W. BELL & CO. Upright
Burled Blond Maple
Guelph, Ontario.
1890-91
55"
This glorious example of Canadian craftsmanship, fully recondition and refinished by Paul Hahn & Co. in 2004, is once again on our sales floor! Bell Piano and Organ Co., established in 1864 in Guelph, Canada West (Ontario) by the brothers William and Robert Bell with a staff of three. It produced 25 four-legged ‘Diploma’ melodeons in its first year. William Bell assumed management in 1865 and, as W. Bell and Co, opened a factory on Market Square in 1871. By 1881 nearly 200 employees produced annually over 1200 melodeons and reed organs, some of which were exported as far as Australia. In 1884 (by which time the company claimed to have produced 26,000 instruments) Bell formed a partnership with his son W.J. Bell (1863-1925), Mrs. W.B. Kennedy, and A.W. Alexander. The younger Bell sold the firm to an English syndicate in 1888, at which time the name was changed to the Bell Organ and Piano Co, Ltd, and the manufacture of pianos was begun. The company’s production reached 600 reed organs and 200 pianos per month. The first grand pianos were built in 1901. Bell pianos were exported extensively, and some of the handsomer models were sent to the palaces of Queen Victoria, Queen Frederica, the kings of Italy and Spain, and a Turkish sultan. The instruments also enjoyed success in trade exhibitions and competitions.
Price Includes:
- Piano bench
- Comprehensive pre-delivery service
- 5-year warranty
- Free delivery with Rosedale Piano Movers within the GTA to the main floor of your home
- One year “trade-up” at full value
- One complimentary in-home piano tuning
Chris Playing “O Christ, Our Help In Ages Past” On Our W. Bell & Co Upright
Piano Inquiry
Price: $25,000
