Stroud by Aeolian

[nakiar2004]

Hello, I was searching the internet for information and history about a piano that has been in my family since the 1930s (or maybe before that). My great aunt from Tennessee gave it to my grandmother down to my mother and to me. The company says Stroud then below that it says New York (a crest in between) London. It is an upright, a dark wood maybe
mahogany, almost black. Inside its says Stroud, The Neolian Company. Style 565D. The six numbers under that is 104617. Do you know any source that
could tell me more of my piano? Thank You

[Bill Kibby]

Is this a pianola? And would the name be Aeolian? If so, and it is combined with the name of the Stroud Piano Co., I can only assume that perhaps this is an Aeolian player action built into a Stroud piano. I can quote for printing general booklets on both firms through the PianoGen website, but I have no record of any connection between them.

[nakiar2004]

Thanks for the quick response, I wish I had a picture of the piano.

It could be Aeolian, the first letter is questionable enough. This name Aeolian is also on the front of the piano above the keys to the left.

what is a pianola? If you mean plays music by itself like in those old western movies, no.

thx

[Bill Kibby]

You should have searched for "aeolian stroud" on the internet! Yes, Pianola is the trade name of a particular make of player piano - a piano that is "self-acting". Aeolian made them in New York and London. They also made pianos called Stroud.

[nakiar2004]

Thank you again. Its been hard to find info on this piano. And of course my family doesnt know where or when my great aunt purchased it. I dont plan on selling it but the history of it intrigues me.

Thank you