Cramer's Patent Portable Piano

matt.a · Post by **matt.a** » 20 Mar 2011, 10:22

I have just inherited a portable piano, made by J.B. Cramer and Co., London which I know very little about, only that it is double-strung and has a serial no 33169. It looks very old. I intend to get it retuned and learn how to play it. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Matt.A.

MarkGoodwinPianos · Post by **MarkGoodwinPianos** » 20 Mar 2011, 11:25

Please upload some photos showing the inside and outside of the piano. Use flash and get nice and close.

Colin Nicholson · Post by **Colin Nicholson** » 20 Mar 2011, 12:00

Matt....Due to some 'uncertainty' in your wording, such as 'portable piano' (which, in a way, all pianos are portable if they have working castors), 'double strung' (you mean 'over-strung'?) and 'it looks old' - maybe things you yourself have summarised, but don't tell us anything really.

If your serial number is correct, it suggests a period of around 1900 - 1902, but as Mark has said, photos may reveal some of your own expressions to us (not used in the trade).... couple of photos will do, one of the whole piano front, then remove the front board completely (that the music rest is attached) - and a clear photo of the mechanism & strings from the front - cheers.

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 20 Mar 2011, 18:21

Sounds as though it might be one of the so-called 'yacht' pianos...although they did make a strange completely square table top thing. Bill will know!

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 20 Mar 2011, 19:42

I imagine that "Portable Piano" is a very precise and accurate description, and there have been a number of postings on this forum about them. Cramer's Patent Portable Piano has a folding keyboard like a Yacht Piano, but it has nothing below keyboard level, and is intended to be placed on a stand. Most examples I know of have lost their stands by now. There should also be a fitting for a removable pedal to fit through the stand. Inside, the stringing arrangement is both oblique and overstrung. Intending to get it tuned does not guarantee that a piano of this age will be capable of holding in tune. The serial number suggests that it was made in 1901. Captain Scott took one of these to the Antarctic in the same year, but don't get too excited, there are many surviving from that period.

matt.a · Post by **matt.a** » 22 Mar 2011, 21:34

Thank you for the information on my piano, i will attempt to upload photos. It does sit on a stand (not original). It also has a fold down keyboard,with nothing below. Thanks again, Matt.a

MarkGoodwinPianos · Post by **MarkGoodwinPianos** » 23 Mar 2011, 08:09

Hi Matt,
Just a random passing thought... the piano you've got probably wasn't built with quality in mind, but rather convenience and practicalities. You MIGHT find that you can sell the one you have and use the money to get a higher quality piano that will aid your learning much better.

Just a thought

Melvin @ Besbrode Pianos often has weird pianos in like the one you have. He may be interested in it. As may I.
Either way, good luck with the piano and your learning.

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