Broadwood 1815 Square Piano

[josh007]

Hi! I am interested in the value of an 1815? John Broadwood and Sons piano, serial number 42271, unrestored and not working.

[Bill Kibby]

I would go along with Bechsteins' argument on this, and say that nobody can guess the value or condition without tuning it. Unrestored, they are worth very little, because full restoration costs thousands of pounds, and the Piano History Centre is offered several antiques pianos for nothing every year, to rescue them from destruction. This being pre-victorian, it may be worth a little more. The number suggests something nearer to 1832, can you either post photos here, or email them to me? How many legs?

[vernon]

coincidence. We're starting work on one this week. same vintage

[Bill Kibby]

Which of the two vintages? What sort of legs?

[vernon]

Sorry I meant a 1820s Collard and Collard -late Clementi.
It's got a serial number of 3400 which doesn't sem to fit anything tho' it looks about the right era.
4 turned legs,i pedal. Iron plate frame in treble end.

[Bill Kibby]

Yes, Pierce's information is rubbish, "a complete nonsense" to quote my website. Contrary to what some authors say, I have evidence that the firm's name changed in the same year Clementi died, 1832, so the Collard name puts it after 1831, although I have no firm dates for 4-digit numbers. By the forties, the numbers are more workable.

[vernon]

Bill
as usual that's a great help. Many thanks