After the turn of the century, the firm suffered many of the challenges of British industry in general. It faced stiff competition from Europe. The first world war created a devastating shortage of skilled labour. After the war, strikes and labour unrest forced the company into liquidation. The Illustrated London News printed a full page article lauding the Brinsmead firm on July 25th, 1896. A subsequent lawsuit revealed that this "puffing" article had been solicited by the firm.
More details on the business can also be found at a site devoted to the English piano industry maintained by the Association of Blind Piano Tuners.
Three typical John Brinsmead piano advertisements from the Illustrated London News in 1895.
The brochure from a John Brinsmead sponsored piano recital at the Sydney International Exhibition of 1880.
We have a copy of the John Brinsmead Piano Catalogue from about 1915 (scanned by George Brinsmead). It does not give prices or serial numbers. Information on such matters are better found on web sites dealing specifically with pianos.
Berhard Steiner Upright and stool. Serial numbers: 71368 and 259564. This piano has an exceptionally unusual oak case with much detail. This is the only one of this model we have ever had. As Bernhard Steiner is a brand name rather than a factory we can only presume this is a piano from the well known Dietmann factory. The condition is superb without any case damage or internal wear to speak of. The polish has patina type wear of a crackeleur sort, but we feel this adds character and should not be seen as a fault, see the photo attached where we have attempted to show this... However, the purchaser wanted a bolder appearance and had a unique vision of how this piano should look and we are currently painting this piano with a dark grey-brown undercoat, a middle coat of Granny B's Candy Floss pink and a top coat of Celtic Mist green. We are currently in the process of distressing the piano. The piano has 88 keys, with a medium touch weight, and 3 pedals. Its dimensions are: a height of 113 cm; a width of 148.5 cm and a depth of 56 cm. Previously referenced DE 775, this piano was bespoke painted for a client and sold in 2022.
John Brinsmead Piano Serial Numbers
John Broadwood Grand Pianoforte with matching stool. This baby grand was built in London in 1973 (serial No. 266 849) and has a mahogany casing. This is the latest model Broadwood we have seen. Broadwood is the oldest piano maker, until recently, still in existence.
DE 762 Rud. Ibach Upright Pianoforte and stool. Serial numbers: 104289; 93 618. This is a "treasure" of a piano; a proper Ibach, of very fine quality. German pianos are rare on our market, especially post-war, later models like this. Ibach is one of the most historic and renowned German piano builders. The piano is fitted with a Renner action. The quality of a piano like this surpasses expectations. It shows in the attention to detail and wonderful sound and touch. It has a very compact design, with a richer tone than one would expect from a small piano, and an unusually light colour walnut casing make it aesthetically pleasing as well. A lovely thing! The piano has 88 keys, with a heavier touch as sought by many students and teachers, and 3 pedals. Please note though that the sostenuto/practice pedal rail inside is operated by hand. The dimensions of this piano are: a height of 101 cm, a width of 142 cm and a depth of 53 cm. 2ff7e9595c
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