Martin Wesseli or M. Wessely???

[wendyw]

My mom gave me a piano that she's had for 20 years or so, which I'm trying to get info on. Under the keyboard cover it says:
Circle/seal on the left: Verdiensr Niedaille
Then in the middle: K.K. ausschl Privilegium M. Wessely, Fabrik Wien
Circle/seal on the right: Weitausstellung Wein 1873

And inside under the strings it says:
Kais. Kon privileg
Pianoforte Fabrik
des
Martin Wesseli
Wien, 5 Bz. Bachergasse No. 201
Opus No. 1331 (this seems to be written)

It also has two "crests" on each side of the above verbage showing 5 circles with portaits of 4 people and "crests" with very small writing in german or ????.

I was able to have a Registered technician come to check on it. He believes that is was built probably in the 1700's because of the foot thing... sorry, don't know what it's called. It's made of Rosewood. Recommended I not try to tune or use it, because of it's age, but it sure is pretty to look at! Any information about it's maker or history would be greatly appreciated... just curious about it.

Wendy.

[Bill Kibby]

This fits in well with the posting next to it. The inscription on the piano refers to the 1873 exhibition, so it must have been made after that event. It would not be difficult to tell an 1870s pianos from a 1700s piano. Can you email some photos to me?

[wendyw]

OK! Will send via email! Thanks

[Bill Kibby]

Thanks for the photos. I am having trouble seeing any useful clues, it is a typical Viennese grand, probably late 1800s, but I will see what I can learn by enhancing the pictures.

[Bill Kibby]

It could be around 1902, but it is difficult to know. Does any of the small print under the strings mention years?

[wendyw]

The only thing inside the piano is the writting with the crests. I've even looked under the first and last few keys to see if there was anything stamped or written in there (the tunner tech told me about that)... What I can read is the following (btw, everything is in caps, so i don't know where one word ends and another one starts sometimes):

1. ehrenpreis De Volk Rpestes in Linz
2. FURLAND WIRTH SCHAFTLICH VERDIEHSTE
3. WELTAUSSTELLUNG 1873 WIEN VERDIENSTE
4. MOCCCLXXI LANDWIRTHE(S)? CHAF(P?)TS AUESTELLUNG IN SM(H,W?)AIM
5.FRANZ JOSEPH I KAISER YOR QESTERRICH KOENG VON ????? something something something?
6. OEM, VERDIDHSTE DIE H(X?) LANDWTRTHSCHAFTS DE ? ELLSCHAFT IN SALIZBURG

Do you have any idea what it means by Opus. No. 1331??? which is written under the crests? Also, looking closer at the pictures and info under the strings, i seems like it's a piece of paper that was applied? could this have been added later to the piano? It definitely has been lacquered over if it was. Anything else should i look for?

[Bill Kibby]

The label on the soundboard is quite normal, and almost certainly original. Opus is the serial number.