Brinsmead

[ruth1]

I have an old piano made by John Brinsmead London. serial no. is 60325. it belonged to my Great Ganny in new Zealand. Any history would be appreciated please. Thx. Ruth

[Colin Nicholson]

The serial number suggests around 1908 (assuming its the right numbers).
John Brinsmead & Son were established in 1836, of 7 Cavendish Square, London UK.
Purchased by Kemble in 1967, and I believe they carried on the Brinsmead name into the 1980's.

[ruth1]

thankyou Colin for such a quick reply - I thought it was about that vintage so your confirmation is great. This piano is now in Sydney with me and I have had it tuned this morning - first time in many years. Fun to see the dates and signatures of previous Tuners on the arms of the hammers. First one was 1910. Cheers, Ruth

[Bill Kibby]

Bearing in mind that most pianos have several numbers inside, there is always the chance that this might be the wrong one, but although Brinsmeads' earlier numbers are often wrong, this should be about right by 1908. If you have a chance to upload images, or email them to me, it would be interesting to see it.

Some information about Brinsmead may be found at...
http://www.pianogen.org/numbers.html

[Colin Nicholson]

It would also be interesting to see photos on here - and for everyone to see and learn from, rather than them being ''whisked away'' onto an email! Its also good that I pre-warned the member that the year is ''suggested'' - and assuming correct in my brackets .... I therefore didnt think much needed to be added to that? and reminded that there is always doubt in anyone's replies, except yours? I doubt very much if there is any reliable source of 'date finding' pianos in Sydney, and assuming the piano was even 50 years old, the odd year out here & there shouldn;t really make much difference to its tone, condition and value. I think that there will always be an element of uncertainty for certain aged pianos - even Pierce Atlas get it wrong!! .... so any references I make are ''their mistake'' !!!!....

Surely then if numbers are often wrong (which I am sure they are), it would be interesting to know at what point they were right? .... is there some kind of cut-off date?...... and proof showing which were reliable numbers to go by, and which ones from a particular date they are not. I think that apart from Brinsmead, alot of old pianos with serial numbers are 'suggested' at that date, and there is never a ...... ''this piano is definitely dated 1908''.... (or whatever date) ....
I myself am very impressed when on Antiques Road Show they manage to date something even within 10-20 years.... or perhaps ....''late 1800's'' - and I think the member asking the question will have some knowledge of knowing the dates on pianos are approximate, and not set in concrete.

[Bill Kibby]

If you remember, Colin, the reason the pictures were ''whisked away'' onto an email was that I could never upload images for years, and you very kindly solved that. This forum is not all about you, or me, it is about helping people with piano history. People are allowed to say things, as long as they are legal. You are more than willing to add comments on my comments.