Domion Piano 16728 bought at Restore (Habitat for Humanity)

[function]

I've read the internet remarks and heard AFTER purchasing and moving the heaviest and very lovely whopper Dominion Piano (stating "Toronto and Bowmanville" on the front) with serial number 16728 to my home. The professional attending to it has it on its back for another week in my music room while a bridge cures and then the repairs will continue.  The initial purchase for 45.00 was with the thought of saving it from a landfill.  I needed an inspiring piano and committed to investing in the professional move and repair. 

It is a bit disheartening to hear the Dominion Pianos being bashed on the internet now that I search.  Does ANYONE have one that they like?  I usually have cheered for the underdog, although I hold that my piano's value is greater than what is being represented.  I marvel that it was made in Canada, something increasingly difficult to find these days.  Anyway, would someone be able to tell me more accurately the age of the piano (rather than just before 1937)?  I am proud that it is Canadian made and it has aged much better than what the comments on the internet indicate (completely intact large soundboard).

Five years ago I toured the Bowmanville museum in Ontario and that twigged my appetite for a historic piano.  Any more history is appreciated, including how to maintain and preserve the faux quarter sawn oak graining on the veneer (which is making a comeback, lol).  Thanks in advance for your helpful comments.

[silverwoodpianos]

                                              Dominion Piano Co. est. 1870.

Principals were AM Darley & B Robinson. One of the largest organ and piano companies Canada would ever see.

Began in the Temperance Hall in Oshawa, these two men took the name Oshawa and Melodeon Mfg. Co.

Three years later a new partner H O’Hara was admitted to the firm and the entire operation was moved 5 miles to the east to Bowmanville.

By 1875 the name Dominion Organ Co. was coined. This company entered the piano manufacturing market in 1879.

1894 saw a major change in management, and JW Alexander quadrupled the staff to almost 200 workers.

By 1910 more than 80,000 instruments had been produced; branch outlets in Germany, England, New Zealand, S. Africa, and Russia.

The vice president of this company JB Mitchell became the mayor of Bowmanville in 1916, and promoted this company everywhere he went.

Mitchell also patented several lines of high quality gramophones.

By 1933 the company could not give pianos away. Closed 1936.

Serial number 16700 begins 1916.

If you want any of the old photos I can scan them for you and send them. You will need Adobe Photoshop CS4 or better to open and view……..

Send me direct email off my web site icon if you like.

[function]

Thank you so much for the history of my Dominion piano.  I appreciate you posting this for me...I thought I would get a message when someone had posted, and had lost track as a "newbie", how to get back on. I was guessing that the piano might be close to 100 years old.  The piano is sufficient for my needs, and I am grateful that it didn't end up on a sandbar or a landfill.  One B flat below middle C needs some more attention, and I had to give up having the middle pedal. 
I think the pictures would be very interesting to see. I don't have Adobe, however.

Thank you for your response and I'll try to get on your site to send you a video of the piano to this point (made prior to seeing your comments).

 

[silverwoodpianos]

Hey function,
I had a look at the video; nice older tall upright; good tone, nice volume, the bass string set sounds like the original iron bass strings. Quarter-oak cabinetry is a nice feature also.
 Best of luck.