Bartolomo Christofori built the first piano in Padua, Italy, sometime after 1707.  It had leather-covered hammers striking the strings and was called the piano forte,  because it could play softly (piano) and loudly (forte).

Almost all Gershwin is still in print, so you'll have to pay.

I need a serial number to find the age of your piano.  Shoninger is better-known for reed organs.  If you can find the serial number--usually by the tuning pins above the strings,   25000 was 1901,  50000 was 1913, 60000 was 1918, to give you an idea.   Value depends on condition and your market.   It is probably worth at most hundreds of … Read more