In the 1930's we had the so called "Great Depression" and many hardships
that ordinary people faced to survive.  In Hollywood, however, fantasy
and music and dance were the order of the day.  Fred and Ginger were
dancing away to music by Jerome Kern, George Gershwin and Cole Porter
with choreography by Busby Berkeley in films like "The Gay Divorcee"
featuring the well-known Ampico roll tune "The Continental".  Don't
forget the antics of Edward Everett Horton, Dick Powell, Joan Blondell
and Ruby Keeler also available on the big screen.

I mention these things as, to me, being a fan of all this sort of stuff
it dovetailed with my interest in the pianos of the period, most notably
the Ampico and its decidedly Art Deco inspired Ampico products of the
1930s.  The pianos had trimmed down case styling with Art Deco inspired
details, lighter veneers and the signature model B drawer with its Art
Nouveau look.  When you slide it out and drop in a "B" roll with its
Art Deco label the thing takes off in its sort of silent way.  It is
obvious something special is about to take place.

I always imagined this process in the piano showrooms of the era and
the way in which the pianos were sold capitalizing on the movies and
their connection to them.  Aeolian-American was no longer bound to have
the Ampico and Duo-Art in the piano names we all have come know as
being either one or the other.  I have seen a Weber with an Ampico,
a Chickering with a B drawer and Duo-Art expression.

I now have been asked to find a home for a little George Steck Ampico
B that is available in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  It has the original
needlepoint bench and the aforementioned light colored veneer.  I do
not have the serial number, I would guess it was made very late,
perhaps 1937 or so.  See the attached photos.

The owner would like to see it go to someone who will appreciate it so
I thought I would pass it along to the group here.  My movers can pick
it up and bring it here to my shop so I can rebuild the piano for you.
It looks to be especially well cared for with a nice original finish.
Let me know if you have an interest.

Thanks,

Ben Gottfried - Ben's Player Piano Service
Richfield Springs, New York
http://www.bensplayerservice.com/ 

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