Osbert Piano

[Bill Kibby]

Barnes bought in pianos from several factories and sold them either with the real names, or made-up names, or his own name. This was not in the 1800s, it was 1900s. The most likely maker is Kemble. I'll see if that number makes any sense.

[swnewman]

I worked at Barnes Pianos in Peckham in 1945? 1948? They were rebuilding old pianos and selling as Barnes with a "rebuilt" label. Supplies were so bad in those days that it was the only way to produce pianos at that time.

[Bill Kibby]

Do you happen to know when William Henry Barnes died?

[vernon]

A little bit of sociological information.
After the war into the 50s there was 100% purchase tax on luxuries that included pianos as they were wanted for export.
There was a huge trade in " modernising" old pianos.
This entailed fitting a new front panel, cutting off the edges and fitting rounded corners and new columns.
The supply houses supplied all these parts and we used to go to the local sweat shop in Kentish town after work in the piano factory and do this work.
We still come across them, generally being told they were bought NEW in 1950 by grandma!

[vernon]

Of course,the names applied to themshowed geat originality. Ours were all called Gors and Krantz!
Supply houses had a whole lexicon of original namesfor sale.