Description
I do not know a lot about pianos, so I do not know if the condition is good or fair. Three keys stick when they are pressed and the center food pedal does as well. Other than that, the wood still looks beautiful, minus a few minor chips. The keys, though, are yellowing and have little chips at the ends of them.
Re: B. Shoninger Upright Piano
Did you find out anything else about your piano? I have one that looks almost exactly like yours, (with the exact same numbers inside at the top right hand side) but yours is flat and straight upright, mine goes up from the key board about 11 or 12 inches, then indents back about 3 inches, it makes a little shelf. On the top of yours, in the picture with the dates, I see a hinge in the background, mine doesn't have a hinge on the top. At the little shelf, mine has a mirror, the length of the piano. I know for a fact mine was made before 1978, because I'm 53 and I got the piano when I was 6 or 7 years old. So, it has to be 1878 and up to 1889. Please let me know if you got any information on your piano. Oh, I have 3 keys that don't work at all, but all the pedals work, and the wood is in good shape, and the keys are fine!
Re: B. Shoninger Upright Piano
Based on your images and the patent numbers this piano is a post 1900 example. Patents ran 17 years at the time, the last patent date of 1889 would have been listed until 1906 or a new patent was applied. Values for pianos of this vintage are modest, as any piano over 50 years old will need a great deal of internal restoration, which can exceed the value of a newer piano in good condition. Most sell for under $500.00 at auction.
Lovejoy