I got my piano at an estate sale so I don't know to much about it. I was considering having it restored but don't know if it would be worth it. Here's some info I found on it- these numbers were stamped in it. 1143. 25781 with a w written in pencil. Ctrail. The name plate says John Broadwood & sons. Manufactured to her majesty, great pulleney street, golden square London. It also had an old letter in it written with a qwill pen. Any info would be great
Thanks

Broadwoods are one of the finest English Pianos.
When you say you dont know if it is worth restoring, it depends what you mean, If you are going to keep it, then yes big time. If you are looking to make a profit, then having it fully restored will usually negate any profit.
Are you in the UK?

Hi Eric, could you pleasepost some pictures of your beautiful Broadwood to see if it is an art cased , or a pre 1850's broadwood etc.

Broadwood serial numbers vary according type of piano. It's impossible to give you some idea of date without more details.

If you can upload a selection of photos (including photos of any numbers found) it would help a great deal toward finding more information.

"Worth it" can mean a number of things. What do YOU mean? For example, are you wondering if you can make money out of the transaction? Or, do you mean is it technically feasable? Or, are you wondering whether it will be a top caliber performer when its done? Or, ?????

Hi, I'm in Australia and want to know more about a John Broadwood and Sons piano to decide what to do with it. Hoping someone knows something about it How do I add pics?

If it is an English piano it cannot be good, the only good pianos are Pleyels (French ) !

just joking...

Finest brand in UK, Beethoven had one (but he was deaf, no luck

I have seen really nice ones even a square, even a wooden framed vertical. Pics will allow anyone to write.

I've seen great Broadwoods, and terrible Broadwoods, and everything in between. At their best they were producing some of the best pianos in the world, but they changed hands many times and production was interrupted and changed. A serial number (usually printed on the plate somewhere) and some pictures will help. You will need to upload the pictures to another website and link to them.

If you had asked about buying an old piano before your purchase, the unanimous answer would have been to have it checked out by a piano technician in advance.

Now that you are the new owner, getting an expert in to view and assess the instrument regarding its value for restoration would be the appropriate thing to do. Although we (in cyber-land) are always interested and curious, as well as willing to give long distance help (and in some cases long-distance diagnosis of problems) you still have to deal with someone local in the end.

I would imagine at least a half of your question could be answered by having a pianist play it !
When I was visiting Sydney my daughter took me to the Kimbriky dump - there were two perfectly restorable pianos in a container, $50 a piece I guess it all depends on your requirements and determination ?