Piano serial numbers

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So sorry for the delay!!! Life got in the way :-)

Thank you so much for offering to look up this info for all of us. What I have is a piano-forte that was manufactured by F. Yaniewicz which I beieve is Felix Yaniewicz. I am guessing that this instrument is from the late 1790's. I have included some info on Felix...

"Janiewicz, Feliks [ Feliks Yaniewicz] (b Wilno, 1762; d Edinburgh, 1848). Polish violinist and composer. Violinist in royal chapel of King of Poland 1777–84. Visited Vienna 1785, meeting Haydn and Mozart; then 3 years in It.; Paris 1787–90. Visited Eng. 1792, playing in London, Bath, Liverpool, and Manchester. Took part in Haydn's London concerts 1794. Settled in Liverpool 1800, founding publishing firm 1803. One of founders of Phil. Soc., London. Lived in Edinburgh from 1815, retiring in 1829. Comp. vn. concs., chamber mus., etc."

There seems to be no indication that he ever built piano and I suspect that if he did they were very few. The serial number of mine is 4 and is hand painted with his signature.
Thanks for any info.

Rich
 
HI Rich

Wow, that is rare! All I can find in my book is that it says: Felix Yaniewics and that's it. I am so sorry that there isn't more; I would love to know more about this too. Can you play it, have it tuned, what does it sound like? Thanks Rich, Gary
 
Hi Gary!

You were my last hope!!! :-) I've had many people look at it and everyone just shakes their head. It is in very fine condition but it needs a little work on the mechanism. It still retains the hand painted wood harp cover (This just goes over the strings. Not the case cover) Some keys play and some don't. The sostenuto pedal is missing. The leg is there but the foot pedal is missing. It's a spectacular piece. I have wanted one for many years and was very fortunate to find one that was a "sleeper" at an auction. Only one other person wanted it besides me.

I will see if I can post some pics for you if you would like to see it.

Thank you for trying to find info for me.

Rich
 
Phil and Rich

HI Phil, I would think that the rectangle on the plate and stamped into the pin block would be the serial number. Wing and Sons went out of business in 1928. Too bad too, they made some really good pianos. The depression took out a lot of piano companies.

Hi Rich, I would love to see some pictures of your forte piano. Sorry I couldn't find out more. Gary
 
What an incredible piece of music history you have there! That really is one gorgeous piece, and incredibly rare to be in such condition.

Do treasure it forever! To own something like this, especially in the United states, which was very young at the time, is something that very few can claim.
 
Thanks, Brandon!

I do treasure it :-) I do think that someone has put some work into it. The felts look fairly new and some of the strings look new but it seems to have been done by a pro.

I don't know if this came over to the states very early in its life. The auction gallery that I purchased it from works on an international level. Either way it's a pleasure to look at and daydream about who may have played on this instrument. The sound is very thin and metalic. There are youtube videos of these piano-fortes being played. Do a youtube search for square piano and you will find many! It's an aquired sound!!

Rich[this post was last edited: 11/27/2011-13:54]
 
Rich

Rich, Wow, you have a wonderful piano; I have never seen one in a person's house. I have seen one similar to yours in the Smithsonian Institute. Congratulations on such a find and thanks for all of the pictures. Gary
 
Thanks, Gary

I consider myself lucky to be one of the custodians of such a nice piece of possible music history.

Now I need to find someone to possibly work on it. My tech was very hesitant and he's been a tech for more than 30 years.

Rich
 
There are only a very select few groups of people in the country that know much about these!

I dont know if you are a member or not, but PIanoworld is gotta be the number one source of knowledge for this stuff! Check it out!
 

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