Chickering Ampicos in Scarlet Lacquer & Ormolu
By Rich Schommer
I've been doing some research in the on-line archives of the Music
Trade Review and Presto music magazines.
Fred Berrens was a Julliard-trained violinist who had a vaudeville act.
Eventually he became the music director for CBS radio. In 1917 he
started using an Art-Apollo piano in his act with a roll that was custom
cut and timed for his performance. Later he adapted the act and used an
Apollo (ArtEcho) reproducing piano.
In 1924 Chickering supplied him with two Ampico grands. The pianos were
described as "scarlet lacquer, richly embellished with Empire ornaments
in ormolu." From an illustration it appears that "AMPICO" is applied in
big block letters on the music rack.
My question is, did either of the pianos survive?
Rich Schommer
Alliance, Nebraska
[ https://www.newspapers.com/clip/54189595/obituary-for-frederick-berrens/
[ https://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/21/08/08/210808_090137_Freddie%20Berrens.jpg
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