H-J Piano Gallery
This is a section of the Eshelby Pianos’ Piano Gallery which is intended to serve as a reference to provide insight about the huge variety and brands of pianos on the market, hopefully creating a useful resource for anyone interested in learning more about pianos. As time allows, we will be adding more details about piano manufacturers and interesting pianos that we have worked with.
These are pianos Eshelby Pianos owns or has owned since 2015. Most of these pianos are not currently available for hire or sale as they are hired out, have been sold, are awaiting restoration or are being kept as museum or personal items.
Currently available pianos are listed on our Pianos Available for Hire and Sale pages.
H. Paetsch Upright Piano (106)
Serial number MU522. This Paetsch piano was manufactured in Berlin, Germany.Wow! This piano has a pr…
Haake Upright Piano (JAE 124)
Serial number 34322. Built in Hannover in the late 1800’s, the piano has an under damper action and …
Hans Bauer Upright (528)
Serial number: 75007. Branded a Hans Bauer, this piano was manufactured in the 1980’s in the Dietman…
Hanson Upright Piano (240)
Serial numbers: 14482; 4634 on keys. This piano was manufactured in London and has a walnut casing. …
Hardman Upright Piano (JAE 109)
This piano was manufactured in America and has an American Oak casing. It is quite a recently made p…
Heyl Upright Piano (DE 238)
Serial number: 22693. This is a piano manufactured in Germany in around 1925. Pianos like this offer…
Hoffman Upright Piano (DE 724)
Serial number: 175451. This premier quality Hoffman piano was manufactured in America and has what i…
Hoffmann & Kuhne Upright Piano (718)
Serial number: 9193. This piano was manufactured between the years of 1910-1914, in Dresden, Germany…
Hoffmann & Kuhne Upright Piano (742)
Serial number: 44555. This piano was manufactured in Dresden, Germany. One of the best upright piano…
Hoffmann & Kuhne Upright Piano (604)
This piano was built in Dresden, Germany around 1900. It is a tall piano at about 1.3m – commo…
Hoffmann Upright Piano (059)
Manufactured in South Africa, this Hoffmann is a highly attractive small piano with elegant, antique…
Hoffmann Upright Piano (249)
Serial number: 2953. Manufactured in South Africa, this is a later model from the Hoffmann factory a…
Hoffmann Upright Piano (405)
This is a beautiful piano with its Queen Anne legs and light whispy frame in the top panel. It has b…
Hoffmann Upright Piano (409)
Manufactured in South Africa in the early 1970’s, this piano has a very modern and plain-style…
Hoffmann Upright Piano (416)
Serial number: 2455. This piano was manufactured in South Africa. Suiting its smart simple structure…
Hoffmann Upright Piano (517)
Serial number: 19635. Although this Hoffmann was manufactured in South Africa, it is unique as this …
Hoffmann Upright Piano (518)
Serial number: 4015. This piano was manufactured in South Africa. We, Eshelby Pianos, have hand-pain…
Hoffmann Upright Piano (DE 276)
Serial number: 898. This piano is a good example of a later South Africa manufactured Hoffmann (1970…
Hoffmann Upright Piano (JAE 141)
Serial number: 5367. This piano was manufactured in England and has a mahogany casing. This piano is…
Hoffmann Upright Piano (JAE 142)
Serial numbers: 17839; 3008. This piano was manufactured in South Africa in 1970 and has a mahogany …
Hofmann & Czerny Upright Piano (680)
Serial number: 45780. This Hofmann and Czerny was built by Hofmann in Vienna, Austria, in around 195…
Hofmann & Czerny Upright Piano (701)
Serial number: 45625. This piano was manufactured in the Hofmann Factory in Vienna, Austria. This is…
Hofmann & Czerny Upright Piano (759)
Serial number: 44394. This piano was manufactured by Hofmann in Vienna, Austria. The piano has been …
Hofmann & Czerny Upright Piano (789)
Serial number: 43326. This piano was manufactured in the late 1950’s in Vienna, Austria. It is…
Ibach Grand Piano (DE 916)
This Model C Ibach was manufactured in 1895. It is a seven-foot grand with ebonised casing – a beaut…
Ibach Grand Piano (DE 932)
Serial number: 83747. This piano was built in Germany in 1921. Ibach is one of Germany’s best-…
