Dominion Piano

[shrkol]

Can someone help me? I recently purchased a Dominion Piano for my kids to learn on. I am told it is all original and in great shape. I am also told it was made before the company changed to cheaper materials. I am interested to know what year it was made and if any one has any tips on keeping it in its great shape for another many years? The serial number is 19929. Thanks

[lostinidlewonder]

From what I hear Dominion pianos where made in Canada between 1870-1936 and were one of the largest piano manufacturers. People report that these pianos do not age very well at all, I have no experience playing on them so I cannot tell you from personal experience (has your piano been reconditioned?).  Serial number 18000 is around 1935 so yours would be at the end of their line I guess.

[silverwoodpianos]

Dominion Organ & Piano Company of Canada

In 1870 A.M. Darley and William Robinson came up with a plan build musical instruments. Operating from the “Sons of Temperance” hall in Oshawa, Darley and Robinson took the name Oshawa Organ & Melodeon Mfg. Co. Within 3 years the growth of this company demanded larger business facilities.

A new partner Mr. H. O’Hara was admitted to the firm and the entire operation relocated 5 miles to the east in Bowmanville Ontario. By 1875 the name Dominion Organ Company was adopted. In 1879 this company entered the piano market.

In 1894 the company changed management and this included further expansion. By 1910 there were more than 200 workers, 80,000 instruments had been produced and there were branch outlets in Germany, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Russia.

In 1916 the company’s vice-president was also the mayor of Bowmanville. This company also produced several lines of high quality gramophones in the 20’s., they also produced phonographs in the early 30’s.

By 1933 the demand for this company’s products had fallen off considerably. In a 1988 interview with the son of the last owner there was mention of the fact that these early tall uprights were built so well that they did not depreciate enough to continue the volume of sales.  These were times when great pride was taken in manufacturing products for consumer use. Sadly this quality of build was a contributing factor in the downfall of many of these companies. By 1936 Dominion was forced into bankruptcy.

I have several photos this company. One is of the original owners (1910), one is a drawing of the factory done in 1905, another is a “cut-out” montage over a drawing (1884). There is one of advertising in the Globe & Mail (1912) and one which is a caricature of the owner (1910)
If you would like to have copies of these email me directly off my web site icon, as I am unable to attach them here. The only thing I could do on this forum is take a digital photo of them and post to an on-line photo album for you to download. You can let me know........

Dominion piano with the serial number 19929 was 1919.

Best wishes,

[shrkol]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to me!!! I appreciate all the info you shared with me as well. 

[silverwoodpianos]

There is a really good book you can obtain, Downright Upright by Wayne Kelly.
This book is very well written and a joy to read.  This release contains many photos, old newspaper ads about pianos and a lot of historical information about the Canadian piano industry.

Whenever I restore a Canadian piano for someone I always include a complimentary copy as a small gift.

Here is a link for purchase.........

https://www.dundurn.com/books/downright_upright

Happy reading.....

[ewey]

I just purchased a Dominion upright piano today.  Serial # I believe is 7644.  Can anyone date this for me?

Thanks

[silverwoodpianos]

That is an early one; 1895 starts #7400 at production output of 300 units per yr.

[plmulhol]

Hi ...

All very interesting.  After taking off all the black varnish, I have an absolutely beautiful Dominion Piano.  It has a serial number of 2656 ... can anyone tell me what year this was built?

Thanks very much

[silverwoodpianos]

Dominion #2656 would be late 1870’s to early 1880’s. To find the exact date there might be a signature on the back of the action when it was installed at the factory. This is one of the last jobs completed on the assembly line.

[plmulhol]

Thanks very much.  Do you think that the earlier uprights were better built than the later ones?  Reading what some people have to say on other sites make it seem like they did not age well.  This one is in absolutely beautiful shape!.  Thanks again - I really appreciate the response.

[silverwoodpianos]

Condition of any piano, including vintage ones, would be subject to how it was maintained and treated over the years.

[rawky]

Can someone help me? I recently purchased a Dominion Piano for my kids to learn on. I am told it is all original and in great shape. I am also told it was made before the company changed to cheaper materials. I am interested to know what year it was made and if any one has any tips on keeping it in its great shape for another many years? The serial number is 19929. Thanks

[rawky]

Hi, I have inherited a Dominion Cabinet Grand with the house
I have bought. I was wondering if anyone could tell me when it was made,
it has the ser.#10023? I am going to sell it and was wondering what I should ask?

