Note: In Part 1 of this series, this question is answered from the point of view of a piano technician and dealer. In Part 2, a noted curator of antique musical instruments weighs in with his perspective.—Editor

One of the most common types of call that piano dealers receive is from owners of old pianos who are convinced that their instruments are antiques of great worth.  Usually, the purpose of the call is to find out if the dealer will buy the piano, or to ask if the dealer can verify the piano’s value for a tax deduction from a charitable gift. Most times, these calls end with owners being disappointed to find out that their old pianos are worth less than the cost of moving them.