Beadle & Langbein piano

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 29 Sep 2003, 11:31

This is all I have ready on computer about the firm, but I'll let you know if anything else turns up. Does your piano have an obvious serial number inside the top?

BEADLE & LANGBEIN, London
1892 Beadle & Langbein.
1914 Music Trades Directory mentions the name Beadle & Langbein across the bottom of many pages, with a variety of different slogans.
1920 Beadle & Langbein piano #19,328 owned by Mr Baker, whose mother said she saw it being made at Camden Town.
Circa 1925? Beadle & Langbein piano.

Robert Beadle · Post by **Robert Beadle** » 25 May 2005, 15:21

I am a new member so please excuse the note if I have done anything wrong with the subject heading etc. My stepfather who died aged 90 in 2000 was the last direct family of the Beadle and Langbein company. Langbein was the sleeping partner (financier. My father's grandfather started the firm in the 1860's and it closed during the depression in about 1931 when my stepfather's father was running it. He was about 60 and retired while my step father who was apprenticed into the business moved into other work. He continued to tune pianos and repair player pianos for many years. He tuned my piano almost until he died and I have some of his tools which I expect came from the original factory. I've only ever seen one Beadle and Langbein piano in a Sussex pub or hotel about 35 years ago. Most of the pianos were made for retailers who had their own name put on them. (badged). If you have Beadle and Langbein on it you have quite a rare item! I've tried looking up serial numbers in all the books but I don't think the records were kept. Best wishes

Robert Beadle

Robert Beadle · Post by **Robert Beadle** » 25 May 2005, 15:33

I forgot to mention in my earlier reply that the company was based around Camden Town (Arlington Road, Kentish Town and Finsbury Park (Wray Crescent). My stepfather was Eric Arthur Beadle and his father was Arthur Beadle. Prior to that the gt grandfather had several brothers in the business and it was run on family lines with the grandfather taking over completely in about 1919.

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 25 May 2005, 16:45

I would hesitate to use the word "rare" on the internet! I have some information on Beadle & Langbein if you would like to email me.

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 12 Sep 2005, 11:27

MajorC · Post by **MajorC** » 02 Dec 2007, 02:04

I own a Beadle & Langbein and keep it as a piece of art. I have been told several times over the years to keep it since I would most likely have to pay someone to take it away if I ever tried to sell it. I purchased it in 1980 at a antique shop in Miami Florida. Beautiful but not real functional because of its age.

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 02 Dec 2007, 11:14

I'd be interested to know any information that is written on it. Would it be possible for you to email me some photos for our Piano History Centre? Although Robert doesn't mention Frederick Beadle, I have always imagined that he was the beginning of Beadle & Langbein, and he was in business by 1884.

paul muncey · Post by **paul muncey** » 13 Apr 2008, 21:31

Hi, we have a Beadle and Langbein, it is an upright with some very pretty inlaid veneer and clearly had candle holders but these are removed. It is an iron-framed trichord. It is still in regular use. I would be interested in any additional information on the history of these pianos / the company, and any other photos. I can email some photos of our piano and serial numbers if of interest.

Many thanks,

Paul

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 13 Apr 2008, 23:04

Details of antique pianos are always interesting to me, but I have very little to add about the company yet.

stezis · Post by **stezis** » 16 Nov 2010, 11:33

Hi,
I have just recently purchased a Beadle & Langbein. It was in regular use and is and will be from now on.
Besides its beautiful looks, it has a very beautiful deep and full sound. I can post pictures of it if you like, or take a look here and download them:
http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie ... TQ:DE:1123
Playing it is really enjoyable.
More infos upon request
Stephan
from Germany/Darmstadt region

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 16 Nov 2010, 11:43

Thanks for sharing the photos. It seems a typical London piano of the first few years of the 1900s. Are there any numbers easily visible inside the top?

The Old Manse · Post by **The Old Manse** » 01 Jun 2012, 19:55

Hullo.

We have just bought a Beadle & Langbein upright piano and would loveto know more about it.

It has a gold Beadle & Langbein London sign painted on the inside lid, with another gold painted sign just above the keys saying F. Hepworth Huddersfield, which I am guessing is the retailer, as we live in West Yorkshire.

there is a number stamped on he top - 19830.

It is in full working arder, if cosmetically a little worn and obviously pre-loved, but finding out as a Crouch End boy that the factory was in Finsbury Park is amazing. Would love to know more about it's age or history, or more about the factory.

