Search found 5684 matches
- by Bill Kibby
- 19 Apr 2004, 23:54
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Jarrett & Goudge piano
- Replies: 1
- Views: 4517
Jarrett & Goudge
I can supply a booklet about Jarrett & Goudge, or compile a report on your piano from photos, but...
- by Bill Kibby
- 19 Apr 2004, 23:52
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Thomas A May
- Replies: 1
- Views: 4211
May
Having never seen a Thomas May piano, and having no idea where you are in the world, I can't begin to guess where to start looking for information. Can you tell me any more?
- by Bill Kibby
- 19 Apr 2004, 17:57
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Eavestaff & Sons piano 20298
- Replies: 1
- Views: 4460
Eavestaff
The things that you're liable to read on the internet - they ain't necessarily so! No numbers like that exist for 1978 as far as I am aware, and I estimate it at 1909, but numbers are not a reliable method: Are any photos available? Sconces (projecting candleholders) more-or-less went out after the ...
- by Bill Kibby
- 19 Apr 2004, 17:51
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Barratt & Robinson
- Replies: 3
- Views: 7841
Barratt & Robinson
The modern ones are better-known than they were in victorian times, but on what do you base the date? They were only established in 1877. Are any photos available?
- by Bill Kibby
- 17 Apr 2004, 23:05
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: King Piano
- Replies: 4
- Views: 7881
King
I know of several London firms named King, there's King Brothers, King & Adam, John King, etc., but "King, London" is difficult to identify. Herrburger Brooks puts it after 1920, the "British Made" marks tended to appear in the thirties, but I have no dates for 910 frames yet...
- by Bill Kibby
- 16 Apr 2004, 11:44
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Cable Company upright
- Replies: 2
- Views: 5555
Cable
See Barrie's comments at the top of the forum, then press www below...
- by Bill Kibby
- 16 Apr 2004, 11:42
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Cable Piano Company Need Information
- Replies: 1
- Views: 4382
Cable
See Barrie's comments at the top of the forum, then press www below...
- by Bill Kibby
- 13 Apr 2004, 23:04
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Blunther
- Replies: 4
- Views: 9933
Bluthner
I chose my words carefully, sunlight doesn't preserve ivory, and it doesn't prevent yellowing, although keeping the keyboard open to daylight may help.
- by Bill Kibby
- 13 Apr 2004, 09:07
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Neumeyer Berlin Piano
- Replies: 11
- Views: 22664
Neumeyer
Ibach Ltd., London, did import Neumeyer pianos in the 1920s, and I can supply a printed booklet on Neumeyer for five pounds, but for a detailed report on your piano, I would need photos, including lots of interior detail. No dates of serial numbers are published.
- by Bill Kibby
- 12 Apr 2004, 22:46
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Blunther
- Replies: 4
- Views: 9933
Bluthner from Harrods
The name is Bluthner, one of the most famous piano makers ever. You can't "preserve" ivory, but don't listen to the old wives' tale about using milk. Various cleaning agents can be used, but the piano trade suppliers have special key cleaning pastes and liquids. The piano was probably made...
- by Bill Kibby
- 12 Apr 2004, 22:33
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Stuttgart piano
- Replies: 1
- Views: 4184
Stuttgart
The piano may have been made in Stuttgart, but what's the name of the piano?
- by Bill Kibby
- 12 Apr 2004, 15:18
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Hopkinson Upright Grand
- Replies: 1
- Views: 4399
Hopkinson
The number suggests 1892, and although there are problems with Hopkinsons' earlier numbers, this is probably right IF it is the main serial number. Victorian pianos are very difficult to shift, and may not justify the cost of a full overhaul, but you need to ask a tuner. Where are you based?
- by Bill Kibby
- 10 Apr 2004, 12:00
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: M. Colonius & co. London
- Replies: 1
- Views: 4454
Colonius
The only information I have ready on computer contradicts the 1907 date, because Colonius & Co. were agents who importd Winkelmann pianos in 1918. I can quote for printed examples of sconces (projecting candleholders) but you will probably never know the exact design, because customers could cho...
- by Bill Kibby
- 09 Apr 2004, 22:12
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Jacob Mayer piano
- Replies: 1
- Views: 3984
Mayer
Firstly, forget 1707, the piano was only just being invented, and there were no upright pianos. Mayer & Co. were in London around 1803-8, and I'll see what else I can find. Styles are never a reliable way of dating pianos, but if you email photos, I can probably tell you more. Press www below, o...
