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Please provide opinions, insights on Baldwin R1, mid 80s vintage, good shape. Is it worth mid 9's? How does quality compare with Knabe, Kawai, Yamaha of same size?

Don't know about mid-80's but I know I've played on a newer R (early 2000's?). That particular R put the new Estonia 190 next to it to shame. And both pianos were well-prepped.

I suspect a mid-80's Baldwin would be at least equal to (or better than) the quality of the other makes you mention, assuming they were also mid-80's.

I can't tell you about a mid 80's , but I do own an R1 and enjoy it! It is a delight to play, and has what I call a joyful sound. There have been no problems with it.

It's not a question that can be answered from afar.
You'll have to have a tech go over it. Regardless of the brand, model or vintage, whether a piano has been well maintained in the proper environment is the most important information to learn at this point.
An R can be a fine piano, but not if it's been stored in a damp basement for 20 years.
That said, a Baldwin R is a nice instrument, and if a tech gives it a clean bill of health, $9k is not a bad price. A lot of people ask 5 figures for them. That's not realistic.
My 2 cents.