William Sames Ltd No 9404

[jonnobris]

Hi,
I have just acquired an Upright piano William Sames Ltd No 9404.

I really just wanted to know if anyone had any idea when this might have been manufactured and any other history associated. It was made for someone on Cavandish Road in Leicester.

Thanks,

[Bill Kibby]

Very few exact dates are available for Sames' numbers, but 9404 would be about 1901. It is always unwise to rely purely on numbers to date a piano, because most pianos have several numbers inside. Can you post photos of the whole piano here, or email them to me?

They were established in 1855, but not as piano makers. The company was started by Jacob Sames, born 1830 in Frankfurt.

They became Ltd. in about 1890.

[jonnobris]

Hi, Thanks for your reply, I have attached some pictures.

I only really want out of interest and an idea of history.

[jonnobris]

More photos

[Bill Kibby]

The picture of the piano is blurred. but it certainly looks like an Edwardian one, as described at
http://pianohistory.info/edwardian.html

Can you tell us the complete, exact wording on the piano?

[jonnobris]

The wording is. 'Manufactured expressly for G L Bosworth 46 Cavandish Road Leicester' And below this William Sames Ltd.

[Bill Kibby]

Thanks. By 1911, the name had changed to George Stevens Bosworth, presumably his son, and the address was 130 London Road. This seems to fit in with your piano being before 1911. The firm is not on our Leicester list for 1899.

[jonnobris]

This is the actual wording

[Colin Nicholson]

Has as piano tuner attempted to tune your piano.... and was it successful ?

On your 3rd photo (punched numbers), in the top left corner of the photo we see a wooden rounded turnbuckle facing 3 o'clock - held in place with a screw for turning. If you turn this to 12 o'clock.... and the other one on the left inside panel to 12 o'clock, the front panel will come forward towards you, then lift it off completely.... there may be clues inside - sometimes pencil markings from previous tuners on the keys.

The front panel should also have the concertina shaped music rest folded up inside, held in place with 2 hinges.

This piano has the older design - straight strung & over-damped, and will look similar to a bird cage inside.

The wood inlaid flowers and missing sconces (seen by the 4 screw holes at each end) suggests early 1900s, along with the general shape of the piano.
The name 'Bosworth' would be the retailer/ shop name.... not a name specifically printed for "someone" .... and probably appeared on all their pianos in ornate lettering.

[Bill Kibby]

So the name was always G.S.Bosworth, and not G.L.Bosworth.

[Colin Nicholson]

So the name was always G.S.Bosworth.

That's good then.... so that's confirmed