Bechstein Date

[Farrell]

Darn no newspaper on my rail. The punchings on my front rail pins are cut-up playing cards!

Terry Farrell
  
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Stéphane Collin" <collin.s@skynet.be>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2002 11:27 AM
Subject: Re: Bechstein Date


Oh, David, I have another idea.

Did you try to trace the many technicians interventions by reading the front rail paper punchings ?  It can be funny.  Often, at the factory in Berlin, Bechstein people used newspapers to cut their thin front rail punchings.  More than often, you will find a date in the lower layer of punchings, probably original, surely if they appear with that funny gothic style old days german letter type.
I often get my Bechsteins from United Kingdom, and am often able to trace at what moment they have been imported to U.K., by reading the many different layers of front rail news papers punchings.

Hope this can help.

Stéphane Collin
Brussels, Belgium.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: David Love 
  To: Pianotech 
  Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2002 2:03 AM
  Subject: Bechstein Date


  I'm trying to identify the date of a Bechstein IV (7'4").  It appears that the serial number has been removed from the plate by overly vigorous cleaning.  I can find no other number except an embossed number on one of the cross braces under the piano.  This number reads 16226.  I don't believe this is the serial number as that would put the piano back to 1885.  The owner seems to think it is c 1910-1915.  Anybody know what that number refers to and can I trace the date through it?

  Thanks

  David Love