Willis & Sons

[janedouthwaite36]

Hello. I have an old piano and I am trying to discover its history. It has a 'Willis and Sons' on a metal plate attached to it above the keys along with 'Gold Medal Award' with Queen Victoria's head. I can only find out about 'Willis and Sons' as organ manufacturers and not pianos. It also has 'Darlington' on it which is in the North East of England. I am at a complete loss with any history. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Jane

[Bill Kibby]

Does it give the year when Willis received the medal? All I have ready on computer is this...

1886 Willis & Sons were not listed in Darlington.
1894 Not listed in Darlington.
1899 Willis & Son, High Northgate, Darlington.
1911 George Willis & Sons, High Northgate, Darlington.
1928 Willis & Sons, Darlington & Uxbridge.
1938 Willis & Sons, 219 Northgate, Darlington. Instruments, Music.
1951 Not listed in Darlington.

Have a look at the Medals link and other general information at pianogen.org

[janedouthwaite36]

We have just looked through a magnifying glass at the 'Medal' on the piano. It appears to say either 1890 or 1898.

We cannot find a serial number inside or any date.

All that is inside are the letters 'SMC' embossed inside.

On the website link the exhibition medals link appears to be no longer available or has moved.

[Bill Kibby]

I apologise for the temporary blip, you can find the information by pressing one of the other links, then selecting Exhibitions, but just click on this...
http://www.uk-piano.org/piano-gen/piano ... tions.html

Serial numbers will not help with Willis pianos, none are published.