Welcome to the
Chickering Piano Collection
Presenting a collection of eight fully restored Chickering grand pianos produced by Chickering & Sons, comprised of scales 105D, 109C, 116, 119, 121, 122, 123, and 131
Chickering & Sons, one of America’s finest piano makers, marketed nine different grand pianos during its Golden Age. A private collector has purchased and restored eight treasured models. To preserve this important part of American musical history, the collector is now seeking an institution to house the collection and is willing to loan, sell or donate the pianos so they can be appreciated by the public. The unique and extraordinary Chickering piano collection can be viewed here.
Chickering & Sons was founded in 1823 and was considered the preeminent piano maker for its first fifty years. Then, for the remainder of the 19th century, it shared the spotlight with brands like Steinway and Mason & Hamlin. Many famous composers and musicians owned Chickering pianos and requested they be onstage for their performances.
This website provides a detailed history of Chickering. You will find essential information including detailed instructions on how to identify a Chickering piano’s age, model number, plate design and size. This site also provides invaluable resources and recommendations for restoring and appraising Chickering pianos.
All serious inquiries will receive a response within twenty four hours.
Chickering & Sons’ Unique Approach to Piano Building
Chickering referred to its piano models as “Scales,” with each scale number representing a distinct piano engineering design. These designs were defined by uniquely specific elements of piano construction, including the configuration of the iron plate, the length of the strings, and the thickness of the wire. Each piano scale number was assigned sequentially.
Chickering took immense pride in the engineering of its pianos. So much so that it began casting the scale numbers directly into the iron plates of each piano, making model identification remarkably simple. On many modes, a glance at the plate determines the piano’s scale and lineage.
In addition to developing beautiful, new piano designs, Chickering also made subtle refinements to their existing models. These minor adjustments were reflected by adding a trailing letter to the original scale number, a thoughtful evolution of an already well-crafted piano.
The Golden Age of the Piano
The Golden Age of the Piano refers to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a time when the piano became a defining symbol of American culture, craftsmanship, and domestic life. Between 1890 and the 1930s, piano manufacturing in the U.S. surged, with annual sales reaching over 360,000 units. For many families, the piano was second only to the home in value, a mark of middle-class achievement and a centerpiece for home entertainment in an era before radio and recorded music.
Pianos were found everywhere, in schools, parlors, churches, and community halls. Music education was considered essential. Playing the piano was a common skill in many households across the country. New York, Boston, and Chicago became metropolitan hubs for hundreds of piano makers, including Chickering & Sons, a prestige brand whose pianos were renowned for innovation and sound quality.
During this time, American manufacturers supplied half the global piano market. The instrument was more than just furniture. Pianos were a source of status, pride, and artistic expression. The Golden Age of the Piano represents a pivotal period when the piano influenced how people connected through music.
About the Chickering Piano Collection
The collection featured on this website consists of Chickering’s grand pianos from America’s Golden Age of Pianos.
Chickering Piano Scale 105D (Concert Grand, 8’7”, 1907)
Part of the illustrious Scale -105 family pioneers of Chickering’s concert grands.The 105 prototype introduced innovations like the two-piece plate with a Harmonic (Capo d’Astro) bar. This 1907 piano from San Francisco was sun-damaged when first discovered. Now fully restored and brought back to its original beauty, it delivers both historic engineering and modern playability.
Chickering Piano Scale 109C (Parlor Grand, 6’3”, 1898)
This model was a collaborative restoration success story. One piano provided a soundboard and the other supplied intact cosmetic elements (case and ivories). Their fusion produced an instrument offering both structural integrity and authentic aesthetics, a testament to meticulous restoration craftsmanship.
Chickering Piano Scale 131 (Concert Grand, 8’9”, 1915)
Distinguished by an Italian village and grapevine murals, this grand piano from Beverly Hills was more of a decorative centerpiece than a performance instrument. The soundboard, plate and strings were all in excellent shape. Unfortunately, the original ivory keys were lost and were replaced.
Chickering Piano Scale 119 (Semi-Concert Grand, 7’6”, 1901)
A heavily used workhorse instrument from Illinois, this grand suffered worn keys and a modified action tray. Its restoration hinged on transplanting a pristine tray and key set from a Seattle counterpart, merging its rugged history with polished mechanics.
Chickering Piano Scale 116 (Parlor Grand, 6’4”, 1899)
A rare gem with all-original strings, soundboard, pinblock, and ivory keys, all over a century old. Sourced from Northern California, it is the best preserved model in the collection, exemplifying longevity thanks to its treasured original owners.
Chickering Piano Scale 123 (Parlor Grand, 6’4”, 1905)
This Los Angeles-sourced piano had two major flaws, a buzzing due to a detached rib, and an amateur black paint job. The restoration involved re-gluing ribs, stripping the paint, and meticulous refinishing that restored both the sound quality and aesthetic harmony.
Chickering Piano Scale 121 (Quarter Grand, 5’6”, 1906)
Another creative blend of two instruments; one piano, altered for an electrical player system, provided structural substance. The other piano contributed a healthy case. The result is a beautifully functional quarter grand that marries two histories into one refined instrument.
Chickering Piano Scale 122 (Petite Quarter Grand, 5’0”, 1905)
Another successful hybrid restoration, melding a structurally sound piano with another that had a stronger case, producing a petite grand that defines thoughtful craftsmanship and piece-by-piece rebirth.