Often referred to as the "Bible of the Piano Business," the Pierce Piano Atlas is considered the standard international reference work for identifying pianos. The eighth edition contains information on thousands of piano manufacturers worldwide, including serial numbers, production dates, factory locations, company histories and trade names. For generations, piano technicians, restorers, dealers and collectors have relied upon the Pierce Piano Atlas as the definitive reference for identifying pianos and determining their age. This extensively revised Eighth Edition contains thousands of listings covering manufacturers from around the world, providing serial number tables, production dates, factory locations, historical notes and cross-references between trade names and actual builders. Whether evaluating an antique square piano, dating a Victorian upright or identifying a twentieth-century grand, the Pierce Piano Atlas remains an indispensable working tool for anyone involved with pianos. The Pierce Piano Atlas is an encyclopaedic reference work devoted entirely to the history and identification of piano manufacturers. Entries are arranged alphabetically and include detailed information on more than ten thousand piano names, brands and trade labels from Europe, North America, Asia and other parts of the world. Each entry typically provides manufacturing dates, factory locations, serial number information, ownership changes, mergers and brief historical notes. One of the atlas's greatest strengths is its extensive serial number database, enabling technicians and collectors to determine the approximate manufacturing date of a piano quickly and accurately. Numerous cross-references help identify instruments sold under retailer or distributor names, while historical summaries document the evolution of many famous and lesser-known piano makers. As a result, the volume has become an essential reference for piano restorers, appraisers, auction houses, museums and musical instrument historians. Bob Pierce (W. Robert Pierce), (AI-generated content description)internationally known as "Mr. Piano," devoted much of his professional life to documenting the history of piano manufacturing throughout the world. Beginning with the first edition in 1947, he spent decades collecting serial number records, factory histories and manufacturer information by corresponding with piano companies, technicians and collectors worldwide. His work evolved into the internationally respected Pierce Piano Atlas, widely regarded as the standard reference for the piano industry. Later editions were expanded and continued by his son, Larry E. Ashley, ensuring that the atlas remained the principal authority for identifying and dating pianos. (AI-generated content description)