Firth Brothers

[Bumbalina2]

I would really appreciate any info on an overstrung upright iron piano with the name of Firth Brothers.
It was a free gift and I know very little about pianos. It hasn't been touched in 40 years and I am not sure if it is worth restoring or not? I look forward to any response.

[Bill Kibby]

The question of worth depends on your tuner's report.

Circa 1883 Firth Bros were established by the father and uncle of a Mr Firth whom I spoke to some years ago, and who joined the firm in 1924. He says they only ever made 2 pianos! Other Firth pianos were made by Brasted, Kemble, Challen, Armstrong & other small firms, so serial numbers are no help, and datemarks are the best way to proceed. See
http://www.uk-piano.org/piano-gen/datem ... ianos.html

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[Bill Kibby]

Firth pianos are not usually antique or valuable, so everything depends on the report of your tuner. If you are in East Anglia, I can help. See also sig

[nickydee]

Arthur Raymond Firth was my grandfather. Do you know of anybody who has one of his pianos still?

[Bill Kibby]

I answered your email before I saw this. don't know of any Firth pianos at the moment, but a family member told me they only ever made TWO pianos! The rest were pianos they applied the name to, which were bought in from various wholesalers.

[pajackson74]

Hi there,

We have a Firth piano (overstrung upright) which we are looking to sell at the moment. It has a number stamped into the wooden frame, F2687, and serial number 51975 on the ironwork. We'd love to know if it is a Firth, or just with their name on but made by someone else, but have no idea how to find out. Anyone have any ideas?!
Many thanks

[Bill Kibby]

As I said, they reckoned to have only made two of them, probably the first two. Numbers will not help with this piano. Have a look at my Datemarks page at pianogen.org

[Isujosh]

A bit late in the day, but I have a Firth Brothers upright overstrung piano. It used to be owned by the former Head of BBC Light Entertainment.

Been in a shed for 6 years!

[nickydee]

Not late in the day at all..... are you hoping to get rid of it?

[Gabble Ratchet]

I googled a picture of the actor Paul Nicholas in the film Tommy by The Who in which he plays the character, 'Cousin Kevin'. One of the images shows him playing a 'Firth Bros' upright piano.