George Rogers & Son Player Piano

[strachs]

Hi,

We have a pianola by George Rogers and Son, serial number 34794, with a plaque inside with the last patent on it being 1919. Can anyone tell me if this likely to be the date of it's manufacture? Also, I am wondering whether or not there is currently any sort of market for pianolas?

[Bill Kibby]

That would be around 1923. Could you please give the complete, exact wording on the piano. Does it refer to "Pianola" specifically?

[Gill the Piano]

Saleability (?) depends on the state of the player action as well; is it in working order? Often the bellows can develop holes which makes it hard to get sound when you pedal. (On the plus side you develop shapely calves...). The main thing against pianolas is their sheer size; they are deeper than ordinary uprights and modern houses often have silly metric doorways; this can necessitate the removal of door AND architrave to get the beastie in. Pray for a buyer with French windows and no steps...

[strachs]

The exact wording on the instrument is as follows:
- inside the keyboard lid reads only "Rogers, London"
- inside the casing is George Rogers and Sons, London, with a number stamped onto the wood below the bellows which is 170886, serial number screwed onto the rear is 34794, with a reissue number of 13398 and "others pending".

Yes, it is in working order, but I agree about the size (and significantly heavier weight) as compared to a standard piano.

Thanks

[Pianomate]

Many player pianos were well made quality instruments, and commanded a high price when new, making them items which only the wealthy could afford.

Saleability depends on the original quality of the player action and also the piano itself. There are a dedicated band of player piano enthusiasts out there, but obviously you are looking at a narrow market so an ad in the paper or music shop won't generate much interest. If you trawl Google you will come across the player piano enthusiast sites, which are really the only places worth advertising it. Bear in mind that if the mechanism is in less than perfect condition, it can take many weeks or even months of restoration and this is reflected in the value. If it hasn't been overhauled since it was built, it will definitely need some work doing on it if it is to be used properly. I have seen them go at salerooms for as little as £1, but a rare one in good order can fetch a few hundred or more from an enthusiast in a private sale.

You will see restored ones advertised for a few thousand pounds, but bear in mind just about all of this is to cover the time and materials spent on restoring it.

Is it a reproducing piano or just a standard player? (a reproducing piano can control the loudness and pedals from the piano rolls - you will see some small holes set back at either side of the 88 large square holes in the reproducing bar).

[Bill Kibby]

I should add that "Pianola" is the brand name of a particular make of player piano, and in view of the fact that this name does not appear on the piano, we have to assume that although it is a player piano, it is not a Pianola as such.