Antique Pianos: Antique Upright Piano, Antique Grand Piano and Baby Grand Piano Values and Appraisal

by OnlyPiano.com

Whether you have an antique piano at home or are looking to purchase one as a collectible item, there are certain things to know about antique pianos and their values. Generally speaking, uprights and grands built at least 100 years ago are classified as antique pianos.

Types of Antique Pianos

In the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries, piano manufacturing in America was at its prime. The piano was one of the top choices for recreation during this period, and a number of companies produced beautiful, handcrafted pianos.

Today, these vintage or antique pianos are quite rare, and they can be worth quite a bit to enthusiasts and collectors. 

Some of the common types of vintage and antique pianos are:

• American Victorian Upright (produced from 1875 to 1910)

• 20^th Century American Upright (produced from 1910 until the Great Depression)

• Upright Player (produced throughout the late 19^th and early 20th centuries)

• Victorian Square Grand (produced from 1850 to 1880)

• Victorian Grand (produced from 1840 until 1910)

• 20^th Century Grand & Baby Grand (produced at the turn of the 20^th century)

• Victorian Parlor Organ (produced from late 1800s to the turn of the 20^th century)

• Mirror Pianos (produced during WWII)

• Player Reed Organs (produced in the late 1800s)

• Post-Depression Upright (produced in the 1930s)

• English Pianos (produced in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries in England)

Examples of Antique Piano Values

An early Victorian antique upright piano can be worth anywhere between $8,500 and $15,000. Some common manufacturers include Steinway & Sons, Kranich & Bach, and Chickering. A late Victorian antique upright piano can be valued between $7,500 and $18,000. Common manufacturers include Behr Brothers, Strich & Zeidler, Smith & Barnes, and Wing & Son.

An early Victorian antique baby grand piano or grand piano can be worth between $18,000 and $80,000. Common manufacturers include Steinway & Sons, Chickering, Fischer, and Weber. A late Victorian antique grand piano or baby grand piano can be valued between $16,000 and $30,000. Some common manufacturers include Sohmer, Knabe, Stultz & Bauer, and Hallet & Davis.

Prices vary from dealer to dealer and from period to period.

Why Should You Choose an Antique Piano?

Like any collectible or antique, antique pianos are beautiful relics of years past. An antique piano will exhibit craftsmanship and attention to detail that you’ll never find in modern instruments. Furthermore, authentic ivory keys have a unique beauty and touch that modern synthetic keys lack. In addition, vintage and antique pianos commonly have aged soundboards, which provide an unparalleled richness and clarity of sound. Lastly, the purchase of a rare antique grand piano or antique upright piano is a sound investment.

Where Can You Buy Antique Pianos?

Simply put, the easiest place to look for antique piano is online. However, be sure your source is a reputable dealer. You don’t want to pay antique piano prices for a replica. Also, be aware of an instrument’s history. It’s important to know if an antique baby grand piano has been refurbished or refinished. You’ll want documentation if the antique upright piano you have your eye on had its soundboard replaced. Be a savvy shopper, and don’t be afraid to ask a dealer plenty of questions. After all, you want your antique piano value to be accurate.

Determining Antique Piano Values

You can date just about any antique piano by finding its serial number (located inside the instrument) and looking it up in “The Pierce Piano Atlas.”  However, a professional antique piano appraisal is the most accurate way to determine an instrument’s worth. You might need to know the value of your antique piano for insurance or sale purposes.

Some experts will give you an appraisal of an antique piano value online or over the phone, but they’ll require numerous photos and documentation. They’ll compare your photos to photos of documented antiques and try to value your antique piano accordingly. Others insist on seeing the instrument in person to determine an accurate value. Appraisals can be expensive, so shop around for the most reasonable (and knowledgeable) piano appraiser.

The great thing about antique pianos is that refurbishment and refinishing processes do not decrease an instrument’s value. A professional refinishing actually improves antique piano value, not to mention making the piano playable again. Over time, strings deteriorate and wood can be damaged, so restoration is often a wise investment.

Now that you have a basic understanding of antique pianos and their values, you’ll be better prepared to have your instrument appraised or to find the best deal on an antique piano for sale. An antique piano is a wonderful addition to any home, and it’s a worthwhile investment to boot.

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