E. Best & Son

[Aussiegirl]

Hello, I have recently acquired an old upright piano, and I am interested to know any history and its age. It has E. Best & Son, East Ham. printed under the piano key lid. It also has Upright Iron Grand printed above the keys. It appears to have a straight strung iron frame, and is a dark mahogany colour which has faded in places. It is about 50 inches/127 cm tall, and has a lovely picture of delicate flowers and a tiny dragonfly, made of a lighter coloured inlaid wood on the middle front panel, and candleholders in smaller panels on either side. It also has the numbers 3761 stamped into various parts inside. Just curious to know anything of its origins and how old it would approximately be, (I realise its probably not worth anything which is of no interest to us!) but it looks lovely and plays fairly well, my 7 year old son is also quite interested in any information we can find about it. Thankyou, Regards,

Kylie

[Bill Kibby]

All I can tell you is that in 1904, Edward Best was listed in Kelly's Directory as a pianoforte dealer at 351, High Street North, Manor Park. I used to work as manager for Berry Pianos in Manor Park, and East Ham is the adjoining area. It is now part of Greater London, but was originally Essex.