Chappell 3/4 piano?

[ihall37]

i have a 3/4 size Chappell piano. inside it has the King of Spain's crest. apparently it was one of five made for his children to learn on. I've had it for over 20 years and just wondered if anyone could tell me if the story might have some truth in it and what age it might be.

[Colin Nicholson]

No one will ever know the personal 'family' history of this piano, nor be able to relate it to the length of time you have acquired the piano - only previous ownership - information like this is not known or kept. Even 'word of mouth' may not be true.

Chappell date back to around 1811, and first recording stats of their pianos started in 1840.... until the late 1970's - so the only way to date your piano is by providing the following:

1. Photo of Serial number (c. 5 digits) - located inside the piano, either near tuning pins, or sometimes located on soundboard, near the bass strings. The serial number is not usually on the cabinet/casework of the piano.

2. Photo of the piano, showing whole piano front, lid open.

3. (Remove music rest board) - photo of the internal mechanism

Best to provide all - 3 to get a more accurate age.

Pictures of crests, crowns etc may not help.

Please note that on some Chappell pianos, the mechanism needs to be removed or reclined slightly to gain access to the serial number - but if there is any damage to the parts/ tapes broken etc.... please consult an experienced piano tuner before lifting it out - otherwise it will cause damage relocating it.

Hope thats useful....

[Bill Kibby]

I used to work for a manager who would tell any old story to sell a piano, one of his favourites was "only five were ever made" and royal connections are always tempting. Around 1900, it was not uncommon for small upright pianos to be made with 5-octave keyboards - 61 notes. Chappells called theirs "Student Piano", but London firms often imitated the style of the little German uprights. I have a 1906 Hopkinson like this. Thousands of Chappell pianos were made with the Spanish royal crest, there is no significance in that. If you can find any numbers insde, perhaps even by just lifting up the top, we may be able to date it...