$60 piano likely now worth thousands
Q. This photo is of an Everett piano that my sister and I purchased from the Jenkin's Music Company in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in 1954. It cost $60 and we paid $5 a month until it was paid for. The piano is in excellent condition and it has a beautiful tone. The back of the foot pedal is marked with the number "25." We've been told that the piano was built between 1895 and 1900.
Can you give me an estimate of its value? Any other information would be greatly appreciated.
A. The Everett Piano Company was founded by John Church and Frank A. Lee in Boston in 1883. The number "25" is a manufacturer's number to identify a specific piece. They produced pianos with outstanding quality, and their pianos were sought after by talented and famous pianists. By 1954, the company was sold to Hammond Organ Company. Then, in 1973, it was taken over by Yamaha and eventually in 1989, the company went out of business.
Many similar upright pianos sell in range of $2,000 to $4,000. I did find an Everett upright that was made in the late 1890s on the Internet. It was completely restored and they were asking $12,500.
Q. I have enclosed the mark that is on the back of a small ironstone plate that I have. It measures 5 1/2 inches by 8 1/2 inches and is in perfect condition. There is a picture on the border of an early locomotive with large wheels and a tall chimney stack. Below the locomotive is the date "1831."
I don't imagine it has any value, but wondered if there is anything you can tell me about its history. Perhaps it was made for an early railroad exposition. Thank you for your help.
A. The mark you provided was used by Onondaga Pottery Company located in Syracuse, New York. Their marks included the words "Syracuse China" along with "O.P. Co." beginning in 1895. "Onondaga Pottery Company" was founded in 1831 and they produced high quality vitreous/semi-porcelain china for hotels, restaurants and railroad dining cars. Your plate was made for the New York Central Railroad, and the pattern name is "Dewitt Clinton." A complete line of dishes was made that included dinnerware sets, ice cream shells and pitchers. "4-J" is the dating code showing it was made in April 1929.
The date "1831" represents the founding of the railroad. The NYC Central Railroad provided service to most of the northeast and also to the Canadian provinces, Ontario and Quebec. They also had routes to Indiana, Michigan and Illinois. The line stopped in South Bend, Indiana, on its way to Chicago. The line was eventually taken over by the government and shut down in 1968.
The value of your plate would probably be $35 to $50.
• Address your questions to Anne McCollam, P.O. Box 247, Notre Dame, IN 46556. Items of a general interest will be answered in this column. Due to the volume of inquiries, she cannot answer individual letters.
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