Get a personalized tour of Steinway's many instruments with the latest release from Hal Leonard Books, The Official Guide to Steinway Pianos ($50). This new book by Roy F. Kehl and David R. Kirkland details the history of Steinway pianos, covering the company's 16 decades of instrument production.

An essential reference for piano technicians worldwide in identifying Steinway pianos, The Official Guide to Steinway Pianos encompasses, for the first time, reference material and information on the Steinway pianos created in New York.

This book represents 30 years of research and compilation by authors Kehl and Kirkland. It is a “family tree” of Steinway production history, providing in-depth, complete historical listings of all models produced and their characteristic details, including the following: the first and last serial numbers and production dates; individual scale studies for major models; highlights of important changes and events in Steinway piano production by serial number and date; a gallery of Steinway decalcomania; a table of Steinway patents; and tables of historic Steinway steel wire sizes.

According to Hal Leonard, The Official Guide to Steinway Pianos is an indispensable tool for piano technicians and dealers who need to determine the relationship of a particular Steinway piano within the historical framework of the company’s overall production, as well as a means to help identify, establish the provenance of, and verify and preserve the originality of any given Steinway piano.

Through compilation of pinpoint information, The Official Guide to Steinway Pianos offers an accurate and fascinating résumé of Steinway & Sons’ ongoing production history.

The book offers in-depth, complete historical listings of all models produced and their characteristic details:

• First and last serial numbers and production dates
• Individual scale studies for major models
• Highlights of important changes and events in Steinway piano production by serial number and date
• A gallery of Steinway decalcomania
• A table of Steinway patents
• Tables of historic Steinway steel wire sizes

The 230-page hardcover book, The Official Guide to Steinway Pianos, is available now from Hal Leonard Books for $50. For more information, please visit halleonardbooks.com.