Sic transit.... looking backwards and forwards

[David Boyce]

Oh that's interestring John.   Thank you!  I don't have a Pierce, I have the 
"Musician's Piano Atlas" (now out of print) and I am not sure how accurate 
that is either.  I didn't realise about the two factories.  The stencil (or 
hand-lettering? Or transfer?) in black on the soundboard is all in French, 
but not very legible (i speak french).  It would certainly make sense if it 
was earlier, because I was very surprised when I first looked up the date. 
Before I looked, I had suggested to the owner 1870s, and then I had to 
correct this in some surprise.  If you do get time, I'd be interested in 
what your friend says.  John, I think I owe you for a string!  I have a 
feeling I had one from you just as you were going into hospital.  Are you 
back in production? I hope you're well?  I always show off the beauty of 
your strings to the customer before I fit them.

I did take some photos with my phone.  I had to take the action out due to 
one or two little problems so took a few pics of that too.

"David, I think you'll find the Erard is far older than that.  There
are two lots of serial numbers, one for the Paris factory and one for
the London. Michel's/Pierce's "Atlas" is hopelessly inaccurate as
regards Erard.  At a guess the piano is probably from 1850-55 but I
know a colleague who could date it accurately if you should need it.

JD