Bluthner

[gilroy]

I have been given a Bluthner/welmar piano with a serial number of 20939. are you able to give me any details on its history please

[Bill Kibby]

Is it a Welmar from Bluthner Pianos, or a Bluthnerfrom Welmars?

[gilroy]

Its a Bluthner from Welmar

[Bill Kibby]

According to Welmars, this number would suggest 1881. Are there any medal dates mentioned inside?

[gilroy]

Not that I can find,I have found another number 18147 but its not on plate

[Bill Kibby]

I apologise for a slight error, the two numbers suggest 1882 and 1883, so it doesn't really matter which is the correct number. If you know how to remove the action safely (the working parts of the notes) it may be marked with the action makers' name and number, and we may be able to cross-check the date by this. My 1890 Bluthner has nothing much to confirm the date, but an 1896 example has a label inside, showing all the medals up to 1889. These lists of medals are often shown on the soundboard, and difficult to see, but in upright pianos, they may be found simply by opening the top. Although there are instances where Bluthners seem to have renewed the labels, they often provide a very useful clue to the age, suggesting that the piano was made after the last medal mentioned there. Dates range from 1865 to at least 1910.