Challen grand #54792

[jimbobsc]

I am looking for information on Challen Parlor Grands and also trying to date this particular Challen. The plate had a marking that stated it was supplied by Harrod and the number H44103. I would like comments about the brand, unusual features etc.. I noted that the 1st 17 strings were single wound and C#2-D#3 were double wound , duplex unisons. E3 up to ? were triple steel wound unisons, and there were 2 bass bridges each with 3 levels. I think the strings were all single hitchpin loops (no looped strings). The case was black with decorative painting on it. I was told that it was used in Harrods department store played by a tuxedoed pianist who played while customers shopped.

[Bill Kibby]

Part of your problem is that "Parlor Grand" is an American expression, so it won't connect with an English Challen in your searches. It is normal to have two bass bridges, some single strings (monochords), some bichords, and the rest trichords. It is the designer's choice whether a model has the more unusual features, such as plain bichords or covered trichords. Duplex means something quite different in pianos. I don't understand your notation for the notes, can you give the note numbers from #1 at the bottom?

Its serial number suggests 1934, around the time they made the largest piano in the world, but Harrods sold yours around 1940. Challen were "the piano of the BBC" for many years, and had a very long history, starting with Alexander Watlen about 190 years ago, then Watlen & Challen around 1834-7.