For example: 'Hamilton' by Baldwin or 'Cable Nelson' by Everett. To make sure that. The serial number (NOT the model number) of the piano. To locate the. Once you have found the serial number of your piano you can find out its date of manufacture. You’ll find 157 Piano Manufacturers on this list. The following list of numbers represents the date of manufacture followed by the piano serial numbers. The letters ‘sn’ mean serial number. Piano Manufacturer: Ackerman and Lowe.
Origin of Lester Piano Company
A lesser-known piano brand in today’s market, Lester pianos were most popular in the early 1900s. Established in 1888, Lester Piano Company manufactured pianos under several different names including Lester, Leonard & Co., Alden, Gounod prior to the 1920s. Some of their later piano names, before going out of business in 1960, were Lester, Betsy Ross, Bellaire, Betsy Ross Spinet, Cable & Sons, Channing, Gramer, Lawrence, Regent, Schilling, and Schubert. [1]
Based in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Lester Piano Company was an all-American piano brand in the early 1900s around the time many were beginning to purchase pianos for in-home playing. Lester marketed their pianos for being better quality than many contemporary brands, while still remaining an affordable option for the everyday American.
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About Lester Pianos
Perhaps the most common the Lester pianos still found today is the Betsy Ross Spinet. This was a popular model because of the size and sound, and it was available in a 37 and 40 inch and a variety of styles. Lester also marketed a piano specifically for use in schools during music classes and performances. Many of the public schools in Philadelphia have Lester pianos. [2]
In 1947, Lester PIano Company decided to pilot a new piano action with the elbows made of plastic. With the rise of plastics in the 1940s, Lester joined the bandwagon. However, the actions performed poorly and were recalled by the company later that year. A little over a decade later, the company stopped piano production altogether.
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Restoring Lester Pianos
Even in its heyday, Lester pianos were a less expensive option for an in-home piano. For this reason, their unrestored value ranges between $500-1,000. Once restored, some of the more stylized and older Lester pianos can reach up to $20,000. To begin the process of knowing the value of your Lester piano, track down the serial number - here's a how-to guide on locating the serial number on your piano.
At Lindeblad, we know what to look for when it comes to the age, quality, and value of an antique Lester piano. Contact us today to see if your Lester piano is a good candidate for repair and restoration.
References:
[1] Pierce, W. Robert. Pierce Piano Atlas: Anniversary Edition, 2017 Our 70th Year. Albuquerque: Ashley, 2017. Print.
[2] http://www.bluebookofpianos.com/agesl.htm
[3] http://www.oldpianos.com/lester.htm
[4] http://www.vintageadbrowser.com/leaflets-ads-1900s/7
[5] http://tthsdelco.org/new-acquisitions/
You will need 2 things to determine the age of your piano:
1. The brand name of the piano.
Note: Some pianos will have more than one name for the manufacturer. For example: 'Hamilton' by Baldwin or 'Cable Nelson' by Everett. To make sure that you have all of the information you will need, open the lid of your piano and check out the name or names engraved or printed on the plate. Do NOT trust the name on the outside of the piano since in could have been refinished and a different name added.
2. 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. If you can't locate it here, look inside to the far left or far right as some manufacturers attach it there on a small piece of metal. It may be stamped in the wood under the lid, or as a last resort, pull the piano away from the wall and look on the back.
To locate the serial number on a grand piano, take the music desk off. It's usually stamped on the pinblock here. Also look on the soundboard, many of the manufacturers will include it inside one of the 'windows' in the plate.
After you have located the manufacturer's name and the serial number, you have two options.
- Either contact me and I will be GLAD to look up the age for you,
- or check out some of the links that I've included to see if you can find it yourself on the internet.
The serial numbers given on this site, located next to the year, is the LAST piano made during that year. They are not complete lists, but has many, many pianos included:
http://www.bluebookofpianos.com/serial1.htm#TOP and http://www.concertpitchpiano.com/SerialNumberUpright.html
Where to locate the serial number on your piano:
www.pianoatlas.com
www.pianoatlas.com
List of Piano brands with their serial numbers and age:
www.bluebookofpianos.com
www.bluebookofpianos.com
Find the age of your Yamaha piano here:
usa.yamaha.com
usa.yamaha.com