Schwechten

[peterkaegi]

Hi there!

I am in Melbourne, Aus. I have recently taken posession of my Mum's/Grandmother's piano. It was my Great-Great Uncle's.

It is a Schwechten, and bears the [serial] number 36441 on the build plate on the inside right-hand side of the case. Could you guess at its age?

Also, I have stumbled upon another Schwechten that I may buy - the picture of this piano's equivalent build plate (provided by the seller) shows an apparently handwritten number around 11000. The rest of the plate looks quite genuine. Do you think the number may be fraudulent, and if not, what age might this piano be? It actually similar to my mum's. The price they are asking is low.

Thanks so much in advance

Pete K

[Bill Kibby]

The earlier number suggests 1873, and yours would be 1907. There are problems with the published dates of earlier Schwechten pianos, and without photos, I cannot guess if it is a reasonable estimate.

[peterkaegi]

Hi Bill,

Hopefully you can view this link with photos:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Antique-Piano-Sc ... 240%3A1318

[Bill Kibby]

The trusses which support the keyboard seem to be too modern, and although they could have been replaced, the way the number is written is not right, as you will know from your own piano. We also have no proof that the published numbers are correct. I would guess this one was more like 1880s. Have a look at my Numbers page at www.Pianogen.org

Can you read dates on the medals shown on the piano?

[Pianomate]

I thought that too initially about the trusses, but they are in-keeping in style with the art deco panels so may be original, with the handwritten number for something else such as the dealer's own stock no. As Bill suggests, and the panels and trusses may have been subesquently "updated" into the Art Deco style of the beginning of the 20th Century. The style of nameplate and action looks definitely pre 1900.