The piano in the East River

I'm a little late posting this...but a couple of weeks ago I had some fun reporting on a mysterious Grand Piano that has surfaced in the East River. It first popped up on social media right before Memorial Day weekend and now almost three weeks later it is still there delighting New Yorkers and tourists who have flocked to the banks of the East River to take advantage of a whimsical photo opp. Did it wash up on shore? Was it planted as a mystery art project? Did it fall off of a boat? New Yorkers have a myriad of theories but so far no one knows the real story.

What we do know is that the piano, a Mason and Hamlin, doesn't actually play music. It's missing the plate under the lid, which makes it several hundred pounds lighter than it would ordinarily be. I've sent pictures of the rotted inner anatomy to the marketing manager at Mason and Hamlin, the piano's manufacturer, and he estimates the piano could be more than 100 years old.

In addition to being an Instagram sensation, the piano is the subject of a short film, who's creator told me he had nothing to do with putting the piano in the water. Barring some very strong tide washing in and washing it away, it doesn't appear the piano is going anywhere. We contacted at least five city agencies including the Department of Sanitation, Parks Department and NYPD and all said the piano did not fall within its jurisdiction.