How can I tell how old my Chickering piano is?

As with any other piano, the best and most precise way of dating your Chickering is by its serial number. But this method is not without difficulty and hazard. The most common difficulty encountered is locating the actual serial number.

Where is the serial number on a Chickering piano?

​Chickering’s placement of serial numbers on its earliest square pianos was not consistent. Where the number is found most often is stamped into the upper surface of the case, to the left of the keyboard. It is often stamped in small numbers and can be hard to find or make out.

How do I find out when my piano was made?

1) On the piano’s cast iron plate. After lifting up the lid, look along the top front area of the plate. The serial number may be to the right or the left, or in the middle. 2) Under the opened lid on the ledge, stamped on a little plaque, to the right or to the left.

What is my Chickering piano worth?

Depending on the year of production and condition, unrestored Chickering pianos can range in value between $500-$4,000. Particularly those pianos which can be dated back to when the company started as Stewart & Chickering and then Chickering & Mackays, the restored piano value can be in the mid $30,000.

Are Baldwin pianos good quality?

Baldwin Pianos | A Rich American Music History. Baldwin Pianos of the ‘golden era’ are considered one of the best sounding and best-playing instruments in the world. Vintage, quality-built Baldwins are known for their responsive touch, tone, and solid durability, and found in musical venues throughout the world.

How much are old Baldwin pianos worth?

If you search online for Baldwin prices, you can see most Baldwin’s cost well over $2,000, some of them can be as expensive as $40,000 to $120,000! Of course, price depends on a lot of factors. The biggest being: age, wood, piano type, size, and if the actual model of piano is still manufactured.

How do you read a piano serial number?

The serial number (NOT the model number) of the piano. To locate the serial number on a vertical piano, open the top and look inside. Almost all of them include the serial number on the plate in a small “window” near the tuning pins. The number will usually be a 4 to 7 digit number, but may include a letter or two.

Where is my piano serial number?

Usually four to eight digits, the serial number is most often located near the tuning pins, either printed directly on the plate or engraved in the wooden pinblock and showing through a cut-away portion of the plate.

Are old pianos worth anything?

Like antique books, antique pianos are not worth a lot of money just because they are old. In actuality these old instruments may be worth very little at all. Most antique, upright pianos are worth $500 or less in very good condition.

Why do piano keys turn yellow?

The discoloration and yellowing of your piano keys is inevitable. Indirect sunlight after a cleaning can help prevent white piano keys from yellowing. Beware: Plastic keyboard keys will become discolored if exposed to sunlight, so always keep them covered when not in use.

Are Chickering pianos rare?

The firm was originally established in Boston in 1823 by Jonas Chickering and his partner James Stewart under the name of Stewart & Chickering. Pianos built under the labels of “Chickering & Mackay” or “Chickering & Mackays” are exceedingly rare today.

How do I find out how much a piano is worth?

Appraisers of used pianos and other consumer goods typically use three different methods to determine fair market value: comparable sales, depreciation, and idealized value minus the cost of restoration.

What kind of company is Chickering and Sons?

Chickering and Sons Pianos Chickering and Sons is a Boston-based piano manufacturing company which is known for their award-winning pianos and music instruments of topnotch quality.

When did Chickering and sons become part of Ampico?

The company became part of American Piano Company (Ampico) in 1908. Today, the name Chickering and Sons continues to be used as a piano brand under the Baldwin Piano Company, which bought the company’s assets and rights.

When did John Mackay change the name to Chickering and Sons?

In 1830, Chickering became partner with John Mackay under the name Chickering and Company and later changed to Chickering and Mackays until the death of senior Mackay in 1841. The company was reorganized and renamed to Chickering and Sons in 1853 following the destruction of the company’s factory in December 1852 in a massive fire.

When did Chickering and sons get the Legion of Honor?

In 1867, the brand received the Imperial Cross of the Legion of Honor, one of the world’s most prestigious non-military awards, given by Emperor Napoleon III for services to the art of music. The honor was only one of more than 200 awards Chickering has received over the years.