In Digest 970426 I wrote an article "Foster vs. Marshall & Wendell
Pianos." After checking some derelict pianos made by this company here's
what I found.

Most of the upright pianos _are_ the same: the plate, action & player
(always a standard).  The scale count is 25-30-33 on these pianos, and
there are always four two-string unisons at notes 26 & 27.

The name plate is bolted to the top of the plate by the big bolts on top
of the plate. There are three from right to left. On the third bolt, you
can see the gap -- that's a dead giveaway.

All parts on these pianos are interchangeable.  There was a later Foster
with a different script on the nameplate.  These always had the phrase
"The American piano with the bell-like tone."  Some of these had two-tier
standard actions.  These are the most common but its still the same
piano.  For lack of a better word, I'll call them the "A" piano.

The "A" piano can be found under the following names:  Foster, Marshall &
Wendell, Franklin Piano Co., Brewster Piano Co., & Kingston.

The Kingston is especially interesting because this piano was sold by
Wurlitzer.  But there is no doubt that it was built by American Piano Co.
But why would Wurlitzer even need to have a piano made somewhere else?  I
don't know.

I would like to compile a list if these pianos.  If you have any that are
the same in scale count and description, please send me the brand names
and I'll add them to my research list.

Andy Taylor
Missouri