appraise antiques

[Farrell]

I thought squares were pretty easy to appraise. Low: $0. Hi: maybe the value
of a good-looking-but-not-particularly-valuable-or-useful-BIG-coffee-table
(maybe a couple hundred dollars for those who are into a curiosity object).
The hi would be assuming a good looking case and typical 150 years of wear
to the inside. People that have them rebuilt generally do not sell them
(cause they can't get anything for them).

My next rebuild is a square. The lady will spend about $7K. She knows that
it will be worth next to zero when it is done, and she knows that it will
play to better than a good spinet, but she wants it and she plans on keeping
it for a zillion years. She's great!

Terry Farrell
Piano Tuning & Service
Tampa, Florida
mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Carman Gentile" <cgpiano@webtv.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Friday, May 12, 2000 1:39 AM
Subject: appraise antiques


>   Is there anyone in California who can appraise the -antique- value of
> old pianos?
>
>   My customers with square grands often ask me to estimate the value of
> their antique instruments.  I tell them I can estimate the piano's value
> as a musical instrument but not its value as an antique.
>
>   The local antique store owners have no particular expertise in
> appraising pianos as apart from antique furniture.
>
>   Anyone with any ideas?
>
> Carman Gentile RPT
> Eureka,
> Humboldt County, CA
>
>
>
>
>