Arthur Allison piano

vanblokland · Post by **vanblokland** » 21 Jun 2003, 12:50

It's nice to end a search with an excellent result. However I wasn't looking for a certain brand, I knew what kind of piano I was looking for. Not too expensive and in reasonable condition. I've found a Arthur Allison with serial number 23009. After looking on http://www.pianos.co.uk/info/pianos/a/allison.php
I've discovered that this piano was manufactured in 1892. curious as I am, I was trying to get some information about the factory which I found on UK Piano Page. Brilliant, all the information! Keep up the good work. Now, I'm wondering how I can retrieve more information about the piano itself. When was it shipped to Holland, via what route, who were the previous owners, etc... Hopefully can somebody help me. Thanx in advance. Kind regards,

Erik van Blokland
The Netherlands

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 21 Jun 2003, 13:52

It's worth remembering that some of the serial numbers on pianos made by the various Allison firms don't conform to the published numbers. I can supply a booklet through the PianoGen website, or compile a report based on photos. See also the items on Booklets\Datemarks and Booklets\Numbers. Some of Arthur's pianos have a date on the bottom key.

vanblokland · Post by **vanblokland** » 21 Jun 2003, 20:18

Hi Bill,
Thanks for your reply. The Number I've found on the rightside/inside-top:23009, can also be found on another part of the piano. This number is on the back of the piano. I've discovered this when I moved it and took away dust behind the "curtain" which was placed over the whole back of the piano, excuse my poor English.

You write in your reply that some of Arthur's pianos have a date on the bottom key....Is this one of the pedals? This might sound to you like a silly question, but I honestly haven't got a clue what bottom key is...
Hope to read from you.

Thanks so far.

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 22 Jun 2003, 09:53

It's a difficult problem to avoid, because even if you were english, you wouldn't necessarily know all the technical terms. In this case, the keys are the notes, a fairly international way of describing them (clef in french etc.) and the bottom key is the lowest note - the one on the left-hand end. Pedals are called "pedals"! 23,000 suggests 1892, but see "Datemarks" in the booklets section of the PianoGen website.

vanblokland · Post by **vanblokland** » 22 Jun 2003, 11:32

Hi Bill,

Thanx for making it clear. After reading your reply, I've instantly went downstairs to check the bottomkey but no date was found. I've than read the printed version of "datemarks". Very interesting indeed. I've moved the bottomplate to check the frame for a mark but I couldn't find one, except 3 digits coming out of the frame (323). What I found was the same number 23009 on one of the upright wooden poles one which the frame and rest of the piano is attached to. Also, the brand and town was stamped into it (Arthur Alisson & Co. LONDOND). Can this mean something?

The 3 bottomkeys have on the side most to the inside of the piano 3 digits aswell. this is probably from a tuner, like you wrote in datemarks.

So far, what I found out about this piano is that the previous owner bought it from the Ronda Familie in Belgium in 1981. I now am trying to retrieve their whereabouts to see how far I can trace the story.

As I understand, Alisson doesn't excist anymore, it's been taken over bij Chappel and after that, the company was bought out by Kemble. Do you know if it's possible to find information about this piano from the other side than only working my way back?

I have taken 3 photo's of the marks which I would like to send to you. Is that allright?
thanks,
Erik

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 22 Jun 2003, 15:21

By all means send photos to my email address. I can also supply a booklet about the Allison firms, or compile a report from detailed photos.

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 24 Jan 2004, 11:25

I seem to be answering two entries here, so I apologise for any confusion. I can supply a printed booklet of general information on the allison firms, but it is currently being extended. I can also compile a report from photos, but no original archive material survives. Press www below, then press "Archives". Photos can be emailed via my site. Horne Thompson were around in 1911, I'll see what else I can find.

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 17 Dec 2005, 13:35

There were several Allison firms, so the published numbers don't always work, and the two surviving family members merged in 1910 to become Allison Pianos Ltd. See
http://www.uk-piano.org/piano-gen/reports.html

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Arthur Allison piano

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