Erard London

[kateh41]

Hi! I just recently received a lovely old "Patent Erards London" upright piano from a relative. It has the numbers 16061 on the inside and I'm wondering if any one can tell me a little about it, re the date it was made, etc. Thanks.
Kate

[Bill Kibby]

Yes, I was the first to publish estimated dates for Erard London pianos, but if you search on the net, you need to leave the S off the name. The number suggests about 1878, but I can't tell you anything else about your piano unless you show it to me! My email details are below, if you have logged in.

[kateh41]

i am now wondering would it have had a stool that went with it,as mine has the most beautiful 3 leg tapestry stool that came with it to me, and are they more valuable restored or just left alone.

kate

[Bill Kibby]

I would say that the majority of stools have nothing to do with the piano makers, certainly that applied a century ago, and still applies today. There have been examples of people being taken off piano production to make stools, and it was found to be uneconomic. Most stools are made by separate specialist firms, but Art Pianos with unusual decoration would sometimes have the stool decorated to match. Otherwise, it was simply a matter of matching the polish colour, and perhaps faking grain to match.

[kateh41]

would i be best to have it restored or to leave the piano as it is, other than have it tuned.i will take a few photos on the weekend to let you have a look and see if you can tell me more.
kate