Michael Lowe

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 02 Jun 2012, 23:10

#19328 is said to have been bought in 1920, so yours should be shortly after, although it is impossible to tell without photos. No other dates are available for this maker's numbers, but follow the link below for clues hidden inside the piano.

Beadle & Langbein were mainly wholesalers, many of their pianos were sold with fictitious names by retailers. Their address was 5 Royal Park Buildings, Arlington Road, Camden Town NW.

Hepworth Brother appear in our lists after 1894, and were also in Paisley by 1911, but no connection is known with the Huddersfield firm, who do not appear that early.

mazda · Post by **mazda** » 20 Jun 2012, 01:12

Hi, all i hae just recieved a beadle and langbein upright piano from a friend, i found this post very interesting, i am going to take a look at it and find the model number. it has been knocked about a bit over the years but works perfectly and sounds great, i will try and get some pictures on asap.

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 20 Jun 2012, 19:24

Numbers would be interesting to me, but won't help you. Photos will enable me to tell you more.

mazda · Post by **mazda** » 21 Jun 2012, 00:12

hi bill, the only number i can find is 387 which has been stamped into 2 panels, there are no other numbers or any other markings apart from the Beadle & Langbein london which is painted in gold under the lid that covers the keys. no other names any where.
i will post pictures as soon as i figure out how :)
any help you can give would be great.

mazda · Post by **mazda** » 21 Jun 2012, 00:17

i have posted the pictures on this site.
http://lakenheath.bookoo.com/item.jsp?itemId=27646404

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 21 Jun 2012, 11:58

It looks like a typical twenties style. The instructions are at the top of the forum postings, or you can email to me, but this one will suffice.

: 1922~Beadle&Langbein#387u.jpg (36.24 KiB) Viewed 91605 times

If you can find a longer number ending in 387, that will be the main number. The difference in width of the keyblocks at the ends of the keyboard indicates that it is overstrung. The usual 7 octaves, 85 notes.

ianho · Post by **ianho** » 31 Jul 2012, 09:49

We have a Beadle & Langbein upright piano obtained through a family friend and i was intrigued by the numbering system so decided to have a look under the top lid.
Expecting to see a stamped number there is only the number 816 written in pencil on a wooden strut running across the back, can you advise where else i should be looking to find more info.

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 02 Aug 2012, 23:56

It is interesting for me to know the number of the piano, but it will have no practical value to you. The best I can do is estimate its age from photos of the whole piano. Have a look at pianogen.org

1ian75 · Post by **1ian75** » 16 Nov 2012, 10:52

Hi,

My Beadle and Langbein has just arrived (yesterday) after being cared for by a friend for about 10 years. It was given to me by my parents (before I had anywhere to actually put it) and was given to them by my great grandfather as a wedding present over 30 years ago. Until reading the posts here, we had no idea of its origins or age.

Having visited www.pianogen.org, I have learned that it is overstrung. It is also very similar to the previously posted photograph (posted on 21/6/12 at 11:58) - I will have to take a photo and put it up. I'll also look for the serial number since it is of interest to Bill Kibby.

It still plays reasonably well - though is now in need of a tune (booked in for a couple of weeks time when the instrument has settled down a bit).

I'm so pleased to have found this forum because, until now, nobody was able to tell me anything about the manufacturer or history of it!

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 18 Nov 2012, 16:44

Is there any chance you could post some photos of the whole piano, or email them to me?

Ste Gra · Post by **Ste Gra** » 30 May 2013, 12:06

Hello, I write from Italy (...sorry if my english is not accurate). I found this forum and I'd like to have information on my piano: beadle & langbein serial number 5668. It's the first time I write here, and I don't know how to insert a picture. Can you help? Thank you and good day from Roma!!

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 30 May 2013, 20:50

It may not be possible to tell you anything without the photos, you can always email them to me, or have a look at the instructions - the top item on this list. Beadle & Langbein began in the 1860s, and ended in 1931.

Have a look at
http://pianogen.org/victorian.html
http://pianogen.org/edwardian.html

Ste Gra · Post by **Ste Gra** » 31 May 2013, 13:27

Email sent with photos

Have a nice day :-)

Stefania

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 31 May 2013, 13:41

I estimate that your piano was made around 1899.

