Chappell & Co, supplied by Cramer, Wood & Co

simms · Post by **simms** » 15 Aug 2003, 23:03

We have recently acquired an upright piano marked "Chappell & Co, London" and "Supplied by Cramer, Wood & Co, Dublin". Below the lid, there is "90736" on the left side, "C & Co 90178" on the right side, and (what I believe to be the serial number) "26984" on the back.

It has two candle stick holders on the front, which I believe are made of brass.

The piano is in reasonable condition, although it requires some minor repairs to the veneer and a few of the keys, and a retune.

I would be obliged to know something of the history of the piano, and an approximate value of its worth for insurance purposes.

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 16 Aug 2003, 02:28

Valuation is impossible without on-the-spot inspection, are you in East Anglia? The reference to Chappell does not help much here, and the published early Cramer numbers are wrong. In 1861, Beale (of Cramers) took as a partner George Wood, of the scottish music publishing family.
1862 Cramer, Beale & Wood, 201 Regent street & 67, Conduit street.

The name CRAMER, WOOD & Co., Dublin may coincide with the death of Beale in 1863, and the changes in the London firm. See
http://www.uk-piano.org/piano-gen/datem ... ianos.html

Post by **Barrie Heaton** » 16 Aug 2003, 09:02

simms wrote: I would be obliged to know something of the history of the piano, and an approximate value of its worth for insurance purposes.

If you live in the UK and have new for old insurance policy which most do these days, then for insurance purposes only. Like for like replaceable as chappells are no longer made, you are looking a a Kemble midrange piano &pound:3,000.00 depending on the retail outlet. A second-hand Chapplle from a retail outlet north of England &pound:900 to &pound:1,500 again depending on the retail outlet. However, the above prices DO NOT reflect the current value of your piano this would need an inspection.

Hope this is of some help

Barrie,

simms · Post by **simms** » 16 Aug 2003, 21:30

Thank you both for your assistance, which has been very helpful.

The piano is in storage at present, so I'm not able to take photos, but, as soon as I can, I'll be back in touch.

Thanks again,

Nigel Simms

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 18 Aug 2003, 23:48

I look forward to the photos, and trying to workout whether the date is what I expect.

simms · Post by **simms** » 09 Sep 2003, 22:10

Further to Bill's messages of 16th and 18th August, we are in west London, although the piano is still overseas at present!

I asked for photos to be taken showing interior details above and below keyboard level, but unfortunately they were only taken above keyboard level, which I appreciate may not be sufficient for you to assess the approximate age and design.

I'd intended to attach the photos, but I can't work out how to do so. Can anyone explain to me how to add photos to this message? The photos are currently on my hard drive.

Many thanks,

Nigel Simms

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 09 Sep 2003, 22:44

The easiest way is to email them to me direct. My address is there somewhere, but being somewhat allergic to gobbledygook myself, I wouldn't expect everyone to work it out!

archives@pianogen.fsnet

simms · Post by **simms** » 10 Sep 2003, 23:07

Thanks for your e-mail yesterday, Bill.

I tried to find your e-mail address on the piano page, but the only thing I could find was a box entitled "email", and when I clicked on that it took me to a message board which (again)wouldn't allow me to attach photos.

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 10 Sep 2003, 23:15

Yes, that's it, and I thought I was saving you from the gobbledygook by giving you my email address so you could just copy it!

simms · Post by **simms** » 13 Sep 2003, 11:35

Sorry about the mix up, but I wasn't sure whether archives@pianogen.fsnet was your e-mail address or not.

Anyway, I've tried to e-mail the photos to you twice, and they've been bounced back to me each time, with the following message:

"This message was created automatically by mail delivery software (Exim).

"A message that you sent could not be delivered to one or more of its recipients. This is a permanent error. The following address(es) failed:

archives@pianogen.fsnet
unrouteable mail domain "pianogen.fsnet"

I'm not sure where (if anywhere) we go from here! Could I possible post the photos to you?

Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated.

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 13 Sep 2003, 14:12

Sorry, it's my fault. In any other situation, I don't have to type my email address, iy comes up automatically, so I did it wrong. It should be
archives@pianogen.fsnet.co.uk

My email and website addresses are all available here, but for any other problems, go to my website and everything is there too, including postal address.
http://www.uk-piano.org/piano-gen/

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 13 Sep 2003, 14:16

... or just clicj on my name in the forum

or click on email

or click on the link I gave you before.

Good luck, lets's be careful out there!

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 03 Oct 2005, 23:28

I would have thought Ireland was in Europe, but don't hold me to it! Cramer & Co. in London made pianos eventually, but in their earlier days, one of their names was Cramer, Wood & Co., the same name as the Dublin firm. However, they seem to have had separate existences, at least part of the time, and the Dublin firm kept the name longer, although as far as I can determine, they did not make pianos.

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