Use the production year to research recent local auction sales for accurate pricing.
He navigated to the historical registry sites, the ones run by piano technicians in Sydney and Melbourne. He brought up the reference chart.
Unlike Steinway or Yamaha, there is maintained today. Most lookup data comes from compiled technician records and old price lists — authoritative but not guaranteed error-free.
To determine the age of your Beale piano , you first need to locate the serial number on the instrument and then compare it to the company's historical production records. 1. Where to Find the Serial Number On Beale pianos, which are well-known for their patented "all-iron" tuning system beale piano serial number lookup
Check these locations in order:
| Serial Number Range | Approximate Year Built | | :--- | :--- | | 4,000 – 10,000 | 1900 – 1905 | | 10,000 – 15,000 | 1906 – 1908 | | 15,000 – 27,000 | 1909 – 1912 | | 27,000 – 38,000 | 1913 – 1915 | | 38,000 – 45,000 | 1916 – 1918 (WWI Era) | | 45,000 – 60,000 | 1919 – 1922 | | 60,000 – 75,000 | 1923 – 1926 | | 75,000 – 90,000 | 1927 – 1930 | | 90,000 – 100,000 | 1931 – 1934 | | 100,000 – 115,000 | 1935 – 1940 | | 115,000 – 120,000 | 1946 – 1950 (Post WWII) | | 120,000 – 130,000 | 1951 – 1956 | | 130,000 – 145,000 | 1957 – 1962 | | 145,000 – 155,000 | 1963 – 1968 | | 155,000 – 165,000 | 1969 – 1974 | | 165,000 – 180,000+ | 1975 – 1985 (Late era) |
Sometimes the number is stamped directly onto the wood of the soundboard, visible through the strings. Cabinet Parts: Use the production year to research recent local
While the original Beale company is defunct, dedicated Australian piano forums and groups like the "Beale Piano Enthusiasts" on Facebook often have members who have compiled private databases from factory floor records that never made it into the Pierce Atlas.
Note: Discrepancies may exist between different historical databases, such as the Pierce Piano Atlas and specific museum records like the Powerhouse Collection . 3. Assessing Value and Condition
Your Beale is not just another old piano. Several distinctive features set it apart. Unlike Steinway or Yamaha, there is maintained today
Beale pianos (including Beale, Beale & Co., and later Beale-Chappell models) are important pieces of Australian musical history. If you own—or are researching—a Beale piano, serial numbers are the fastest way to estimate manufacture date, identify model series, and learn about provenance. This article explains where to find Beale serial numbers, how to read them, resources for dating, and tips for verifying history and valuation.
Now that you know the age of your instrument, you can better plan for its care and assess its value.
Understanding the history of your Beale piano adds context to its serial number. The Early Years (1893)