Spencer Piano - John G.Murdoch & Co. London

[Rohan]

Good evening from Amsterdam, I've got an John Spencer piano and am wondering in which year it could have been build. The only number I could find (under the lid) is: 2158.

[Bill Kibby]

This style of piano with tapered hexagonal legs is known as a Cottage Piano, and they were dying out in the mid-1880s. Spencer had only begun his business in 1883, so he made relatively few of this type. It is not possible to date the number, if that is the only one you can see by opening the top. All I can say is it was almost certainly made between 1883 and 1887, or "circa 1885". Have a look at...

http://www.piano-tuners.org/piano-forum ... f=2&t=8718

[Rohan]

Dear Bill,

Thank you very much for your quick reply and your background information on my piano. I hereby send you also a picture from 'under the lid'.

Are cottage pianos like this searched for?

Once again thanks very much!

[Bill Kibby]

Thanks. That is exactly how Spencer placed his serial numbers, so the estimate of your piano's date will help in assessing his other low numbers. Otherwise, all I can say is that Spencer got through two thousand numbers per year in his first 52 years, although this would not represent real production. On that basis, #2158 might be 1884, but although logical, this is more of a rough guess.

These are the most common type of Victorian piano, and in general have very little value here in Britain unless they have been professionally restored. If it was here in East Anglia, I would be tempted to find a space for it.