Geo. Dettmer & Son square piano

[aleblanc]

I have an old square pianoforte made in London by Geo. Dettmer and Son. It is 24.5 inches deep by 67.5 inches long. It has four legs in the front, fluted and tapered, and two in the rear. All six legs have wheels on the bottom. There is a single pedal. It is all wood construction, and the soundboard has been cracked and the frame holding the strings is in such a condition that it could not be brought up to pitch. However, it is in terrific shape to look at and the craftsmanship, brass inlay,veneering, etc. are fabulous. I have two questions:

1. How old is this piano?
2. Somebody wants to buy it from me just as a piece of furniture. Roughly what is it worth?

A. LeBlanc
Bangkok

[Bill Kibby]

I have no record of a DettmAr, but if it is George Dettmer & Son, 50 Upper Mary le bone Street, Fitzroy Square, London, this might be around 1830, but no exact dates of numbers are available. Valuation is impossible without on-the-spot inspection by a tuner-technician.

[aleblanc]

You are right, I mistyped the name of Geo. Dettmer.
Can I ask if pianos of this period are relatively rare, or are there many of them around? Would it be easy to buy a similar instrument (not necessarily by Dettmer)in good working condition? If so, what is an approximate price?


A. LeBlanc
Bangkok

[Bill Kibby]

It's difficult to know whether the period is correct without seeing it. Square pianos of this age are not rare, but there are only a few Dettmers around.

As for valuation, how could I possibly know what it would fetch in Thailand? See

http://www.uk-piano.org/piano-gen/valua ... ianos.html

[aleblanc]

I can take a couple of digital photos and email them to you if you would like. As a piano historian this might be of interest to you. Years ago I also had an expert on restoration of old pianos do a quotation on repairing it to working condition. This goes into quite a bit of detail and could also be of interest. I can fax it if you give me a fax number. It sounded like a lot of work so I never had it done.
The piano has an interesting history. It was sent to Boston, and went up the Erie Canal to Utica, NY, where it stayed in an old mansion until around 1985, at which time, as they say, everybody died except the lawyers. Some antique dealer bought it, and I bought it from him simply because it was so beautiful to look at. In 1993 I moved to Singapore, then in 1999 to Bangkok.
The only reason I want to sell it is a friend loves the thing and I guess I have had it long enough.

Let me know if you would like photos for your files on Dettmer, and a copy of the quotation for fixing it to working condition. This actually has a lot of information which I found quite impressive, bt for you it's probably pretty standard stuff.

Al LeBlanc
Bangkok

[Bill Kibby]

Any piano ionformation or photos are always welccome, they may help with future research, but don't post them on the forum, folow the instructions below this message.

[aleblanc]

Sorry, I have been unavailable for a few days. I now have digital photos of the Dettmer loaded on my computer and ready to send, but in your last reply, you said not to post them on the forum but to "follow the instructions below this message".
Unfortunately, I don't see any instructions. Can I just email them to you?
Also, what is your fax number?

Al LeBlanc
Bangkok

[Bill Kibby]

I'll admit I'm better with pianos than I am with computers, but I don't know why you aren't seeing the same page as me. After every posting I do, there is a standard item, a photo of me, with instructions about contacting me, a www button for my website, an email button, and the alternative of typing pianogen into your internet address bar.

[Bill Kibby]

I am in touch with descendants of Dettmer, and their information doesn't quite line up with mine, so I am still trying to puzzle it out. The photos suggest a Regency piano, (1810-1820) but if you can find a number, that would be useful.

[Trickeedee]

I am in touch with descendants of Dettmer, and their information doesn't quite line up with mine, so I am still trying to puzzle it out. The photos suggest a Regency piano, (1810-1820) but if you can find a number, that would be useful.

Hi Bill

I believe I am one of the Dettmer descendants and have been trying to track down that side of the family using the piano link. I am a Dettmer and I believe that George Dettmer was my great great great Grandfather. Do you still have contact with the 'Dettmer' family. If so would it be possible to put me in touch with them?

Kind regards

Richard

[Bill Kibby]

Yes, if you contact me direct, by reading the standard (inappropriate!) messagwe below.

[Trickeedee]

Sorry Bill

What message below? Think I'm missing something.

Regards

Richard

[Trickeedee]

Yes, if you contact me direct, by reading the standard (inappropriate!) messagwe below.

Got it.

[peter_mole]

I have a Dettmer square piano which I bought recently from Michael Cole. He has restored it to perfect playing condition and a picture of it is on his website, www.squarepiano.com on the 'for sale' page. Michael thinks it is 1800-1810 and it bears the number
2173 and George Dettmer's signature on the soundboard.

It is certainly, from its looks a regency instrument.

Peter

[Bill Kibby]

Thanks for the details, I am currently compiling information on the Dettmers, but as often happens, it is something of a problem sifting through the incorrect material which has been published. I couldn't get the link to work, is it one of the 6-legged variety?

[peter_mole]

Sorry,
www.squarepianos.com to reach Michael Cole's site An s missing in my original post.

Peter

[peter_mole]

Yes, as you can now see if you wish, my Dettmer square piano has six legs; the hyperlink had none at all!

Peter

[Bill Kibby]

I agree, although similar 6-legged squares are known from at least 1803 to 1830, it looks like Regency to me, but that would be 1810-1820.

[Trickeedee]

Hi Carl

It has been a while since I was on this site. Are you still available to contact re the Dettmer family?

Regards

Richard

[Bill Kibby]

Email me if you want to.