Ageing a Bentley piano

wif23 · Post by **wif23** » 28 Jul 2016, 15:53

Hello there

I am considering purchasing a Bentley piano with the art deco style frame however I want to try make sure (well as sure as I can) that is was made in the 1930s and not later in the 40s/50s as a repeat of this design. From one website I found, it says according to the serial number (50638) it was made in 1938 however I am hoping someone with a bit more insight might be able to refer to the images before to either confirm this or let me know if it isn't really possible to tell. I understand though that this may not ever be enough information to tell!

https://goo.gl/photos/abb1chdxRWb6XVDn9

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 28 Jul 2016, 17:40

I would put that number nearer 1937, but pianos cannot always be reliably pinned down to one precise date by a number. The serial number is clear, and it looks like a thirties piano. If you want to search inside for clues, have a look at
http://www.pianohistory.info/datemarks.html

See also general information at
http://www.pianohistory.info/edwardian.html

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 28 Jul 2016, 19:30

Nearly every Bentley I have tuned has had the date on the side of the last key on the left - the bottom key in the bass.

Post by **vernon** » 28 Jul 2016, 20:59

I would confidently put this pre-war
post war they started with the model with the grand fall, and the bottom door was angled in three pieces, only the middle of which came out,thus making it almost impossible to get at the pedal works.It had curved top corners before the vogue for "modernising" took off.

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 29 Jul 2016, 19:40

vernon wrote:the bottom door was angled in three pieces, only the middle of which came out.

Yep, like working in a rabbit hole...

sergiol83 · Post by **sergiol83** » 21 Nov 2017, 18:20

Whatever happened to the Bentley pianos?

I first noticed this name coming across this article. https://www.europianosnaples.com/who-in ... the-piano/
Did they sell the name to anyone?