The Instrument Workshop
Parts, plans and supplies for early keyboard instruments and other stringed instruments
Ruckers One Manual Harpsichord Plan
Full sized patterns (Drawing 34” by 9’) of an Andreas Ruckers harpsichord made in 1640, from the Belle Skinner Collection of the Yale Collection of musical instruments, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut (by permission of Richard Rephann, Director). This instrument is disposed unison and octave with a range of 51 notes on one manual. Plans drawn by R.K. Lee.
This instrument has an exceptionally brilliant tone. Recordings have been made before the restoration from which the data for this drawing were taken. (Vox Productions inc., DL362, played by Bruce Simonds 1956, and a private edition, played by Mrs. Fanny Reed, Hammond 1958.)
The drawings show the front elevation, plan view, cross section, details of the original papers and decorations, the present format of the instrument as restored in the 18th century as well as the probable original Ruckers format, obtained from comparison data on similar Ruckers harpsichords of 1646 and 1648 supplied by Mr. Frank T. Hubbard.
William Skinner of Holyoke, Mass., 1933, traced the ownership to the Clark Art Galleries 1922, London; Sir Algernon Oliphant; Mrs. A. B. Donaldson, 1889; Miss Elizabeth Twining of Twickerham; Reverend Thomas Twining, Rector of St. Mary, Colchester, died 1804, “who enjoyed the friendship of Burney.” A card of dubious authenticity on the instrument’s bottom attributes ownership to G. F. Handel.