October Question of the Month: an irregular series

The reference librarians at Seattle Public Library are pretty darn amazing. They don’t know everything, instead they know where to find everything. As part of an irregular series of posts we salute the talented and dedicated reference staff at your local library. Names and other identifying information have been removed from the questions we showcase. Got a stumper? Click on Ask a Librarian. It’s what we do.

I have a Steinway Model O baby grand piano, serial number 145183, and understand that its age may be determined using the Pierce Piano Atlas. Do you carry this atlas and can you determine my piano’s age?  Thank you.

Hi ,
According to the Pierce Piano Atlas, 10th edition, 1911 was the year for Steinway serial numbers beginning with 145,000. In 1912 the serial numbers started with 155,000.

Hope this helps. Please let us know if you have any further questions.

Thank you,
Arts, Recreation and Literature
The Seattle Public Library