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bberl · New Member Joined: 16 Jan 2004 Posts: 1 Location: Canada

We have a John Brinsmead and Sons Piano. It is an upright and the number inside is 54164. I looked up
the number a few years ago and discovered that it will be 100 years old in May. My question is do pianos that become antiques lose there value? I spoke to someone and they assured me that they do. Is this true? This piano is beautiful, it is marled walunt and
has scones on the front. There is also a picture of
Seven Ladies on the Front under glass. Is there a
way to find out the value?
Thank you for your assistance.

Barrie Heaton · Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2004 5:07 pm Post subject:

Piano in general appreciate in value to a point, good quality ones more. However, they seldom over take the price of a new one, unless they have a pedigree. (some one who was famous owned the piano)

As to becoming antiques 100 year old pianos are not uncommon in the UK the magic date is c1840, pianos before 1840 in good condition are harder to come by and are sort after by some collectors. Pianos after 1840 to 1920 are just old pianos and in most cases are not worth spending thousands of pounds to restore them, there are exceptions to this, some makes of grands and the big 4 makes – Of course if the piano has been in the family then it has sentimental value and the laws of common sense go out of the door with the piano when it is sent to be restored 1920 to 1970 a judgment call is needed but again a lot of uprights are not worth spending lots money on cheaper to buy a new one Grands are different

Hope that is of some help

Barrie,
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Barrie Heaton
Web Master UK Piano Page

Bill Kibby · Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2004 11:01 pm Post subject: Brinsmead

I am fascinated to know how you can date the piano to within a month?
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I do not buy, sell or value pianos, but I sometimes rescue pre-1890 pianos in the UK.

Have a look at the Datemarks page on my own website: http://www.pianogen.org

Piano History Centre

Barrie Heaton · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2004 11:03 am Post subject:

Even if you divide the numbers by 12 you still have know what month they used for the start of the year, not all makers use the same month Kemble is Jan, Woodchester was April and Welmar if I remember right was December – the end of accounting year may be a good place to start but that info is not that simple to get as may piano makers used the small business disclosures clause

Barrie,
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Barrie Heaton
Web Master UK Piano Page