Expert: Theron Ice - 6/6/2004

Question
I have a Janssen console piano I bought second hand around 1973.  It has "Pratt Read & Co" with an elephant logo stamped on the inside on unfinished wood. The metal serial number is #148303.  It has a beautiful, lustrous mahogany cabinet, and a built-in music desk light.  The style is that of Chippendale furniture, with a marlborogh leg (straight with grooves, square in plan, brackets -I think) . It is in excellent condition, tuned yearly since I bought it. Although it is now temporarily in storage, I believe it is around 58"L x 42"H.
What can you tell me about the tiime and place of manufacture, rarity and performance value?

Answer
Ms. Fiindlay,
    Your piano was manufactured in 1959 at the Elkhart Indiana plant. The company was founded in 1901 and discontinued in 1975. Charles Walter purchased the name in 1970 and pianos were made for another 5 years.
    The Janssen name was never a predominant name but, sold thousands of pianos under that name in the 50's mainly because they advertised in the Good Housekeeping magazine and held the Good Housekeeping seal. The Pratt & Read company made piano actions for many different manufactures as well as pianos made today.
    This style of piano became popular because of the small footprint it required in a home but is not a style that one could assign any "performance" value too. The Pratt Read console and drop actions were designed to accommodate the small size and were devoid of performance parameters musicians require for major works.
    With about a half million Janssen pianos still in use, it would be a stretch to assign any rarity to this piano except for some of the short run "art case" pianos that were made in the deco style.
    If the piano is in pristine condition, and maintains its original matching bench, current market value would be between $600 and $1200 given the more classic design elements your piano has.
    If the piano is not in climate controlled storage, be mindful that harsh environmental conditions can be the demise of the pianos soundboard, bridges, pinblock, and other structural components that are critical in the pianos serviceability and musical value.
    These pianos serve quite well as practice pianos but fall short of possessing touch or tonal properties that musicians require for a full measure of musical expression.
                   Sincerely, Theron Ice