Chappell question.

[Darel]

Hi all. Our family has had this Piano since my Great Grandfather bought it for my Grandmother sometime before 1912. I know this because my mother had asked some questions before these people had passed away. We do know it was brought over from London in a lead box and that it was shipped to their town in Saskatchewan. We don't know who he had bought it from or if it was new or used but we have a picture of her[my grand mother] playing it at 12 yrs of age.
It is a Chappell&Co upright, numbers found on the top left hand upper edge under the upper lid are 091171. The only other numbers I can easily find are 202 on the front lower panel by your knees. There is one set penciled and another set is stamped.
It is in very good to excellent cond. all the ivory and I presume [ebony?] keys are intact. The wood is all original honey oak including the bench. The material on the bench has been redone in a tapestry some time in the 40's? by my grandmother. The original still looks to be underneath. The piano has two brass foot peddles.
What I find really interesting and have not seen another simmiliar, is that the square legs at the front of the piano continues up past the key board about 8 inches high and have about a 4 inch square wooden cap. On top of that is about a 3&1/2 inch wide by about 1&1/2 inch high brass cup with a brass candle holder which screws through the cup into the wood cap. When the candles are in place there are brass clamps which clamp onto the candles. When the candles melt you just lower the clamps. Attatched to those are a 3/16th inch square rod with a brass ring, a silk shade sits ontop of the ring to sheild the candles flame, and then all around the bottom of the shade are 2 inch long brass ball chains.
Is this common? A local antique dealer has wanted this piano for some time but it's not for sale. Any more info would be nice to have. Thank You

[Bill Kibby]

From the 1890s to the 1920s, various makers produced upright pianos in the "Arts & Crafts" style, usually with heavy jacobean-style hinges and brackets, and the columns which support the keyboard extending above keyboard level to become candleholders. I have a copy of a Chappell ad from 1907 with just such an arrangement. As for the number, I can't recall ever seeing a serial number beginning with a zero, it should be something like 45,000. See
http://www.uk-piano.org/piano-gen/datem ... ianos.html

[Darel]

Thanks for the reply. I was wondering if I could get a copy of that ad or if it was posted somewhere?
As for the number, 091171, that is what is stamped on the top of the left side panel. Where else could I possibly find another number without too much tearing apart?
Darel. darelm@shaw.ca

[Bill Kibby]

Does anyone have any information about Sarah Chappell?

[Bill Kibby]

I would be interested to hear whether the Chappell is like the picture I sent. Have you seen
http://www.uk-piano.org/piano-gen/datem ... ianos.html