Collard Piano age

gilbie · Post by **gilbie** » 06 Aug 2012, 18:56

Hi There.
I'm trying to establish how old my mom's Collard & Collard piano is and would really appreciate your help.
The serial number is 169034 and we can see a name along with the a date (20/10/37) on one of the keys.
I have attached some photos which I hope will help.

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 06 Aug 2012, 20:08

The serial number suggests that the piano was made in 1905. It is annoying that it is so difficult to find dates in Collard pianos, and yet here we have one for 1937 that is definitely wrong. It probably indicates a tuning date, or a repair.

1905 is entirely in keeping with the design, which could not be any later than the twenties even at a stretch. Have a look at this link...
http://www.piano-tuners.org/piano-forum ... f=2&t=8859

gilbie · Post by **gilbie** » 07 Aug 2012, 11:20

Hi there
Thank you very much for your help, just one more question though, it seems my mom is thinking of selling it, could you perhaps give her any idea of what it's worth.

Colin Nicholson · Post by **Colin Nicholson** » 07 Aug 2012, 16:58

If you scroll up to the blue box, it says the forum cannot give valuations - this is due to your piano's unknown history, condition, how it tunes etc. For a specific valuation on your piano, you will need to make an appointment with a piano trade/tuner/shop who can give an on-the-spot assessment. You will also need to check that whoever you ring is generally interested and knowledgeable about pianos of this period - some tuners just tune & repair, and often some dont buy.

Generally speaking, old pianos like this with unattractive and flat front panels/ poor condition internally dont fetch much. You may be best to try Ebay - many on there start at around £20 - £50 ...... and let the bidding dictate. You may also be asked if your piano can be visited, so to stand a reasonable chance, it needs to be in tune and tuned recently within around 2-4 weeks. I notice that there are some white chalk marks on some of the tuning pins? .... this is a sign of loose pins, and at the stage of poor tuning stability. Also - pianos dont last forever! .... make nice furniture, but maybe not useful any more as a musical instrument.

Trying to sell a piano that has never been tuned for years is the same as selling a car with no MOT, no tax!

Have a look on Ebay to get some idea of photo presentation, wording and starting price - preferrably with no reserve. Aim too high, and it wont sell.

General tips & hints - start at about £40 - no reserve.
Always take a photo of the complete FULL piano inc. legs/ trusses/ pedals - and always have the lid open not closed.

If you want to include the above photo with the lid shut, make sure it is placed AFTER the lid open picture.... its much more desirable to see the piano keys/ name/ number of keys (85 or 88?) rather than a closed lid! .... all pianos look like that.
The mechanism photo is fine.
Picture of the actual name on the fallboard (lid that covers the keys)

Be very honest in the ad about when last tuned/ serviced/ any scratches/ keys chipped or missing.... any major damage should be shown.

I'm not sure about the wood veneer here, its been brushed on using simulated grain in a dark stain. Possibly dark oak or rosewood effect. (But may not be the actual veneer).

Your piano is 'overstrung & under-damped' with a full iron frame.
(It stands a much better chance of selling if its been tuned)

Avoid photos of the lid shut - unless you are putting loads on the advert.

Collard are a good name, so it stands a chance - but remember - dont start your bidding at say £100 ...... many pianos just there unsold.

Hope thats helpful

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 07 Aug 2012, 18:47

To save you looking for it, the item ends...

The preloved pianos website offers an amusing list showing what they would pay for pianos, basically reducing from £300 if it is late 1900s, down to little or nothing before 1920. My own personal taste would turn that upside down and pay progressively more for anything pre-1900! At least we seem to agree that ordinary run-of-the-mill pianos made around a century ago have very little value here in Britain.

gilbie · Post by **gilbie** » 08 Aug 2012, 07:33

thank you very much for your help

NewAge · Post by **NewAge** » 08 Aug 2012, 16:43

Colin Nicholson wrote:I notice that there are some white chalk marks on some of the tuning pins? .... this is a sign of loose pins, and at the stage of poor tuning stability.

Colin - as eagle-eyed as usual.

I missed the chalk marks at 1st look, but a 2nd enlarged high def. look certainly shows they're there.

Now then Colin, was that extruded chalk or moulded chalk you spotted? And what make........

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 08 Aug 2012, 16:48

Or was it just a glint in the camera's eye?

NewAge · Post by **NewAge** » 08 Aug 2012, 19:48

Bill Kibby wrote:Or was it just a glint in the camera's eye?

I'd have expected polished surfaces to glint from the flash - as seen on some of the bright screw-heads, but not on heavily oxidised end pins.
Would hazard a guess there are at least 10 chalked-up pins here. But hey, what do I know?

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 08 Aug 2012, 19:56

Yes, and if they are just the ones that are slipping, how many are ALMOST slipping? Still, we can't tell without being there.

Colin Nicholson · Post by **Colin Nicholson** » 09 Aug 2012, 00:00

It could be good old fashioned school chalk! ...... but yeh, some of them could be a feint reflection...... however, sorry to say, I think there's some insect damage aswell (just putting my x-ray goggles on) - bits of the blue voicing cloth behind the treble strings have been munched - just hope they havent caused more damage internally.
However even though the mechanism looks 'untouched' everything looks reasonably in-line for its age.

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