Broadwood Database?

[chasbaz]

Hello,
Being new here I have searched the forum but didn't find what I was looking for.
I'm in the unhappy position of NOT having an antique Broadwood, though I know some history of one.
See my blog at http://chasbaz.posterous.com/adventures-of-a-pianoforte
for the story.
The piano described was sold from out of my family in 1848, and I'd like to know where it went and if it still exists.
Hence the question about whether anyone keeps a database of serial numbers of old Broadwoods still in existence.

My 4xgreat grandfather Louis Bazalgette on 28 November 1809 bought a 6-octave 4-legged grand piano (Serial No. 4626) for which he paid £94/10/-.

It's a long shot, I know, but wouldn't it be nice if 4626 was still around somewhere.

Any information you could give, or feelers that you could put out, would be very welcome.
Best wishes,
Charles

[Bill Kibby]

Thanks for the interesting information. Through the Piano History Centre, I keep a database of surviving antique Broadwoods, but this cannot possibly include every piano, and the whereabouts of #4626 have not been revealed to me. Broadwoods themselves would only know about it if the owners wrote to them, and I am in a similar position. Sadly, there is no way of tracing pianos once they leave the factory, unless they just happen to turn up in an enquiry, or are identified in the newspaper or court records as being stolen or something similar. Such documented events are rare. Having this posting on the internet at least means that if the current owners do search, they should find your enquiry, although your own web pages can be found easily on Google.

Many people think of credit as a modern idea, but the slow payment that you mention was surprisingly common in the 19th century, and before Cramers introduced the "Three Years System" of payment, a predecessor of hire purchase, many firms struggled with their finances because customers took such a long time to pay their bills. Our files show that even small items like tunings and sheet music bils would remain unpaid for months or years, so it seems that the human race has always lived beyond its means!

[chasbaz]

Many thanks to you, Bill, for your helpful and interesting reply.

I didn't think of contacting Broadwood's themselves, in case, as you say, someone had asked them about that particular instrument.
I paid the Surrey History Centre for half-an-hour's research to get the information I have. Not sure if they could track a piano by the serial number only. If so, they might be able to find instructions etc. from the new owner after 1848. However, being in Canada i can't go there myself and I suspect it could take hours of searching to find this small piece of information.

Therefore, I think I'll just wait and see if anything emerges from the woodwork, to coin a phrase.

Thanks again. Funny what avenues research takes one down! I never thought I'd be looking for a piano.

[Bill Kibby]

Since you are so far away, I may be able to undertake research on your behalf, for little more than the expenses, so it's worth looking into. When I said "Broadwoods themselves", I really meant the archives in Surrey.

[vernon]

Bill
If it's any help to your history, I've a beautiful old Broadwood u/r with fretwork front and gold silked top doors which is going to Margate to the owner of the house where my great great grandad had his piano shop in the mid 1800s.
It's in good order and Tim Constable Pianos in Folkestone is going to finish it there with a new set of jack springs.
no 62837. Unfortunately, I have no history of it.It came as a p/x and was too god to dump.

[chasbaz]

Well, Bill, the actual firm *might* have a record that someone contacted them about this piano in the last 50 years or so.
I will ask them.
If you do happen to go to Woking I'd be obliged if you could have a look, but don't make a special journey on my account.
Or I can of course ask the SHC to have a look - they only charge 15 quid for 30 minutes which is good value I think.
I'll have to decide how badly I want this snippet of information I guess... Many thanks for offering though!

[Bill Kibby]

As you say, good value for a unique archive that does not exist for the majority of piano makers.