My wife and I bought a Marshall & Wendell baby grand a few years ago at a yard sale without knowing its history. It needs some restoration work, and we're trying to determine if it's worth pursuing. What I'm not clear on is how to determine the piano's age. The *only* 'numbers' I can find are behind the keyslip and under the music stand tray (have to slide out and turn over). Nothing underneath the strings or close to the treble portion of strings/soundboard. Here are the pictures:
The piano -
Behind keyslip:
Under music stand:
There is nothing on the soundboard or frame like other Marshall & Wendell pianos I've seen:
The only reference I see to Marshall & Wendell serial numbers start with 26500 in 1900. Is this piano then something from the 1800s, or am I misinterpreting the serial for a part number? Would part numbers be stamped in these areas?
My theories are that either
1) Yes, this is a really old Marshall & Wendell and that's why it doesn't look like some of the others from the 1900s that I see on eBay or wherever
2) No, this is some cheap stencil piano made to look like Marshall & Wendell, and the 2314 isn't a serial number related to M&W.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
Michael
The piano -
Behind keyslip:
Under music stand:
There is nothing on the soundboard or frame like other Marshall & Wendell pianos I've seen:
The only reference I see to Marshall & Wendell serial numbers start with 26500 in 1900. Is this piano then something from the 1800s, or am I misinterpreting the serial for a part number? Would part numbers be stamped in these areas?
My theories are that either
1) Yes, this is a really old Marshall & Wendell and that's why it doesn't look like some of the others from the 1900s that I see on eBay or wherever
2) No, this is some cheap stencil piano made to look like Marshall & Wendell, and the 2314 isn't a serial number related to M&W.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
Michael
The serial number on a Marshall amp is usually located on the back panel of the chassis but some amplifiers made between 1979 and 1980 had the number on the front panel. From July 1969 to December 1983, the letter denoting the year was put after the serial number. Marshall & Traver was a retailer of pianos, organs and related musical instruments. Marshall & Traver began building instruments under their own name in 1853. Their factory was located on James Street, Albany. James was admitted into partnership and the firm was reorganized as Marshall, James & Traver. In 1868 James & Traver withdrew from the firm and Mr. Wendell was admitted into partnership.
- Serial Numbers Does it have a serial number stamped on the chassis? Marshall amps began featuring aluminum back panels in 1969. Serial numbers began appearing on the back panels in July 1969. Note that some models produced from 1979-81 had serial numbers stamped on the front panel (to the left of the power switch).
- Marshall 1987 (50w non-master) through 4x12 with G12H-30's= instant 70's rock sound. IMHO Hiwatt, Orange/Matamp and Sound City are all good and priceworthy alternatives, but for a good basic rock/metal amp, i like the Marshall the most.
- Marshall amplifier serial number dating - Register and search over 40 million singles: matches and more. Join the leader in footing services and find a date today. Join and search! Is the number one destination for online dating with more marriages than any other dating or personals site.
The Marshall & Wendell Piano Company was originally established as Marshall & Traver in Albany, NY in 1836. Marshall & Traver was a retailer of pianos, organs and related musical instruments. Marshall & Traver began building instruments under their own name in 1853. Their factory was located on James Street, Albany. In 1855 Mr. Amos C. James was admitted into partnership and the firm was reorganized as Marshall, James & Traver. In 1868 James & Traver withdrew from the firm and Mr. C. V. Wendell was admitted into partnership. The firm was once again reorganized as “Marshall & Wendell”. In 1882, the firm was officially incorporated as “The Marshall & Wendell Piano Company“.
During the late 19th Century, Marshall & Wendell built several lines of square, grand, and upright pianos, all of superior quality. The firm also manufactured upright pianos under the names of “Little Gem” and “Boudoir Gem” and square grand pianos under the name of “Parlor Gem“.
In 1900 the firm moved headquarters from Albany to Rochester, New York and continued rapid growth and success. After the turn-of-the-century, Marshall & Wendell instruments continued to be considered to be made of superior quality and fine craftsmanship. Their small grand pianos were particularly popular because of their exceptional design and tone quality. Marshall & Wendell specialized in building elaborate “art-case” pianos in historic and period design styles. Many of these pianos were equipped with the “AMPICO” reproducing player mechanism, allowing the piano to play by itself with expression with human interpretation.
Marshall & Wendell retained their own art department of skilled painters and carvers who specialized in building custom-designed instruments on special order. In the early 20th Century, it was not uncommon for a wealthy client to visit the Marshall & Wendell, choose the instrument they preferred among all others, then have the factory commission their art department build a custom cabinet around the instrument they chose. Once a piano was chosen for it’s tone quality, a small fortune was then spent to have the cabinet custom made to suit the client’s décor! Many of these custom-built Marshall & Wendell pianos were incredibly expensive to produce and were remarkable works of art.
Like most major American piano manufactures, Marshall & Wendell was absorbed into the Aeolian-American Corporation due to the Great Depression. Aeolian continued to produce the Marshall & Wendell brand name until the 1950s.
Can you find your instrument listed in these antique catalogs?
Sales Brochure for Marshall & Wendell Piano Company featuring their line of upright, grand and player pianos, circa 1920
Color Illustrated Catalog for Marshall & Wendell Piano Company, featuring their line of upright grand and player pianos, Circa 1930
19th Century Advertisements for The Marshall & Wendell Piano Company
Late 19th Century Advertisements For The “Little Gem” Brand Upright Piano, Manufactured By Marshall & Wendell Piano Company
Dating Marshall Amps By Serial Number
Late 19th Century Advertisement For The “Parlor Gem” Brand Square Grand Piano, Manufactured By Marshall & Wendell Piano
Marshall Serial Numbers
Browse the Antique Piano instruments we have for sale!