Dilemma over an old piano being rebuilt for sale

[interested]

   The piano, a 1908 Steinway upright, will be sold on consignment with the restorer getting a small share of the sale price in addition to the  already considerable amount I have paid for restoration costs. (No complaint about that; there was a lot of work to be done.)
    Unfortunately, though, I'm told that the original ivory key tops are beyond repair, so now I must choose between ivory or plastic replacements. The problem is that ivory would bring my costs to almost $20,000 and push my break-even sale price into the mid-20s, with the restorer's recommended asking price being close to $30,000.
    I've been advised by others that this is unrealistically high, even if the piano is brought back to mint condition.
   To date, restoration has included new strings and tuning pins, with other parts cleaned or repaired as needed. The original soundboard and flame mahogany cabinet remain, the latter refinished to what looks quite beautiful.
     If it were a 1908 Steinway grand, or if it were being restored for my own pleasure, I wouldn't worry about the added expense of ivory. But,  especially in this economy, it seems unlikely to me that anyone would pay $25,000 to $30,000 for a restored upright, even a Steinway. On the other hand, would anyone want to buy such a piano if its keys are plastic?
  I know I've gotten myself in something of a bind. Advice, please?

[rookie1255]

Ivory keys are not really necessary, and they chip and turn yellow over time.  Newer pianos and many older restored ones have plastic keys and its okay because its an industry standard.  While old ivory keys may be nice for a certain character, they have no impact on the sound or playing of the instrument.  From a financial perspective in terms of resale, it is DEFINITELY not worth it.  If the piano were a family heirloom or something that had a great deal of personal significance to you, and you HAD to have ivory keys, then maybe.  As it is, go with plastic and don't look back.

[pianolive]

I thought the ivory trade was forbidden...?

[bleicher]

New pianos all have plastic keys, so nobody would expect a reconditioned piano to have ivory ones. If it did, anyone with a conscience would start asking serious questions about where the ivory had come from. Even second-hand ivory is best avoided because a market in second-hand ivory encourages the illegal trade in new ivory.

[keys60]

Ivory key tops are still in old stock. Much of it is recovered from pianos that have been junked or rebuilt with plastic key tops. Trust me, the installation of ivory would not really raise the value of the piano and original ivory keys does little to the value either. Go check the inventory  of major restoration houses   https://www.countrypiano.com/   and you'll see that a rebuilt Steinway with ivory or new plastic keytops are virtually the same price. Some prefer one the the other. Ahhhh.....the mystique of ivory.
Go with the plastic and don't give it a second thought.

[pianolive]

.....the mystique of ivory.

It is a fact that many pianists like the ivory because it absorbs moisture/sweat from the fingers.

[keys60]

True....and some that don't like the feel of the grain. A matter of choice.

[bleicher]

Elephants prefer plastic 

[john90]

I wouldn't bother getting them done. Project minimum from now on. Let the new owner decide.