Search found 5684 matches

by Bill Kibby
07 Mar 2021, 12:56
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Imperial Organ & Piano Ltd. London
Replies: 3
Views: 2711

Re: Imperial Organ & Piano Ltd. London

I did answer an enquiry about this piano some time ago, from Phoenix. No dates of serial numbers are available, but I have heard of quite a few examples over the years. The company name did not mention organs until about 1898. They were in business in 1899, and still around in 1961, but the Herrburg...
by Bill Kibby
03 Mar 2021, 12:21
Forum: Piano History
Topic: W. Hoffmann, Berlin
Replies: 11
Views: 7366

Re: W. Hoffmann, Berlin

Thanks for the photo, that number suggests that it was made in 1928, so your 1930 figure was not far out.
by Bill Kibby
02 Mar 2021, 00:07
Forum: Piano History
Topic: W. Hoffmann, Berlin
Replies: 11
Views: 7366

Re: W. Hoffmann, Berlin

It should be a simple number, imprinted next to the name, like this example.
1912~Jacob750a.jpg
by Bill Kibby
01 Mar 2021, 13:36
Forum: Piano History
Topic: W. Hoffmann, Berlin
Replies: 11
Views: 7366

Re: Piano W. Hoffmann

Names like Hofman, Hoffman, Hoffmann, Hofmann, Haufmann and Hauptmann can be found on many old pianos, and although some of these may be real makers' names, some are certainly fake. Regarding Jacob, the address is Berlin SO, meaning South West. If you can read a serial number off the back of the act...
by Bill Kibby
27 Feb 2021, 12:43
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Steinmeyer Berlin age
Replies: 3
Views: 5268

J.& J.Hopkinson

Your information is posted as a reply about Steinmeyer, Berlin, but this name does not appear in your post, so you might get better results if you post it as a new topic. It is unwise to really purely on numbers to give a date for a piano, and Hopkinson is one example where the published dates are m...
by Bill Kibby
21 Feb 2021, 12:02
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Squeaky keys
Replies: 1
Views: 1838

Re: T-34 mechanic meets piano

As I am dealing with a room full of squeaky keys, I disagree. The bushing cloth is not the cause, it's the tarnishing of the metal pins, which happens more often when the atmosphere is cool, especially if it is heated occasionally, causing condensation. The solution is simple. Remove all the keys, t...
by Bill Kibby
18 Feb 2021, 01:11
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Erard Grand Piano
Replies: 3
Views: 2213

Re: Erard Grand Piano

The other possibility is that if your tuner feels it is safe to pull out the action, it may be dated at the lefthand end.
by Bill Kibby
15 Feb 2021, 14:03
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Erard Grand Piano
Replies: 3
Views: 2213

Re: Erard Grand Piano

The number suggests that it was made in 1893. Near the bottom of my Archives page http://www.pianohistory.info/archives.html there is some information about Erards' archives, which are becoming available online. If you move to the right of the serial number, near the hinges, is there an oblong mark ...
by Bill Kibby
11 Feb 2021, 11:52
Forum: Piano History
Topic: German upright piano "RIESE", Gustav Slawik, Halle-Saale
Replies: 4
Views: 3074

Re: German upright piano "RIESE", Gustav Slawik, Halle-Saale

At the moment, I have no information at all about Riese, but I will see what I can find.
On the action, where it says "Berlin" can you see the action makers' name?
Is Gustav Slawik a retailer?
by Bill Kibby
10 Feb 2021, 11:59
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Dunham Square Grand
Replies: 3
Views: 4599

Re: Dunham Square Grand

1867 Dunham's son John B. Dunham junior joined, and the firm became Dunham & Son, 111 East 13th To many people, a piano is a musical instrument, and if it does not conform to modern specifications, they don't want to know. I am a piano historian, and anxious to conserve early pianos. My own webs...
by Bill Kibby
06 Feb 2021, 19:26
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Jackson piano
Replies: 1
Views: 1797

Re: Jackson piano

I must apologise for the fact that, because of a fault, the forum didn't show me your enquiry. The page has been altered this week. Jackson was at 33 Southgate Street in 1899, but moved to 48 shortly after, and remained there at least until the thirties. Unfortunately, no dates of serial numbers are...
by Bill Kibby
04 Feb 2021, 15:44
Forum: Piano History
Topic: B.Squire Piano sold by Cuthbertson
Replies: 13
Views: 5220

Re: Looking for Info - B.Squire Piano

It is common practice in all kinds of trades, and Kemble had bought the rights for several old piano names. The label under the keys would probably identify it as a Kemble as well.
For more information on piano names, see
http://www.pianohistory.info/names.html
by Bill Kibby
04 Feb 2021, 15:11
Forum: Piano History
Topic: B.Squire Piano sold by Cuthbertson
Replies: 13
Views: 5220

