Wilh. Forster piano

annak_2006 · Post by **annak_2006** » 15 Aug 2008, 09:30

Hello,
I have got a upright piano dated about 1900. All I know is the description Wilh. Forster Leipzig at the front part and the table with the description Morgernstern&Kotrade of Leipzig. I would like to know how old can it be and how much it can be worth.

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 15 Aug 2008, 11:58

If you can find any numbers inside, these may help, but very little is published about Forster, who was established in 1832. Morgenstern & Kotrade made the action - the working parts of the notes. It would be interesting to know if their number is marked on the action. Forster became bankrupt in 1891, so it seems unlikely that more pianos were made, but companies do sometimes survive bankruptcy. One of the pianos in our Piano History Centre was made years after the maker was bankrupt.

annak_2006 · Post by **annak_2006** » 15 Aug 2008, 17:59

Thank you for your reply but I wonder why I can't find anything about Wilh. Forster in the net. All information available are only about August Forster and nothing about Wilhelm. I haven't found any single item about this maker. is it the name of the producer? I'd like to sell my piano now but I can't value it.

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 15 Aug 2008, 18:12

I'm afraid the name is irrelevant to the general problem of valuation, nobody can give you a value just like that without being there. Ask your tuner. The vast majority of piano names are not listed on the internet or in textbooks.

Grenache · Post by **Grenache** » 16 Aug 2008, 20:11

Hi

According to a German piano forum, there was a piano maker in Leipzig
Förster, Wilhelm - between 1832 - 1891.

It confirms there's no relation to August Forster, and lists two other makers called Forster in Leipzig.

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 16 Aug 2008, 23:56

That confirms what I already said.