Henry Ambridge and Son

[chrissqueen]

I recently obtained an old upright piano but cant find very much information on it, Anyone know where to look or who to ask? Here's what labeling the piano,

Henry Ambridge and Son
J.Moffat, Penrith
#25124

it also has a cloth back. Thanks - Chriss

[Bill Kibby]

"And the somewhere to go will be me" - Frank Loesser

Moffat would have been the retailer in Penrith, on the Scottish border, Ambridge the maker in London. I can only guess by comparing the number with other Ambridge pianos that it might have been made around a century ago. What sort of information are you hoping for? Ambridge was established in 1890, and imported his actions from F. Langer & Co., Berlin: these are usually marked with a number, which we may be able to date. This practise would have stopped in the 1914 war and anyway, by 1914, the firm was known as "Ambridge & Sons".

[chrissqueen]

Hi thanks so much for the reply ! The Ambridge piano itself is in fair condition.Wondering how to remove it from my home with dignity. I don't want to throw it away. It seems to have a soul of its own and would like to donate it with a finders fee/ or a tax write offto a museum, school, or an old history site of sorts you get the idea.Also,is there a way to obtain info.on the particular history of this piano itself ? I am located in Boulder, Colorado,USA

Thanks once more - Chriss

[Bill Kibby]

On my website, have a look at the Archives page, that will explain why you cannot trace individual piano. Any further clues to its history will be hidden inside, so have a look at the Datemarks page. I doubt that any museum would be interested in a piano like this, there are thousands around in the UK. Do you have freecycle.org in your area?

[chrissqueen]

Thanks Bill for all your excellent info.. I will be checking out your site
And thats a yes on the recycle q? This is Boulder Co after all, the greatest
little bubble of civilization on the east side of the Rocky Mountains.
Chriss