Erard

[paolo_torasso]

I have an Erard "Paris" Gran Piano completely restored. It's very similar to the one you find at http://www.frederickcollection.org/Erard1877.htm . I suppose that it was built in Paris between 1855 and 1860; the serial number is 30433. What do you think?

[Bill Kibby]

Erard pianos can sometimes suffer from the normal problems explained in the Numbers page on my website, associated with relying purely on numbers to date pianos, and some of the numbers shown on Erard's Paris pianos don't correspond to the published lists of dates, for example a grand which is supposedly 1913 appears to be much earlier, perhaps around 1880.

Numbers for most makers will go through a period when they are in four figures, and may resemble a year, so it is important to realise that pianos are hardly ever marked with just a year. A notable exception is Erard, because many of their antique pianos are marked with a year: In the Paris-made grands, this appears on a small oblong of wood inside the top, to the left of the strings. These dates prove that the published numbers are wrong, and I would be grateful for numbers and years of any examples anyone may find.

We can arrange for a researcher to search for this number in the original archives. Click the links below.

[paolo_torasso]

I've checked all the instrument, inside and outside, but I haven't found anything that can resemble a date. The only writings I see are
- the serial number (horizontally on the left of the strings, repeated also vertically a bit lower)
- " Brevet d'Invention
Erard a Paris
58/... "
centrally below the strings
- a very little "BB" under the strings below the lectern.

There is also a piece of paper, I think used for earlier resturations, under the keys, on which it is written "ŕ Jreuna" or something like that, it's not clear.

I didn't ask you for a valuation because I know that, even if you could see the piano and check it, it would be impossible to give a prize to this instrument. The ancient objects, I think, can't have a fixed value, their prices depend on how much the buyer and the seller appraise them.
There are others things that I would like to know about this piano, instead of his price, for example his story, the story of his owners and the musicians that played his keys; why is it arrived in the north of Italy and how. however these questions could hardly find their answers.

I thank you for the help you gave me and for the help you will give me.

[Bill Kibby]

No-one anywhere can trace the life history of every piano through its various owners, and you are lucky to own a make for which original archives exist to show the original purchase details.