P.J. Smith & Sons, Bristol & London

[oldcrotchet]

I have a small walnut upright which I have restored to the best of my limited ability. It has a wooden frame, the name of P J Smith & Sons Patent 1980 inscribed on top right of the soundboard. It bears a serial no. 28203 followed by symbols that I can only describe as 5 bunches of cherries!! 1 with 2 cherries- 3 with 3 cherries and 1 with 4 cherries! my tuner expressed his opinion that it is over 100 years old. The black notes are rounded. There is a metal bar running along the lower section of the soundboard and I noted on your website that a R J Smith registered a patent for just such a thing dated 1869, could there be a connection?? Whilst I am sure my piano has no value as such, it does sound nice despite its age etc. etc. and gives me hours of pleasure so I would be fascinated with any information that you might have to help me with its history.

[Bill Kibby]

Philip John Smith, of Bristol, became Philip John Smith & Sons around 1871. They also had a London branch. Can you tell me the complete, exact wording on the front of the piano?

[oldcrotchet]

dear bill thank you so much for your swift reply . the name on the lid is mickleburgh of bristol who are old established piano dealers. I spoke to their workshop manager who stated the name could have been added perhaps when reselling or renovating at anytime.you have already been really helpful thankyou

[Bill Kibby]

It is probably more than a coincidence that a firm of the same name appeared in London shortly before they ceased to be listed in Bristol. If it shows the London and Bristol addresses, this suggests a period somewhere between 1876-1893, mean date circa 1885. See

http://www.uk-piano.org/piano-gen/datem ... ianos.html

and the Reports page there.