Dominion piano

[jb927y]

Hello everyone,

Does anybody have any experience with Dominion piano? Or can somebody tell me something about it? I have a chance to acquire one but I don't know much about it. Did some research on the internet but all I could find was that it was a Canadian company. The company was closed in 1936.

I'm new to the forum, BTW     Thanks for any response.

jb927y

[Babcock]

Dominion pianos were built in Oshawa, Ontario.  The company started in 1890, and,as you know, closed in in the Great Depression in 1936.  It was one of Canada's largest manufacturers of very good quality uprights and harmoniums..  The were sold all over the world.  If you know the serial number, I can give you a pretty accurate age of the piano.

[rlefebvr]

Wow. I just sold mine to my sister a couple of months ago.

I will get the serial number for you. I would really like to know what year it was built.


The one I had was nice for an old piano. Sound was o.k. considering. I would not call it a top of the line piano by any means. Ivory keys of course. Played a little heavy for a stand up piano, which was nice.

[rlefebvr]

O.K. Hope I am not to late.

The only number I could find on the piano is this one.

16740. I am not sure that is it however, but I believe so.

[Babcock]

The piano was built in 1912.

[grandmasterJ]

Hi Babcock,

It seems that you fairly know about dominion pianos.  I have a question for you if you don't mind.  how much would you be willing to pay for a 1887 dominion piano in good condition?  it is a vertical(straight) piano made out of walnut tree.

Thanks,

[Babcock]

Hello grandmasterJ

I'm afraid that the piano just isn't worth much monetarily.  It may have sentimental value to you or someone in the family, but, though of a good quality for its day, it simply is not a valuable instrument, regardless of the condition.

[Brian Healey]

What's the formula for determining a piano's age from the serial number? I've seen a number of people do this recently, but I've never been able to figure it out.

[kwjennings]

I am looking at a Dominion upright piano with a player movement.

The S/N is 18886. Can anyone tell me what year this piano was made?

Where do I look inside the piano on the player machinery to find the name of the company that made the player movement?

Ken

[silverwoodpianos]

Dominion # 18886 was 1917.

If the wind motor has five slides and is on the left side is a Standard Player Action.

If the wind motor has three slides and is located on the right side it is most likely a Pratt Read style 72 player.

If the wind motor has five slides and is located on the right then it is a Pratt Read style made by someone else. I would have to see the unit to tell for sure.

[kwjennings]

Dan

Thanks for the reply.

The wind motor has 5 slides & is located on my RHS when I am looking at the piano.

I will post a photo of the mechanism later this AM

Ken

[kwjennings]

Here are some photos of the air motor mechanism

[silverwoodpianos]

Ken,

A long one for you;

That is the usual player insert found in Canadian made pianos. The identical player mechanism is found in Heintzman products, Doherty, Mason & Risch, and many other Canadian made pianos. Some Canadian piano makers like Evans Bros made their own player mechanism which would have been a close copy of same.

 If you left click on this link below that will take you to a photo album of another Canadian made player piano with the identical insert. This is called a Lackner Piano made by the Bell Piano & Organ Co in Guelph.

 The first 3 photos will give you a view of the player mechanism. Use the magnifying glass up top to zoom in if you like. Left click on this link and then left click once on the first photo and that will open up the album.

https://picasaweb.google.com/silverwoodpianos/RodneyGrahamPhotoShoot1890SSaloon?authkey=Gv1sRgCOC0_6rB8u-uLQ#

 This is a Pratt Read style 72 mechanism; the only difference being that the PR had a 3 slide motor and the one you have has 5 which would be more efficient when at work.  These player mechanisms were most likely made in Canada by the Otto Higel Co. or perhaps Sterling Action & Key. These were the two largest Canadian player action makers of that day. The metal strip in the back of the spool box where the roll tab hits on rewind should have a maker on it.

Here is the Otto Higel Metalnola player action: This is the one found in Heintzman products.

https://www.player-care.com/system27.html

And here is the same thing as a wooden structure: This is the one found in the Lackner.

https://www.player-care.com/canada-player.html

Exactly the same as you have there. From your photos it looks like you have the solodant feature or auto tracking inside the spool box area; can’t see too well from the photos.

There are basically 3 groups of player pianos; regular, expression and reproducing. Of these, the Reproducing group is sub-divided into three other groups, namely: Duo-Art, AMPICO and Welte-Mignon. Perhaps the easiest way to determine the type of Player Mechanism in any given unit is to look at the fallboard (or key cover) with the keys exposed. Next, look at the rolls (or roll boxes) that are usually played on the unit. Almost all roll makers labeled their boxes for easy identification. If no specific name other than the name of the company, song title and number of the roll are visible, it's a good bet that the player piano is of the Regular variety. Most, if not all, Reproducing rolls were clearly marked with the type of player mechanism they were cut to be used on.


 If you do some reading on the John Tuttle site provided at the above links you will find a lot of information about players there.

Also if you email me direct from my web site icon I have some old photos of the Dominion Piano Co band (1884) the Dominion Pavilion at the CNE (1905) and some other interesting history.

[daisa215]

I have a dominion piano as well serial number 17350. Made in bowmanville, ont. Can anybody tell me what year it was made?

[silverwoodpianos]

1912

[catdaddy]

Hello!

I am new to the forum. I have a Dominion piano SN 10905 - does anyone know what year that was built. Also it is signed by Gerald A. Steel - any information on that name?

Thank you!

[silverwoodpianos]

1903.