W.H Barnes Yacht Piano

[rebz.milbourne]

I have finally replaced my electric keyboard with a piano. I had the tuner come today and he said it was made between 1925-1928. Its a W.H.Barnes ship's piano with a folding Set of keys. I really want to try and find out its history. The only markings I can see are harlequin pro patent no.21204/36, reg design no.813.321 and W.H. Barnes Ltd. 502-504 Oxford street w.I.... Can anybody shed some light for me?

[Bill Kibby]

There is no such thing as a ship's piano, the fold-away keyboard suggests a yacht piano.

Barnes pianos were made by various factories, whose names are not always on the piano, so any clues will be hidden inside, have a look at
http://www.pianohistory.info/datemarks.html

The particular markings that you mention (harlequin patent 21204/36 design 813 321) appear on some "Supertone" yacht pianos.

The /36 suffix suggests a 1936 patent.

I have never found a shortcut to tracing patent numbers, but perhaps there are clues at
http://www.pianohistory.info/edwardian.html

Are you able to post photos of it here, or email them to me to post?

[rebz.milbourne]

Hi
Im trying to figure out how to post pictures but im on my phone so struggling! Do you have an email I can send pictures to?

I might go looking for anything on the inside. Are there many yacht pianos around these days? I have a musical background and never knew they existed til I found this one!

[Bill Kibby]

These uprights with fold-away keyboards were made for many years, so there are still quite a few spread around the world.

[LizzyF]

I too have Harlequin Supertone with the exact same serial numbers. Always been interested to find out more information about them but never been successful.
All I know it was my Grandad's he was married in 1930s its been at my house since 1970s. Just had it retuned today ready for my daughter to start learning. Any extra info would be great. Thanks

[Becka27]

Hi ,

Did you find any information on the Piano, i have the same markings on mine also and keen to find out the history...

thanks