Erard Baby Grand

[soulman]

My mother was given an Erard Baby Grand many years ago by her father, i have recently taken an interest in its history and looking at weather it is worth fully restoring it. From what i've learned recently i think its one of the smaller Baby Grands around. Im assuming all or most of these small Grand pianos are designed very simple as far as looks go, this piano is very very simple in looks design. There doesnt seem to be much about them online anywhere esp. Erard ones. Its serial # is 7337, at least what i think is the serial #. This number is found by removing the keyboard action mechanism. Under the strings on the sound board is written in fancy writting - Par Brevert d'Invention, Seb. & Pa Erard, 12 & 31 rue du mail, Paris. Something like that. Mums piano tuner liked it a lot and has mentioned its uniqueness in having 88 notes (52 white 36 black). Not sure if this is actually any different from any other baby grand.

Id appreciate any information anyone can give me.

Clem

[Bill Kibby]

88 notes is not unique in a baby grand. What is the wording on the fall (keyboard lid)?

#7337 would be very early 1800s, this is not going to be the correct serial number, which would be inside the top, probably to the left or bass end. Have a look at the Numbers link at pianogen.org

[soulman]

The inside of the lid has the wording 'Erard' only in the normal fancy swirly lettering. I'll take some photos and email them to you. It seems there was absolutely no effort to make the piano fancy as far as curvature in the legs and keyboard ends, most corners and edges are square. It has a very basic design which I really like actually. I'm guessing this is because these baby grands were directed at the beginner, budget or younger pianist.

thanks, clem

[Bill Kibby]

More likely it is because, having been so advanced in the 1800s, Erards were very slow to follow other improvements in piano design. We saw one in Paris recently which looked like 1840s, but is actually thought to be 1920s!