Danemann piano

[sgcastrejon]

Hello, I have just acquired this piano. It is a Danemann. My brother in law checked out the serial number (40470) and told me it dates from 1923. I believe he consulted the Pierce Piano Atlas, which I do not have. The piano has also got a number on the inside of the lid: Reg. No. 809124. I am very attracted to this style of cabinet; could I call it 'Art Deco'? Not quite sure of the right term! Could anybody please recommend a publication or website where I could learn more about 1920s-1930s cabinet styling? I also wonder if there are many pianos like mine around. Thank you very much.
(Sorry, I am not sure if I have attached the photo; if not, it will follow).

[Bill Kibby]

Probably 1922, but about that. We can't comment on a piano style when we haven't seen it, so I look forward to the photo. I have lots of dated images on file, but not online.

[sgcastrejon]

Hello and thanks for the reply. Here is the photo: sorry I wasn't able to upload it earlier!

[Bill Kibby]

Interesting! It has some very odd proportions, tallish as one might expect of 1922, but with the "legs" of a smaller thirties Art Deco model, plus those strange bits shaved off the top corners. I doubt if you will find the like of this online.

[Colin Nicholson]

A nice looking piano.... not seen this shape on the sides before, combined with the bowed legs & rounded corners. Looks like a trace of "Arts & Crafts" aswell - that is the rigid edges on the side - a bit like a step. Hope it sounds OK?

[sgcastrejon]

Hi and thanks again for the replies. The piano is actually not very tall, just 112 cm. It does look taller in the picture. I totally agree: it has an odd combination of Arts & Crafts and 1930s styling. This has been a family piano, regularly played and tuned till about two years ago. It is just slightly out of tune, but not as much as I expected. It feels ver good mechanically (at least for me, but I am not a technician): perfectly clean and tidy interior with no rust on the strings, felts in nice condition, hammers aligned, pedals working properly, keys with uniform touch and sound, etc.). It has not been restored.
The piano has not been delivered to me yet: the company I employed operates a part load policy and they are taking their time (had the instrument been a bit closer to my house, I would had used a regular piano mover). The cabinet has beautiful wood and I will arrange for a good polish. May be when I do get it I will upload more pictures.
And it is true I have not seen any pianos like this on the internet. Only the really lovely 1930s Danemanns with an arched top, or the square-shaped ones. That is why I am so intrigued.

Thank you again!

[vernon]

It looks very 1930s to me.
Danemanns were very adventurous with their designs and this heavy Italian walnut style runs through their styles in the 30s.. They seem to have had stock of this strongly -grained walnut as it occurs in many models. They must have been very go-ahead in the 30s.
Subsequently,of course, they simmered down and produced in the 50s, 60s and 70s beautiful sound pianos.
Who remembers Mr Danemann ( with the wooden leg) calling as a rep? His brother ran the the Factory in Tottenham.

[sgcastrejon]

Dear Vernon,

Many thanks for your reply. I am a fan of Danemann quality and design: their pianos always look different, with character. I sometimes look on ebay for pianos, just out of curiosity, and Danemanns look so much newer and/or daring than their actual age (at least in my opinion). I take one of my piano classes at Morley College, London, and every week I practice on one of their old Danemanns, as it feels much more responsive than modern Yamahas (which I anyway rate as marvellous instruments). I can't wait to have my piano tuned and cherished for a new life of musical adventures. Thank you again for replying to my post.