> Really? I'm looking at a listing of the E.M. Frederick Historical Piano > collection (Ashburnham, MA) - he is a dealer and restorer, and that 1850 > Pleyel fits in rather nicely (right next to the 1850 Erard). And then > there's the ad Ed Swenson (Trumansburg, NY) keeps running in the Journal > for historical pianos in any condition, up to 1850. I wouldn't give > anything away without first checking with one of them. Let's wait and see > what Stephen Birkett has to say, shall we, before offering advice - after > all, that's his field of expertise... > I emailed directly to the person asking about the Pleyel...asking for serial number and some details. A piano c1850 certainly has some historical value (regardless of condition)...serial number will confirm the date. I recently came across a supposedly `1805' piano that was actually an 1832. An `1850' piano may be more accurately much earlier....hence quite valuable. With Pleyels the serial number will tell. Chopin's Pleyels were 1839 and 1847. I know a local Pleyel which I date at 1852. The difference of five years from Chopin's is notable. (e.g. the 1852 has a capo tasto, the 1847 doesn't).
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