Upright Pianos

The antique upright pianos were quite lucrative business in the United States and UK in the 19^th and 20^th century as they were the only form of recreation and entertainment during that era. However as western culture has spread across several countries in the world; these pianos are now more common in Third world countries like India, China  and Brazil. The companies which manufactured these pianos were prosperous. Some of the antique pianos produced during that period are:

-Mirror pianos (These were manufactured during the Second World War)

-Player Reed pianos (Produced in the 1870s and 80s)

-Post-depression upright pianos which were manufactured in the 1930s.

-Victorian square piano

-Victorian parlor piano

The early Victorian upright costs between $8000 and $ 14500.The most common manufacturers of this type of piano are Chickering, Steinway & Sons, Kranich & Bach.

A late Victorian antique piano costs anything between $8000 and $17500.Some of the reputable manufacturers of this pianos are Wing & Son, Behr brothers and Smith Barnes.

There are also Victorian baby pianos that cost anything from $17500 to $81000.

Antique pianos are a good reminder of the past and hence can serve as beautiful reminders. An antique piano exhibits a high level of skill and craftsmanship that modern pianos lack. It is original and some people who value originality might pay anything for it. Antique pianos also have aged soundboards that provide unequalled richness and clear sound. These qualities definitely improve the quality of sound and make one’s music stand out. The purchase of this type of piano is clearly a sound investment that should be encouraged especially for musicians who perform in concerts and would like to give their fans something really memorable.

Value of an upright antique piano

You can use the serial number located inside the antique piano to determine the age of the piano. This can be followed by looking up the serial number in the “Pierce Piano Atlas”. Alternatively you can consult a piano professional who will give you an expert appraisal of the piano. This is important especially if you want to insure your piano.

Another alternative is to conduct your appraisal online. The piano professional will ask for photos of your piano so that he may compare it with other similar photos of documented antiques so that the value may be determined. Remember that appraisals are expensive and it is prudent for you to shop for the best value for money.

However remember that refinishing and refurbishment of upright antique pianos does not diminish the value of the piano. In fact professional refurbishment increases the value of your antique piano because over time strings are worn out and they become loose hence requiring repair. Therefore refinishing is a smart investment. So next time you want to throw that old upright piano away remember that it could have actually appreciated in value and need not be thrown away.

In conclusion an antique upright piano is a sound investment that will add value to any home. It is refreshing, relaxing and quite a contrast to modern digital pianos that are monotonous and lack originality.