H.A. Ivory (and Prangley)

consignmentgallery · Post by **consignmentgallery** » 26 Oct 2007, 22:32

I'm looking for some age info for the upright piano that has been consigned to us for sale. It is labeled "R.A. Ivory & Co." and below this on the same decal reads "Ivory and (late) Prangley". The serial number is "3073" and is found on the upper right of the wooden frame. On the wooden frame, where the tuning pegs are attached, pressed in to the wood frame reads "Ivory Maker London" and below this "J. Stewart's patent" but there is no date here. Just above the keys on the far right of the keyboard reads "Paterson & Sons, music sellers to the Queen, Edinburgh & Glasgow." I hope this is enough to I.D.!

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 26 Oct 2007, 22:41

Two questions: Is it Prangley? (I think it is Pringley!) Could it be H.A. Ivory (Henry Allsop Ivory)? The reference to James Stewart's patent is not surprising, he worked for Clementi, then moved on to Mr Ivory. I'll see what I can find. Any chance you could email some photos to our Piano History Centre? Serial numbers are interesting to me, but won't help you. Paterson & Sons were dealers.

Grenache · Post by **Grenache** » 28 Oct 2007, 17:07

My piano was supplied by Paterson Sons & Co, in 1927, but the address is Dundee, so it might or might not be the same company.

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 28 Oct 2007, 17:37

This was a well-known name in Scotland, and the firm went through various variations of the name at different times. Does this mean you have the receipt? Any chance you could email a scan for our files?

Grenache · Post by **Grenache** » 29 Oct 2007, 12:41

Hello Bill, I think it's unlikely that the receipt is still around, but I'll ask my mother - it's a long shot.

The brass plate on the piano states "Paterson Sons & Co, 39 Reform Street, Dundee". They are long-gone from this address, but it's in a fashionable city-centre location, now occupied by a branch of Jessops.

If you want a photo, email me off-list.