Camp & Co. History

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

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Barrie Heaton
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Post by Barrie Heaton »

The company was around in 1880 serial numbers 35817 would date it c1904 In 1917 the serial numbers jumped back to four digits starting at 3000 this would indicate a change in ownership Now according to Pierce the Piano company Estey Pianos had some involvement now they had 2 sets of numbers the second set starting at 1928 with four digits.

Now Kohler & Campbell made pianos with lots of different names one being Newton their factory was in New York now owned by Samick USA

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Post by Barrie Heaton »

xendi wrote:I have piano that has been in my family for many years. Looking on the inside, I find that it is by Camp & Co. New York s/n 8487 and the earliest tuning dates i find written on the inside are 6/25/09 written by Joseph C Smith and various other dates. Can anyone tell me history or information about this piano or the company that made it?
That number would date it at c1884 and we know the numbers changed back to four digits in 1917 so using the second set of numbers would date it c1920–21 since you have tuning dates inside the piano dating back to 1909 I would say your piano is c1884

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Post by tallyhas »

I too have a Camp & Company, Chicago piano. The serial number is 22035. Thanks for your help, as info has been difficult to find.
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Post by Barrie Heaton »

tallyhas wrote:I too have a Camp & Company, Chicago piano. The serial number is 22035. Thanks for your help, as info has been difficult to find.
1895 = 21000
1900 = 26000

Your piano was made some were between these dates However, this is assuming the company did not produce many pianos after 1926 as they were up to 15000 on their new numbers

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Post by tallyhas »

tallyhas wrote:
I too have a Camp & Company, Chicago piano. The serial number is 22035. Thanks for your help, as info has been difficult to find.


1895 = 21000
1900 = 26000

Your piano was made some were between these dates However, this is assuming the company did not produce many pianos after 1926 as they were up to 15000 on their new numbers

Barrie,

In addition to Camp and Company Chicago, and the Serial No. 22035, the piano is marked "Patented April 25, 1899 No. 623690" I would have to assume the piano was made after 1926.
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Post by Barrie Heaton »

if the piano is marked with "Patented April 25, 1899 No. 623690" then it could be the new set of numbers so number 15044 =1925 or if it is the old set then
c1885 to 1889

The 2188 would place it at c1880 However, they started a new set of numbers in 1917 = 3000 it they set of numbers started at 3000 they your piano would be c1880 but if they did not then it could be 1917 But again that number could be a stock number form the retailer or the 15044 could be the stock number

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Re: Camp & Company Piano

Post by Barrie Heaton »

mohsea wrote:I have a Camp & Company Piano serial number 14898. THe furniture part is in excellent condition, the piano part not so good. I have some questions;

How old is this?
1890
mohsea wrote: Is it of any value more than just a piece of furniture?
No
mohsea wrote:
Can it be retrofitted with good parts?
Yes at a price more than the pianos worth

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aaali
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Camp & Company piano

Post by aaali »

I have a Camp & Company Chicago piano #13268 and I was wondering how old it is, and how much it could be worth. I would appreciate ANY information you know about it!
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Re: Camp & Company piano

Post by Barrie Heaton »

In 1885 the numbers were 10000 and in 1890 it was 16546 so your piano was between those dates according to the published dates

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Post by aaali »

Thank you for the dates you provided! Do you know if it's worth anything?
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Bill Kibby
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Post by Bill Kibby »

To quote my Home page, it's fair to say that although I am fascinated by Victorian pianos, they rarely fetch as much as £90 at local auctions here in the UK, unless they have been professionally restored, indeed many fetch less than £20. Couldn't say about over there.
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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Re: Camp & Co. History

Post by Mcaswell »

Thankfully I found this thread, hard to find info on Camp & Co serial numbers! I recently purchased a Camp & Co. It’s serial number is stamped on wood, inset in the harp, 3994. It also says “New York And Philadelphia” under Camp & Co. Can you help me get the approximate date in this? Thanks!!
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Re: Camp & Co. History

Post by tvsanders1@gmail.com »

My wife just inherited a Camp & Company upright piano with the serial number 4969. The piano tuner said it was from the '20's. We hare having the insides restored so it is playable. The outside is in fair condition. We were thinking of just cleaning and polishing it. Is the date correct? What is it worth?
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Re: Camp & Co. History

Post by Bgcarter81 »

My father in law has a Camp &Company upright. Just as other people on this thread, can’t find info. Serial number is not on piano. #14260 is under the top lid. # 406 is down in the piano.
Is idea how old it might be. Very ornate with book holder and raised design on three front panels at the top. It’s cherry wood. Legs have corbels in front and shape to them. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Bev
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Re: Camp & Co. History

Post by Barrie Heaton »

Bgcarter81 wrote: 17 Apr 2022, 00:47 My father in law has a Camp &Company upright. Just as other people on this thread, can’t find info. Serial number is not on piano. #14260 is under the top lid. # 406 is down in the piano.
14260 Dates the piano between 1885 and 1890
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Re: Camp & Co. History

Post by Barrie Heaton »

tvsanders1@gmail.com wrote: 14 Mar 2022, 22:31 My wife just inherited a Camp & Company upright piano with the serial number 4969. The piano tuner said it was from the '20's. We hare having the insides restored so it is playable. The outside is in fair condition. We were thinking of just cleaning and polishing it. Is the date correct? What is it worth?
If your technician says the Pianos I circa 1920s the number above is not the serial numbe for 1920. as that would date it at c1880
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