Expert: Todd Lindeblad - 11/22/2009

Question
QUESTION: Greetings,
I am currently looking for information on the value of a piano from a small but reputable piano maker from the 1800's, John Buttikofer of Buttikofer pianos. All of the experts I've spoken to about this matter do not have a clue as to who he is, but I know for a fact that there is something to this piano. The serial number line is only three digits long, this being number 560. It is an upright, with ornate carved out woodwork on the front, on both the left and right side of the piano, with red velvet behind it. It is in full working condition.

Can you give me a price quote? I'm selling this for a friend, who has an offer for it already. My intuition tells me that it's much less than this piano is actually worth. He wants to sell it tomorrow, though, so I hope you can get back to me in time! Any help is very greatly appreciated.

I heard from one source that the upright was invented in Philadelphia in the 1880's. This piano maker is from the 1840's and 50's from NYC.


Some leads:
http://books.google.com/books?id=M7U3AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA198&lpg=PA198&dq=buttikofer+p

http://books.google.com/books?id=EjYjD4vQbCYC&pg=PA25&lpg=PA25&dq=buttikofer+pia

http://books.google.com/books?id=zhBtPwAACAAJ&dq=buttikofer+pianos&source=gbs_bo

http://books.google.com/books?id=bYUtAAAAYAAJ&pg=PT140&dq=buttikofer+pianos&ei=6

You can reach me directly at

I greatly appreciate any info you can provide on this!!!

ANSWER: Hi,

Thank you for using allexperts.

I am afraid I would not be able to give a proper quote for that piano. My suggestion would be to contact www.antiquepianoshop.com.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,
Lindeblad Piano
Please follow us on Twitter - http://twitter.com/lindebladpiano
www.lindebladpiano.com
"Specializing in the sale & restoration of vintage pianos"

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I checked with the website you gave me. They never wrote back. Any other helpful leads?

Answer
Hi,

Thank you for using allexperts.

I am afraid that is all the information I would be able to advise.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,
Lindeblad Piano
Please follow us on Twitter - http://twitter.com/lindebladpiano
www.lindebladpiano.com
"Specializing in the sale & restoration of vintage pianos"