[rocklandpiano]

The Dominion Piano & Organ Company was one of Canada's more successful piano manufactures of the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. The firm was originally established as the Oshawa Organ & Melodeon Company in 1870 by A.M. Darley and William Robinson. In about 1873, the firm moved to Bowmanville, Ontario. H. O'Hara joined the firm that same year.

The Dominion piano company was Canadian, filed for bankruptcy in 1936 and the last known serial numbers stop at 1923.

Unless some SERIOUS work were done to this piano...I would put it in my rear view mirror and keep it there.

Canada was never know for wonderful pianos, and "restoration" should be put in quotes and kept there.

The only way I would consider purchasing a piano like this is to have a REGISTERED piano technician in the area look at it and give you a report as to the condition and worth.

I make a lot of money helping people send back pianos that were not exactly what they thought they would be.

For a technician in the area of the piano, plug in the zip code where the piano lives now and find a registered tech.

[silverwoodpianos]

Canada was never know for wonderful pianos, and "restoration" should be put in quotes and kept there.

This statement has no facts attached or associated with it to backstop the claim made.
Canada was a major world producer of pianos.

 In the year 1900, some 12000 instruments were manufactured and sold to waiting customers. By 1912 this had increased to 30,000 per year.

Surviving instruments are found in all corners of the earth.

Pianos at the turn of 1900 were as competitive and as secretive as computers are today and Canadian pianos were considered the best in the world at this point it time.

Perhaps some reading is in order;

The Piano in America 1890-1940 by Craig H. Roell.

Downright Upright by Wayne Kelly. A history of the Canadian piano industry.

Happy reading.

[fran1977]

Hi,

I have a Dominion Cabinet Grand and I'm not sure where the serial number is. When I flip open the top, it says Dominion 6892. Is this the serial number or is this the model number? If this is the serial number, can someone tell me the age? If this is not the serial number, can someone direct me to where I might find it? I couldn't see it on the back.

Thanks!

[silverwoodpianos]

6892= 1891

[fran1977]

Thanks so much!!!!!

[shudson]

I guess I'll step in with a question too, I have always wondered the age of my Dominion -- it was our family piano, I learned to play on it.

It says "Concert Grand" on cove shaped board just below the fall board, which has the name Dominion with what looks like 6 gold coins. I believe it is walnut veneer, lots of very intricate carving on it.

Serial number is 8564

Any insight would be really appreciated.

[silverwoodpianos]

8564=1898

[ursulah]

Please, what about 6682 or 8862? One of my relatives has a Dominion but I forget the serial number combo.

[silverwoodpianos]

Dominion 6682=1891
Dominion 8862= 1899

[aguynamechad]

New to the piano world!  was driving down the road and someone had a sign up that said free piano so I grabbed it!  It's a Dominion serial number 14737 any thoughts on age?  it needs a tuning but overall I's say a 7/10.  Will be visiting here alot more now   Thanks in advance!

Chad.

[aguynamechad]

So I think after much searching I am narrowed it down to 1905-1909?

[aguynamechad]

[silverwoodpianos]

14737=1909

[halxp]

Hi, I inherited my family's piano and was wondering if anyone could help me figure out which year it was built, serial 20428 - Dominion of course.  (And where do you find this info? I've been trying to search the net for 2 days...  )

[silverwoodpianos]

20248 has a build date of November 1921.

[hardy_practice]

Pianos at the turn of 1900 were as competitive and as secretive as computers are today and Canadian pianos were considered the best in the world at this point it time.

I've got a 1904 Williams upright.  As fine as any Steinway in its day and still a joy to play.

[silverwoodpianos]

Indeed, R.S Williams was another one of the well-known Canadian piano makers.

 You would enjoy a copy of this book. The 18 photographs owned by the Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa depicting various aspect of the Williams business c. 1910-22 are included in this publication.

https://www.dundurn.com/books/under_sign_big_fiddle

[hardy_practice]

Looks fascinating.  Think I'll inter-library loan it in the summer when I'm in Canada.