Lester Piano Serial Number Lookup
Information about the American musical instrument manufacturer
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The Lester Piano Company was established in 1888 in Lester, Pennsylvania.
Brief history and description
The Lester Piano Company was a hallmark of the American piano industry during what is now referred to as the Golden Age of piano building. During the last quarter of the nineteenth century up until the early 1930s, pianos become increasingly commonplace in American homes.
Lester built a range of pianos under several name brands, including Lawrence, Gounod, Channing, Alden, Bellaire, Schubert and Leonard. The company insisted that every Lester piano was built to tolerate the same musicality and at its height, the Lester grand piano was the preferred choice for auditoriums, concert halls, conservatories and schools and homes alike.
Lester’s earliest models, those produced before the 1930s, had a reputation of being of exceptional build quality and produced a full toned and sweet sound. Even in the high register, Lester pianos were noted for not producing a tin-like sound which distinguished them from their cheaper counterparts. Accordingly, many famous pianists and American musicians, such as Alice Nielsen and Franz Kneisel used Lester pianos.
The most famous of all the Lester Piano Company’s products is unquestionably their Betsy Ross spinet, a small upright piano that was manufactured around the 1930s. The huge success of this piano is often credited as saving the Lester Piano Company from financial bankruptcy during the Great Depression, which was a time when the majority of other American piano manufacturers were forced to close.
After over eight decades, the Lester Piano Company eventually closed shop in 1960.
Collectors Guide
The Lester Piano Company has the distinction of producing some of the leading pianos during the Golden Age of piano making in America. However, they paled in comparison with America’s leading piano makers of that time, such as Steinway & Sons and Chickering & Sons. Nonetheless, Lester pianos were consistently constructed to a high standard and as a result, are usually reliable examples for antique piano restoration.
The most desirable models of Lester pianos are their grand piano range. The Louis XV was developed during the 1920s and was made of burled walnut. A fully restored example, according to Digitalpianokeyboardsreview.com, can fetch up to $25,000.
Other antique grand pianos sought after by collectors are the Lester Victorian and the Lester Mahogany. Built from the 1930s and constructed in mahogany, examples of these pianos have been sold by Antiquepianoshop.com from $11,000 to $20,000.
Lester pianos for sale are more likely to be found at online antique piano dealerships and are usually fully restored. Unrestored pianos can be sold for as little as a few hundred dollars, however, conditions can vary significantly and the likelihood that these pianos still function are extremely rare.
Notable Sales
A 1922 Lester Mahogany baby grand piano was recently sold on Antique Piano Shop for $15,000. Restored to its original condition, the piano is made of real mahogany wood and was built during the height of the Lester Company’s production era.
A 1900 Lester Victorian upright piano, made in 1900, was sold on Antique Piano Shop for $11,000. Constructed from walnut, the piano was also equipped with a matching stool.
The Value of Your Piano
This Virtual Appraisal will give you a rough idea of what your piano might be worth. Included are general values based upon formulas used in my 35 years of experience buying, selling, tuning and restoring pianos. A large part of my job has been to assess the condition of a piano and what it will need before I go on the service call.
The Formula for older pianos
When I calculate value on an older piano, I am really estimating condition and cost of repair, coupled with brand names and models.
$$ How much the piano could sell for in mint condition
-$$ The cost of getting it into mint condition
_____________
$$ The estimated wholesale value (if you sell to a dealer)
x Two or Three
_____________
$$ The estimated retail value (if you sell to an end user)
Young Pianos
What is a “young” piano? Think of a piano like a person. A 30 year old should be in great shape, all things being equal. If you have a piano that is 30 or younger, you can usually get a good idea of what it may be worth by doing an on line search for other pianos for sale similar to your own.
Age of your piano
The age speaks volumes, and many times determines the overall quality level.
To find the age of your piano, you will need the name and serial number. click here.
Service Records
If you have had the piano serviced on a regular basis, find those tuning receipts as proof the piano has been well maintained. This will also give the prospective buyer a professional contact to verify the condition of your piano. The original purchase price, if available, will help determine its present value as well, giving you a starting point in the formula.
Restored Pianos
A receipt for the work performed is vital to determining the value. It tells us who did the work, what was done, how well it was done, and how long we can expect it to last.
Exceptions to Condition
Name Brand: You may own a very good name piano, such as Steinway. Even in the worst condition, most Steinway Grand pianos can sell for $5,000 to $15,000 or more. Other names of valuable pianos would include: Mason and Hamlin, Boosendorfer, Bechstein, Baldwin, Blunther, Sauter, to name only a few. A quick web search will reveal if your piano's name alone carries value.
Ornate or Unusual Case Design: If your piano is very ornate with carvings and inlays, or a very unusual case design, this can make the piano more valuable no matter what the name of the piano is.
This example is common Winter Spinet piano, but the ornate carvings and inlays on the case give it more value than an ordinary case.
If you think your piano falls into one of these categories, you may need our personal assistance. Click here.
Lets find out what kind of piano you have.
Piano Values By Serial Number
An upright piano (shown left) has vertical strings and soundboard. Can be 3–5+ feet tall. Click here if you have an upright.
A grand piano (shown right) has horizontal strings and soundboard and has 3,4, or 6 legs. Click here if you have a grand.