G. AJello & Sons London / W.H. Russell & Son Leic
Moderators: Feg, Gill the Piano, Bill Kibby
G. AJello & Sons London / W.H. Russell & Son Leic
I am searching for some answers about a piano that was given to me by a friend (for free). She did not know much about it other than it may be around 115 years old. I LOVE antiques (which is why I snatched the piano up when it was offered) and I love pianos but do not know much about their history. Given my subject header...it is a G. AJello & Sons and the other name is on the lid of the keyboard. I have searched the piano for a number of any sort and I cannot find one at all. The only thing I can find is under the lid (on top of the piano) is a crest of some sort. If anyone could give me any information and possibly a date I would greatly appreciate it!! I am so proud of this beautiful piano that it sits in my formal living room and it is the first thing people see when they enter my house! I love hearing my children playing on it and I love playing on it myself. I would just love to know a little about it's history! Thanks again and I will be eagerly awaiting a response!
-
Bill Kibby
- Moderator
- Posts: 5687
- Joined: 04 Jun 2003, 19:25
- Location: Lincolnshire UK
- Contact:
Ajello & Sons
The firm was established in 1862, became Ajello & Sons in 1895, and became Ltd. around 1913, so your piano was probably made around a hundred or so years ago, but no dates of numbers are available for Guiliano Ajello, even if you could find one.
Piano History Centre
http://pianohistory.info
Email via my website.
If you find old references or links on this site to pianogen.org, they should refer to pianohistory.info
http://pianohistory.info
Email via my website.
If you find old references or links on this site to pianogen.org, they should refer to pianohistory.info
G. AJello & Sons London...More questions...
Mr. Kibby,
Thank you for your response! After some long searching yesterday I found out a few things that I did not know and wanted your expertise on the issue. I found some sources that said that G. AJello & Sons London was taken over by Kemble. I then went to a Kemble web site and gave them the serial # (if that's what it really is) and they said that the piano was "made" between 1866-1875. Does this sound correct to you? Also, (please forgive me for my ignorance) the friend that gave me this piano said that it use to be a player piano. She said this because on the front there are two doors that slide open and expose the sound board. However, there are no large pedals like a normal player piano would have and there are no remains of having the parts of a player piano on the inside. Did they even make player pianos during this time? I personally think it is just the way the piano was made but again, I am not an expert. So, I thought I would ask someone who surely has plenty of knowledge!! Thank you again for your time and effort! I just love this piano and love to brag about it so I want to know all that I can! I have no problem sending a picture if that would help you give me as much information as possible! Thanks again!
Thank you for your response! After some long searching yesterday I found out a few things that I did not know and wanted your expertise on the issue. I found some sources that said that G. AJello & Sons London was taken over by Kemble. I then went to a Kemble web site and gave them the serial # (if that's what it really is) and they said that the piano was "made" between 1866-1875. Does this sound correct to you? Also, (please forgive me for my ignorance) the friend that gave me this piano said that it use to be a player piano. She said this because on the front there are two doors that slide open and expose the sound board. However, there are no large pedals like a normal player piano would have and there are no remains of having the parts of a player piano on the inside. Did they even make player pianos during this time? I personally think it is just the way the piano was made but again, I am not an expert. So, I thought I would ask someone who surely has plenty of knowledge!! Thank you again for your time and effort! I just love this piano and love to brag about it so I want to know all that I can! I have no problem sending a picture if that would help you give me as much information as possible! Thanks again!