Ibach Grand Piano (DE 946)
Since purchase we have not had a chance to assess, service and record information about this piano a…
Ibach Upright Piano (022)
Serial number: 2A39484. This Ibach was manufactured in Germany and is of premier quality! It is also…
Ibach Upright Piano (203)
This Ibach piano was manufactured in the Dietmann Factory in South Africa, likely in the later 1980&…
Ibach Upright Piano (434)
Serial number 20155. Manufactured in the Dietmann Factory in South Africa, this compact piano is of …
Ibach Upright Piano (DE 257)
Serial number: 134478. This piano was assembled in 1978, in South Africa and has a light mahogany ca…
Ibach Upright Piano (DE 315)
Assembled in the South African Dietmann Factory in the 1980’s, this appears to be a deluxe version o…
Ibach Upright Piano (DE 762)
Serial numbers: 104289; 93 618. This is a “treasure” of a piano; a proper Ibach, of very…
Ibach Upright Piano (JAE 113)
Serial number: 13126. This piano was manufactured in the Dietmann Factory (Wellington, Western Cape,…
Jarrett & Goudge Upright Piano (JAE 107)
Serial number: 1098. This piano was manufactured in London, unusual for an English piano because of …
John Brinsmead Upright Piano (DE 267)
Serial number 84014. This piano was manufactured in London between the years of 1935 and 1939.This J…
John Brinsmead Upright Piano (DE 307)
Serial number: A81748. This piano was manufactured in London, in likely the late 1920’s. It is a mon…
John Brinsmead Upright Piano (JAE 127)
Serial number: 80406. This piano was manufactured in London and has a walnut casing. Although larger…
With having to recreate the Eshelby Pianos website in early 2023, it is going to take months to load all of the pianos to our gallery pages.
The details from our previous website follow, but – unfortunately – without the photographs.
Haake
JAE 124 Haake Upright Pianoforte with stool. Serial number 34322. Built in Hannover in the late 1800’s, the piano has an under damper action and is of straight strung design. It retains its ivory keys. The casing is an amazing burr walnut veneer, impeccably book-matched to create an astonishing effect. It’s difficult to appreciate the craftsmanship in a piano like this. Truly an artwork in its own right. The top panel has an etched design of floral sprays. The dimensions of this piano are: a height of 128 cm; a width 145 cm and a depth 67 cm.
Hahn
HJG 52 Hahn Upright Pianoforte with matching stool. This is a German Upright with straight legs. The darkish walnut finish has a very distinctive grain. Its dimensions are: height of 1.26 m, width of 1.43 m and depth of 56 cm.
Hanson
DE 240 Hanson Upright and stool. Serial number: 14482; 4634 on keys. This piano was manufactured in London and has a walnut casing. It is in excellent condition as it has had a very extensive and expensive restoration including re-polishing. The tone is pleasant and lively. The piano has 85 keys – with a medium to heavier touch weight – and 2 pedals. The dimensions of this piano are: a height of 125 cm; a width of 150 cm and a depth 62 cm.
Hardman:
JAE 109 Hardman Upright Pianoforte with stool. This piano was manufactured in America and has an American Oak casing. It is quite a recently made piano, built in the 1980 s. The general condition reflects this, and it has had little use. The dimensions of this piano are: a height of 95 cm, width of 149 cm and a depth of 61 cm.
Hausmann: We have two examples of this name of piano, one of which was actually an Otto Bach that had been re-branded Hausmann (referenced DE 261 Otto Bach – see Otto Bach).
DE 703 Hausmann Upright Pianoforte with stool. This piano has recently been re-polished to a high-shine black finish (January 2017). It is really a lovely, good-quality piano. This piano was restored in May 2017. The dimensions of this piano are: height of 120 cm, width of 145 cm and depth of 61 cm.
Hazelton Bros.: ‘Hazelton Bros.’ was the labelling used by Samick as an export-only label. View Samick for more details. See also DE 753 Samick (Re: Hazelton Bros.) as an example of one of there export-only pianos.
Hermann, Alexander: Manufactured in Germany. Established in 1903 and listed as manufacturing until 1973.