- by Bill Kibby
- 08 Apr 2004, 11:32
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Behning Piano
- Replies: 1
- Views: 6553
Behning
The number suggests 1920, I'll see what else I can find out.
- by Bill Kibby
- 08 Apr 2004, 11:30
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Swan Piano
- Replies: 1
- Views: 5267
Swan
The Pierce Piano Atlas says they were established in 1900, but Alfred Dolge "pianos and their makers" lists them as still in business in 1911, and says they were only established in 1907. Swan's Music Store was still in Freeport in 1928, but didn't claim to make pianos.
- by Bill Kibby
- 08 Apr 2004, 11:22
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Spencer upright
- Replies: 2
- Views: 5474
Spencer
I should have said, if the top key is marked on its side "Brooks Ltd.", they came a limited company around 1893.
- by Bill Kibby
- 08 Apr 2004, 11:18
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Assistance, please - Erard Grand
- Replies: 2
- Views: 5262
Erard
I was in Paris a couple of weeks ago, hoping to find local history information on Erard and others, but Paris doesn't seem to know where its records are kept! I can supply a general booklet on Erard, or...
- by Bill Kibby
- 08 Apr 2004, 10:01
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Assistance, please - Erard Grand
- Replies: 2
- Views: 5262
Erard
The published numbers are for the Paris pianos, and these would suggest 1832, but I imagine this is a London Erard, and although the information I published in Musicians' Piano Atlas about twenty years ago has been updated, this would be around 1867. There are, of course, many problems in relying on...
- by Bill Kibby
- 08 Apr 2004, 09:54
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Spencer upright
- Replies: 2
- Views: 5474
Spencer
Spencer began in 1883, and I would estimate this number at 1892. I can supply a printed booklet on the firm, or compile a report from photos. As for valuation, see Barrie's comments at the top of the forum, and then press www below.
- by Bill Kibby
- 08 Apr 2004, 09:49
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Aucher Freres piano
- Replies: 1
- Views: 6514
Aucher
The main feature of a Yacht piano is that it has to take up as little space as possible, so as well as being fairly small, it usually has a keyboard that folds away. Whether or not it goes to sea is not really the point. In 1880, Aucher Freres exhibited at the Melbourne Exhibition: The catalogue say...
- by Bill Kibby
- 07 Apr 2004, 11:15
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: David a' Paris
- Replies: 10
- Views: 15406
David
About half of the photos don't open up, the remainder, although very interesting, only reinforce my opinion of a french piano (well, we knew that) of about 1870-ish, oblique-strung, as many were. Fancy brass pedal feet are typical, as is the very advanced form of action. This would have been made fo...
- by Bill Kibby
- 07 Apr 2004, 10:49
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: David a' Paris
- Replies: 10
- Views: 15406
David
Yes, I'll have a look at the photos, but it doesn't look straight-strung it looks oblique-strung. Also, I would hesitate to pay too much attention to someone who implies that vertical stringing suggests that sort of age. The majority of pianos in people's front rooms in the UK are straight-strung, s...
- by Bill Kibby
- 06 Apr 2004, 09:16
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Heintzman age?
- Replies: 2
- Views: 6333
Heintzman
The number suggests 1919. Whether you can restore the case is not something anyone can answer for you. What counts is checking whether the instrument is tuneable and playable before work or expense is wasted.
- by Bill Kibby
- 06 Apr 2004, 09:12
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: David a' Paris
- Replies: 10
- Views: 15406
David a Paris
The photos don't show much at all of the interior design, such as the action and iron frame if any, but I would guess it was made around 1870. For a full report, you would need to email me much more detailed interior photos above and below keyboard. I was in Paris a couple of weeks ago, and hoped to...
- by Bill Kibby
- 05 Apr 2004, 14:51
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Question on piano forte keyboard
- Replies: 2
- Views: 6208
Keyboard colours
In playing a keyboard instrument, the important thing is the shape, position and size of the keys, not their colour, but although there have been experiments such as green sharps, early pianos, like harpsichords, clavichords and organs of the period, had dark wood keys, such as ebony, so when the ke...
