[adelerhoda]

Have an upright piano which we inherited from our grandmother. It could be about 140 years old maybe more. The name J Otto Berlin is carved in the wood. At the moment it's placed in a room as a piece of furniture as no one plays it any more. How would I go about finding out if it is of value.
Thank you

[joypulv]

Carol (Carl) Otto was a famous piano company in Berlin, Germany. I don't know about a J Otto.
See pianoshop.co.uk for several pictures and prices people are asking.
But you need to hire a piano tuner. If the soundboard is cracked it will be worth very little.

[Fr_Chuck]

Agree, I see many Otto Berllin and some C Otto Berlin but not finding any info on a J.

When you say "carved" where is it carved, on the back or inside ?

There was a J Otto Lessmann who in the late 1800 was a composer in Berlin

and there was a J Otto who was a Cantor and music director in Berllin during that time frame also.

But most old pianos get value from its history, who owned it, where it was bought, and the more info or date, bills of sales, photos of it at other places. I had one that used to the piano at a movie house ( before sound) that was played during the shows, it had more value as a historical item.

Most older pianos have little value and if it could ever be tuned without breaking the sound board ( if it is not already cracked) makes a big difference from even several hundred dollars than one you offer on craigslist to be hualed free or have to pay to get rid of.