Wm. Kenna Smith

[cdnmum]

Hi, I am new to the world of old pianos since somebody just gave me one last week. I don't know where to start finding out about it and haven't had any success looking for it on Google or Wikipedia. Maybe somebody can point me in the right direction here...

When I flipped up the lid covering the keyboard, I found something that said "Established 1874. Manufactured expressly for Wm. Kenna Smith, 304 Rochdale Road, Manchester and also at 206, Regent Road, Salford." I looked for a serial number but didn't find one - actually, I don't know where to look.

Thanks!

Rachael

[Bill Kibby]

The "manufactured expressly" phrase tells us that Smith didn't make it, so was it Smith who was established in 1874, or is there another name on the piano? Serial numbers are of no value to you with this name. He was around from at least 1886 to 1911.

We can't tell you the age from the name. Have a look at the Datemarks information at www.PianoGen.org

[andersen1963]

Hi,
I found this post when I was researching a piano my brother gave as a gift. The lid of the piano states:

Established 1874 Manufactured expressly for Wm Kenna Smith (note the small m is an exponential expression on the right side of the capitol W on the piano) 304 Rockdale Road, Manchester and at 206 Regent Road, Salford. Below in large lettering is H. WAGNER and below that is BERLIN. Inside the piano is a piece of paper T. Jessen Culver Piano maker, tuner repairer 133 Chorlton Road Manchester 16

I would like to know more about this piano. After finding this post, I think perhaps it was manufactured expressly for a store named Wm Kenna Smith - or that person had more than one piano crafted.

One last thing...inside the piano on the left (my left while facing the piano) is the "branded" number 1941...not sure it's a date.
I look forward to your insight.

[Bill Kibby]

With a name like Wiliam Smith, it is perhaps not surprising that he used his middle name Kenna prominently. He established his piano business in Manchester, 1874, but we have very little record of him apart from a brief reference in 1911. You are wise not to assume that 1941 is a date, it may just be a number, and datemarks are rarely that easy. Have a look at the Datemarks page at www.PianoGen.org

The Piano Names page there also helps with "manfactured expressly" a term which tells us that Smith did not make the piano, but often avoids saying who did. In this instance, Wagner made it in Berlin, but there are several firms with that name, and we have no useful information for you yet.

[sambahunta]

I have read with interest the previous messages on William Kenna Smith as he was my GG Uncle having married my GG Aunt Catherine Burns. I don't have a particular interest in pianos, but I came across this forum through Google.
I have a scan of an invoice from Wm. to my Nan for a piano-forte she purchased from him and it has quite good pics of his three stores if anyone would like to see it let me know and I will post the image

[Bill Kibby]

I would love to have copies for our Piano History Centre, but please don't post large images here, could you email it to me? There is an email button below. Thanks.

[ckelly]

Hi, i too have an upright piano that has written under the keyboard lid 'manufactered expressly for WM. Kenna Smith' , yet inside on the iron frame has WM. kenna Smith forged on the metal, so who actually made it?
I bought it from Ebay about 4 years ago for a grand sum of £5, as the previous owner just wanted it out of his house and it was too heavy for him to remove. I have been trying for months to find information and values about Wm Kenna Smith pianos but i can't believe the lack of it on the internet?
I will email you some photos of it in detail.
thanks

[Bill Kibby]

Let us straight away separate the two things. Nobody anywhere is going to tell you the value without on-the-spot testing. I deal with history. The "expressly" thing means that Smith didn't make it, as you can read on my Piano Names page at http://www.pianogen.org

The name may be on a strip of cast iron at the top, called a headbar, which is screwed on, and separate from the main iron frame. This is a common ruse on pianos bought in from wholesalers. I look forward to the photos. William K. Smith was around from at least the 1880s to 1923.