- by Bill Kibby
- 04 Apr 2004, 17:44
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Collard & Collard Grand Square Pianoforte
- Replies: 3
- Views: 8071
Collard
Two pedals is normal for most british pianos in people's front rooms, three for american, and one for many earlier pianos, such as Collard squares!
- by Bill Kibby
- 03 Apr 2004, 21:09
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: John Spencer & Co Upright Piano
- Replies: 10
- Views: 19481
Spencer
It makes perfect sense, interesting to me but not helpful to you, it is still likely to be around 1890, a few years after Spencer started.
- by Bill Kibby
- 03 Apr 2004, 20:56
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Hillier Piano Company, London. T. Andrews & Co
- Replies: 5
- Views: 9780
Hillier
Although I have historical notes on James Hillier's firm, I have never seen a Hillier piano, but it is not even certain that he made them.
- by Bill Kibby
- 03 Apr 2004, 19:51
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Hillier Piano Company, London. T. Andrews & Co
- Replies: 5
- Views: 9780
Hillier
You seem to be asking me whether the tuning pins are tight enough, but unless you are in East Anglia, I have no way of finding out, you need a tuner on the spot. See
http://www.uk-piano.org/piano-gen/
http://www.uk-piano.org/piano-gen/
- by Bill Kibby
- 03 Apr 2004, 19:44
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Collard & Collard Grand Square Pianoforte
- Replies: 3
- Views: 8071
Collard
I've never seen a pedal 75" wide. (just ignore me!) The published dates around 12,000 are wrong, see my reference at
http://www.uk-piano.org/piano-gen/piano ... mbers.html
but 69,000 should be around 1861. I can supply a booklet on the Collard firm for &20, or
http://www.uk-piano.org/piano-gen/piano ... mbers.html
but 69,000 should be around 1861. I can supply a booklet on the Collard firm for &20, or
- by Bill Kibby
- 03 Apr 2004, 19:33
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: John Spencer & Co Upright Piano
- Replies: 10
- Views: 19481
Spencer
Yes, I'm trying to collect enough of them to make some sense of it all. The early ones have a model number, the slightly later ones a letter, but 4B is a new one on me! Where is the number? Some are on the top left edge of the case, with the model number at right-angles, some are near there, on the ...
- by Bill Kibby
- 03 Apr 2004, 16:18
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Otto Furst
- Replies: 1
- Views: 4681
Furst
If you look at the end of http://www.uk-piano.org/piano-gen/piano-serial-numbers.html you will find numbers (in thousands) for Oscar Kohler, who made actions for Furst. Piano #10,000 was made around 1903, and your piano may have Kohler's number on the rear of the hammer rail. I have no other informa...
- by Bill Kibby
- 03 Apr 2004, 16:09
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Hillier Piano Company, London. T. Andrews & Co
- Replies: 5
- Views: 9780
Hillier / Andrews
Thomas Andrews was at 144 from at least 1886-1936, but the fact that it was described as 144a by 1911 is perhaps a clue. Which Hillier is it, E. or James? Any other information or addresses? Also,
- by Bill Kibby
- 03 Apr 2004, 16:01
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: John Spencer & Co Upright Piano
- Replies: 10
- Views: 19481
Spencer
Yes, I can supply a printed booklet on the Spencer firm, or include allied firms like Murdoch. The published numbers don't strat until 1895, and seem slightly out, but I estimate that yours was made around 1890. Is there a model letter or number next to the serial number?
- by Bill Kibby
- 02 Apr 2004, 17:32
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Strohmenger with Herrburger Brooks action
- Replies: 1
- Views: 4873
Strohmenger
I can quote for printing a booklet on Strohmenger, but if by "rating" you mean value...
- by Bill Kibby
- 02 Apr 2004, 08:46
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Eduard Hilger
- Replies: 9
- Views: 14539
Hilger
I can only refer you to the information above.
- by Bill Kibby
- 02 Apr 2004, 08:43
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Ivers & Pond Piano
- Replies: 1
- Views: 5371
Ivers & Pond
It depends how precise you mean. Their published numbers suggest 1895 16000 1900 24000 so yours may be around 1899, but the manufacturing process was so long, it is difficult to be sure of a year, let alone an exact date. Numbers are not always that simple, see http://www.uk-piano.org/piano-gen/pian...
