There are many very old Brinsmead grands and uprights in the UK, dating from about 1860 to 1900.
Over 50% pre 1900 (see comments below) Year and serial number 1870 – – – – – – – – 164005 Comments Very varied and prolific historical English maker. From 1967 Kemble Rating (see Key) 50-70 Estimated Number In UK 30,000.ĩ0% uprights, 10% grands. Purchased by Kemble in 1967 Made by Brinsmead. John Brinsmead & Sons was known to build.ĭetails of Brinsmead, John Pianos- Make Brinsmead, John Made in London, UK. The name of the firm was changed to “John Brinsmead & Sons” in 1861 when his sons Edgar and John, Jr. The firm was originally established in 1836 as “John Brinsmead”. John Brinsmead & Sons was one of England’s premier piano manufacturers. Or should we just keep the Kessels because the Brinsmead is not worth the money it would cost to restore it.Brinsmead, John Brinsmead, John. So essentially my question is this: is the old Brinsmead worth restoring? Considering it might cost a bit and we know nothing about pianos to contest an enormous bill. The Brinsmead sounds better, and has a bit of family history to it, but the Kessler can be tuned to concert pitch and doesn't need restoring. We now only want one piano, but are unsure which to keep. This is on the far right hand side of the keyboard. It may not be 'Hopper' its in a very gothic font and difficult to make out. The only information I can find on the piano is a name and address: Dobson-Hopper Ltd, 438 Coventry Road, Birmingham. According to the piano tuner (about 10 years ago) the old Brinsmead did not fit the bill, so we bought a second piano from a friend- a Kessels. When I was learning to play, my teacher told me I had to have a piano that was tuned to concert pitch and was 'overstrung'. It's fairly scruffy, a few chipped keys and looks like a flower pot has overflowed on the top. This I assume to be a serial number or something similar, it is on both front panels, a piece of internal woodwork and the side of a piece of edging. I have no idea of value or age, but have recently found the same number carved into the piano in four places-55242.
We've had an old upright Brinsmead piano sitting in our junk room for many years, and it was given to me by my aunt. I am not looking for a monetary valuation, rather advice on a potential investment.
I am a new member to this board and was looking for a bit of advice.