Chappell & Co. Ltd.

[jasonmarcnash]

Hi,. I have recently have been very fortunate to obtain a Chappell and co upright piano.I am very interested to find out how old and the history of such a magnificent piece. In the lid it has the name Chappell and co Ltd. and H.G. Benstead and sons, Harleston, West Ealing and Richmond. The serial number is 36706 . If anyone can help me with this research I would be truly grateful: D

[Bill Kibby]

Chappells' archives were lost in a fire, so nobody can trace the history of the individual piano, all I can do is work on whatever can be learned from the instrument, or alternatively quote for printing general notes on the long history of the Chappell firm. The serial number suggests that it was made in 1900, but have a look at the Datemarks page at www.pianogen.org

We may be able to find some references to Benstead.

[jasonmarcnash]

Thankyou for your help i do find it all so fascinating

[keithpeter]

Hello All, I have acquired a Chappell & Co. upright that I think is younger than the one mentioned by Jason. The name Chappell is in gold lettering on the bottom side of the keyboard cover in a sort of sans or grotesque font. Any ideas where I can find the serial number? I have had a look around the iron work to no avail. The piano is fine for me to learn on, I'd just like to know how old it is.

[Bill Kibby]

If you can't see a number that's easily visible when you open the top, have a look at the Datemarks page at www.PianoGen.org

[keithpeter]

If you can't see a number that's easily visible when you open the top, have a look at the Datemarks page at www.PianoGen.org

Thanks - top on the left side, punched in the wood but the figures are spaced about 1 cm in a 'leading' type. The number is 10749, so according to the tables on the Web this piano dates from 1870 to 1880? Seems older than I expected!

When I get it tuned, I might ask to see the underside of the lowest key for a datemark.

[Bill Kibby]

It should be about 1871 but I have learned to mistrust published numbers!

[keithpeter]

It should be about 1871 but I have learned to mistrust published numbers!

Tuner came round yesterday, so had a look under the keys. Signatures in what appears to be biro (?) from previous owners. Names stamped in with punches (E. Job on the lowest key and J. Murray on the highest key). No dates.