Erard 43216

[E Buttery]

We have an old (unplayable) Erard upright. Inside, it shows a medal identifying that Erard won exhibitions in 1851, 1855 and 1867. Also, on the right hand side, the numbers 43216 are printed, and across the frame a number 2270 is shown. Can anyone help us to identify when the piano was built and by whom, and what do these numbers stand for? The frame is somewhat cracked and we believe that it could cost a lot for repairs, one repairer suggests it would not be worth our while to spend $5,000 for the repairs, especially as the instrument, we were told, will be only of mediocre sound quality. What do forum members think about this? Thanks for any assistance.

Ernest and Maria

[Bill Kibby]

You ask who made it, is there some doubt that Erard made it? And is there any clue as to whether it was made in London or Paris? This affects the serial numbers, and therefore our ability to date it. If 2270 is on the iron frame, it is unlikely to be a serial number, and if the correct one is 43216, this may suggest a date around 1870 for a Paris piano, but many of the numbers published on websites, taken from various "Piano Atlases" are incorrect. See the Numbers link at pianogen.org

From there, press the Exhibitions button. The medals show that this piano was made after the 1867 exhibition.

You would have to spend money on it because you want to. Victorian pianos are unlikely to have any great value, see the Valuation link at pianogen.org

Whether the sound quality would be "mediocre" depends on what you expect from a piano of this age, which would be much nearer to the authentic sound heard by the classical composers.

We can arrange for a researcher to search for information in the Erard Paris archives for a fee.