Old Chickering

[Wimblees]

In a message dated 98-01-26 19:15:29 EST, you write:

>Just had a phone call from a dealer nearby who had a question about an "old"
>Chickering grand that he is considering purchasing. 
>There is no serial number that he can find.... the piano was "rebuilt" around
>10 years ago, refinished, new strings, sprayed plate, new keytops, very
>little else, if anything. 
>
>He describes the thing as 6'4" with a wide tail. The one thing he did notice
>is that it has the original pinblock in at least three sections.
>
>His questions include age and possible value. I told him I'd need to see the
>beast, but would run it past the list to see if any ya'll had any thoughts.
>
>Any thoughts?
>
>Paul E. Dempsey



Paul:

I bought and rebuilt a Chickering comparable to the one you just described. I
would consider mine an "art case", in that it has double fancy leags on each
corner. The wood is mahogany, and the finish came out breautiful. It has four
pin block section, all screwed in from underneath.  I replaced the hammers,
shanks and flanges, (wood flanges). All ivory keys tops are in perfect
condition, although they are yellowish. 

I bought the piano fro $1500, and spent about $5000, including the finish,
restoring it. I am trying to sell it for $15,000, but no takers yet. 

Willem Blees RPT
St. Louis