- by Bill Kibby
- 02 Apr 2004, 07:42
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Cadby & Sons piano
- Replies: 35
- Views: 42504
Cadby
They were not established in 1862, this was the date of the medal received at the London Exhibition, to which the inscription refers. I can supply a booklet about the Cadbys and their pianos for twelve pounds, but no serial number dates are available. CADBY & SONS In 1874, coinciding with the mo...
- by Bill Kibby
- 31 Mar 2004, 22:13
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Cadby & Sons piano
- Replies: 35
- Views: 42504
Cadby
Yes, certainly I know of Cadby, he wa sat the Great Exhibition, and very few of his pianos have come to my attention in forty years. Can you tell me the exact wording on the piano? Adreeses might narrow down the date. I would love to see photos, which you can email to my website by pressing www below.
- by Bill Kibby
- 30 Mar 2004, 00:00
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Klingmann upright piano
- Replies: 3
- Views: 13496
Klingmann
Klingmann claimed to be a Berlin-made piano, Govan Riad might be Thomson, who was there for many years. By "tuneable" I meant whether the tuning pins are tight enough to be tuned properly. If they are getting loose, the cost of repair negates any valuation.
- by Bill Kibby
- 29 Mar 2004, 08:34
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Kirkman Pianos
- Replies: 1
- Views: 5259
Kirkman
Kirkman (originally Kirckman) is one of the most famous and earliest London makers, but talk of the "high end" of the market implies that an 1864 piano can be judged by modern standards. Victorian pianos are difficult to accomodate in the UK, and if I had the space, I would have received a...
- by Bill Kibby
- 28 Mar 2004, 10:25
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: The Willard Co. Chicago
- Replies: 7
- Views: 16012
Willard
The number suggests 1904, but being based in the UK, I have never seen a Willard piano.
- by Bill Kibby
- 28 Mar 2004, 10:23
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: J & J Hopkinson upright grand
- Replies: 1
- Views: 5098
Hopkinson
There are a great many of these durable Hopkinson uprights around from the late 1800s, and the number suggests about 1888, but numbers are not always that simple. The early ones published for Hopkinson have inaccuracies, so look for any exhibition medals that may be mentioned on the piano. 1877 Meda...
- by Bill Kibby
- 26 Mar 2004, 23:39
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Gershwin upright
- Replies: 5
- Views: 11078
Gershwin
No, it's probably too modern for me, I tend to be dealing mainly with pre-1900.
- by Bill Kibby
- 26 Mar 2004, 20:41
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Gershwin upright
- Replies: 5
- Views: 11078
Gershwin
Please don't start a new entry for every message, post a reply to the previous one, otherwise we can't follow it through.
- by Bill Kibby
- 26 Mar 2004, 20:39
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Neumeyer Berlin Piano
- Replies: 11
- Views: 22664
Neumeyer
Although I have a few pages of information about Neumeyer, exact serial number dates are not published, and there were several Neumeyer firms. What is the exact wording on the piano? Should we assume that it was new in 1940ish?
- by Bill Kibby
- 26 Mar 2004, 20:32
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Spencer piano 75091
- Replies: 1
- Views: 4321
Spencer
The number suggests 1923, but numbers are not always as simple as the internet might lead you to believe! Press www, then press "Numbers". I can also quote for a general booklet on Spencer.
- by Bill Kibby
- 26 Mar 2004, 20:18
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: WILLIAM KIPPS
- Replies: 3
- Views: 6611
Kipps
I have found some more information on my near-namesake this month, but haven't had time to sort it yet. Press www.
- by Bill Kibby
- 25 Mar 2004, 19:56
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Adolf not Arnold...stupid!
- Replies: 1
- Views: 6021
Reisner
The "coins" would be exhibition medals, so the piano was made after the last exhibition mentioned. See
http://www.uk-piano.org/piano-gen/piano ... tions.html
http://www.uk-piano.org/piano-gen/piano ... tions.html
- Main Site Menu
-
Home
Piano Tuners
Piano Makers
Piano Accessories Shop
Piano Teachers
Piano Accompanists
Piano Entertainers
Piano Shops
Piano Removals
French Polishers
Piano Rehearsal Rooms
Piano Hire
Pianos For Sale
Piano Parts
Piano History
Piano Forum
Piano Music
Piano Events
Advertise
Advanced Search Contact Site Admin
Help with a listing
Sitemap
Main Terms And Conditions
-
- Recent Listings