Francois Berden

Monique Alberts · Post by **Monique Alberts** » 13 Nov 2007, 14:50

Hello, I have a Francois Berden piano. Inside is a label from the Exposition Universelle de Paris. The number is 5955 modele 7. Can anyone tell me some more about this piano, like age or anything else?

Thanks,
Monique

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 14 Nov 2007, 19:48

The number suggests about 1868, if they are correct. Have a look at the Numbers page at www.PianoGen.org

What year is this Paris Expo?

Monique Alberts · Post by **Monique Alberts** » 16 Nov 2007, 21:44

This Paris Expo was in 1867. Inside there is also a sign which says: Medaille Dór Prize medal.

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 16 Nov 2007, 23:35

If you can read French, the report on the 1867 exposition says "La Belgique a apporté de bons pianos, copiés généralement sur la fabrication française. L'intérieur des instruments est bien traité, ainsi que les caisses. Nous n'avons rien trouvé de supérieur, à part les pianos de la maison BERDEN et Cie; Bruxelles, et entre autres un in-strument a queue, genre Érard, que l'on dislingue par la qua-lité harmonieuse de ses sons. Notre attention s'est portée aussi sur un piano droit a cordes croisées, qui laisse a désirer; le jeu du clavier et la répétition sont bons; mais les sons ne sont pas agréables. Les autres pianos sont du genre français, et, quoique tres-bons, il nous a semblé inutile de les détailler."

I hadn't realised that Berden received a gold medal.

Monique Alberts · Post by **Monique Alberts** » 22 Nov 2007, 21:06

Sadly my french is not good enough to understand what this report means.
Maybe you can tell me what it says. I really like to know more about this piano

Thanks
Monique

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 02 Dec 2007, 01:16

My French is poor, but it won't tell you anything about your piano. Could you email me some photos for our Piano History Centre, especially interior detail?