Hello, I wonder if anyone can help me out. I've spent quite a while trying to find out the year that my piano was made... I realise that it is more than likely of very little value but I'm really intrigued! So far I've ascertained that, if i have the correct serial number, it is before 1885 having read a lot of information on this site and possibly, even before 1870 as I think B Squire & son then became B Squire and Sons.
Details; Its is labelled B Squire & Son, Stanhope Street, London. It's an upright iron grand - and on the highest key, it says B Squire and Son in the wood (no date that I can see).
The serial number (I think) is on the top right of the iron frame: 17676 and most of the pieces of the piano have the number 676 on them apart from the upper front panel which has number 657 on it (I am assuming that somewhere in the history of it's life, the front panel was maybe replaced!)
On the lowest two keys, there are a few signatures (non that I can read!) but there is also the number 2016 imprinted into the wood of these two keys
The back has a little plaque with White & Stoddart, complete house furnishings, cockermouth.
But also, inside, imprinted in the wood is the name "J. W. Offer"
I'm a registrar of weddings and when completing and signing marriage certificates I always make sure that they are legible for the sake of people in hundreds of years time who are tracing back their family tree. It's a shame that people didn't think the same all those years ago and make it easier for us to trace our piano's back!!!
I really hope you can help.............
Kate
