Mason & Risch question

[John Lillico, RPT]

John,

Mason & Risch of that era was a quality, Toronto-based manufacturer. The serial number should be in the 25,000 range. I can't comment on the case design except that it seems to have been commonplace for manufacturers to consult designers. The fact that it was a player (no chance of restoration) means that it is just an extremely large old upright. Still tunable, it would only be worth about $300. here, assuming that the cabinet shows visual checking, wear and tear. No antique value with this one!

Mason & Risch made an interesting "goof" in some old models of this era. You may find two strings (a bi-chord) on the left tenor at the bass break for which there is no key or action component. A muting damper wedge can be found toward the bottom of the string length.

Is it worth restoring? Could be! Add its present value to the cost of restoration. If this figure is less than or equal to the potential value, go ahead. What you want to avoid is a charge of $3000. on a $300. piano which could increase its value to $1500. Only sentemental value (or stupidity) can overrule common sense.

John Lillico, RPT,
Oakville, Ontario, Canada

>List,
>
>I have a friend with a 1906 Mason & Risch upright player.  According to her,
>the case was designed by Gustav Stickley (maybe Stichle), and she wondered
>if the piano would be valuable because of the case.  Apparently, this
>designer's furniture commands a good price these days.  I have zero
>knowledge of any antique value of piano cases--does anyone out there know
>how to estimate the worth of this thing if it is a Stickley?  My friend also
>mentioned it was "mission" furniture, or something like that.
>
>The player has only the bellows, and not the action, so that much is no
>good, right?  The piano looks like it was once a quality piano, and has
>agraffes in all the treble.  The soundboard looks OK from what I could tell,
>and the tone is decent, I suppose.  If restored, it would need a new block,
>strings, action, etc.
>
>I suppose that what I really need to know is if the case is valuable as a
>piece of Stickley furniture, and would merit a complete restoration of the
>piano.
>
>Thanks much,
>
>John Formsma
>Blue Mountain, MS