John Spencer and Co

[gracetkelly]

Hey there!

I was recently given a piano by a family friend as they were moving country.
It's a John Spencer and Co no.37126, it has an inscription on it that reads ' By special appointment to H.R.H The Princess of Wales. I am completely perplexed as to what that is about and also I'm wondering how old this piano could be.
I am wondering where I could go to get the piano tuned and restored as there are a few chips here and there.

Many thanks,

Grace

[Bill Kibby]

If you bought a jar of Colman's mustard, you could read that they were "By Royal Appointment", but that doesn't mean the Queen tastes every single jar, it just means that, among other people, they have supplied the Royal family. The same applies to pianos. According to the Pierce Piano Atlas, Spencer piano number 38,833 was made for HRH the Princes of Wales in 1905, but this is incorrect, because the number suggests 1902 and her purchase was already mentioned in Murdoch's Music Album celebrating the Coronation in 1902. Your piano has an earlier number, suggesting 1901, and I had assumed that the royal appointment referred to pianos after 1902.

You don't say where you are in the world, so nobody can advise you about where to get a tuner or a polisher. The two are usually quite separate unless you are going for full restoration, but that is probably measured in hundreds or thousands of pounds.

[NewAge]

If you bought a jar of Colman's mustard, you could read that they were "By Royal Appointment", but that doesn't mean the Queen tastes every single jar, it just means that, among other people, they have supplied the Royal family. The same applies to pianos. According to the Pierce Piano Atlas, Spencer piano number 38,833 was made for HRH the Princes of Wales in 1905, but this is incorrect, because the number suggests 1902 and her purchase was already mentioned in Murdoch's Music Album celebrating the Coronation in 1902. Your piano has an earlier number, suggesting 1901, and I had assumed that the royal appointment referred to pianos after 1902.

You don't say where you are in the world, so nobody can advise you about where to get a tuner or a polisher. The two are usually quite separate unless you are going for full restoration, but that is probably measured in hundreds or thousands of pounds.

Bill, I like your style!
Would that be English or French mustard by the way..........

[Colin Nicholson]

Dijon......

[Bill Kibby]

In the library, with the lead piping.

[clarebear84]

I have just bought one of these pianos, and just wondering what the date may be on it. The serial number is 41022,
Thank you,
Clare :)

[clarebear84]

Hey! I have just bought one of these pianos and just wondering if it was possible to get a date on it? The serial number is 41022.
Thank you!
Clare :D

[Bill Kibby]

The number suggests that your piano was made in 1903.

[MattLyons]

Hello,

I have just aquired an old John Spencer & Co Piano and was wondering the age of the piano.
serial number is 59827

Any help would be much appreciated.
Based in Melbourne, Australia

Has 4 keys that are stuck but found broken ties that pull back the keys, so should be able to fix it.

Matt

[Bill Kibby]

The number suggests that your piano was made in 1913.

[Rosemary]

Hi. i loved reading all the questions on Spencer pianos over the years! I didn't realise so many people were cherishing lovely old ones. Mine's made it to Switzerland! Bill, thank you for putting so much time into helping us all.

Please could you give me the date of my grandfather's old Spencer baby grand? It's serial number is 471226.

Many thanks.

Rosemary

[Bill Kibby]

The number suggests 1908, but without photos, I can't guess if this is likely.