Beale Piano Serial Number Lookup Verified -

Beale Piano Serial Number Lookup

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.

Step 3: What To Do If the Serial Number is Missing or Illegible

Sometimes, rust, paint, or wood rot obscures the number. Don't panic. You can still estimate the age using other clues: beale piano serial number lookup

  • The Beale Logo Style: Early Beales used a ornate script with "Sydney, Australia." Later models used a blockier, sans-serif font.
  • The Action (Mechanics): If the piano has wooden hammer flanges with brass screws, it is pre-1930s. Plastic or nylon parts suggest 1970s or later.
  • Pedals: Lattice-style iron pedals indicate Victorian era (pre-1900). Solid brass pedals suggest 1920s–1940s.
  • The Patent Number: Some Beale pianos have a patent number for the "Beale-Vox" system. Cross-referencing that patent (e.g., 1908) gives you a minimum age.

✅ 1. Free & Accessible Resources

Several online databases (e.g., Piano Age Calculator, Total Piano Care, Australia Piano World) offer free Beale serial number lists. Unlike some brands that gatekeep data, Beale’s historical numbers are widely shared in piano forums and enthusiast sites. Beale Piano Serial Number Lookup Beale pianos (including

Where to find the serial number

  • Inside the piano: Lift the lid (grand/vertical) or remove the key slip and fallboard (upright) and look on the cast iron plate (harp) near the tuning pins.
  • On the soundboard or pinblock edge: Many uprights have stamped numbers on the soundboard near the bass bridge or on the pinblock’s rim.
  • On the rim or inner casework: Check the inner rim behind the keys or the underside of the lid.
  • Paper labels or plaques: Look for a paper label on the inside back, lid, or underside with model info and number.
  • Exterior or pedal lyre: Less common, but some models have stamped numbers on metal fittings.

Method 1: The Pierce Piano Atlas (Gold Standard)

The Pierce Piano Atlas is the bible of piano serial numbers. It contains historical manufacturing dates for almost every brand, including Beale. You can find a physical copy in most piano technician’s libraries or purchase the digital edition online. According to the Pierce Atlas, here is a condensed Beale Serial Number to Year Chart: The Beale Logo Style: Early Beales used a

| Approximate Serial Number | Year of Manufacture | | --- | --- | | 5000 | 1895 | | 10000 | 1900 | | 20000 | 1906 | | 40000 | 1914 | | 60000 | 1920 | | 80000 | 1925 | | 100000 | 1930 | | 120000 | 1935 | | 140000 | 1940 | | 160000 | 1945 | | 180000 | 1950 | | 210000 | 1960 | | 240000 | 1970 |

Note: This chart is an approximation. Beale production was interrupted during WWI and WWII, leading to irregular numbering.

2. Books with Beale Serial Data

  • The Piano in Australia by Geoffrey Lancaster (limited serials)
  • Australian Piano Manufacture by M. J. E. W. (out of print but in libraries)

Dating a Beale piano from its serial number

  • Serial numbers alone give an approximate date; Beale’s production records were maintained but not always public. General guidance:
    • Lower numbers (often 4–5 digits) typically indicate 19th-century or early-20th-century manufacture.
    • Mid-range numbers generally point to early–mid 20th century.
    • High numbers (late 20th century) indicate later production and may include suffixes or prefixes for factory batches.
  • For the most accurate dating:
    • Cross-reference the serial number with published Beale serial lists (antique piano guides) and Australian piano databases.
    • Compare hardware and design features (action type, logo, cast iron plate style, pedal configuration) to era-specific photos and catalogs.

Step-by-Step Recommendation for Best Results

  1. Find the serial number – Check all four locations above. Clean with a soft cloth and flashlight.
  2. Use at least two sources – Cross-reference:
  3. If number is 70,000–90,000 – Assume 1950s–1960s, but verify by checking for “Made in Australia” stamp on the frame.
  4. If number >100,000 – Likely 1970s or later; contact Yamaha Music Australia (they hold remaining Beale archives).
  5. If number missing – Estimate age by case style (Art Deco = 1930s, Straight-strung overdamper = pre-1910).