William Stodart & Son

Russ · Post by **Russ** » 17 Sep 2005, 19:08

Hope someone can help me with the history of a piano ive inherited.
Its a very attractive small square piano, with a small keyboard.the plate on the front reads - Willian Stodart and son, makers to her majesty, golden Square , London. It has 5 very attractive turned legs .It is about 6 feet long and 2 feet deep.It seems to be made of mahogany. Some keys play but not all. Its a very attractive piece of furniture too look at - not sure if its worth having the mechanism restored ?
Anyone who can help with an age / history etc ?
Many thanks
Russ

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 18 Sep 2005, 09:35

The Stodarts are quite famous makers, and supplied royalty. I believe Willam Stodart & Son operated around the 1820s to the 1850s, but I'll check on that. See
http://www.uk-piano.org/piano-gen/reports.html

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 18 Sep 2005, 21:01

Stodart and Broadwood used to work on developing pianos together and are credited with the invention of the grand piano, I believe. I think Stodart even patented the term 'grand'. No, I don't get out much...

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 18 Sep 2005, 23:13

Technically, Broadwood is supposed to have coined the term "Grand Piano Forte", but Stodart's patent is the earliest known evidence of the phrase.

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 20 Sep 2005, 19:58

Where in England are you, anywhere near East Anglia? If so, I'd like to have a look at it: No-one can comment on restoration without inspection. See
http://www.uk-piano.org/piano-gen/reports.html

Russ · Post by **Russ** » 21 Sep 2005, 06:35

I'm in Devon - anyone know of someone nearby that i can get to come and take a look ?

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 02 Oct 2005, 10:55

I rarely get down to Devon. All I can offer from here is to print general information on the Stodarts, or compile a report on design and approximate age from photos. See
http://www.uk-piano.org/piano-gen/reports.html

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