What Craig Brougher has described in 010826 MMD ["Unusual Chickering
Ampico Console Piano"], I believe, is none other than the "Baby Ampico".

There are several descriptions of this instrument in various books.
The one that I found was in "Player Piano Treasury" by the late
Harvey Roehl.  On page 77 of that book appears a reprint of an Ampico
ad for "The Baby Ampico in the Schools, an ideal instrument for
classroom work."

The ad explains, "The top of the piano is low enough to allow the
teacher to face the class and watch the recording simultaneously."
Furthering this intended use for the piano, the back is covered with a
grille cloth, so that the side exposed to the classroom has a finished
appearance.

Some confusion exists among modern collectors on how these pianos are
named.  In general, most collectors think that "Baby Ampico" refers to
spinet models produced in the late 1930's.  In truth, both the spinet
and the 46" upright are called "Baby Ampico" in various Ampico ads.
Generally the 46" upright is called a "Top Loader" by modern collectors
and the spinet is referred to as the "Baby".

Another unique feature of the top loader is that it often is found in
green or red lacquered cases with Chinese designs.  Mr. Stoddard, the
inventor of the Ampico, was fond of Chinese style furniture and had
decorated his entire New York apartment in that style, including three
large Chinese-style custom-made roll cabinets that are now in my
collection.  I suspect that Mr. Stoddard had a hand in choosing the
design for these pianos.

When tuning the Ampico spinet, the tray holding the roll transport
mechanism is unscrewed from the case, and slid away from the tuning
pins.  Enough slack in the tubing allows for a gap between the pins
and the tray.  The gap is just big enough for a small tuning hammer.
It is a very tight fit.

Pictures of the Ampico spinet -- the other baby Ampico -- may be found
on page 290 of the "Encyclopedia of Automatic Musical Instruments" by
Q. David Bowers.  The roll transport trays in these two unusual Ampicos
are almost identical.  Having not seem the piano in Craig's possession
does leave room for error in my assumption that he does indeed have the
top loader that I am familiar with.  I am puzzled about the location of
the governor.  In the spinet model, the governor is in the tray, on the
treble side.  All linkage (tempo) to the governor is within the tray.

Bob Taylor