Chappell piano #139094

[runcheen]

Hi there!
My daughter plays a Chappell of London piano which was given to me by my mother. Her parents gave it to her as a 21st birthday present. It cost £75 in 1960 and they bought it second hand, I think. The serial number seems to be 139094.
I would be very grateful if anyone could tell me anything more about it and possibly how old it is?
It is in excellent condition and has a beautiful tone.
Thanks in advance.

[Bill Kibby]

That number would put it in the late seventies, but most pianos have several numbers inside. It probably has a date marked inside, on or under the keys.

[Colin Nicholson]

There are several numbers inside & around pianos, and this set of numbers doesnt match the serial number sequence. I think you have found a stock number (facing the ceiling when you opened the top lid?) .

You may need to completely remove the top front panel (and music rest) to find the serial number (usually 5 digits).... it will either be next to the tuning pegs (wrest pins) .... or a common area on Chappell is to find the numbers behind the mechanism - in the left or right hand corner. It will probably be tucked away behind the mechanism, stamped on the soundboard (about waist height) .... near the sustain pedal rod. (Press the right hand pedal up & down, and look inside for the push rod moving) .... hopefully the serial number will be near there. Might need a torch aswell!!

Hope that helps....

[runcheen]

Sorry for the delay in reply! Had my piano tuned today and the serial number is 58145 so would be grateful for any further info you can give please. Thanks.

[Bill Kibby]

The number suggests that your piano was made in 1915. No other information can be obtained without photos, their archives were lost in a fire.

[Colin Nicholson]

Was the serial number tucked away somewhere behind the piano?

[runcheen]

Bill, thanks for dating my piano. I had no idea it was that old!!!!!!! Would it be worth sending you a photo or is there not much more to know?

Colin, the serial number was where you had suggested, stamped on the soundboard, which became clear once the piano tuner had taken the front off!

Cheers Guys, appreciate the help.

[Bill Kibby]

Photos are always interesting to me, and it might tell me something that adds to your knowledge.

[AnFear]

I have just acquired a Chappell Student piano and am interested to know how old it is.It looks to be in very good condition and to my untrained ear sounds pretty good.i will try to send some photographs to help with any information.
Kind regards

[Bill Kibby]

The number could suggest 1904, but many pianos have several numbers inside, and your photos don't show me what the piano looks like. Is there a reason why you posted 4 of the same leaflet?

And was the 1929 leaflet with the piano?

[AnFear]

No,sorry about the photos I only meant to send one of those leaflets,I will try to send you another photograph of the piano itself,there is another number etched into the wood of 3345.
Kind regards
Jean

[AnFear]

Hello,I forgot to say yes,the 1929 leaflet came with the piano.I have attached some more photographs,hopefully,there will only be one of each and the right way round.

[Bill Kibby]

There are anomalies with Chappell serial numbers, as with many others, see
http://pianohistory.info/numbers.html
The main numbers are hard to find in some of their Victorian pianos, and other numbers are misleading, quite apart from the Chappell Elysian numbers. The piano-making is said to have begun in 1861, yet serial numbers are published from 1840. By 1870 the numbers were said to be 10000, but the original stock records of Rudall & Co. show that in 1870, Chappell serial numbers were around 71730, apart from one with the quite different number 6007, which should be 1860, according to the published numbers!

This is not going to be a 1904 piano, it looks like twenties (nearer 1926?) and #3345 would be worse - 1848 - so there must be another number somewhere inside, perhaps in the 71000 range. There may be a date label inside, see
http://pianohistory.info/datemarks.html

Don't worry, you are not the first to have trouble putting photos here!

There has always been this feeling that anything is good enough for a beginner, and the Student models tend to be the cheap ones, often with only 61 notes, although this has the full 88.

[AnFear]

Thank you for the information,when I am brave enough I will try to find another number.My son will be home this weekend as he can play the Organ and has an ear for music hopefully he will approve of the sound.What do you think the wood is made of?It is very heavy.

Kind regards
Jean

[Colin Nicholson]

I might be wrong here, but the cast frame paint work looks rather fresh?
Serial Number possibly sprayed over.
Makes piano look newer

[vernonk]

Very perceptive Colin/ You should be working for MI5 /You often see things I've missed.
Of course, the " Chappell" name would have been picked out in red originally so the frame has obviously been re-sprayed, hence covering the serial number.
Well done.

[mm43]

I have just had a long discussion with the piano tuner, who has tuned the following piano for over 20 years and says that he has never seen a similar one, or even a picture resembling it.

Here is what is known about it:-

Maker: Chappel & Company
Serial No. 85689
Year: 1960
Originally tuned: 6 Oct 1960 (6/10/60) scratched on side of bottom A key.

As I'm new to the list, I'll post just one picture as a starter, and maybe others wont be required.

Many thanks for any help.

http://oi44.tinypic.com/311ughu.jpg

[Bill Kibby]

This was not an uncommon model in the fifties, the idea is mentioned briefly on my website in connection with the idea of upright grands, although really just a superficial similarity to the front of a grand.

I have tuned a few of these over the years, other makers did similar things, with the cabriole legs, and the top opening sideways like a grand. You need a lot of ceiling height to tune them, unless the top is easily detachable.

What did you want to know?

[mm43]

Thanks Bill,

This particular one made its way to NZ in the early 60's, and it may be the only one here, which would make it a "rare fish in a little pond".

Yes, the top is easily detachable - 2 hinge pins are designed to be withdrawn, and the piano tuner always dismantles it for tuning.