E. Krauss of Stuttgart Piano

[vrwalker]

Hi,

I'm looking for information about the age of my piano.

It looks as if it was made by E. Krauss of Stuttgart - tthe name is written on the front in golden letters. The serial number stamped on the frame inside is 80489.

However, it also has a very old sticker, underneath the maker's name, saying 'T. D'Alamaine & Co, Finsbury Pavement, London', so possibly it was sold by them at some point.

Thanks for any help you can offer,

Victoria

[Bill Kibby]

D'Almaine's address suggests a date between 1881-1916. If this is E. Krause, the published serial numbers were never as high as that. You may find it helpful to look at my Numbers page at http://www.pianogen.org

[vrwalker]

Hi,

Thank you for replying to my last post. I went back and took the top and bottom off to see if I could find anything else, and I found two different numbers:

There's another number (written in far smaller font than the five digit number) on top left of the iron frame, which looks like '4659'.

When I removed the bottom doors, someone had hand written on its reverse '2079' and something else which looks like a signature. (I also found a light bulb that I never knew was there, so that was quite exciting.)

I also double checked the spelling on the maker's name, and it's definitely 'Krauss' with two s's. Does any of this help to narrow it down at all?

Regards, and thanks,

Victoria

[Bill Kibby]

It may well be that the numbers published for "E. Krause" apply, and it was spelt wrong, like so many others. 4569 would suggest about 1892, whereas 2079 is more like 1877. If you know how to remove the action safely, it may be marked with the action makers' name and number, and we may be able to date this.

[vrwalker]

Unfortunately, I don't know how to remove the action, so this will probably remain unsolved until it's time to call the tuner. If I get any more information, I'll post again. It's been useful to be able to narrow the dates down, though.

Thanks for your help - it's really great to find people who are willing to share their time and expertise.

[Pianomate]

Number 80489 on the frame if it is actually in the metal is likely to be the foundry part number for the frame itself.

The most likely number is the one written next to the frame.

If you are able to carefully extricate the far left hand key on the keyboard (you will have to take the top panel and fall off) you may find something written on it.

Searching for info like this reminds me of my grandfather studying numbers and markings on antique shotguns from the same era. In the same way as pianos, they were all numbered and it is often possible to date them through this. Like pianos, they were all individually crafted precision items requiring great skill. In the modern age of mass production and uniformity, many of these original skills are seldom found.