Daily What?! Cole Porter's Piano in the Waldorf Astoria

In 1934, Cole Porter lived in New York at the Waldorf Astoria Towers. He played songs like, “You’re the Top,” and, “Don’t Fence Me In,” on this piano above. He eventually gave the instrument to the hotel in 1939. Known as, “High Society,” the piano moved from the 33rd floor to the lobby, where it sits now for viewing. “High Society” even has a twin! It was built by Steinway & Sons, who built the original in 1907 in Astoria, Queens. Both pianos have detailed hand-carvings and double Empire-style legs. Steinway & Sons even replicated the several paintings of slender flowers scattered across the surfaces of the original.

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