JAE 427 Alexander Hermann Upright Pianoforte with matching stool. This piano has an oak casing subtly highlighted with the Gris Belge shade of Rubio Monocoat. The variation of the wood has been given new and modern colour. This finish has become rather popular in the last few years. The keys have a medium to lighter touch and play a brilliant, rounded mellower German tone! This piano’s dimensions are: height of 127 cm, width of 152 cm and depth of 66 cm.
Hire price: launch charge of R 1 950.00 and monthly charge of R 550.00.
Sale price: R 39 000.00 (incl. VAT).
Hermann Mayr: See Mayr, Herman.
Hermann Paetsch: Established in 1904 in Berlin, Germany, the factory closed n about 1931.
JAE 106 H. Paetsch Upright Pianoforte with stool. Serial number MU522, this piano has a Burr Walnut finish. A typical old German piano of high quality and very good tone. The dimensions of this piano are: a height of 132 cm, width of 148.5 cm and a depth of 66 cm.
Heyl, G.: Barona, Germany, 1828.
DE 238 Heyl Upright Pianoforte with stool. Serial number: 22693. A German piano manufactured around 1925, this piano has a wonderfully rich, deep, mellow (but also lively) tonal quality, ivory keys and a walnut casing. Pianos like these offer so much in terms of tone and depth that they make many more modern pianos seem very light and less expensive in build and sound. It has 85 keys, with a medium touch, and 2 pedals. The dimensions of this piano are: a height of 132 cm, width of 156 cm and a depth of 64 cm.
Hoffman or Hoffmann: Various manufacturers. Read notes with individual pianos.
JAE 02 Hoffman Upright Pianoforte with matching stool. Made in Europe. The piano has a mahogany casing.
JAE 59 Hoffmann Upright Pianoforte with stool.
Manufactured in South Africa, with a mahogany casing, this piano has elegant, antique ball and claw legs.
The dimensions of this piano are: a height of 112 cm, width of 134.5 cm and a depth of 56 cm.
JAE 141 Hoffman Upright Pianoforte and stool. This piano was manufactured in England and has a mahogany casing. The piano has a light to medium touch and 85 keys. This piano is suited for someone starting to learn how to play the piano. The dimensions of this piano are: a height of 128 cm, a width of 146 cm and a depth of 64 cm.
JAE 142 Hoffmann Upright Piano and stool. Serial number: 17839.
This piano was manufactured in South Africa and has a mahogany casing.
This is a very clean, concise look.
The dimensions of this piano are: a height of 113 cm, a width of 134.5 cm and a depth of 55 cm.
DE 249 Hoffmann Upright Pianoforte with stool. Serial number: 2953. Manufactured in South Africa, this is a later model from the Hoffmann factory and is one of the better-manufactured Hoffmann pianos in line with an Otto Bach. It has a modern-styled, high-gloss mahogany casing and would suit a wide spectrum of players. With a lovely medium- mellow tone quality, it has 88 keys, with a medium to firm touch, and 2 pedals. This piano’s dimensions are: height of 112 cm, width of 142 cm and depth of 56 cm.
DE 276 Hoffmann Upright Pianoforte with stool. Serial number 898 (on key).
This piano was manufactured in South Africa and has a walnut casing. It has 88 keys, with a medium touch, and 2 pedals.
JAE 405 Hoffman Upright Pianoforte with stool. This is a beautiful piano with its Queen Anne legs and light whispy frame in the top panel. It has been hand-painted white and sanded smooth to reflect subtle depth variation – a modern twist on an antique style of piano. This piano’s dimensions are: a height of 116 cm, a width of 137.5 cm and a depth of 58.5 cm.
JAE 409 Hoffman Upright Pianoforte with matching stool. Manufactured in South Africa in the early 1970’s, this piano has a very modern and plain-styled case. The unusual brush paint effect resembles that of brushed aluminium. The dimensions of this piano are: a height of 109 cm, width of 134.5 cm and a depth of 53 cm.
JAE 416 Hoffman Upright Pianoforte with stool. Serial number: 2455. This piano was manufactured in South Africa. It is suited to someone starting to learn how to play the piano: although painted, it is a more standard piano. Suiting its smart simple structure, it has been finished with a graphite shade of chalk paint. One can see how the light reflects and varies the shade of the dark grey. The dimensions of this piano are: a height of 114 cm, width of 135 cm and a depth of 53 cm.
