In a message dated 01/29/2000 11:20:45 PM Central Standard Time, jformsma@dixie-net.com writes: << 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 >> John, If the case was actually designed by Gustav Stickley it will have his signature somewhere, usually on the back or bottom on furniture, I don't know where it might be on a piano. If it is signed it would definitely merit restoration. It is a shame the player stack is missing as Mason and Risch had there own player unit and finding one would be almost impossible. Dave Koelzer
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