The Hillier Piano Co., London

[keithb]

Hello,
I was wondering if someone could give some advise and help, I have a piano from an old property which i belive has been with the old fella who passed away. Its a black upright and has the name The Miller Piano Company London in gold lettering on the underside of the lid.
I am unsure if i should keep this and clean & tune or try and find a good home for it, sorry for my lack of knowledge I don't play the piano or have any idea about them. I do like & keep old furniture etc if someone recommends i keep it.
Any help much appreciated,
Thanks
Keith.
Co Durham
keith@burdis.me.uk

[Colin Nicholson]

There are nearly 20 different "Millers" in the book, some are abroad, others may be associates/ trade names etc.... so impossible to say without seeing the piano. It is likely to be an "ebonised" black of the early 1900's.... and maybe previous signs of sconces? (brass candle holders). Many of these pianos were straight-strung/ overdamped and having the dreaded "spring & loop" mechanism inside (name given to the hammer & lever coupling assembly). It has probably been left in the house for a reason!!.... so I wouldn't build your hopes up. Impossible to say without seeing it, then again, it may only be worth keeping if the wrest (tuning) plank is in reasonable condition - so a piano tuner would have to assess it.

To start with, "general pianos" fall into several categories, and the "straight-strung/ over-damped" are usually low-down on the list.... spring & loops are mainly scrap now.

If you could send a pikky of the piano as a whole, and another one of the mechanism close-up/ clear & focussed - with the front board completely removed, we'll give you a better idea. Bit like this photo........

Overdamped piano, note wires at front

overdamped thingy.jpg (10.29 KiB) Viewed 8906 times

Most of these are obsolete now (this is a spring & loop)....

If its any help to you, one of our resident experts on this site (Johnkie) lives near your 'neck of the woods' ...... and he may be able to advise you further on the cost of a tuning/ assessment & if its worth keeping or not.
Hope that helps

[keithb]

Hi Colin,
Thanks for you so much for your reply and help, My apologies having looked at my picture (with my glasses on) the paino is actually The Millier Piano Co London, I have a picture from my phone and will try to attach if that helps, and yes your local contact Johnkie would be of help and can contact me on :- 07969 625 632.
again thanks for your help.
rgds
Keith

[Bill Kibby]

This is not Miller or Millier, but HILLIER. James Hillier was in business from at least 1860 to 1892, but I have yet to trace the Hillier Piano Co., although examples turn up from time to time. It may just be a later name for the same firm after James died or retired. Without seeing the whole piano, it is not possible to say anything just from a name.

[keithb]

Dear me Bill,
Can't even type the name right !, i will see if i can look inside etc for more info,,,
kind regards
Keith.

[Bill Kibby]

Have a look at the second item on this forum, about 1910 pianos.