The Collard & Collard piano company grew out of the business developed and made profitable by Muzio Clementi (1752–1832). In 1798, Clementi with the collaboration of Frederick William Collard and others took over the London music publishing and dealing emporium of Longman and Broderip. Within a few years, Collard’s brother – confusingly, William Frederick Collard – entered the business. In 1831, a year before Clementi’s death, the business became solely owned by the Collard brothers, and pianos from that time were signed Collard & Collard. The company exhibited several pianos in the 1851 Great Exhbition and won a medal. In 1929, Collard & Collard was purchased by Chappell & Co.

This straight-strung piano has three iron braces to help support the tension. It is double-strung throughout its CC–a´´´´ compass. There are the two expected pedals on a lyre for una corda and damper lift. It has the serial no. 5689.

The case is elaborately veneered in Indian rosewood. The inner case rim is veneered in birdseye maple. The music desk has slide-out fretwork panels to support candlesticks. It retains its original key coverings of celluloid naturals and solid ebony accidentals.

Little is known about how this this piano came to be at the School of Music.