Dear List and particularly those with knowledge of older pianos,
I have a Collard & Collard upright that I am trying find the date of
manufacture. It has a 5 digit serial number hand written (upside down) on
the panel to the left of the lowest hammer. The first # is either a 3 or an
8. According to the Pierce Piano Atlas, if the number is a 3 the piano would
be around 1830 and if an 8 it would be from 1865-1870.
The piano is a straight strung upright with 85 keys(A0-A7). The dampers
are much like a modern piano. It is _not_ a birdcage. It has a peculiar ( to
me ) way of adjusting lost motion at the end of the keys. It is sort of a 2
inch piece of wood on each key that see-saws and is adjusted on each end by
screws. Each key is attached to the action by a separate short (sticker)
that can be pulled off the centerpin.
The piano has agraffes on each note. There are 8 single bass strings and
20 notes of two bass strings. The tenor and treble are all trichords. The
piano has two pedals, one soft pedal and the sustain pedal.
The white keys are rounded to mate to the sharps, which are shorter (in
height) and narrower than modern sharps.
The piano is now functional and is tuned around A430. I have considered
bringing it up higher to 435 or 440 but read last night in the archives that
in1879 Collard and Collard used A449 as their standard. But I am concerned
about strings breaking. To bring it to 430 I had to replace 10 or so strings
already. Any advice on this would be appreciated. Would restringing the
entire piano be wise? Or should I leave well enough alone and clean the
strings. They are fairly rusted.
I hope this is enough info for someone to help in determining the age
of the piano. If anyone has more questions, feel free to email me and I will
try to answer.
Thanks for your help.
Jim Love
PTG Associate
Midland, Tx.
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