps not coincidentally, Steinway & Sons subsequently announced they would begin producing "Art-Case"pianos again, which would include limited-edition pieces -- not necessarily one-of-a-kind, commissioned works. They sold out almost instantly. Most recently, in December of 2002, Steinway recreated the piano which sold for $1.2 million. It was promptly sold for $675,000 cash to a Florida collector.

These sales have shown Steinway and Steinway aficionados that the sky's the limit. All accounts point to a future resale explosion, similar to the escalation of art values in the 80's. This is a very unique time in Steinway's history to seek these undervalued pre-Depression instruments as Steinway chases history by attempting to recreate their own original works of art. In the absence of ivory keys, embossed patent dates adorning the iron frames, no current "reproduction" of these historic Steinways can compare to the originals.

The Steinway grand pictured to the left (before restoration) is serial #126888 -- an Art-Case Louis XV design with cartouches in the rim, completely gilded in 23 karat gold at the New York factory in 1905. It was commissioned for the Thompson family of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Cordogan's owns many magnificent, historic Steinway serial numbers. Whether you are interested in a standard Steinway or the historic musical art represented in original Steinway's Art-case pianos, please contact us!

Our inventory changes on a weekly basis. Please call us for more information. More pictures are available upon request.