Chickering Piano Serial Number List
Following is a list of brand names that are in use or in development, by Gibson, since 2003: A. B. Chase, Aeolian, Ampico, Baldwin, Cable, Chickering, Ellington, Howard, Ivers & Pond, J & C Fischer, 1{ranich & Bach, Monarch, Mozart, Pianola, Pianovelle, Sargent, and Wurlitzer. In 2004 Gibson acquired a piano factory in the Guangdong Province, of China. In 2006 they purchased the Dongbei Piano Group, third-biggest Chinese piano maker.
Chickering piano serial number list
HAMILTON PIANO CO., Est. 1889, with factories at Chicago Heights, Ill. Controlled by the Baldwin Piano Company. Gibson Guitars Guitars acquired the Hamilton name in 2001, when they purchased the Baldwin Piano Co. See Acrosonic or Baldwin for additional numbers. Serial numbers are for the first piano made in year shown.
Typically a number found there is just an internal record of the case number to keep the parts together while being manufactured. The serial number is often found stamped on the soundboard on the bass side (on Accoustigrandes). However, IF this is your serial number, it corresponds to very late 1914 production.
Yes, typically serial number is found in or above the tuning pin area, however, the Chickering Brothers were like "Old Blue Eyes" they did things "my way," and the number is oftentimes found on the left edge of the soundboard (just beyond or under the lowest base string). Now case assembly numbers do not usually match the serial number, but it might in this case (pun not intended!). As I said, if it IS your piano's serial number, it corresponds to a late 1914 production date. You know it's before 1929, as Chickering Bros. ceased production by then.A bit of trivia: Chickering Bros. was founded by the Uncle of "Chickering & Sons." They built a very solid piano, and some features of their grand piano construction were adopted by other manufactures.
According to my book, your piano was made in 1920. A lot of years have passed since then--it's almost 100 years old! Is it possible someone refinished the soundboard and used a Chickering & Sons decal, not realizing the difference in makers. The serial number being on the soundboard would indicate it being the original board.
Your serial number looks factory; it does look like the piano was rebuilt at some time, and I would suspect the rebuilder put that decal on the piano at that time. Probably couldn't find a Chickering Brothers decal--come to think of it, I don't recall any decal on my piano, which hasn't been rebuilt (YET!)David D.
Hi, Mike, and thanks for stopping by! If your serial number is 38254, that points to a manufacture date of 1921. Does that sound right to you? The model number will likely be a letter (like M, R, L, etc.). I hope that helps!
I own a Baldwin Hamilton Grand Piano (that I purchased in 1970). The piano was built in 1940 (serial number 89715). I purchased it as a refurbished piano after trying out a whole warehouse full of pianos before settling on this particular one. I still love the sound and the action of this piano!
Hello James;I am looking at a Baldwin grand, serial # A54914 on Craigslist. Any information you can provide would be helpful. It appears it was likely built in the 1920s. If it has been maintained (apparently so, as was supposedly owned by a piano teacher), is there any concern about buying a piano of this age?
I am shopping for a new or newish BP190 (I played a lovely one at a Baltimore Baldwin dealer yesterday), but when I called the listed Baldwin Company phone number to get a list of serial numbers by year of the Chinese manufactured pianos, I got the Gibson headquarters and they told me while they still own the name Baldwin, they are no longer being produced, not even in China. Is this true? I thought Parsons Music Group just opened up a new manufacturing facility in Zhongshan.
Hello James, I wonder if you could tell me the age of my Baldwin upright piano with Model # K-107, & serial # of ILK00474. Where do you think this piece had manufactured? Does it worth keeping this model? Thank you so much for your time, I valued your response so greatly.Sincerely,Sanny
Everything from researching your piano brand, choosing a fair asking price, listing on marketplaces such as eBay and Craigslist, and even donating the piano are all options. Much of this depends on how you value the instrument and the purpose of getting rid of it.
Before you even list a piano for sale, research needs to be done on the instrument and brand. By this, I mean extensive research! Most pianos are built with a brand label, serial number, and model number. A simple Google search of that readily available information will show you a lot about your instrument.
This is where serial numbers come into play. Serial numbers can tell you the exact year your piano was manufactured. This is important because over the years piano manufacturers make slight (and sometimes major) changes to how they build their instruments.
For example, pianos pre-1960 might have ivory keys yet carry the same model number as pianos from 2019. The same can be said for the type of wood finish, hammer action parts, and even which factory the instrument was produced in. Certain features may be rare and present on only older models too. A detail like that can drastically change the value of your instrument.
In most cases, model numbers and serial numbers are going to be most important for grand pianos as opposed to uprights. This is not to say upright pianos do not hold some value, but grand pianos are usually of a higher quality and standard.
One of the most popular ways to sell a piano is to use an online marketplace. The most popular places to sell a piano online are eBay, Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. A simple search on any of these platforms yields tons of pianos of all shapes, sizes, and price ranges.
If your piano has any glaring issues such as an inability to hold tune, broken keys or other mechanisms, or cosmetic issues like scratches and dents, you need to list that information. Trust me, there is nothing worse than having a buyer come check out your piano only to find that its got way more issues than advertised.
While listing issues your piano has may detract some buyers, it may actually attract buyers looking to make a bargain. In this instance, it might be a good idea to list a piano with serious issues at a higher price point so that you can eventually negotiate down to the price you desire for the instrument.
Another way you can advertise is through local shops. Drive to your nearest music store and ask about listing your piano on their website for sale. You can also leave flyers for your instrument there for customers at the counter.
The other great thing is that even if they do not want to necessarily purchase your piano, they might know someone who does. Piano technicians and tuners have a long list of clientele, and so they can certainly find someone who could use your instrument or is at least interested in one.
If a piano is not selling on the first round of listing, make adjustments and list it again. There can be all sorts of reasons fo rit not selling such as poor photography, lack of information in your listing, and bad pricing. Monitor the data, make those changes and then repeat the process.
Early 1930s baby grand piano by Chickering for the Plaut-Cadden company. Includes piano bench. Serial number 149377. Local pick-up only.63" x 43" x 55".Damage to front end; other light wear including scuffs.