Hopkinson piano age

[rosamckenzie]

Hello, I lent my lovely J & J Hopkinson piano to a friend so his daughter could have lessons. He decided to redecorate and put the piano outside where I found it months later utterly ruined. I am trying to find one of the same model in the hope that I won't have break my mother's heart in telling her our heir loom is no more. I asked the person to look for a serial number and he sent me 23832hl as all he could find. Would you be able to tell me approximately when it was made and anything else about that model. Thank you, Rosa

[Colin Nicholson]

I think in this case Rosa, its not a piano expert you need, but a solicitor.... and I think that the very least your male "friend" can do is to break the news to your mother him..... and 'cough up' for another piano?

The numbers that you give do not match any serial numbers of Hopkinson, and even if the numbers did correspond to anything, this wouldn't necessarily link you to another piano of the same age/ period & design/ mechanism design/ keyboard layout etc.... there is no such thing as a 'database' or 'blue book' for Hopkinson pianos - just endless lists of serial numbers, giving manufacture dates only, but all pianos are individual.

The serial number can usually be located inside the piano (facing you) near the tuning pins, but this involves removing the front panel where the music rests against. If the piano is dated prior to c.1989, it may be a 5-digit number ONLY (no letters appended at the end), and the numbers will either be stencilled in black - about 2cm in height, or punched/ stencilled onto the soundboard. Note though that some pianos do not have serial numbers - and photos of the exterior & interior would be needed - nice & clear, close up - using a flash.... with the front panel removed.

However, if the serial number is found, this will only provide an approximate date when this piano was made - that's all, but not tell you anything about the piano's design/ model/ history etc.... this is where photos are needed...... and good browsing skills on Ebay.

Hope that helps ......

[MarkGoodwinPianos]

As Colin says check ebay regularly. Search once per week for "Hopkinson piano" and see what turns up like that

[Bill Kibby]

All I can add is that the name tells us nothing about the individual piano, Hopkinsons were made for a century and a half. The number may be visible just by lifting the top, it may be on one of the top edges. Does it resemble either of the top items listed on this forum?