Thomas Tomkison square piano

[Jessica Mustoo 2]

Hi, wondered if you could help. My father has just bought a mahogany square top piano, with Thomas Tomkison, maker to his majesty, Dean St, Soho, London, written on the front above the keys. He's found the same number marked twice on the wooden frame - 9221. The piano has 6 octives and its approx size is 6ft by 2ft 4 inches. Is this sufficent information to date the piano? - we think it was made before 1840, but would love to know a more accurate date. Thanks in advance. Jessica

[Bill Kibby]

Tomkison's numbers ranging from 356 to 1,965 are quoted for about 1805, which seems unlikely, and my feeling is that we cannot date these instruments reliably by their numbers, but it may just be that people are not looking in the right place - the area inside the left front corner. Around 1818, Tomkison's address changed from 55 to 77 Dean Street, which can be a useful clue if the full address is given. The stated dates of various Tomkison pianos do not run in number order. I imagine that the pianos were made in number order, but so many misleading statements are made, especially on the internet, that I have been unable to sort the wood from the trees. Could you email me some photos, or at least tell me how many legs it has, and what shape are the front corners?

[Jessica Mustoo 2]

Hello again, thanks for the quick response. The piano has 4 legs (turned all the way down), and a fifth inside leg for the sustain pedal. The front corners are rounded. Apparently the number 9221 was found in the corner as you suggested. Hopefully I can figure out how to use my new digital camera and send you a couple of photos next week, but if the above info throws any further light on the date, please let me know.

Many thanks for your help, jessica

[Jessica Mustoo 2]

just to clarify, the label only says Dean St, - it doesnt give a number of the premises unfortunately.

[Bill Kibby]

The number in Dean Street is rarely given. Good luck with digital technology, we have become slaves to it for all the wonders it can perform, on a good day, when it feels like it! Four turned legs, one at each corner, is just about the least useful design when it comes to dates, I look forward to the photos.

[Jessica Mustoo 2]

Hmm, I've loaded the photos onto my computer (a miracle!), but now struggling to understand how I can attach the photos to this email. Can I email from my personal account with attachments or do I need to post on this forum for you to access - if so, how? Thought I was having a good day with technology.........

[Barrie Heaton]

Clinkscale Vol 2
Number 8321 date 4 Aug 1827 Dean St
Number 10490 date c1835 inscription Makers to His Majesty Dean St

Barrie,

[Bill Kibby]

Click on my email link below, and you can attach them to an ordinary email. Alternatively, click on the website then click on the email link there. (I am assuming that you know how to attach the photos to a normal email?)

[Bill Kibby]

Just to try to clarify what I said, this is not an email, but if you email me, by clicking on my link below, you can press the ATTACH or INSERT button to insert photos, as long as you know where they are in the computer!