Collection << Back exhibit information online Name Alessandro Kraus History The valuable musical instrument collection of Baron Alessandro Kraus of Florence consisted of about 1000 items. The collection included such unique pieces as a fortepiano by Bartolomeo Cristofori, inventor of the hammer action. (The piano is one of the the oldest in the world.) Kraus had been collecting since 1875; and his instruments were intended to serve as source material for the "General History of Music" he planned to write.   Exhibit Clavichord, ca. 1540 Spinet, 1571 Hook harp, 1749 Guitar, 1630 Harpsichord, ca. 1625 Spinet, 1693 Fortepiano, 1726 Violino piccolo, 1741 Tromba marina, 1728 Tenor recorder, ca. 1500 Tenor cornett, 17th century Serpent, 18th century