[mitchfaw]

We have just aquired a funky little black Challen & Son piano from an English style pub in Ontario, Canada. I found through the search available at www.pianogen.com that it is from between 1850-1900 (thank you ). Additionally, the piano has a date and signature inside on the main beam of construction which says 30/5/78 and is signed H ?uves (Could start with an M, could be "Mires" or "Mines"). Any idea whose signature that would be?

There are a few lists of dates, presumably from when it was tuned.

The piano has gold decoration on the black paint, 85 key keyboard (measure 46 1/2 inch keyboard). The wheels are gone, but it measures 41 inches high. Would it be a child's piano or some sort of early version of what we call here an apartment size piano? Our piano tuner will be coming to check it out next week.

I'm curious about any information. I will post a photo when I can.
Michelle

[Bill Kibby]

There is no such website, and if you mean www.PianoGen.org - my site, it has no such searches so I don't know where you looked. However, I have lots of historical notes on Challen, which can be printed if required. Email me for a quote, a lot more has been added recently.
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I do not buy, sell or value pianos, but I sometimes rescue pre-1890 pianos in the UK.

For more details see my own website: http://www.pianogen.org

Piano History Centre

The World's Largest Collection of
Historical Information about British Pianos.