The Alan Cuckston Collection: A Lifetime of Sound and Scholarship


July 2025

Duggleby Stephenson is proud to present a rare and important offering from the personal collection of Alan Cuckston – one of Britain’s most respected authorities on historic keyboard instruments and early music performance. Featuring nine exceptional pieces, this auction not only showcases the craftsmanship of centuries past, but also reflects the passion and knowledge of a man who dedicated his life to the pursuit of musical excellence.

A Musician’s Legacy

Alan Cuckston (b. 1940) is a name known well across the classical music world. A distinguished harpsichordist, organist, pianist and broadcaster, Cuckston trained under legendary teachers Fanny Waterman and Thurston Dart, and soon gained international recognition for his performances and recordings. His career included extensive work for the BBC, and concert appearances across Europe and North America.

But Cuckston was more than just a performer, he was a true scholar and enthusiast of historically informed performance. His deep knowledge of keyboard history and period technique led him to carefully assemble a personal collection that is as academically valuable as it is musically beautiful. Several of these instruments feature in his recordings, many of which remain accessible online today.

Left to right: Lot 5008, Lot 5006 & Lot 5005

John Field, Piano Sonata in E Flat Major Op.1 No.1, Performed by: Alan Cuckston on the 1820 Broadwood 'Beethoven' grand piano Lot 5005

Instruments of Note

Among the highlights of this upcoming sale is a 1742 Chamber Organ by Johannes Schnetzler (John Snetzler), widely believed to be the oldest surviving example of its kind in Great Britain. Rich in historical lore, it has even been suggested in some sources that this organ was once owned by George Frideric Handel himself.

Equally notable is an early Austrian grand piano by Joseph Böhm, dating to circa 1820. Instruments of this design are closely associated with the music of Beethoven’s later years, and this example includes striking period features such as imperial eagle gilt mounts, seven pedals, and a Viennese action.

The collection also includes not one but two Broadwood grand pianos from 1820 and 1828 respectively - elegant instruments from the same firm that famously gifted Beethoven a piano in 1818. Their designs reflect a transitional period in piano manufacture, where traditional craftsmanship met emerging innovations in tone and volume.

Left to right: Lot 5004, Lot 5007 & Lot 5000

John Bull The King's Hunt Performed by: Alan Cuckston (Harpsichord) Performed on John Rooks Harpsichord Lot 5000

Also offered is an organ by Thomas Elliot, an 18th-century example featuring original display pipes and ornate sconces. Two harpsichords by John Rooks, built in the 20th century but crafted in historically faithful styles, further illustrate Cuckston’s dedication to period authenticity. These include one painted in the Flemish style and another decorated internally with a rural scene.

Additional pieces include a George IV square piano by William Rolfe and a richly detailed cabinet piano from the William IV era - each representing key moments in the evolution of keyboard design and domestic music-making in Britain.

A Unique Opportunity for Collectors, Musicians and Scholars

This is a sale that transcends collecting. Each instrument tells its own story - from design and musical mechanics to the lives of those who played them. Whether you're a historical keyboard enthusiast, a performer seeking period authenticity, or a museum or academic institution, the Alan Cuckston collection offers a rare chance to acquire instruments of real cultural significance.

Left to right: Lot 5001, Lot 5002 & Lot 5003

All nine lots will be sold at Duggleby Stephenson, York, with full details and condition reports available ahead of the sale. Many of the instruments remain in playable condition, while others offer exciting restoration potential for those with the right expertise.

📍 Auction Venue: Duggleby Stephenson of York & Online
📅 Sale Ends Thursday September 11 from 11AM
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