Re: Looking for Info - B.Squire Piano

The number preceded by K is a Kemble serial number, and indicates that the piano was made by Kemble in 1939.
1939SquireKemble#70732 (2).jpeg
1939SquireKemble#70732 (1).jpeg
by Bill Kibby
04 Feb 2021, 14:24
Forum: Piano History
Topic: B.Squire Piano sold by Cuthbertson
Replies: 13
Views: 5220

Re: Looking for Info - B.Squire Piano

I shall attempt to upload some of the photos, and the new system seems a lot better. The action was made by Herrburger Brooks Ltd., which means that it was made after 1919. My general impression is thirties, but I wouldn't place any significance on a number on a sticky label. BSquire&Son_for...
by Bill Kibby
04 Feb 2021, 13:30
Forum: Piano History
Topic: B.Squire Piano sold by Cuthbertson
Replies: 13
Views: 5220

Re: Looking for Info - B.Squire Piano

If you look at pianohistory.info you will see it. If I type it here, I get masses of spam.
by Bill Kibby
04 Feb 2021, 13:24
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Skerratt piano from Hedges, Hants
Replies: 3
Views: 5308

Re: Skerratt piano from Hedges, Hants

Yes, my Numbers page
http://www.pianohistory.info/names.html
explains that many piano names are meaningless.
I will see if I can look up anything about Hedges.
Skerratt is a better-known name.
If you can post photos here to show what the whole piano looks like, this may help.
by Bill Kibby
03 Feb 2021, 19:17
Forum: Piano History
Topic: B.Squire Piano sold by Cuthbertson
Replies: 13
Views: 5220

Re: Looking for Info - B.Squire Piano

Cuthbertson began his business shortly before 1900, and was still there in 1968.
If you would like to email the photos to me, I should be able to post them here.
by Bill Kibby
02 Feb 2021, 21:17
Forum: Piano History
Topic: B.Squire Piano sold by Cuthbertson
Replies: 13
Views: 5220

Re: Looking for Info - B.Squire Piano

No reliable dates are published for the various Squire pianos, which seem to have used different numbers at different times.
It could be 1880s or 1890s, or around 1906, or 1976!

Are you able to post photos here to show what the whole piano looks like?
by Bill Kibby
02 Feb 2021, 21:08
Forum: Piano History
Topic: E. Wheatland & Sons
Replies: 3
Views: 2605

Re: E. Wheatland & Sons

No dates are published for Wheatland serial numbers, but...

1914 "E. Wheatland & Sons, 413, Harrow Road, London" piano #22,074, iron frame date 13.6.14B neear the bottom.
Are you able to post photos here to show what the whole piano looks like?
by Bill Kibby
02 Feb 2021, 21:04
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Knauss - how old is my new piano?
Replies: 1
Views: 1506

Re: Knauss - how old is my new piano?

Serial numbers are usually at least 5 digits.
I f your tuner thinks it is safe to pull out the action, it should be marked on the back with the action makers' name and number, and I may be able to date this.
by Bill Kibby
30 Jan 2021, 14:44
Forum: Piano History
Topic: PASSWORDS
Replies: 0
Views: 4089

PASSWORDS

Details removed, software won't let me delete it.
by Bill Kibby
30 Jan 2021, 14:31
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Metzler London Piano
Replies: 2
Views: 2145

Re: Metzler London Piano

Based on the photo, I would say it is much later than 1895, it is typical of the 1920s. #22,600 Metzler & Co. Ltd. London upright piano is dated 1903 on the side of the bottom key, so on that basis, yours might be nearer 1905 but I doubt it. Pianos of this style are unknown until around the end ...
by Bill Kibby
30 Jan 2021, 14:15
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Metzler London Piano
Replies: 2
Views: 2145

Re: Metzler London Piano

Based on the photo, I would say it is much later than 1895, it is typical of the 1920s. #22,600 Metzler & Co. Ltd. London upright piano is dated 1903 on the side of the bottom key, so on that basis, yours might be nearer 1905 but I doubt it. Pianos of this style are unknown until around the end ...
by Bill Kibby
29 Jan 2021, 11:09
Forum: Piano History
Topic: John Spencer & Co., London
Replies: 56
Views: 70926

Re: John Spencer & Co., London

I'm sorry you had problems getting the forum posting to work, I have answered this by email. The number suggests 1898.
by Bill Kibby
27 Jan 2021, 10:57
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Broadwood Cottage Grand info
Replies: 1
Views: 1650

