1948 Ferd. Manthey

soprano1 · Post by **soprano1** » 30 May 2007, 03:54

I have a Ferd. Manthey and I accquired it in Germany about 6 years ago from a family that didn't wish to move it to their new home. I had wondered about it's history but never really opened it up to see if there were any numbers inside until today.

I found many numbers and a notation. There was a stamped number on the inside back of "035" with the letters "GS" carved underneath it. and the name "H.E. Flemmings" imprinted on the metal sound board (not sure if that is the right term?) and finally the only thing that looked like a serial number "17508" on the top of the hammers. In addition to this I also found a notation on the inside in pencil that says "made by Ferd. Manthey
Berlin, Germany 1948" and a signature below that.

My question is - how accurate is the notation? Were these piano's commonly marked and signed that way or might that have been done by a pervious owner? Also - are either of the number's I found of any importance in dertemining the history of this piano?

Additionally - do these pianos hold much value - this one is in less than mint condition - so I am wondering if it's worth it to hold on to it and fix it or if I should find it a new home and while I locate a new piano.

I'd appreciate some input - thanks!

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 30 May 2007, 11:19

This would not be normal marking by a maker, someone wrote it on later. The published dates of Manthey's serial numbers suggest 1950, but they may well be wrong, many are: have a look at the Numbers link at pianogen.org

Value is impossible to say, have a look at the Valuation link at pianogen.org