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I have a baby grand ornate Wurlitzer piano which I bought in

 
Mr. Taylor, MM, CAGO's Avatar
  • Answered by:Mr. Taylor, MM, CAGO
  • Musician/Appraiser
  • Positive Feedback: 99.2 %
  • Accepted Answers: 2899
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in Musical Instrument Appraisal

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Customer Question

I have a baby grand ornate Wurlitzer piano which I bought in the early 60's. I cannot find and markings on it other than the name. I would like to sell it as I am moving within a year.

 



Already Tried:
Looked on line but prices vary greatly.

Submitted: 361 days and 8 hours ago.
Category: Musical Instrument Appraisal
Value: $40
Status: CLOSED
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Expert:  Mr. Taylor, MM, CAGO replied 361 days and 8 hours ago.

Hi, did you buy it new? What is the condition and how often is it tuned? What is the finish?


Customer replied 361 days and 8 hours ago.

No it was old when I bought it. The condition is good. The finish is black with brown undertones (mahogony?) It has not been tuned in a while since nobody plays it now.

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Expert:  Mr. Taylor, MM, CAGO replied 361 days and 8 hours ago.

You should be able to find a serial number on the iron frame that holds the strings. It is normally by the tuning pins, underneath where the music rack is.

Customer replied 361 days and 8 hours ago.

Will that tell you how old it is? Also, do you need that number now or can I get back to you? If you need it now, I need to go downstairs and check it out and it will take me a little while.

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Expert:  Mr. Taylor, MM, CAGO replied 361 days and 8 hours ago.

Yes, it will give me the age. You can get back to me if you like, whatever works for you.


Customer replied 361 days and 8 hours ago.

If you can hang on, I will go downstairs and check right now.

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Expert:  Mr. Taylor, MM, CAGO replied 361 days and 8 hours ago.

Sure, thanks.


Customer replied 361 days and 8 hours ago.

I did not find any other writing. I pulled the music stand all the way out and found nothing on the case. Could it be elsewhere? (By the way, the legs are ornately carved as is the music stand.)

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Expert:  Mr. Taylor, MM, CAGO replied 361 days and 8 hours ago.

Please go to this webpage below which shows other locations for a serial on your grand piano:


http://www.pianoatlas.com/serial.html



Customer replied 361 days and 8 hours ago.

How do I get back to you if I lose you?

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Expert:  Mr. Taylor, MM, CAGO replied 361 days and 8 hours ago.

You can copy the web address above, or just come back to the webpage, login and select "my questions".

Customer replied 361 days and 8 hours ago.

Ok I will get back to you when I'm done.

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Expert:  Mr. Taylor, MM, CAGO replied 361 days and 7 hours ago.

Ok thanks.

Customer replied 361 days and 6 hours ago.

I went over the piano with a power light and found no serial number in any of the places suggested by pianoatlas.com. Now what?

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Expert:  Mr. Taylor, MM, CAGO replied 361 days and 6 hours ago.

Are you able to attach a photo?

Customer replied 361 days and 6 hours ago.

Not today. I will try and get a few to you tomorrow. What exactly do you want pictures of?

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Expert:  Mr. Taylor, MM, CAGO replied 361 days and 6 hours ago.

Just an overall picture would be fine, showing the detail in the legs. One of the inside near the tuning pins would be nice too. Thanks!

Customer replied 361 days and 6 hours ago.

OK Tomorrow then.

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Expert:  Mr. Taylor, MM, CAGO replied 361 days and 6 hours ago.

Ok, thanks

Customer replied 360 days and 11 hours ago.

I cannot seem to find my digital camera, but I took pictures with my phone. Can I send them to you that way? If not, I can try to take pictures with my Ipad and send them to you that way.

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Expert:  Mr. Taylor, MM, CAGO replied 360 days and 10 hours ago.

Probably the easiest way would be to send them XXXXX@XXXXXX.XXX and make sure you copy and paste the web address of this question so they know to get them to me. Thanks

Customer replied 360 days and 4 hours ago.

Found my camera. Will take pics tomorrow and send them to you.

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Expert:  Mr. Taylor, MM, CAGO replied 360 days and 4 hours ago.

Ok thanks

Customer replied 359 days and 9 hours ago.

I sent you pictures from snapfish. I already got my copy and I hope you will get them too. I sent them to the email address you gave me and put your name and my query number in the message.

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Expert:  Mr. Taylor, MM, CAGO replied 359 days and 5 hours ago.

Ok. All you have to do is email them directly to that address I gave you for the quickest response time.

Customer replied 356 days and 14 hours ago.

Just wondering if you recieved my pictures from snapfish?

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Expert:  Mr. Taylor, MM, CAGO replied 356 days and 13 hours ago.

No I didn't. Again, you will need to email them directly XXXXX@XXXXXX.XXX. Just send an email attaching the photos to it. Make sure to include the web address here so they know to get them to me. Thanks

Customer replied 356 days and 10 hours ago.

what is the web address?

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Expert:  Mr. Taylor, MM, CAGO replied 356 days and 10 hours ago.

