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Cyndie Matthee · Nov 30, 2008, 10:43 PM

I have a very old Ernst Koch & Engel piano, and I'm trying to find out in which year this piano was manufactured, and what it's approximate value is.

On the sound board itself, the is a number "1A"

On the inside, on the back as well as the side panel, the number 11516 is punched.

Any guidance or help will be much appreciated!

Kind regards

Cyndie

Clough · Dec 1, 2008, 03:16 AM

Hi, Cyndie!

There are many factors which will come into play as far as the possible monetary value of an old upright piano. Some of them might not have to do with the age at all, but whether it's really still a viable musical instrument or not.

Below, are just a few starting questions for you.

Do all of the notes play? When was the last time that it was tuned? If you know when the last time was that it was tuned, does it hold to the standard pitch of A=440 when it has been tuned, please?

Just for a little background on me, I've been a piano tuner/technician since 1974 and am also a professional pianist. I've restored lots of pianos...

Thanks!

Clough · Dec 1, 2008, 10:59 PM

I do hope that you'll return Cyndie, because this is definitely my kind of question!

Cyndie Matthee · Dec 1, 2008, 11:20 PM

Hi there,

All of the notes play... I do not know when the last time was it was tuned, and I actually have no clue what a A+440 is...

Not very helpful... sorry...

I'm actually more interested in the age of the piano...

Clough · Dec 1, 2008, 11:28 PM

Thanks, Cyndie!

Your original question had to do with both the age and the possible monetary value of the instrument. For an old upright piano, the age isn't so much a determining factor in it's monetary value as what kind of playing condition that it might be in.

If we can determine the playing condition as well as the overall appearance of the piano, then those factors will help the most in determining the possible monetary value of it.

Thanks!

Cyndie Matthee · Dec 1, 2008, 11:35 PM

The piano is in almost perfect condition. It needs polishing, and tuning. I had the tuner here yesterday, and he was very impressed with the piano.

Unfortunately, he has no knowledge of a Ernst Koch & Engel.

We currently live in India, but the piano was brought with us from South Africa.

Cyndie Matthee · Dec 1, 2008, 11:36 PM

I could send you pictures of the piano...

Clough · Dec 1, 2008, 11:48 PM

Pictures of the piano posted right on this thread would be very helpful!

Are you saying that the piano has been freshly tuned and is up to pitch?

As far as looking up the age of your piano, I will need to dig out my books about that. I do have the Names, serial numbers as well as the dates of manufacture for literally hundreds of pianos.

Unfortunately, I have been trying to move most of my library of books into an upstairs location, so it might take me a bit of time to locate the books that I need because they are all packed away in boxes.

Most likely, your piano is listed in those books, but I can't guarantee that.

Thanks!

Clough · Dec 1, 2008, 11:52 PM

According to the following site, Piano: Koch & Engel the production of your piano began in 1896 in Berlin, Germany.

I have editions of the same book that you'll find mentioned on the site.

Clough · Dec 2, 2008, 12:07 AM

I'm going to need to go to bed now, Cyndie. You can see where I'm located underneath my avatar. It's about 1:00 A.M. in the morning here and I have to get up to go to work in the morning.

I'm usually on this site a couple of hours before this time for at least a few hours after that. I would really love to discuss your piano with you more! But, it would be best to do that at another time.

If you could post some images of it on this thread, that would be great!

Thanks!