Erard London 1224 8 or B

[nick74]

I am very seriously considering buying an Erard which reads Erard Patent London and no. is 1224 and then 8 or B. I'm guessing early 1800s?

I need to travel to see it so don't know how it sounds yet. It hasn't been played for a while and I expect will need some restoration, but case and keys look good on photos, original wooden pedals I think. Before I invest in arranging a restorer to look at it (it is geographically isolated) any advice on what I should look for, i.e. things that would prohibit it being restored to sound really well?

[Bill Kibby]

If the number is 12248, it suggests the early 1870s, perhaps 1871. If you would like to email photos to me I may be able to judge whether this is likely.

Serial numbers will not include letters. Being a London Erard, it should have the year imprinted on the left-hand end of the action, but do not attempt to remove the action unless you know what you are doing. Thirty years ago, I was the first to publish Erard London numbers, but the list is still incomplete, so I would be interested to know what you find.

As for your other question, you are asking the impossible, there are no simple answers. Get a tuner-technician to check it over before you buy. Most things can be repaired, but often, with Victorian pianos, the cost is far beyond the value of the instrument.

My advice is - never buy a piano on the basis of what it might be like when restored, buy it based on what you see, hear and feel now.

[nick74]

Thank you very much for the helpful comments.
Will let you know if I find a year on it.

[Bill Kibby]

Whwere on the piano is the number located?