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Anyone out there know anything about the Huntington Piano Company of Shelton, CT.?

My girlfriend and I are searching for history information about a piano she was given by her Mom & Dad. The piano is an upright made by the Huntington Piano Company in Shelton, CT. the serial number on the piano is 10855.

Her parents purchased the piano in 1966 in a second-hand store in Fort Collins Colorado. It has what looks to be three hand-painted symbols under the cover in black paint.

Here's what we do know... The Huntington Piano Company in Shelton was opened by the Sterling Piano Factory in Derby, CT probably around 1900. We would like to know exactly when the factory in Shelton was opened and when it was closed.

We think the piano was manufactured between 1894-1902 but would love to know exactly when.

We would also like to find out who originally purchsed the piano.

Does anyone know how to get more info? Does anyone out there have a Huntington with a serial number close to this one and know the age?

Thanks in advance!

Per the Piano Atlas, Huntington Piano Co.(est. 1896) was indeed controlled by Sterling. Serial numbers for Huntington pianos stop in 1960, so it is a good bet that is when the company either became part of someone else or ceased to exist. If you use the Huntington serial number, the piano dates to 1931. Newer than you think, but there is a wrinkle...

Some Huntington pianos used Winter serial numbers. If yours is a Winter numbered piano, the serial number dates it to 1904, which is more in keeping with your estimate of it's age.

Magnezium just posted a great history of Sterling, where he mentions the Shelton factory. You might want to look up his post under the "My Piano's Brand" message heading.

But perhaps the larger question is, what kind of shape is it in? Are there plans for restoration? What does your piano tech think of it?

Enjoy!

Steve

[ July 09, 2001: Message edited by: Steve Miller ]

[ July 09, 2001: Message edited by: Steve Miller ]

[ July 09, 2001: Message edited by: Steve Miller ]

(Hmmm - this new software tattles on me every time I go back and fix a typo. Guess I should be more careful.)

Hi. I just bought a Huntington piano, refinshed. The guy said it was 6 years old, but I know it cannote be. Serial number is 109263. Does anyone know how old it is? Wish I knew the worth, I guess I can only hope that it was refinshed well and I didn't pay more than it's worth. Thanks!

Lisa, I wonder if you've set a new record for replying to the oldest (7 years!) thread on here... Looks like you DID do the right thing and use the search function, though (otherwise you probably wouldn't have found this thread).

The piano was built in 1931. That makes it 77 years old. Refinishing only takes care of the outward appearance of the piano. For a musician, the internal condition is much more important.


Oh, and Steve Miller, if you still post here.... That 5-digit serial number the OP mentioned would date to 1900.

(For both numbers, I looked under Huntington Piano Co in the Pierce atlas.)

I am using Larry Fine's "The Piano Book" as a reference, but it doesn't have Huntington pianos in it. There is a piano for sale that I may be interested in that is a Huntington serial number 157669. Does anyone have a reference book that could look up what year this was from and perhaps give me an idea of the performance of the piano.

"Performance: This is a measure, relative to other pianos of the same or similar size, of how well a piano plays, sounds, and looks when new, after reasonably thorough preparation by the dealer commensurate with the price of the piano" (Fine).

Quote taken from Larry Fine's "The Piano Book"

Hi, I'm reviving and old topic, I hope this is OK.

I've switched to a DP this fall and gotten used to the sound and action. I tried my old upright again last night after several months of not playing it, was not impressed, and decided to sell it to make space in the living room.

It's a Huntington, serial number 50023, apparently from about 1917 according to the tech. The sound board is slightly cracked. It was "restored" and painted white in the 1980s. Last time it was tuned (a year ago), we set it to 435 Hz, not 440, because the technician was afraid a string might break. It is now obviously out of tune.

I'd like to know if it might worth anything or if I should just give it away to the first caller.

Thanks,

'bob'

Sadly, give it away to the first caller but insist they move it

If someone actually responds, pay them a little to remove it.

Peter Grey Piano Doctor

Hum, that's what I was afraid of: negative value. I'll offer it for free then.

Well, my Huntington is gone, someone "purchased" it (for $0) for a beginner pianist as a Xmas gift. I'm happy (I did not have to lift a finger, and now I have more space in the living room), the 'buyer' is happy and the recipient is happy. This century old piano might have some life left in it!

A century old piano with just a little bit of life left in it is better than no piano at all!

Congratulations!

Rick