Aucher Freres

[jahof]

I was wondering if anyone could help me... I have been given a piano and just wanted to know more about its history etc. It is an Aucher Freres, serial number 19689 model number 8. I dont know anything at all about pianos and would appreciate any feedback.

Thankyou in anticipation.

[Bill Kibby]

Aucher Freres are best know for small upright "Yacht Pianos" with fold-away keyboards. In 1880, they exhibited at the Melbourne Exhibition. The catalogue says "Originality for the folding keyboard was claimed, but this invention is well known and adopted by so many French makers as to be hardly worth notice." The number of yours suggests a date around 1864, but some of these dates are definitely wrong, and without photos, I cannot guess how old it might be. Can you email photos to me?