Identifying Minipiano

[muffin]

Hello! I am new and look forward to being a member here! I recently became the owner of a used piano and all I can find is the name Minipiano on it. it is rather old and I am afraid to open anywhere until I know where to look for the "brand" name. It is really lovely and after searching google for mini piano and the like I find many made by Eavestaff but none that look like this one. Where would I look to find a name or id # on it so I may date it and find out what it is worth (there is some minor surface damage to some pieces that are appliquéd onto it around the top in a rather beautiful design) and so I know its value for insurance reason. The hinges on the top are very old and not like others I have seen where they are long (these are less then an inch). There is a number on the back of it #1082 or 1092 stamped into the wood in the back. Any help will be very appreciated! Thanks

Melissa

[Bill Kibby]

The problem is that you told us absolutely nothing about it. We can't begin to guess where to look when we don't know what sort of piano it is, but "Minipiano" was a name owned by Eavestaff. Is this a flatt-topped oblong box with the tuning pins behind a flap under the keyboard? If so, the number is there.

[muffin]

it is about 3 1/2 feet high and about 18 inches deep

sorry about the description as I am totally at a loss about these things. It does have the name minipiano on the face above the keyboard.

for the tuning pins under the keyboard, do I simply look under there or do I have to remove something?

I am sorry about being vague, I am just at a total loss about pianos, but want to learn as I think I am going to keep it and have it fully restored

thanks

[Bill Kibby]

If it's an early Eavestaff mini, there is a flap under the keys which pulkls open to reveal the tuning pins, and the number is at the left end. Could you email photos to me?

[muffin]

ok the number is 1355

I opened it up and that was what was on the wood...I will take pictures later as we are running to the grocer and will email them to you!

thanks for your help and I hope the number helps you a bit more....she really is a lovely piece

[Bill Kibby]

Sounds like a 1935 Eavestaff Back-action Minipiano.

[Tom Tuner]

I have cross-section drawings of a couple of Minipianos, one of which seems to be an Eavestaff from your description, which I can e-mail if these would be of any use to you.
As you contributed the Appendix to The Musician's Piano Atlas can you tell me whether there were any Suppliments beyond No. 1?

Tom Tuner

[Bill Kibby]

No, there haven't been any further supplements, but Steve Taylor did contact me a few months ago about a proposed new volume. Emails being what they are, I don't even know if he got my reply! The cross-sections sound interesting, to a pianorak like me!