In 1872, my great-grandparents, Edward Oscar McCreight, Mayor Camden, South Carolina, and his wife Margaret Elisabeth Alexander, were at the South Carolina State Fair and saw a square grand piano, made by Charles M. Stieff, which had won a prize medallion. They were smitten by this beautiful instrument and decided to buy, but insisted it must be that particular piano, and not another one like it. They bought the piano, and had it delivered to their home on Lyttleton Street in Camden, South Carolina. By 1908, Charles M. Stieff had won more than fifty gold and silver prize medallions for the tonal quality, artisanship and beauty of his pianos. This book discusses the construction of square grand pianos, the history of the Stieff Company, its factories, the prizes it won and the problems one can encounter with antique pianos containing parts of endangered species. The Antique piano shop, in Friendsville, Tennesse, specializes in complete renovation of pianos built before 1930. They have renovated many Stieff Pianos and their internet site contains this statement: " ... Pianos manufactured by Charles M. Stieff are consistently some of the finest pianos we see come through our restoration shop today, and most of them are well worth restoration and preservation. ..."