Identifying a Ronisch Grand Piano

[osturk]

Hi people,

My aunt has left me her Ronisch grand piano. I know that she used to play it in 50's - 60's, so it should be older than that.

I looked for a serial or a model number on every spot of it, but could not find one. So I tried to make out the production year and model by comparing to the ones I saw on the web. By design, It looks post-1930 but I couldn't find a similiar interior design to make out the model name.

As seen on the pictures, mine has one embossed logo (a circle with 3 lions in it) and 'Ronisch' on the metal plate. Other ones I saw on the web have 3 embossed circles. Does it make mine a lower model? or a limited run maybe?

I'm no expert on pianos, but I'm a 10 years electric guitar player who loves classical music and also jazz/fusion & blues.

I'm new at this forum. I though this could be interesting share. I can comment on the tone after it is tuned and set-up next week

What do you think about this one? Any ideas about the year or model?
I've sent a mail to the company for info, but they did not return.



Cheers,
Deniz

[Pianomate]

Ask the tuner to look for the serial number. It could also be written on the side of the far left hand key along with a date (can only be seen by removing the key from the piano).

[osturk]

Pianomate, thanks for the advise, I'll give it a try when I get to my aunt's house.

By the way, the embossed 'lions & crown' logo (pic 3) reads 'PROVIDENTIAE MEMOR'. This is the only writing I could find besides the brand. I googled it and found historic artifacts from Saxons.

Under another topic, member 'Lainie' mentioned that Ronisch supplied for Saxon Royal Courts around 1870s. Although the piano is much younger than that, maybe it is somehow related to those models. Maybe a reissue?

Has anyone heard of these pianos?

[Bill Kibby]

Ronisch is a famous maker, archives still exist, but they are no help without a serial number. I guess it might be twenties. Any removable parts of the casework may be imprinted with the number, or its last 3 digits.

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.

[osturk]

Hi again,

I got the serial number. it was inside the case, on the far left side, under the joints of the top cover.
Bill, your guess was very close. Serial is 58060. This dates the piano to 1905-1910.

I also found '126' stamped into the bare wood under strings of the middle range. I guess it is the model number. What do you think?

Yet, I haven't decided either on advancing with this instrument, or selling it. Anybody has any idea about the price range for these models?

Oh, what a lovely tone.. very deep and rich to my unexperienced taste for piano-tone.

[Bill Kibby]

No, "close" is the many times when I get it within a year or two, I was around twenties years out by that number! Value is impossible from here.