Challen & Sons

devorguila · Post by **devorguila** » 12 Aug 2006, 10:29

Morning, hoping somebody out there can help me! I've found a cheap 'oldish' upright piano at auction, but the seller's not able to give me the serial number for a few days, by which time it might have gone.
The make is 'Challen and Sons London' - gold writing on a black plate. Any ideas as to when pianos with this particular name-plate were made? As far as I can tell, most Challens just had 'Challen' on them.
Thanks in advance,
Alasdair.

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 12 Aug 2006, 14:49

The name of the firm changed to Challen & Son, (singular) around 1856. Some references to "& sons" (plural) are wrong, others seem to date from the 1920s onwards. Unless you can afford to throw money away, never buy a piano without getting it tested by a tuner. I can help if you are in East Anglia.