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<DIV>I thought I would post this again, since there has been no replies, =
and I
hoped to get some word back to the folks soon!</DIV>
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<DIV>List, I was sent on an appraisal today, the subject=
being a beautiful <BR>Knabe Square Grand piano, serial #18200. This =
number
was stamped on an <BR>edge of the lid. I am not knowledgeable about =
these,
so I said that I <BR>would do some research for them, to see if we could
ascertain a ballpark <BR>value.<BR> The case was =
refinished,
and it appears to have also been re-pinned <BR>and re-strung, he said about=
20-30 years ago. Whoever did it did what <BR>looks like a credible
job. The piano is beautiful. Plate either <BR>re-painted or =
just in
good appearance, no cracks that I could see in <BR>either the plate or the=
soundboard. I got under it and saw several <BR>cracks in the
keybed.<BR> The action had hammers sticking up, so I didn=
't
even want to take <BR>the time to remove the action, or risk breaking off
hammers. I would <BR>assume that the action would need to be =
completely
restored. There were <BR>damper levers way out of line (easily seen
because they are on the top <BR>side of the plate), and 3 damper lifters (?=
) out
of their guide rail <BR>holes, just laying on top of the plate. The
ivories were in very good condition.<BR> Can anyone out =
there
give me their opinion on what I should do for a <BR>value, and what it =
would
cost to restore the action? Or maybe someone <BR>out there is =
interested
in purchasing this piano for restoration <BR>purposes? I tried to =
explain
to them that the value of this was as a <BR>collector's item, not so much =
as an
instrument, but they wanted me to do <BR>the research for them. It is=
a
beautiful piece, and if the number is <BR>indeed the serial number, it is
between 1875 and 1880, with the carved <BR>legs and music desk.<BR><BR>=
Anyone
responding may respond privately to: clarks11628@juno.com, or on <BR>the =
list if
they so desire. Thanks to all!<BR><BR>Clark Sprague,
RPT<BR> &=
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