F. R. Stephings & Co.

[Laura]

Hello

I'm really hoping you can help me out here because Dr Google can't!

I'm in Australia and came across a beautiful piano in need of some TLC.

The markings on it say :

F.R. Stephings &Co.
English and Foreign Pianoforte Dealers
Leyton
Factory, Camden Town

I would really appreciate any info you could give me regarding the probable age of her so I can decide whether the fee to fix it up is worth it.

Thank you in advance

[Bill Kibby]

Leyton is in East London, near where I was born, so it is surprising that I have never heard of Stephings. He has not been found in my lists up to a century ago, but it will require further research in my files of the 1900s to try to find out when he was in business. The most likely scenario is that this dealer bought in his pianos from one of the many wholesale factories around the Camden Town area, as explained on my page at
http://pianohistory.info/names.html

Unless you have something like a Bechstein, most piano names have very little cash value, and the condition of the instrument is the main thing.

Can you post some photos of the whole piano here, or email them to me?

[Laura]

Thank you Bill

After I posted I looked at your other site which was an interesting way to fill in an afternoon. Lots of interesting info. I've pulled it apart a little but haven't had sny luck with markings. There are a couple of numbers but nothing significant. I'll email some pics for you.

[Bill Kibby]

I would guess this piano was made around 1906, so have a look at my page at
http://pianogen.org/edwardian.html

[Laura]

Great thank you :)

[Laura]

Any thoughts on whether it is worthwhile getting it fixed up? All the keys work but a couple stick. Definitely requires tuning. Most felt prob should be replaced. Needs a good polish etc. I'm guessing there are lots around from this era in a similar condition?

[Bill Kibby]

We can't really say from here, you would need to ask for a quote and weigh it up. The fact that it needs tuning does not mean that it necessarily is capable of being tuned, that is the deciding factor. Here in Britain, unrestored unknown pianos are difficult to sell for a tenner sometimes.