Ste Gra · Post by **Ste Gra** » 31 May 2013, 16:34

Thank you very much for the historical evaluation of my piano.

Surely I will restore it because for me it has great sentimental value!

Greetings from Italy

Stefania

dixon44? · Post by **dixon44?** » 10 Nov 2015, 23:27

Bill Kibby wrote:Details of antique pianos are always interesting to me, but I have very little to add about the company yet.

We have a Beadle & Langbein piano number 1672 allegedly made by my maternal grandfather Mr J C Ulrich & has been in the family ever since. He also made pianos in his own name & lived in Wandsworth London. I would be interesting to have a date of manufacture & any other information. Chris, North Yorkshire

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 16 Nov 2015, 11:28

I would guess it might be from the 1890s, is there any chance you could post photos here to show what the whole piano looks like, or email them to me?

I am sorry to say that you know more than I do about J.C.Ulrich. I will check when I am back in the office, but I don't recall seeing the name in Wandsworth. Do you have an idea when he was operating?

JaviMadrid · Post by **JaviMadrid** » 14 Jan 2016, 18:30

Hi good afternoon, I have a Beadle & Langbein piano and am fairly new to the pianos. Lo I acquired as a beautiful piano but only decorative. It has a label on the lid puts q was made for John Hoyland q, I would like to know more about him and if someone would be interested in such a beautiful piano designed for the painter. I would love to know more about the piano. javimegane28 @ hotmail. com

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 16 Jan 2016, 01:31

I don't know what the q means. John Hoyland the Sheffield retailer was a lot earlier than the London artist of the same name, and it was common for retailers to say that pianos were "manufactured expressly" for them.

We could tell you more about the individual piano if you could post some photos here, or email them to me to post.

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 16 Jan 2016, 20:14

Does the q mean 'quote'?

Colin Nicholson · Post by **Colin Nicholson** » 18 Jan 2016, 01:58

Bill/ Gill/ Moderator team....

This is just a suggestion....
with the huge number of enquiries asking about piano history & information with no photos, incorrect or alleged/ guessed serial numbers, wording just copied from a piano lid or label, "can you tell me anything about this piano?" etc.... would it make sense to add to the header above (or a separate notice bulletin) to say that a photo of the piano MUST be submitted to support any kind of information given? .... It may also save your sanity! ...... surely anyone asking for information based on just a number or wording from a label only would only get.... "if you could send a photo, it might help" .... and of course, any correct serial number submitted would be backed up (with some confidence) knowing what the piano looked like. I myself would be ruthless to say, no photo, no info! ??

Obviously, a "photo" meaning a full clearly focussed colour image of the piano, no piano stool, fallboard lid open and no clutter and everything removed from the top and around the piano.

Just an idea

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 18 Jan 2016, 23:17

I can see the wisdom in that, but the evidence suggests that nobody reads the notices anyway, or they wouldn't be asking about organs, valuations etc., and they are certainly not checking the spelling to save wasting my time!

This particular enquiry ends up being purely a request for valuation.

scottlens · Post by **scottlens** » 13 Feb 2017, 15:58

This is mainly for Robert Beadle;

Do you have any knowledge of there being an Andrew or Adolphus Horace as makers in the Beadle piano business?

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 13 Feb 2017, 23:10

While we are at it, can anyone help me with any details of Frederick Beadle, who seems to have disappeared when Beadle & Langbein first appeared in 1892?

GrahamSes · Post by **GrahamSes** » 15 Mar 2018, 23:20

Hello
I have the same problem like pjmann.
I have vertical piano J.Becker and i would know how old is it.
Can somebody help my?
serial no. 27473

Robert Beadle · Post by **Robert Beadle** » 16 Mar 2018, 10:30

Hello GrahamSes

Just been forwarded your post but not sure who pjmann is - can't see him on the forum.

However, your query seems to be about a J. Becker piano, not a Beadle & Langbein piano which I have posted about in the past as this was from my family.

Referring to The Musician's Piano Atlas, there is very little information on Jacob Becker, St. Petersburg, Russia but it does give numbers from 1860-1880 and it says that they started in 1860 at serial number 4980 and in 1880 at 10009. No later information is given, but it would suggest that your piano is quite a bit later.

If you wanted information on a Beadle & Langbein piano, the company did not keep any records in the family and probably they can only be interpreted or extrapolated from the numbers available to forum members.

