?I'm not so sure if I can provide any assessment in "value" since pianos like this seem to be valued more at what someone is willing to pay rather then what a seller thinks it's worth. I am a little curious about it though, I'd love to see a few pictures. About 5 years ago I got a call from a lady who told me that she was moving, had to get out of her house by the next day, and had "an old grand piano" in her house that she needed to get rid of. I've heard this many times as I know others have only to find out that it's some worthless PSO. When I asked what it was and she said Broadwood she had my full attention. As it turned out it was located in one of the worse neighborhoods in town. Let's put it this way, you wouldn't walk around there at night without packing some heat. I entered the dumpy little house to discover a Broadwood staring at me! It is as you describe with wood pedals, straight strung, etc. All she wanted to do was get rid of it and I was more then happy to take it off her hands. It has been sitting on it's side in my shop for a few years now. Inside written in pencil is, presumably by the makers, is 1843 The serial number also confirms this. It is dilapidated but nevertheless in good condition for being almost 170 years old. I'd like to restore it one day but I have know idea when that will be. It is very primitive with a simple and somewhat backwards action and very tiny hammers. The music rack has some nice scrolling and the legs are interesting. What is fascinating about it for me is the history. Not just the piano but it's personal story. Think for just a moment about the time; it was made in 1843. The Gold Rush would not start for another six years. Abraham Lincoln would not become president for another 18 years. Construction on the Transcontinental Railroad would not begin for another 20 years, 26 years by the time it was completed! Think for a moment about the period. Only the very wealthy could afford a piano so an affluent family would have owned it, probably in Europe. There was no electricity and all transportation was on horseback or carriage. A sailing ship was required to come to America. Now think for a moment about it being played. At night an oil lamp was required. The home was heated by a fireplace. Can you visualize entertaining evening guests playing Chopin only by firelight? And by the way Chopin would have still been alive for another six years so this would have been at the peak of his popularity. What would a piano lesson have been like? What conversations took place around this piano? If it could talk I'm sure the stories it could tell would be fascinating. Those who played, touched, and enjoyed this piano died generations ago and have been completely forgotten, likely even by their living relatives. There are no pictures of them, no records of any kind. All that remains is the piano. Someday I hope I'll have a chance to bring it back to life. It is more then a piano, it is a time machine. It is a monument to another generation that we will never have the pleasure of meeting. And yet after all of that it somehow ended up in a dumpy little house in the worse part of Las Vegas in the middle of gangland. It also serves as a reminder that one day we will also be long gone. Like the family who owned this piano in 1843, unless you are someone of great importance- a great inventor, a billionaire, an important politician- we will be forgotten. On the other hand assuming it survives another 170 years the piano will be 340 years old! Rob Goodale, RPT Las Vegas, NV > It was asked/said, (on the other list): "Subject: value of a John > Broadwood grand > Message: I have a customer with 6'4" Broadwood A-A. It is from the 1880s > and in pretty good shape considering its age. It is straight strung, has > wooden pedals, wood key frame, and all original parts except for 1 bass > string. He is trying to decide if and how much rebuiding to under take. > Any > info or help would be appreciated." > (snip) > Joe Garrett, R.P.T.
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