C. Otto Berlin upright piano

[dfalkingham]

Hi,

I've been given a C. Otto Berlin upright piano by a friend, and just wanted to find out a little more about it, if possible.

I've found a few numbers:
1) On the top left of case are two numbers - the same typeface, but slightly offset from each other, and the second number looks more recently stamped than the first:
- 17209 1994
(the second number looks like it was stamped way before 1994 though!)
2) on the action:
- No 6079
3) on the top right of the case is something more interesting - it has a number and name, both of which are very faint and look like they've tried to be removed:
- 5084 (or possibly 5034) VANCRUISEN & SON, LIVERPOOL

I've done a Google search for Vancruisen....and got zero results!

Any information most very gratefully received.

Many thanks,
Darren

[Bill Kibby]

You'd have more luck if you searched for Van Gruisen! They were in Liverpool by the mid-1800s, and remained in business at least into the 1920s. Otto's number suggests 1874.

[dfalkingham]

Hi Bill, and thank you for the reply.

Ah, a G rather than a C - it is a bit rubbed off!

Wow, I didn't expect it to be that old - it still sounds wonderful. I've only had it a couple of weeks, so I'll give it another fortnight then get a tuner in.

Can I ask - what's your view on cleaning the ivory? It all looks original (thin veneers), but as you would expect, the central part of the keyboard is dirtier than the far bass and treble.

Thanks again,
Darren

[Bill Kibby]

Ignore the old tale about using milk, and if a slightly damp cloth won't shift the dirt, be careful not to use anything too wet, it will do damage. The motor industry uses a cleaning paste called Solvol Autosol which is as effective as the specialised key-cleaning products, but easier to obtain. There's nothing to beat the feel of clean ivory! If you remove the keys to clean them, make sure you mark them if they are not numbered, or lay them out in order, because every one is different. A simple method of marking them is to draw a long, straight sloping line across the keys.