NEWBURY.- Dreweatts and Bloomsbury Auctions announced The Richard Burnett Collection of Early Keyboard Instruments in aid of the Finchcocks Charity for Musical Education which will take place on 11th May 2016 at Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE.

Renowned exponent of the fortepiano Richard Burnett will sell his revered collection of over 70 historic keyboard instruments on Wednesday 11th May 2016. The sale at Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions will raise funds for the Finchcocks Charity, helping to promote and preserve the playing of these stunning original instruments for the next generation.

Proceeds from the auction will support the charity in training technicians and tuners, keeping these historical instruments in superb playing condition and preserving their original sound through performance. A small, core collection will be retained as part of the existing Finchcocks Charity.

“It is a privilege to be handling the Richard Burnett collection, among the largest and most comprehensive collection of keyboards to come to the market in recent years. We are proud to be able to help Richard and Katrina Burnett keep their museum's legacy which has been admired by music lovers and academics throughout the world." Commented Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions Deputy Chairmen, Rupert Powell and Will Richards.

The collection was formed over 50 years by Richard Burnett. It features some of the best playing instruments in the world - fortepianos, chamber organs, clavichords and harpsichords from the 17th to late 19th century.

Highlights from the auction will include a chamber organ by John Byfield (1766); a single-manual harpsichord by J.J. Antunes, (1785); a virginal by Onofrio Guarracino, (1668); and a grand piano by Conrad Graf, c.1820. Other notable makers featured in the sale will include: John Broadwood & Sons, Muzio Clementi, Sebastien Erard and replicas from the Adlam Burnett workshop.