Frank Cole piano

gazza · Post by **gazza** » 18 Feb 2008, 20:00

Hi all, can anyone advise me? I'm trying to find out whereabouts and what time period Frank Cole made pianos. I have a "Frank Cole Upright Iron Grand". It has candle holders on facia.

Many thanks in advance.

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 18 Feb 2008, 23:42

The "Upright Iron Grand" bit suggests something pre-1920, and my first guess is going to be London firms, so I'll have a look, in case it is a real maker's name. As to date, I might get some idea if you could email some photos of the whole piano (unobscured by dogs, vases, stools etc.) and as much interior detail as possible. There was an F. Cole in London in the twenties, but I have no details yet. Have a look at the Piano Names page at www.PianoGen.org and also the Datemarks page there.

gazza · Post by **gazza** » 19 Feb 2008, 00:59

Hi Bill ,thanks for your help. I forgot to mention it was overstrung also. The F Cole you mention sounds most likely, as the area I suspect the business was was Tottenham in North London. I'll try to get some pictures. I've been told it was Franks personal piano.
It is very dark wood in colour, almost black.
Many thanks
Gazza

gazza · Post by **gazza** » 09 Mar 2008, 20:36

Hi , I have obtained some images. I have found out that apparently the candlesticks are not original.

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Post by **Bill Kibby** » 09 Mar 2008, 21:29

Is there a piano in there? Only joking, I can just about see it. I can only guess First World War, there's nothing much to give me any more accurate date. However, in the 1914 Music Trade Directory, there's nothing between Cohen and Collard, so he was probably too small a producer to bother with trade organisations - a cottage industry.

gazza · Post by **gazza** » 10 Mar 2008, 15:09

Ok thank you very much Bill.

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 11 Mar 2008, 14:57

In 1982, I was called in to tune a piano in Essex, bearing the name of "F. Cole & Son, London", and the number 11931. It had a full iron frame with an open plank, cast by Clark & Son. I have no other useful information about it, it appeared to be from the twenties.

gazza · Post by **gazza** » 11 Mar 2008, 18:02

Hi Bill, would that number you mentioned be a serial number or phone number /area code of that time ,do you recall?

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 11 Mar 2008, 18:37

I suspect I am missing the joke here, it is a serial number!