Mar 18, 2026 10:00 EST
Stage & Screen Featuring The Estate of Charles Strouse & Barbara Siman
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Charles Strouse's antique Steinway used throughout the composition of his most celebrated works
The Estate of Charles Strouse & Barbara Siman
STEINWAY PIANO
Charles Strouse's Steinway Grand Piano (Model A, Serial No. 89382, manufactured November 27, 1897), used throughout the composition of Annie (1977), Bye Bye Birdie (1960), Applause (1970), and other celebrated works.
From the Steinway factory archives: The piano was manufactured in November 27, 1897 and originally purchased on December 11, 1899 by “Mrs. Theo H Mead” of “100 E 39th St.” See photographs of the original Steinway ledger (not included in the lot). We are grateful to the Steinway archives for providing this information.
The Instrument at the Center of It AllAmong the most resonant objects in the collection is the instrument upon which so much of this music was born. Charles Strouse's Steinway Grand Piano, Model A, Serial No. 89382, was manufactured on November 27, 1897. (Steinway factory archives confirm an original sale date of December 11, 1899, to Mrs. Theo. H. Mead of New York, a provenance detail adding a layer of New York social history to an already singular object. Theodore Hoe Mead built 'Rippowam' estate in Ridgefield, CT.) Acquired by Strouse in the late 1960s and kept at his music studio apartment throughout his career, this instrument was present at the creation of Annie, Applause, Rags, and scores of other works. To sit at its keys is, in some measure, to understand how a melody becomes a standard: through repetition, revision, and a composer's patient insistence that a song say precisely what he intends. The piano is the most tangible artifact of a creative life devoted to the proposition that American music, in all its democratic variety, is worth every hour at the keyboard.
Please note that the reference photographs included in the catalogue are not included with this lot. These photos by Martha Swope © Billy Rose Theatre Division, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.
Sold for $11,520
Estimated at $7,000 - $10,000
Includes Buyer's Premium
The Estate of Charles Strouse & Barbara Siman
STEINWAY PIANO
Charles Strouse's Steinway Grand Piano (Model A, Serial No. 89382, manufactured November 27, 1897), used throughout the composition of Annie (1977), Bye Bye Birdie (1960), Applause (1970), and other celebrated works.
From the Steinway factory archives: The piano was manufactured in November 27, 1897 and originally purchased on December 11, 1899 by “Mrs. Theo H Mead” of “100 E 39th St.” See photographs of the original Steinway ledger (not included in the lot). We are grateful to the Steinway archives for providing this information.
The Instrument at the Center of It AllAmong the most resonant objects in the collection is the instrument upon which so much of this music was born. Charles Strouse's Steinway Grand Piano, Model A, Serial No. 89382, was manufactured on November 27, 1897. (Steinway factory archives confirm an original sale date of December 11, 1899, to Mrs. Theo. H. Mead of New York, a provenance detail adding a layer of New York social history to an already singular object. Theodore Hoe Mead built 'Rippowam' estate in Ridgefield, CT.) Acquired by Strouse in the late 1960s and kept at his music studio apartment throughout his career, this instrument was present at the creation of Annie, Applause, Rags, and scores of other works. To sit at its keys is, in some measure, to understand how a melody becomes a standard: through repetition, revision, and a composer's patient insistence that a song say precisely what he intends. The piano is the most tangible artifact of a creative life devoted to the proposition that American music, in all its democratic variety, is worth every hour at the keyboard.
Please note that the reference photographs included in the catalogue are not included with this lot. These photos by Martha Swope © Billy Rose Theatre Division, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.
Auction: Stage & Screen Featuring The Estate of Charles Strouse & Barbara Siman, Mar 18, 2026
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Auction of the Estate of Composer Charles Strouse & Choreographer Barbara Siman on March 18, 2026
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Memorabilia, Artwork, Furniture, Decorations, Books and More from Their Manhattan Apartment
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Featured Section of the March 18 Stage & Screen Auction
NEW YORK, NY -- Fans and collectors from across the nation and beyond gathered in Doyle's saleroom and online for the auction the Estate of the legendary Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award-winning composer Charles Strouse and his wife choreographer Barbara Siman. Showcased were memorabilia, artwork, furniture, decorations, books and more from the couple's Manhattan apartment. The landmark sale was a featured section of the Stage & Screen auction on March 18, 2026.
Over his 50-year career Charles Strouse wrote the music for such iconic musical theater hits as Bye Bye Birdie, Applause and Annie, as well as the theme song for the classic sitcom All in the Family ("Those Were the Days"). Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin's partnership on Annie produced one of Broadway's most successful scores ever. "Tomorrow" and other songs from the production have since become enduring American musical standards admired by generations. Read More
Highlighting the sale was Charles Strouse's antique Steinway Model A Grand Piano that achieved $11,520, surpassing its $7,000-10,000 estimate. Manufactured in 1897, the piano was acquired by Strouse in the late 1960s and used throughout the composition Applause (1970), Annie (1977), and other celebrated works.
Among the memorabilia offerings that realized strong results were signed sheet music for the iconic song “Tomorrow” from Annie that sold for $1,280, many times its $300-400 estimate, and signed sheet music for “Those Were the Days,” the opening theme from the television series All in the Family, estimated at $300-500, which achieved $1,216. Also drawing interest at the sale was Charles Strouse’s director’s chair, printed on the front with “Charles Strouse” and on the back with “Annie,” which more than doubled its $300-500 estimate, selling for $1,152.
Stage & Screen
Property from the Estate of Charles Stouse & Barbara Siman was offered as a featured section of the Stage & Screen auction celebrating Theater, Hollywood, Music and Dance. Read More
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