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tmaughan · Member Joined: 30 Dec 2007 Posts: 3

Just bought a house with some barns and in a barn under a tarp I found a John Brinsmead and sons piano. Its in a sorry state. Sad

Serial number 29880:

Gives you an idea of the condition:

Medals and dates: (bigger image)
http://www.tmaughan.co.uk/piano/DSCF0714.jpg

1884 is the last date.

Its gotten wet. The veneer is peeling up in places. A few keys are damaged and pretty much all of them stick down.

Is it worth anything to anyone as a restoration project or should I put it out of its misery and put a match to it?

Bill Kibby · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 12:42 am Post subject: Brinsmead

The published numbers would suggest 1876, but this is obviously wrong. If you were in East Anglia, we might rescue it from a fate worse than death. Otherwise, it's a matter of how interested your local tuners are in history.
_________________
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

tmaughan · Member Joined: 30 Dec 2007 Posts: 3

I'm in Hampshire. I'll give the local tuners a ring and see if they are interested.

Ta!

Bill Kibby · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 1:46 pm Post subject: Hampshire

Whereabouts in Hampshire? We will be down that way soon, and could "rescue" it if you wish to email me. It would be nice to know what it actually looks like on the outside.
_________________
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

tmaughan · Member Joined: 30 Dec 2007 Posts: 3

I'll take some more pictures, just north of Southampton.