Re: Broadwood Cottage Grand info

The name W.Gillam imprinted into the wood is probably a senior worker at the Broadwood factory, but I can find no record of him. The early serial numbers for Broadwoods can be quite confusing, and various books and websites disagree, but 1142 does not appear to be a serial number. Can you find any l...
by Bill Kibby
21 Jan 2021, 10:37
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Uebel & Lechleiter
Replies: 1
Views: 1612

Re: Uebel & Lechleiter

You would have to ask your local tuners about prices. It is common to wait a couple of weeks for the piano to adjust to its new conditions, but if it is badly out of tune, it doesn't make much difference. The number suggests that it was made in 1921.
by Bill Kibby
20 Jan 2021, 13:42
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Erard Piano
Replies: 1
Views: 2017

Re: Erard Piano

The number suggests that it was made in 1901. If you go near to the bottom of my Archives page...
http://www.pianohistory.info/archives.html

there is some information about Erards' archives.
by Bill Kibby
19 Jan 2021, 12:36
Forum: Piano History
Topic: John Shenstone & Son Piano
Replies: 2
Views: 2111

Re: date of manufacture for John Shenstone & son Piano

The Herrburger Brooks action indicates that it was made after 1919, but no dates of Shenstone serial numbers are available, and my impression is that they were a firm of key makers, who sold pianos bought in from an anonymous wholesaler, and put their name onto them. Some were made by Kemble, and 22...
by Bill Kibby
17 Jan 2021, 00:26
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Collard & Collard square piano
Replies: 4
Views: 3201

Re: Collard & Collard square piano

I don't use PDF files. The action should slide out towards you once obstructions have been removed. I am not a professional restorer of early pianos. These pictures are from the one I had, 10 years younger.
by Bill Kibby
15 Jan 2021, 11:53
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Collard & Collard square piano
Replies: 4
Views: 3201

Re: Collard & Collard square piano

My Numbers page... http://www.pianohistory.info/numbers.html includes a listing for Collards, and although their numbers are very complicated at times, their main number was hand-written under an imprinted model number. At that time, the main numbers seem to have gone up a thousand per year, and 28,...
by Bill Kibby
13 Jan 2021, 12:13
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Spark & Co., Worcester?
Replies: 5
Views: 12248

Re: Spark & Co., Worcester?

I can't tell you any more than is already listed below. Pianos are hardly ever a "one-off", they are mass-produced. My Name page http://www.pianohistory.info/names.html explains that many piano names are meaningless, and without photos, I can't tell you anything about the individual piano,...
by Bill Kibby
11 Jan 2021, 11:54
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Translation please?
Replies: 1
Views: 1703

Re: Translation please?

You haven't told us what the inscription is, but Google Translate should do it for you.
by Bill Kibby
26 Dec 2020, 12:21
Forum: Piano History
Topic: John Broadwood & Sons London
Replies: 1
Views: 1938

Re: John Broadwood & Sons London

Nobody anywhere can guess the value or condition of a piano without inspecting it on the spot, and checking whether it holds in tune.
The piano looks to be Edwardian, and the number you quote suggests it is from around 1907. Most pianos have several numbers inside.
by Bill Kibby
22 Dec 2020, 11:03
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Wish to know more about my piano
Replies: 1
Views: 1621

Re: Wish to know more about my piano

Regarding the Palings piano, it seems that it was made in USA and sold by Palings, so the number would not follow Palings' published dates. I can't tell you anything just from a number, can you post photos here to show what it looks like? As for the old piano, have a look at http://www.pianohistory....
by Bill Kibby
21 Dec 2020, 10:43
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Age of Knauss piano
Replies: 1
Views: 1883

Re: Age of Knauss piano

Very few dates of serial numbers are published, and they can be misleading, because some Knauss pianos have numbers which do not correspond to the published dates. A star or asterisk is often used to indicate the serial number. 40892 is probably around 1893 and this seems possible from the photos, b...
by Bill Kibby
24 Nov 2020, 10:40
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Chappell & Co piano age? 1812?
Replies: 2
Views: 2780

Re: Chappell & Co piano age? 1812?

