Valuation of Mason & Hamlin A

[Frank Weston]

I have bought and sold two similar instruments in the past year.  In the
condition you describe, in the D.C. area, the piano could go retail to the
general public for $3000 to $8000 depending on luck and patience.  I would
not pay more than $3500 wholesale.  If the piano were completely
restored/refurbished/remanufactured to like new it might realistically
bring $12,000 to $18,000 retail.  So, here are my numbers:  wholesale
$3000, retail as is $6000, refurbished retail $14,000.  For tax purposes,
your client could probably claim somewhere between the $6000 and the
$14,000 figure.  Let her conscience be her guide, your mileage may vary.

Frank Weston
----------
> From: Maxpiano@aol.com
> To: pianotech@ptg.org
> Subject: Valuation of Mason & Hamlin A
> Date: Thursday, June 18, 1998 7:18 PM
> 
> List -
> 
> A customer of mine has just given her Mason & Hamlin A 32775 (1925) to
her
> church, and they want a knowledgeable appraisal to pass on to her for her
tax
> records.
> 
> The piano is all original except that it was refinished some time back,
the
> plastic key tops suggest a 1950's replacement, and the rusty nickel
plated
> tuning pins speak to me of repinning about the same time.  Slight
cracking in
> soundboard but no buzzes.
> 
> Tone is very mellow, almost muted.  Good candidate for a rebuild.
> 
> With the flurry of interest in valuation, can anyone suggest a ballpark
> figure?
> 
> Bill Maxim, RPT
> Simpsonville, SC