[squib-usa]

I have a Henry Tolkien upright piano that I am trying to find info on. It has 85 keys, tuning dates on the tuning board dated 1880 through 1906 and lion claw legs. There are 2 sets of numbers on the inside tuning board - 4304 and 76171.

I have searched online for Henry Tolkien but can't find much info on him. The crest says Henry Tolkien, King William St. London, London Bridge / Irrestible Piano-Forte / By Her Majestys Royal Letters Patent / Manufactured Expressly for Extreme Climates. Please let me know where I can find out the date and value and other information on this piano and the maker. My guess from viewing your website is that it was manufactured in about 1865??
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[Gill the Piano]

Henry Benjamin Tolkein was JRR's (like, he wrote this cool movie, man, Lord of the Rings...) grandad. There's an invoice from him, dated 1871, on Abebooks at the moment - or there was. They wanted FOUR HUNDRED QUID for it, so I imagine it's still on there...go to Abebooks and put 'Tolkein piano' in the keywords and it should pop up. If not, send me a PM and I'll emu you my copy of the details which I kept. I'd do it now...but there's Coronation Street on and a crispy duck awaiting my attentions...

[Bill Kibby]

That was John Benjamin Tolkien in Birmingham, not Henry in London, although they are said to be related, and Henry was the main, important maker of that surname. We have lots of info on Henry Tolkien pianos, can you email me some photos? This posting would get a lot more chance of response if you put it on the Piano History page. I've heard of this piano before, are you Veronica?
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I do not buy, sell or value pianos, but I sometimes rescue pre-1880 pianos in the UK.

My own website: http://www.pianogen.org

Email Bill@PianoGen.org

Piano History Centre