I have recently supplied a lot of family history and recent research into Beadle & Langbein to Bill Kibby one of the forum moderators on Beadle & Langbein which he is trying to digest at the moment!

Kind regards,

Robert Beadle

Robert Beadle · Post by **Robert Beadle** » 16 Mar 2018, 11:36

Hello scottlens

Sorry I couldn't get onto the site for some time but was going to answer your query.

I have recently supplied a lot of family history and recent research into Beadle & Langbein to Bill Kibby one of the forum moderators on Beadle & Langbein which he is trying to digest at the moment!

As regards Andrew and Adolphus Beadle, they were brothers and sons of Andrew Beadle (pianoforte maker) born 1825 died 1894.

Andrew Beadle, son, born 1845 died 1917 (pianoforte key maker - as listed in various censuses).
Adolphus Horace Beadle, son, born 1863 died 1899 (journeyman piano maker - as listed in various censuses).

Many of the family worked in various parts of the thriving piano industry in North London. Arthur Beadle,1853-1918, was also a son of Andrew Beadle 1825-1894, and seems to have been responsible for forming the partnership with Henry Langbein, probably in the 1880's.

The company then passed to his son Arthur Beadle 1880-1960 and was incorporated as a limited company in 1921.The company suffered in the depression of 1931 and moved to smaller premises and was finally dissoved in 1937.

Arthur Beadle continued a happy life until 1960 and I remember him and his sister quite well. My stepfather, Eric Arthur Beadle was his only son, he was apprenticed into the piano business but went onto other things in the 1930s when business was not so good. He continued to tune my piano and other peoples player pianos on a voluntary basis until the end!

Kind regards

Robert Beadle

Robert Beadle · Post by **Robert Beadle** » 16 Mar 2018, 11:44

Hello Bill Kibby

This is Robert Beadle again, I've just managed to log in to the forum again. I've answered several posts which you will see above - as regards your query about Frederick Beadle, I'll try and email you a copy of the family tree which I don't think I sent you with the information below.

Frederick Beadle was born 1847 and died in 1921 and is listed in various censuses as cabinet maker or tuner. He was also a son of Andrew Beadle 1825-1894 and a brother of Andrew 1845-1917, Adolphus Horace and Arthur Beadle mentioned in previous replies above.

There was another Frederick Beadle born 1870, the son of Andrew Beadle 1845-1917 and he is listed as a piano maker, seems like third generation being apprenticed!

For information I have put the following paragraph on a couple of replies.

I have recently supplied a lot of family history and recent research into Beadle & Langbein to Bill Kibby one of the forum moderators on Beadle & Langbein which he is trying to digest at the moment!

All the very best

Robert Beadle

Terrien · Post by **Terrien** » 29 Apr 2018, 19:08

I live in France and my father has a BEADLE & LANGBEIN which papers date from 1894. It's now at my home, because my father doesn't have enough place in his new appartment. It was repaired in 2001 in order to be actually playable. It has a serial number on its back. Very nice piece. A scottish woman gave it to my father when she died. She was married with a French and was a close friend of my great mother, born in 1899.

Del205 · Post by **Del205** » 17 Dec 2018, 14:53

Hi there,

Hope the attached photo helps. I've just acquired this free from a friend. The serial number on a metal strip up top is 6878. It has seller's marks reading Thomas piano warehouse, Smith St, St Peter Port, Guernsey. In Guernsey it has stayed ever since.

Any notion of it's heritage would be welcome!

It's a beauty. Hopefully once settled and tuned it will play ok too.

Many thanks for your time,

James.

Retrola · Post by **Retrola** » 31 Dec 2022, 10:19

Hi there,

I'm new to this forum. I recently inherited a Beadle & Langbein player piano but couldn't find any info on it online until I found this forum here. It's got the number 20664 printed above the strings, and includes a "Standard Player Action" mechanism.
I've included a few pictures with this post. Just wanted to see what you guys think.

chrisw · Post by **chrisw** » 01 Jan 2023, 10:14

Retrola,
Suggest you make contact with
https://www.pianola.org.uk/

Lynne333 · Post by **Lynne333** » 25 Nov 2023, 15:42

Hi Robert!

My name is Lynne and my dad, Brian, was your dad (Eric's) apprentice!

We were just talking about you today!

I hope you get this message as Eric's Beadle is still in business and Brian would really like a photo of your dad.