Nathaniel Berry

Ask questions on piano history and the age of your piano.

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rackdoctor
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Nathaniel Berry

Post by rackdoctor »

Hi there, my wife inherited an old Nathaniel Berry piano serial no 15018. Can anyone help with info? Thankyou. Bob
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Bill Kibby
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Re: Nathaniel Berry

Post by Bill Kibby »

The number suggests that it was made in 1917, but without photos, I can't say if this is likely. For information about the problems of dating pianos by numbers, see
http://pianogen.org/numbers.html
Piano History Centre
http://pianohistory.info
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If you find old references or links on this site to pianogen.org, they should refer to pianohistory.info
rackdoctor
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Re: Nathaniel Berry

Post by rackdoctor »

thanks bill. going on hols for two weeks. will sort something out when i get back. cheers bob
Magdalena
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Re: Nathaniel Berry

Post by Magdalena »

Hallo I have Nathaniel Berry grand piano reg no 809901,I completly do not know that it might be a year,
and how much may be worth, is in good condition, some scratches, nothing is broken or damaged, please help me
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Colin Nicholson
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Re: Nathaniel Berry

Post by Colin Nicholson »

Welcome to the forum Magdalena

You will need to find a serial number for us to approx. date your piano - this will either be a 4 digit number, if your piano is prior to 1904, and if later, will be a 5 digit number. Registration/patent/stock numbers do not help here. Only a few pianos incorporate their serial number as part of a year, but Berry don't. Try removing the music rest, the serial number may be printed near the tuning pins - or it may be at the side, or possibly under the strings, on the soundboard. However, the serial number only confirms the year - it doesn't necessarily convert your piano into cash! .... its just useful to know for a prospect buyer, and may reflect on its condition.

We cannot give valuations here - if you are selling your piano privately, you will need to make an appointment with a piano specialist - eg. piano shop, retailer, technician - someone who buys and sells pianos.... then they will need to inspect it properly and partly tune it and assess its pitch/ string & damper condition/ mechanism etc.

There are various levels of "good condition" for a piano, and only an inspection will find out. If your piano has various scratches, perhaps not been tuned/serviced/regulated for many years - then it may be in "fair condition".

Grand pianos are generally more difficult to sell, and Berry is not a top name - also, removal costs can even out-weigh the value of your piano! ..... have a look on Ebay for some ideas and selling prices.

Colin
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Bill Kibby
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Re: Nathaniel Berry

Post by Bill Kibby »

Berry grands were not made at the Berry factory, so they cannot be dated by numbers. Nobody anywhere can guess the value or condition of a piano without inspecting it and tuning it.

Registered design numbers and patent numbers can be researhced through official channels, but it is often a lot of time, effort and moey for very little result.

Have a look at
http://pianogen.org/datemarks.html
Piano History Centre
http://pianohistory.info
Email via my website.
If you find old references or links on this site to pianogen.org, they should refer to pianohistory.info
rocklandpiano
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Re: Nathaniel Berry

Post by rocklandpiano »

Dark brown wood with 2 foot pedals. It has a few scuffs and marks on the legs, but this gives it character. It has been valued and it is 'in fantastic condition and has great movement inside'.
mouse
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Re: Nathaniel Berry

Post by mouse »

i tried to google it but this is the only think that came up on wiki..
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Bill Kibby
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Re: Nathaniel Berry

Post by Bill Kibby »

Without photos, I can't help.
Piano History Centre
http://pianohistory.info
Email via my website.
If you find old references or links on this site to pianogen.org, they should refer to pianohistory.info
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