Most pianos have several numbers inside, and although the main serial number can be imprinted in the end of the case like this, you certainly do not have an 1812 piano. It has an iron frame, and is more likely to be from the 1900s. Have a look at http://www.pianohistory.info/datemarks.html http://ww...
by Bill Kibby
23 Nov 2020, 14:19
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Help finding Serial number - Kemble Piano
Replies: 5
Views: 4075

Re: Help finding Serial number - Kemble Piano

Where did you see all this detail Barrie? I only see 2 copies of a photo of the outside.
by Bill Kibby
23 Nov 2020, 11:50
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Help finding Serial number - Kemble Piano
Replies: 5
Views: 4075

Re: Help finding Serial number - Kemble Piano

It looks like a Kemble, and there is no reason to think anyone would put that name on otherwise. If there is no number just inside the top edge, or on the back at the top, try looking inside, on the soundboard at keyboard level on the bass (left) side. See also http://www.pianohistory.info/datemarks...
by Bill Kibby
19 Nov 2020, 12:17
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Erard 1918?
Replies: 2
Views: 2281

Re: Erard

If you have a look near the bottom of the page at http://www.pianohistory.info/archives.html there is a link to Erards' online archive. The number suggests that it might be around 1869, but dating a piano purely on the basis of numbers is not always as simple as it seems. Can you post photos here to...
by Bill Kibby
19 Nov 2020, 12:05
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Goetze upright piano
Replies: 2
Views: 2797

Re: Goetze upright piano

Nobody anywhere can guess the value or condition of a piano without inspecting it on the spot. There were piano makers called Goetze in USA, Dresden, Berlin and Russia. They had different numbers, and if it's the Russian one, it might be 1909. Can you post photos to show us what the whole piano look...
by Bill Kibby
18 Nov 2020, 12:52
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Rogers Piano - how old please
Replies: 2
Views: 2204

Re: Rogers Piano - how old please

The number suggests that it was made in 1918, but dating pianos purely on the basis of numbers is not always as simple as it seems.
by Bill Kibby
16 Nov 2020, 11:09
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Paterson, Sons & Co
Replies: 4
Views: 2951

Re: Paterson, Sons & Co

I would guess this piano was made shortly after the first world war, but it could be twenties.
by Bill Kibby
14 Nov 2020, 12:15
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Paterson, Sons & Co
Replies: 4
Views: 2951

Re: Paterson, Sons & Co

It would be useful to have the more obvious photo of the whole piano, to help me with dates. The name was in use from 1858. The fact that it doesn't say "Ltd." suggests that it is before 1918, and it is certainly too old to be a Chinese import. If you want to search inside the piano for cl...
by Bill Kibby
12 Oct 2020, 10:06
Forum: Piano History
Topic: History of my granda's piano?
Replies: 1
Views: 1770

Re: History of my granda's piano?

The number beginning with C&S is Cranes' stock number. I can tell you that it is after 1927, and before 1933, so my best guess is 1930. I have lots of Crane pianos on file, they rarely have a definite date, and like many other firms, they bought them in from anonymous wholesalers, including Kemb...
by Bill Kibby
03 Oct 2020, 23:04
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Berry with ashtrays and electric lights
Replies: 9
Views: 5686

Re: Berry Piano unusual bakerlite ashtrays under keyboard and electric lights at either end

Sorry, my mistake, the number suggests that it was in 1938.
by Bill Kibby
03 Oct 2020, 21:33
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Berry with ashtrays and electric lights
Replies: 9
Views: 5686

Re: Berry Piano unusual bakerlite ashtrays under keyboard and electric lights at either end

Unfortunately, the published dates of Berry numbers don't go this high, but it seems to be late 1950s.
I already explained that I don't do valuations.
by Bill Kibby
01 Oct 2020, 20:20
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Berry with ashtrays and electric lights
Replies: 9
Views: 5686

Re: Berry Piano unusual bakerlite ashtrays under keyboard and electric lights at either end

It's not a link, it's the email address, which is not on here because it causes so much spam.
by Bill Kibby
29 Sep 2020, 11:51
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Berry with ashtrays and electric lights
Replies: 9
Views: 5686

Re: Berry Piano unusual bakerlite ashtrays under keyboard and electric lights at either end

I'm sorry they have a problem with downloading photos, |I wrestle with it every time. If you want to email them to me, I will attempt to post them here.
by Bill Kibby
28 Sep 2020, 19:37
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Dates of Sticker Actions
Replies: 0
Views: 5127

Dates of Sticker Actions

I wonder if any of you out there are tuning or repairing uprights with the dreaded sticker actions? If so, you may be able to help me. This is one of two evolutionary lines for uprights, and mainly associated with Victorian Cottage Pianos, which died the death suddenly in the 1880s. The latest examp...
by Bill Kibby
28 Sep 2020, 12:08
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Brasted 1837?
Replies: 4
Views: 7289

Re: Brasted 1837?

The Brasted family now run a restaurant, and I tune a Brasted piano there. They have some fragmentary history, but the last I heard, it was a long way from being published.