I have bought and sold two similar instruments in the past year. In the condition you describe, in the D.C. area, the piano could go retail to the general public for $3000 to $8000 depending on luck and patience. I would not pay more than $3500 wholesale. If the piano were completely restored/refurbished/remanufactured to like new it might realistically bring $12,000 to $18,000 retail. So, here are my numbers: wholesale $3000, retail as is $6000, refurbished retail $14,000. For tax purposes, your client could probably claim somewhere between the $6000 and the $14,000 figure. Let her conscience be her guide, your mileage may vary. Frank Weston ---------- > From: Maxpiano@aol.com > To: pianotech@ptg.org > Subject: Valuation of Mason & Hamlin A > Date: Thursday, June 18, 1998 7:18 PM > > List - > > A customer of mine has just given her Mason & Hamlin A 32775 (1925) to her > church, and they want a knowledgeable appraisal to pass on to her for her tax > records. > > The piano is all original except that it was refinished some time back, the > plastic key tops suggest a 1950's replacement, and the rusty nickel plated > tuning pins speak to me of repinning about the same time. Slight cracking in > soundboard but no buzzes. > > Tone is very mellow, almost muted. Good candidate for a rebuild. > > With the flurry of interest in valuation, can anyone suggest a ballpark > figure? > > Bill Maxim, RPT > Simpsonville, SC
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