DE 518 Hoffmann Upright Pianoforte and stool. Serial number: 4015. This piano was manufactured in South Africa. We have hand-painted this piano with our most popular chalk paint – the Annie Sloane’s Aubasson blue chalk paint – with a light grey undercoat (August 2019). The piano is not currently distressed to reveal the grey undercoat. The linen fold top panel and ball and claw legs highlight the variation typical of chalk paint. It has 88 keys, with a medium to heavier touch weight, and 2 pedals. The dimensions of this piano are: a height of 113 cm, width of 142.5 cm and a depth of 55 cm.
DE 724 Hoffman Upright Pianoforte with stool. Serial number: 175 451. This piano was manufactured in America and has what is referred to an ‘American Walnut’ casing. Note the beautiful graining in the timber. We have just re-polished this piano (July 2017), keeping its natural walnut colour. This is an absolutely lovely piano, certainly in a different league to other Hoffman pianos. One must remember that there were numerous Hoffman brands being produced by different factories, with the same ‘Hoffman’ brand name. It has a great tone and a medium to hard, solid touch. The dimensions of this piano are: a height of 113 cm, width of 144 cm and a depth of 60 cm.
Hoffmann Upright with matching stool. Serial number: 19635. Although this Hoffmann was manufactured in South Africa, it is unique as this is the only locally made Hoffmann we have come across fitted with a Renner action and keys, and the only one of this specific shape as well. It does appear to be of a higher than usual quality for a piano like this. The piano and stool has been painted in a medium shade of blue chalk paint; it has a cheerful and light appearance with nice detailing (July 2019). It has 85 keys, with a medium touch, and 2 pedals. The dimensions of this piano are: a height of 114 cm, width of 137 cm and a depth of 56 cm. Previously referenced DE 517, this piano was sold in November 2020.
HRE 39 Hoffmann Upright Pianoforte with stool.
HJG 01 Hoffmann Upright Pianoforte with matching stool.
Serial number: 2958 on keys.
This piano has a high gloss, sepeli mahogany finish and is rather modern-looking.Its dimensions are: width of 1.42 m, depth of 56 cm and height of 1.12 m.
HJG 17 Hoffmann upright piano with matching stool. Serial number: 428-3636.
This South African assembled piano is a Huguenot model, made with imbuia wood.
It has a dark brown casing and ball and claw legs.
Its dimensions are: width of 1.4 m, depth of 69 cm and height of 1.18 m.
HJG 82 Hoffmann Upright Pianoforte with matching stool.
Serial number: 2455.
This is a modern-looking piano with straight sides and a very dark mahogany finish.
Hoffmann & Czerny: Vienna, Austria, established 1903.
DE 701 Hoffmann and Czerny Upright Pianoforte with matching stool.
Serial number: 45625. This piano was manufactured in Vienna, Austria and has a mahogany casing. This is one of the best quality pianos we have, the price under-reflects what it is. These are wonderful pianos of top quality.
DE 759 Hoffmann and Czerny Upright Pianoforte with stool. Serial number: 44394. This piano was manufactured by Hoffmann in Vienna, Austria. The piano has been labelled as Hoffmann and Czerny, however no other branding is present except for the Hoffmann badge on the frame. It has a magnificent figured walnut casing, which has been refinished in one of our favourite polishes – providing a waxed, natural look which hugely popular. The magnificent veneer work and book-matching is evident. It also has attractive Queen Anne legs and the option to open the top like one would a grand piano. As one would expect, it has a rich and warm tone. The piano has 88 keys (with a medium to firmer touch-weight), retaining their original ivory in a wonderful condition. This is a superior quality piano comparable to any other top brand; it is one of our favourite pianos. The dimensions are: a height of 118 cm; a width of 153 cm and a depth of 61 cm.
DE 789 Hoffmann and Czerny Upright Pianoforte with stool. Serial number: 43326. This piano was manufactured in the late 1950’s in Vienna, Austria. It is a top of the line – suberb quality throughout – piano comparable to any of the best pianos made; it is one of our most sought-after and favourite pianos.
Although the mahogany casing has been re-polished prior to our ownership, the internals are all original. It has a typically German piano tone of richness without being overly mellow. The piano has 88 keys (with beautiful ivory), a medium weight touch and 3 pedals. The dimensions of this piano are: a height of 117 cm, a width of 153 cm and a depth of 60 cm.
