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Hello piano experts,
what is a fair price for an 1873 45" Steinway upright in cherry wood. It is in very good condition, I was surprised by its' age, I think the strings were replaced, no signs of rusting, every key plays no problems, key tops were replaced with non ivory (needs tuning badly) Finish is in good
condition, redone at some point, soundboard in perfect tact-

As I recall, Steinway's smallest vertical in that era was the 49 inch model E, forerunner of the V. Nice piano at one time, but the value really depends on its current condition. Steinway vertical actions were good but delicate, and parts are expensive. In addition, few people replace pin blocks on verticals, so the condition of that is really important. There are just too many variables to say what a fair price would be over the internet.

Piano will be worth only in terms how it will compare to others of same vintage.

Most others I know are worth either very little or nothing.

Good luck in your decision making.

Norbert

I think you are probably mistaken as for the age of that uprt.piano. Being 45" tall as in a studio uprt.it is probably a early mdl.45,1098 or 4510. That 1873 date was probably cast in the harp as a patent date and not it's true age. I could be wrong and I have eaten crow on occasion but not in reference to Steinway.

Hi, thanks for that insight. The number I saw was very visible when I opened the top- it was right there number 27924 105. It was not on a gold plate or anything just etched in the piano- If I post a picture would that help?? Thanks

While they may be interesting, descriptions and even pictures will not tell the whole story of a piano and do not provide a basis for an evaluation. To find out a fair price, whether the piano is from 1873 or 1973, you need to have it assessed in person by a piano technician.

Sorry for the standard response to the standard question

yes of course that seems logical- honestly I am getting the piano for next to nothing and just trying to make sure I'm not buying trouble- I did my best to assess it and it seemed very sound needing a tuning badly- all keys working with no trouble, no buzzing etc- finish is good- so I just did not want to bring it home then have to figure out how to get rid of it and pay for transport etc

A picture would help identify the piano. Old Steinway uprights have a two piece top, hinged in the middle. 45 inch Steinways have a one piece top hinged at the back. Very old Steinway uprights have cases that split so they can go through narrow doors. The sides are thicker at the back than at the front.

http://render.photos1.walmart.com/render2/is=Yup6JaQ%7C%3Dup6RKKt%3AxxYX0-qpDofRtAJf7mrPfrj7t%3DzrRfDUX%3AeQaQxg%3Dr%3F87KR6xqpxQQQlx0noxloexv8uOc5xQoPnnnPoQGQQoqpfVtB%3F*KUp7BHSHqqy7XH6qgX0QQon%7CRup60lQ%7C/of=50,240,180

I think pasting this in your browser should show you an image of the piano-at least it worked for me, I am sorry I was unable to do it any other way. Hinge is in the middle but toward front of lid. If anyone can look at the pic and give me their thoughts I would really appreciate it.

That picture is pretty small, but it looks like an old Steinway whose case has been altered. Such alterations really lower the value of the piano.

Can't load the pic! I give up!No pic!No assessment! Good luck!

If mechanically in good condition is the value still nothing?

I think I am about to win this very piano in a contest...

The serial number is a bit difficult to discern in the video, but the modifications to legs make me pretty sure that's it.

Here's a link to the video and photo gallery with some other shots. In the video, they have a couple of shots of the inside.

http://www.sonnyspianotv.com/gal_piano.php?id=26