Piano History

Have any of you ever, at any time, successfully received from Baldwin (in any of it's iterations, from Cincinnati to the present Gibson) information about a piano based on its serial number?

We're very familiar with Steinway's help with serial number inquiries, and many of us have been referred to Paul Monachino for Knabe and M&H inquiries, but I haven't heard of a single time someone has done this with Baldwin, and I'd love to talk with someone who has.

I'm researching leading manufacturer's serial number books, and no evidence seems to exist for Baldwin's books.   If any of you succeeded in obtaining information - especially for a vintage Baldwin (1885-1950), I'd much appreciate hearing from you - of course, on the list if possible, so we all can learn about it.

Thanks -

Bill

BTW I'm making great discoveries along the way, which you'll all hear about in due time....

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Bill Shull, RPT, M.Mus.
Period Piano Center
Loma Linda CA
909-796-4226
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I'm not a piano tech, just a piano learner.  A few months ago, I bought an old Baldwin Hamilton designer series studio - which was made in the 1990's. I contacted Baldwin (now part of Gibson) to obtain some info about the piano or its model in general.  I provided Baldwin contact (on their website) with the piano's serial number.  They did reply.  However, the reply was a short simple message stating that Gibson has NOT retained any info about the "historical" Baldwin piano and that they would refer me to search the internet for info about Baldwin piano.  They referred me to some sort of piano blue book online.

My 2-cent thought is that Baldwin losing its popularity among pianists, piano learners, etc. might be because Gibson Guitar has not taken any interests in preserving the Baldwin historical data of previous makes and models.  When people can no longer find info about a brand, a model, or a model series, they are less inclined to buy a piano from that brand... regardless old or new pianos.  Business-wise, I believe it was not a smart strategy that Gibson has had for the Baldwin name, but again, this is simply my 2-cent thought!

I did manage to find the manufacture date for my Baldwin. 
I found the mfr. date based on the serial number, and such info is Blue Book of Pianos

Also, it turns out Baldwin always stamped the manufacture date on the Hard Maple Wood Action Rail on its upright pianos (see picture I took from my Baldwin).  This is true whether the upright is a spinet, a console, or a studio.  I don't know if Baldwin stamped the mfr. date on its grand pianos, however, as it's more difficult to see the action rail of a grand piano. 



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Original Message:
Sent: 05-17-2011 21:29
From: William Shull
Subject: Baldwin Serial Number Inquiry Experience


Have any of you ever, at any time, successfully received from Baldwin (in any of it's iterations, from Cincinnati to the present Gibson) information about a piano based on its serial number?

We're very familiar with Steinway's help with serial number inquiries, and many of us have been referred to Paul Monachino for Knabe and M&H inquiries, but I haven't heard of a single time someone has done this with Baldwin, and I'd love to talk with someone who has.

I'm researching leading manufacturer's serial number books, and no evidence seems to exist for Baldwin's books.   If any of you succeeded in obtaining information - especially for a vintage Baldwin (1885-1950), I'd much appreciate hearing from you - of course, on the list if possible, so we all can learn about it.

Thanks -

Bill

BTW I'm making great discoveries along the way, which you'll all hear about in due time....

-------------------------------------------
Bill Shull, RPT, M.Mus.
Period Piano Center
Loma Linda CA
909-796-4226
-------------------------------------------

there is a history of why Baldwin failed having nothing to do with serial numbers or record keeping. they made many great pianos in all sizes, models from the acrosonic spinet all the way up to concert grands.
i service many, many baldwins and up until the early 2000's that had a stage presence. one of their work horse pianos the hamilton can be found in schools, churches, teacher studios. the demise of the company was the result of arrogant gross miss-management by the top, non piano business management. gibson has tried to save the name but unfortunately has struggled. it is hard to sell pianos today and many dealerships have closed


Original Message------

I'm not a piano tech, just a piano learner.  A few months ago, I bought an old Baldwin Hamilton designer series studio - which was made in the 1990's. I contacted Baldwin (now part of Gibson) to obtain some info about the piano or its model in general.  I provided Baldwin contact (on their website) with the piano's serial number.  They did reply.  However, the reply was a short simple message stating that Gibson has NOT retained any info about the "historical" Baldwin piano and that they would refer me to search the internet for info about Baldwin piano.  They referred me to some sort of piano blue book online.

My 2-cent thought is that Baldwin losing its popularity among pianists, piano learners, etc. might be because Gibson Guitar has not taken any interests in preserving the Baldwin historical data of previous makes and models.  When people can no longer find info about a brand, a model, or a model series, they are less inclined to buy a piano from that brand... regardless old or new pianos.  Business-wise, I believe it was not a smart strategy that Gibson has had for the Baldwin name, but again, this is simply my 2-cent thought!

I did manage to find the manufacture date for my Baldwin. 
I found the mfr. date based on the serial number, and such info is Blue Book of Pianos

Also, it turns out Baldwin always stamped the manufacture date on the Hard Maple Wood Action Rail on its upright pianos (see picture I took from my Baldwin).  This is true whether the upright is a spinet, a console, or a studio.  I don't know if Baldwin stamped the mfr. date on its grand pianos, however, as it's more difficult to see the action rail of a grand piano. 



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