John Brinsmead & Sons

Jolanda · Post by **Jolanda** » 05 Jun 2008, 22:23

Good Evening Mr. Kibby,

Yesterday we picked up a very old piano from someone who had kept it in a barn for many years. The shape it's in makes your eyes water.
We've been told this piano originally stood in an Irish Pub and afterwards it has been brought to Holland. Neither me or my husband have any knowledge of, or experience with pianos, nor do we have much money to spend on it, but we would love to restore this piano, starting by learning more of it. On the inside is a sign that says : John Brinsmead & Sons. There's a number on the piano : 72591. On the frontside is a sign that says: 199 High street, John Guest, Exeter. Maybe there are websites where I can find out more about the inside mechanism of the piano ? Maybe you can tell me what kind of wood it's made of? We hope you can help us out. I apologize for my English. In the meantime, thank you for your effort. With best regards,

Jolanda Eegdeman

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 05 Jun 2008, 23:15

Your English is far better than that of many so-called "English-speaking" people! Brinsmead was a fairly famous Victorian maker whose name still appeared on new pianos quite recently. Guest was a dealer who evidently sold it. The number suggests that it was made around the start of the 1914 war. Nobody can answer questions about the individual piano if they haven't seen it. Could you email me some photos?