Crane & Sons Ltd.

[lorraine]

I have had a Crane & Sons ltd Cardiff & Liverpool piano for 21 years it does seem quite old and I have looked after it and I feel it is in very good condition
The only stamp that I can find on it is a circle and in it B
214
A
I would like to sell the piano but not sure what it is worth and because I have looked after it and feel the condition is good I do not just want to sell it for a silly price.
I hope that there is someone out there that can help me.
Lorraine

[Bill Kibby]

This is a piano history forum, nobody can guess the condition or value of a piano without tuning it, so ask your tuner. The 214 markings appear on iron frames of various different makers from at least 1900 to 1923, so they don't help us much with the date or real maker. Cranes were just retailers, and when I asked them many years ago, they were unable to help with archive material. However, there should be a stock number imprinted on the case somewhere, probably on a top edge, and it begins with C&S. If you can give me this number, I can probably estimate the date.

[Colin Nicholson]

Lorraine,
Alot of piano owners, young or old, (even top notch pianists!) often think that by just having a piano tuned alone, (which should be every 4-6 months), often constitutes towards it being in good conditon. This often give the 'feeling' it is in good condition, even when it is polished every week, the keys spruced up, and that you can see your face in the piano? - and of course, no stratches or marks?

For a piano to be in 'good condition' - for its age, it would also need the mechanism, pedals & keyboard regulated (adjusted) every 2 - 3 years; this is separate to a tuning, and booked as a separate job. Also if the piano has had some refurbishment done to the internal workings at some stage, then it may be worth a bit more - but regrettably, as I said & think of this.... you can view a beautiful china cabinet, but hidden inside it, the crockery/china inside may be cracked/ chipped/ crazed and totally out-dated! etc... same with pianos. In a piano mech, all sorts of things perish, fall off, become loose, and eventually wear away.
When was the last time it was tuned & fully serviced? - and how often?
Has the 'internal mechanism' ever had any work done to it (except for emergency or quick repairs)?
Have a look on Ebay to give you an idea of what they sell for.... or as Bill says, for a more accurate valuation, you will need to have your piano visually inspected, and a full tuning - then followed by the tuner's assessment. Bit like selling or buying a home really - it must be surveyed by a real person with their fancy clip-board!!