Henry Hemsch, Paris, 1736

This instrument is from the collection of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, left to them by B. A. Rowland, heir of E. F. Searles who acquired it in Paris in 1887-1888. The probable original owner was Maximilien-Emmanuel Joseph, Count of Bavaria(1695-1747)(J. Koster). The instrument is decorated by the same atelier as did the Blanchet harpsichord of above. Hemsch was tuner to M. del la Popliniere, whose protegé was Jean Phillipe Rameau. The range is FF-e'''; 8'4'8'; coupler; buff; ebony naturals, ivory covered sharps of boxwood. This instrument has a smoothness in color change over its testatura that is unmatched by any other French harpsichord that I have heard.

The full size plan was made by stereophotogrammetry using a special stereoscopic camera that uses three glass plates per exposure. Contoured drawing of the Louis XV stand carvings are included in the drawing. Color controlled photographs of the soundboard in 4 prints at 20X25 cm are available. The date of this instrument has been altered at some past time to 1706, an unlikely date. The current reading by J. Koster is 1736. 1756 was our previous reading of the date (F. Hubbard, myself).

The keyboards and jacks were replaced in 1889, and again to a more original construction style in 1987. Otherwise the condition of the instrument is original, excepting for repairs. (Photograph courtesy of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts).

source: http://www.continuo.com/rklee/smalhmsx.htm