Just copy and paste what's in the address bar which is the web address of this question.

Customer replied 356 days and 10 hours ago.

I don't know how to do that. Please explain.

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Expert:  Mr. Taylor, MM, CAGO replied 356 days and 9 hours ago.

The web address, the part that starts with www. Copy and paste that into your email XXXXX@XXXXXX.XXX with your pictures. Otherwise they won't know how to get them to me.

Customer replied 355 days and 16 hours ago.

I know what the web address is. How do I copy and paste it?

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Expert:  Mr. Taylor, MM, CAGO replied 355 days and 15 hours ago.

Right click on it. Select copy. Right click on the text entry box in your email. Select paste.

Customer replied 355 days and 5 hours ago.

I think I did it right. Please let me know. Thanks for your help.

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Expert:  Mr. Taylor, MM, CAGO replied 355 days and 2 hours ago.

Ok, I'll let you know when I get them.

Customer replied 354 days and 5 hours ago.

I guess you didn't get them. What now?

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Expert:  Mr. Taylor, MM, CAGO replied 354 days and 5 hours ago.

Still haven't got them. I'll email them to see if they have heard from you. If you didn't include the web address for the question or didn't send them from the email you signed up here with then they won't know how to get them to me. I'll let you know as soon as I get them.

Customer replied 353 days and 16 hours ago.

I copied and pasted the web address just as you instructed. put it in the subject line.

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Expert:  Mr. Taylor, MM, CAGO replied 353 days and 16 hours ago.

Ok. Again, I have not heard from them regarding what you sent them or my follow up. It can take some time depending on their workload. I will contact you as soon as I see something.

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Expert:  Mr. Taylor, MM, CAGO replied 353 days and 12 hours ago.

They emailed back saying they hadn't gotten anything from you. They did suggest another way to get the photos to me. Here are instructions:

I also wanted to mention a site called imgur.com that's really great for sharing picures. It's free, and all you need to do is go to the site and:

1. click the "Computer" button
2. double click the image on your computer
3. click "start upload"

Then just copy/paste the new link in the imgur's browser window and supply your Professional with the link by posting it in the reply box on your question page.

Customer replied 352 days and 15 hours ago.

hthttp://imgur.com/YkAyk

http://imgur.com/awkmN

http://imgur.com/haGhc

http://imgur.com/3WvRR

http://imgur.com/yVIfG

http://imgur.com/yVIfG

http://imgur.com/g9upb

Customer replied 352 days and 15 hours ago.

I hope this worked.

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Expert:  Mr. Taylor, MM, CAGO replied 352 days and 13 hours ago.

Thank you! I got all those just fine. Do you have one that shows an overall view of the instrument?


Customer replied 352 days and 7 hours ago.

YAY! I will send you one of those tomorrow. (Have to take one.)

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Expert:  Mr. Taylor, MM, CAGO replied 352 days and 4 hours ago.

Ok, thanks

Customer replied 351 days and 15 hours ago.

http://imgur.com/A5c5n

http://imgur.com/A5c5n

http://imgur.com/LdA7K

http://imgur.com/P2toX

Accepted Answer

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Expert:  Mr. Taylor, MM, CAGO replied 351 days and 14 hours ago.

Thank you for the photos and providing everything I need to make an informed answer!


The case is lovely and the detailed carvings definitely add value above what a similar piano with plain case would be valued at. That said, there are some factors here that will keep the piano's value on the lower end: the very old age and the Wurlitzer name. Pianos depreciate with age and will not gain value unless costly restorative work is undertaken. Wurlitzer made a whole lot of pianos but they were not a competitor with other major brands in regards XXXXX XXXXX A piano gets most of its value from the condition and quality of the mechanical action, not the outside case.


Based on the age, maker, size, style, the photos and current piano market, this ornate Wurlitzer baby grand from the early 20th century would be valued at approximately $3,500-$4,200 in a private sale. Best wishes!


Once I have answered your question, please press ACCEPT if our conversation is complete as that is the only way I am compensated for the time and research I personally put into your individual question. Pressing Accept does not charge you again it just credits me for my work. If you need more information, please press REPLY so I can help you further. Please press either Accept or Reply before leaving this page so I know how to proceed. Positive feedback is very beneficial to me and, if you are able to take a minute once the process is over to leave some I would greatly appreciate it. If you have reason to leave less than positive feedback, please contact me first so I can ensure you are properly assisted with your question. Thanks and best wishes!


Expert TypeMusician/Appraiser
Category: Musical Instrument Appraisal
Pos. Feedback: 99.2 %
Accepts: 2899
Answered: 5/26/2012

Experience: Master's degree in Music. Member, AOA. 22 years of training & experience.

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Customer replied 349 days and 9 hours ago.

Do you have any idea of its age. I know its old, but how old?

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Expert:  Mr. Taylor, MM, CAGO replied 349 days and 9 hours ago.

Without the serial number I couldn't say exactly, but based on the photos it appears to be from the 1890-1910 era. Best wishes!

 
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