Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Vintage A & S Nordheimer Upright



 The brand name Nordheimer is the oldest and longest lasting in the music industry in Canada. In June of 1844 brothers Samuel and Abraham Nordheimer opened a small business in Toronto, Canada offering music books, square pianofortes, and sewing supplies. To begin with, the Nordheimer brothers were agents for Broadwood, Stodart, and Chickering pianos. The firm did not actually enter the piano manufacturing business until 1886.

By that time, Abraham Nordheimer had passed, and Samuel and Albert (Abraham’s son) decided to enter into piano manufacturing with Gerhard Heintzman and formed the Lansdowne Piano Co. 

Tom Mason, Vincent Risch, (Mason & Risch Piano Co.)and Octavius Newcombe( Newcombe Piano Co.) were also partnered with this venture each having his own name stencilled on the pianos that came down the Lansdowne production lines.

This company was short lived and lasted only five years before each of the partners opted to have their own manufacturing firms.

The Nordheimers built their own factory in east Toronto and began turning out one of the finer pianos built in Canada. As a manufacturer of grand’s, uprights, and players, Nordheimer produced 12, 000 instruments before Samuel died in 1912. In 1927 when Albert retired, Heintzman & Co purchased the assets of the company and ran the brand name until the mid 60’s.

To find an A & S Nordheimer today is a rare thing because this was such an early company.  I came across this piano about five years ago when the owner contacted me to inspect the instrument for restoration purposes. This piano was purchased new by her grandmother, eventually finding its way to my client. This is also a rare thing; to find a piano more than one hundred years old and still in the original owners family.

Because this piano was a rare vintage piece in outstanding condition for its age, I encouraged the owner to complete minimally invasive restoration. By this I mean to fix only what had deteriorated due to age.

The tuning pin torque had dropped to unacceptable levels so the piano was restrung in the bass and treble with new tuning pins. All felt work in the keyboard was replaced. The action was reconditioned, and a decision was made to retain the original hammer set to be replaced at a later date.

The cabinet was left in original condition because it was in such good shape. Here is a photo album of the piano.

7 comments:

  1. nice work...i got the number 3027 and i need some information for a restoration too

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    1. Hi Dé Mis,
      Thanks for the comment. Nordheimer 3027 has a build date of 1893. Let me know what information you need for restoration.

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  2. I have access to an A&S Nordheimer piano with the number 2759 on the soundboard. If anyone can tell me how old it is and how much it is worth, I would appreciate it very much. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me or a direction to look in.

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  3. Hi Bess.
    Thanks for the inquiry. Nordheimer 2759 is an early one and would have a build date of 1890.

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  4. Thanks for your Swift reply. But any idea what it might be worth as it is in great condition.

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  5. It is impossible to determine value over the internet. Looking at the cabinet in photos is much the same as looking at the body of a car. This will not reveal the condition of the motor or other working parts.

    A vehicle has about 2000 parts.

    A piano has 9-12,000 parts.

    For values it is best to have a local technician of your choice inspect the instrument for present mechanical condition.

    If you are local to Vancouver, BC I can assist. Financial values of older tall uprights vary quite widely across the country. In rural or remote areas the value would be greater.

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  6. I have a Nordheimer piano by Heinzman, studio style upright. Any idea on value?

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