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Two years back I restored a Chickering grand, scale number 123 a 6’6†model from 1907. Same leg style and cabinet style you have there which does not help with the dating much. But that was the leg style for that era; I have seen a few Chickerings from the same 10 year period with that leg……
You can go to my web site under my name and see the photos of that Chickering under the key “photo galleriesâ€.
Del’s memory is pretty good. The serial for that one is 109781.
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Nate Smith
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Hi Nathan,
The four digit number was almost certainly an internal number used at the factory to keep track of all of the parts for that particular piano. As was alluded earlier, that serial would be a six digit number. I have a 1925 5'4" Chickering Ampico reproducing piano, and its serial is 140103. On mine, the serial number is stamped in the wood at the front of the key bed, under where the key slip is installed.
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Thanks for the response, OperaTenor. If you looked at my images, you saw that I took a picture of a number that was stamped or embossed into the wood of the key bed under where the action would slide in and rest.
The # stamped there is 1724, the last two digits being the retrograde of every other instance of the number 1742 that I found about 6 times elsewhere on the piano.
Nathan
Nate Smith
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The "1724" in your photo is in the key bed itself. On mine, the serial number is stamped in the finished portion in front of that, where the key slip is mounted on the front of the key bed.
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Just to confirm an earlier comment, the Smithsonian does indeed hold the records of the Chickering piano company. Once you know the serial number, you can look on microfilm (which they have reams of) to find out what year the piano was sold, and to whom (dealer or private individual). I was there doing research on the pianist George Copeland, who was a Chickering artist for several years. Unfortunately, Chickering didn't save any of their artist records, but there was a copy of a long-winded speech on the occasion of Chickering's 100th anniversary given by a former governor of Massachusetts, one Calvin Coolidge...
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Just to confirm an earlier comment, the Smithsonian does indeed hold the records of the Chickering piano company. Once you know the serial number, you can look on microfilm (which they have reams of) to find out what year the piano was sold, and to whom (dealer or private individual). I was there doing research on the pianist George Copeland, who was a Chickering artist for several years. Unfortunately, Chickering didn't save any of their artist records, but there was a copy of a long-winded speech on the occasion of Chickering's 100th anniversary given by a former governor of Massachusetts, one Calvin Coolidge... WOW! I'm going to have to look into this. Thanks, PianoDude2010.
Nate Smith
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I guess this post is dead now. Thanks for everyone's help.
Nathan
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Piano Blue Book I have just been a recipient of a Chickering Grand piano..and I was doing some research and found the above site, where you could find out approximately when your Chickering was born. It states however, that the serial number 100 was made in 1823 and then it jumps to 10,000 in 1850, so your piano was made during that quarter century. Please let me know if you find some other site with more detailed information! Nancy
Piano Obsession Log: Began Piano 12/25/09 on Yamaha starter digital keyboard Playing on circa 1917/18 Chickering Grand Piano since July 2010 Finished Alfred Book 1-August 2010 Started Book 2--August 11, 2010 Alfred Favorites Book ![[Linked Image]](http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/6058/alfredslevel1.jpg)
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My piano has the serial number stamped on the gold pieces when you pick up the lid..on the side. It is definitely a stamp, so I don't think that smaller number 1,700 would be a serial number, I'm sure that they would have used a more sophisticated marking. Good luck in your quest!
Question for the Smithsonian archives...can you access this on-line? Or do you have to go to DC?
Thank you!
Nancy
Piano Obsession Log: Began Piano 12/25/09 on Yamaha starter digital keyboard Playing on circa 1917/18 Chickering Grand Piano since July 2010 Finished Alfred Book 1-August 2010 Started Book 2--August 11, 2010 Alfred Favorites Book
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It states however, that the serial number 100 was made in 1823 and then it jumps to 10,000 in 1850, so your piano was made during that quarter century. Please let me know if you find some other site with more detailed information!
Nancy It has been established that the number on this piano is not the actual serial number. The piano is a Scale 121 Quarter Grand. These pianos did not go into production until around 1900. ddf
Delwin D Fandrich
Piano Research, Design & Manufacturing Consultant
ddfandrich@gmail.com
(To contact me privately please use this e-mail address.)
Stupidity is a rare condition, ignorance is a common choice. --Anon
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Piano Blue Book I have just been a recipient of a Chickering Grand piano..and I was doing some research and found the above site, where you could find out approximately when your Chickering was born. It states however, that the serial number 100 was made in 1823 and then it jumps to 10,000 in 1850, so your piano was made during that quarter century. Please let me know if you find some other site with more detailed information! Nancy Nancy, What serial number is on your piano? I have been unable to locate the serial number on my piano. Nathan
Nate Smith
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My piano has the serial number stamped on the gold pieces when you pick up the lid..on the side. It is definitely a stamp, so I don't think that smaller number 1,700 would be a serial number, I'm sure that they would have used a more sophisticated marking. Good luck in your quest!
Question for the Smithsonian archives...can you access this on-line? Or do you have to go to DC?
Thank you!
Nancy Nancy - I have contacted the Smithsonian via email to ask them this very question. I haven't heard a response as of yet. I will let you folks know what I find out. Nathan
Nate Smith
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No responses from Smithsonian yet...still waiting...
Nathan
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What I have seen is that the records are on microfilm, no other medium.
Have you looked under the hammer rail for a date on the action?
Semipro Tech
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What I have seen is that the records are on microfilm, no other medium.
Have you looked under the hammer rail for a date on the action? No - I shall check there next. I'm not where I can look at the moment...did you happen to check out the image gallery I posted of my piano? There was one number "761852" That I thought might be a date...I don't know what else it could be, since Chickering serials don't go that high. Nathan
Last edited by nateplayspiano; 07/10/10 08:24 AM.
Nate Smith
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sorry - not 761986, but "761852".
Nathan
Nate Smith
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This is the message I received from the Smithsonian:
"Dear Mr. Smith,
Unfortunately, the microfilm is not available for interlibrary loan and none of the collection is accessible online. Attached is a copy of the Chickering & Sons Collection finding aid. We’ll be happy to answer any questions or make photocopies of the collection material. Photocopies are $0.35 per page."
If you want to find out more. Write archivescenter@si.edu & ask them.
Nathan
Last edited by nateplayspiano; 07/12/10 10:46 PM.
Nate Smith
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New message from the Smithsonian. Sent 7/13/2010:
"Dear Nathan,
We’re currently researching the costs for getting microfilm digitized rather than copied. I’ll be more able to respond to your request in a week or so.
Kay Peterson
Archives Center"
Nathan
Last edited by nateplayspiano; 07/13/10 11:44 AM.
Nate Smith
Smith Piano Servicing
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