Hoffmann and Czerny
Upright Pianoforte with matching stool (hire reference JAE 333).
This piano was manufactured in Vienna, Austria and has a lovely, figured, light walnut casing.
It was re-polished in July 2016 and sold in August 2016.
Hoffman & Kuhne: Factory was established in 1899, in Dresden, Germany; also associated with Urbas & Kuhne.
DE 718 Hoffman & Kuhne Upright Pianoforte with stool.
Serial number: 9193. This piano was manufactured between the years of 1910-1914, in Dresden, Germany and has a mahogany casing. This is really a beautiful instrument, and is really as good as one gets in terms of quality of build, and attention to detail. A piano like this in today’s new piano market would be hard to find, and cost a fortune, this was the heydey of piano building. The dimensions of this piano are: a height of 132 cm, a width of 153 cm and a depth of 67 cm.
DE 742 Hoffman and Kuhne Upright Pianoforte with matching stool. Serial number: 44555. One of the best upright pianos to come out of pre-war Germany, this piano’s manufacture dates to around 1930. With a beautiful, re-polished rosewood casing and height suitably adorned with frames and additional embellishments, this piano exudes the lovely warm and rounded tone from the place and period of its production. The piano has an 85-note keyboard with ivory-tipped keys, a medium weight touch, and 2 pedals. This piano’s dimensions are: a height of 125 cm, a width of 151.5 cm and a depth of 66.5 cm.
Hoffman and Kuhne (was JAE 604) Upright Pianoforte with stool.
This piano was built in Germany around 1900. It is a tall piano at about 1.3m – commonly known as an Upright Grand.
This piano has a Burr and plain walnut combination casing. Really beautiful antique case, ornate legs et cetera. This piano was sold in October 2016.
H. Paetsch: See Herman Paetsch.
Ibach or Rud. Ibach & Sohn: Factory was established in 1794, in Schwelm, W. Germany (1869 till now). Ibach pianos were also manufactured in the Dietman Factory in South Africa.
JAE 22 IbachUpright Pianoforte with stool. Serial number: 2A39484. This is a rather attractive piano – which is not surprising considering that it is an Ibach. Simple and modern, it fits the typical image that most people associate with pianos, however the unusual lighter casing and additional frame detail in the top panel make it far more refined in appearance. This Ibach was manufactured in Germany and is of premier quality! The dimensions of this piano are: a height of 109 cm, width of 143 cm and a depth of 53 cm.
JAE 113 Ibach Upright Pianoforte with stool. This piano has a dark mahogany casing. It is a lovely looking piano with a frame in the top panel, Queen Anne legs and additional refined details in its structure.
DE 203 Ibach Upright Pianoforte with stool. This piano was manufactured in the Dietman Factory in South Africa, likely in the later 1980’s. This is a superior quality piano, which can be seen in the detail of the light walnut casing, matching stool and a Renner (German) action. It is beautiful with Queen Anne legs, a delicate frame in the top panel and other refined edging details. The piano is very nice, probably one of our best Dietmann built pianos. There is a slight crackeleur in the polish, but it is not noticeable and part of it’s character. It has a lovely rich tone with a singing treble. The piano has 88 keys – with a medium to lighter touch – and 2 pedals, however it’s effectively a 3 pedal piano as it does have a sostenuto rail which is operated by a lever underneath the keyboard instead of the middle pedal as is common. The dimensions of this piano are a height of 113 cm, a width of 145 cm and a depth of 56 cm.
DE 257 Ibach Upright Pianoforte with stool.
Assembled in South Africa in the 1980’s, this appears to be a deluxe version of the standard Ibach fitted with Renner Action, a mark of quality.
This piano has a mahogany casing and has a simple, modern appearance.
DE 315 Ibach Upright Pianoforte with stool. Serial number: 134478. This piano was assembled in 1978, in South Africa and has a light mahogany casing. The action is by Renner, a sure sign of a good quality piano and superior touch quality. Its tone is rounded and lively. The piano has 88 keys, with a medium to heavier touch, and 2 pedals. The dimensions of this piano are: a height of 114 cm, width of 146.5 cm and a depth of 60 cm.
