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BLUEBOOK OF PIANOS PIANO APPRAISAL & REPLACEMENT COSTS
Robert T. Furst, Author - Appraiser          September 25, 2009
 
Gentlemen,
 
In reference to your appraisal inquiry regarding your unique Conover-Cable Symphonic Concert Grand Upright Piano, No. 14 bearing serial number 108567, manufactured in 1907. This piano is in excellent condition. The cabinetry is a beautiful "one of a kind" mahogany that is beautifully hand carved. This piano is an antique. Antiques appreciate in value for reasons of age, artistic merit and craftsmanship. Usually the builder's signature can be found on one of the keys inside the instrument, but you have to look carefully to find it. The cabinets of these pianos are quite lavish, being made of heavily carved rare and exotic wood. These pianos are valued more as antiques rather than for their musical capabilities, as they are examples of some of the finest cabinet making in the piano industry. These instruments were built in an era of superb craftsmanship and integrity so they are consistently superior in overall construction. Most of these pianos are considered to be quite rare and valuable. This instrument is Museum Quality.
 
This is to be one of 50 limited editions manufactured, which are all numbered. This is number 14. Most of these instruments were built for use in concert halls and churches. These instruments were lavishly decorated with ornamental "gingerbread" carvings and some of them soared to towering heights of 9 feet or more! Maintained in a climate controlled residential environment. When this instrument is tuned the value is $65,000.00. This is the Fair Market Value as an Antique. Figure is based on the age, condition, size, grade and rarity of this instrument. This is the average price asked for by a private party. The variable is that the buyer and seller must agree on the costs of moving, tuning and repairs. This is the amount an insurance company would pay in case of loss.
 
The appraisal values are stated in U.S. Dollars and are based on market values from several sources. Based on comparisons of pianos of this age, condition and nature offered for sale in newspapers and the internet by private parties, music stores, auction houses, and piano teachers, These values are certified through research in Directories of the Music Industry such as, The Presto Piano Buyers Guide, The Pierce Musical Instrument Atlas, The Encyclopedia of Automatic Musical Instruments and The Bluebook of Pianos, and the Piano Times Newspaper. Our appraisals strictly adhere to the Ethics and guidelines of The International Society of Appraisers and the Appraisers Association of America, Inc. All of our appraisals follow the mandates of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, 2009.
 
Appraised by,
Robert T. Furst - Author of "Bluebook of Pianos"
 
I declare that I hold myself out to the public as an appraiser or perform appraisals on a regular basis; and that because of my qualifications as described in the appraisal, I am qualified to make appraisals of the type of property being valued. I certify that the appraisal fees were not based on a percentage of the appraised property value. This information is provided "as is" without express or implied warranties. While every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this article, the maintainer assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.
 
For 68 more photos and information about J. Frank Conover.

Go To: http://tbasales.ipage.com/eBay/HTML_Photos/2-Museum.htm for details on how to receive an IRS "Non Cash Charitable Deduction"! There you will find the following museums that have agreed to accept this piano if it were donated to them. They will provide an IRS Form 8283 for the deduction.

1. "The Piano Museum" http://www.pianomuseum.org.

2. "National Music Museum - The University of South Dakota" http://www.usd.edu/smm/. 

3. "The Piano Technicians Guild Museum" http://www.ptg.org/.
 
4. "Pleshakov Piano Museum" http://www.pleshakov.com/.
 
 
Go To: http://tbasales.ipage.com/eBay/HTML_Photos/1-1899-Patent_1.htm For a look at the original 1899 patent for the hammer mechanism on this piano. 

Go To: http://tbasales.ipage.com/ If you need to see any of the discrepancies on this piano and scroll down to the last 4 photos and follow the links.

Go To: http://www.pianotruck.com/  For a quote on the pick up and delivery of this piano to your location ask for Steve Hicks and mention this auction and piano. Steve is the midwest's best piano mover. He will take very good care of your investment.

Go To: http://www.pianoemporium.com/contact.html For information and direction to obtain a professional piano tuner in your area.  Any time you move a piano of this quality it should be tuned.  Ask for Shane Owenby RPT (Registered Piano Technician) and mention this auction and piano.

Go To: http://www.bluebookofpianos.com/ For information about Mr. Robert T. Furst.