Arthur Allison Player Piano

[Guinney1971]

Hi All,

my name is Claire, and I live in Nottinghamshire. We've just bought a late Victorian house, and as part of the sale we asked them to leave the old piano that was in part of the lounge, as when we viewed the house, our 7mth old daughter took a shine to it and happily bashed the keys! lol

Anyway, I've not played a keyboard for years, and am very rusty, but the piano does sound out of tune, so I'll get someone in to have a look at it. Its very dusty inside too.

When you lift up the top lid, it says "Arthur Allison and Co" and refers to an exhibition in 1885 where they won prizes for tone, and inside the piano are three patent references, date 1903, 1904 and 1905. I cannot find a serial number - but I dont know where to look to be honest.

Inside the piano, is another section, where you can drop in punched rolls of paper, and if you take the bottom front off, it reveals two pedals which if you pump like mad finally get the punched paper thing going round and it plays the tune by itself. Thing is, you have to pump so hard, that it drowns out the piano! lol.

Here are some pics, any info or advice gratefully received.



























Cheers,

Claire

[Bill Kibby]

Firstly, it is a Player Piano- it can play itself from paper rolls. Apart from the fact that it was made after the 1905 patent, I can only guess that it might be twenties. The number may be visible simply by lifting the top, but very few reliable dates are available for Arthur Allison's piano numbers. Have a look at pianogen.org

[Guinney1971]

thanks for that Bill, I'll have another look inside it (probably have to dust it first) and see if I can find a serial number or any more info.

Its a nice old thing, and goes well with the house and all our antique furniture, which ranges from Victorian to 1920's in design.

Will let you know if I find out any more info.

Cheers,

[Bill Kibby]

Don't worry about "digging up an old thread", it's not that old anyway. In case you manage to find a number, it is worth knowing that Arthur Allison & Co. piano #35795 is dated 3/5/07 on the keys. On a player piano, it is usually a lot more difficult to get to the keys to check them.

1905 is the latest patent date shown in your piano.

1910 Ralph Allison & Sons Ltd. are said to have joined forces with Arthur Allison to become Allison Pianos Ltd.. However, I would be surprised if this piano was as early as 1910, and the various Allison names overlapped considerably.

1911 Alfred Dolge "Pianos and their makers" still lists Arthur Allison & Co.

1911 Kelly's Directory of the Cabinet & Furnishing Trades; Pianoforte Makers & Warehouses include Arthur Allison & Co. Apollo Works, Leighton road, NW.; 10 Charlton Kings road NW & 41, Great Portland Street W.

1913 Arthur Allison & Co. 10, Charlton Kings road & Leighton road.

By 1914 Ads in the Music Trade Directory show that Arthur was part of Allison Pianos Ltd.