JAE 434 Rud. Ibach & Sohn Upright Pianoforte with matching stool. Serial number 20155. This compact piano was manufactured in South Africa and is of a premier, high quality with a Renner Action. It has a high-gloss white casing (re-polished 01/2018). This piano’s dimensions are: height of 112.5 cm, width of 142.5 cm and depth of 55 cm.
DE 762 Rud. Ibach Upright Pianoforte and stool. Serial numbers: 104289; 93 618. This is a “treasure” of a piano; a proper Ibach, of very fine quality. German pianos are rare on our market, especially post-war, later models like this. Ibach is one of the most historic and renowned German piano builders. The piano is fitted with a Renner action. The quality of a piano like this surpasses expectations. It shows in the attention to detail and wonderful sound and touch. It has a very compact design, with a richer tone than one would expect from a small piano, and an unusually light colour walnut casing make it aesthetically pleasing as well. A lovely thing! The piano has 88 keys, with a heavier touch as sought by many students and teachers, and 3 pedals. Please note though that the sostenuto/practice pedal rail inside is operated by hand. The dimensions of this piano are: a height of 101 cm, a width of 142 cm and a depth of 53 cm.
Rud. Ibach
Upright Pianoforte with matching stool. Built in Germany in late 1960’s early 1970’s, this piano has an expensive structure and has been artisti cally finished with a turquoise French Provincial casing.
Its refined finishes include a superior qualitytimber, design detail such as cabriole legs and a folding music desk, a grand piano-style top lid make this a far more expensive build than would otherwise be the case. It is a good make of piano with a Renner Action and a good tone. Sold in 2016 (was JAE 410).
HRE 29 Ibach Upright Pianoforte with stool.
HRE 48 Ibach Upright Pianoforte with stool. Serial number: 112/144/630. This piano has a light casing.
HRE 50 Rud. Ibach Upright Pianoforte with stool. This piano was assembled in South Africa.
HJG 13 Rud. I. Bach upright piano with matching stool. This is probably one of our oldest hire pianos. Although it is an over-damper piano, it has a particularly good over-damper design. Over-dampers are generally less sought after by piano dealers because of their action system, but this one is of a particularly good design and consequently is a good piano with a remarkable tone. The bit of engraving on its finish and its proper French polished casing also add to the value of the piano.
HJG 44 Rud. I. Bach Upright Pianoforte with matching stool. Serial number 554-2584.
DE 916 Ibach Grand Pianoforte with stool. Seven foot grand with ebonised casing. “C”, 1895. Beautiful and rare.
DE 932 Rud. Ibach Grand Pianoforte and stool. Serial number: 83747. This piano was built in Germany in 1921. Ibach is one of Germany’s best-known piano builders. The casing is extremely elegant, having a light, well-proportioned feel. It has 88 keys, in ebony and ivory, and two pedals. This is a nice sized piano at 180 cm in length and 151 cm in width. It is very original condition is a testament to being well kept and lightly used.
We feel to simply give the piano a major service and cleaning, as to undertake any major repair seems unnecessary and adds cost but not value-to-use.
We will point out any age-related condition “faults” to prospective buyers. Such as a few blemishes on the ebony casing, a soundboard crack et cetera, and show why we feel these don’t warrant repair.
Jarrett & Goudge: Factory was based in London, England in 1871. Pianos are listed as being manufactured from 1845.
JAE 107 Jarrett & Goudge upright piano with matching stool. Serial number: 1098. This piano was manufactured in London, unusual for an English piano because of it’s large size. It has a Burr-walnut casing with a beautiful inlaid panel and fitted candlesticks. Its dimensions are a width of 152 cm, a depth of 62 cm and a height of 129 cm.
J.C. Campbell: See Campbell, J.C..
John Brinsmead: See Brinsmead, John & Son.
John Broadwood: See Broadwood, John.
John Wagstaff & Son
JAE 43 John Wagstaff Upright Piano with matching stool. Serial number: 37008. This piano was manufactured in Germany and is an excellent piano. It has an Art Noveau style case with inlay. It would appeal to an antique collector. The dimensions of this piano are: a height of 130 cm, a width of 151 cm and a depth of 64.5 cm.
HRE 12 John Wagstaff & Son Upright Pianoforte with stool. Serial number: 35897.