This question has been one of the most frequently asked questions of me.
If I am asked this question here in my home town I can give people a fairly reasonable idea on the current value of their instrument and rolls, as I live in the area. But as you can appreciate the internet reaches every corner of the globe, so if your in any other part of the globe except Australia it gets a little difficult, especially with different currencies and the like.
So if your seeking a true value of your items I would recommend you contact your local piano Technician or dealer and get them to give you an appraisal on your piano.
I will how ever give you an estimate of value for them if the instrument was in Australia.
For your standard pedal player piano in non-working condition, with all the mechanism intact and the cabinet in fair condition would bring $500 - $1500. To reach the $1500 mark it would need to be in very good condition externally and have a good action in it.
For a perfectly restored player with cabinet re-polished and player restored the instrument would probably be worth around $3500 - $4000.
Any instrument which fits between these lines you would have to adjust the price accordingly.
If the instrument you own is a re-producing piano the price goes up quite considerably.
To find out the age of your piano simply look under the lid on the steel plate which holds the strings for the serial number. When you talk to your piano technician tell him the number and he should be able to give you an idea on it’s age by looking it up in: "Michaels Piano Atlas" (I don’t have it....sorry!!!)
Now for the rolls!! These can vary as much as the piano depending on what you have. Here’s a common question!!
"My grandmother left us a box of 47 rolls from the 1920's. What are they worth today?"
There is some fairly hot demand for the few big artists such as James P. Johnson ($8), Pete Wendling ($5), Rags ($6), Blues ($3) and most other rolls are worth maybe $2 or $3. A good place to sell them is the local auction house. Thus, if you do have any rare rags, you will know it. But, if you have a box of foxtrots and "songs", you can know you aren't going to get rich from the rolls. The condition of them also plays a part in their value, rough or torn edges makes them pretty worthless unless rare (ie re-producing, etc).
Re-producing rolls are the only other rolls worth a reasonably amount of money, from $3 to $20 or even more if they are rare recordings. They are quite distinguishable when played on your ordinary player (as they will play on it!) the difference is that they have a bunch of holes on both margins of the music roll, so while playing on your piano they will tend to play the very high and low notes (just to aggravate you !!). Usually the roll boxes have a label both ends of the box. If the name "Ampico" or "Duo-Art" appears on them anywhere that is further evidence that you have a re-producing roll. The name "Duluxe" helps signify "Welte" rolls, these are all well sort after rolls ,or the most common anyhow.
There is many others, but to a lesser degree. If you ever come across rolls that you can’t seem to identify give us a call and I will see what I can find out for you. I myself am mainly in the market for "Ampico" rolls, but also 73 note rolls for my pushup which is shown elsewhere on this home page, these rolls have metal pins in each end and are a slightly wider roll than the conventional 88 not roll. Most of the roll boxes are labelled in German print and are called "Phonola" or "Claviola" rolls. Also if anyone has any 43 note rolls for my "Aeolian style1050" pedal organ , also shown elsewhere on this home page. I would be most grateful, as I only have 4 rolls for it at present.
Remember all these prices are in Australian Dollars