Lot 744

The Milhous Collection

1925 Mason & Hamlin Style BB 6-Foot, 11-Inch Grand Piano with Ampico and Digital Player Mechanisms

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$89,125 USD | Sold

United States | Boca Raton, Florida

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Mason & Hamlin division of American Piano Co. (East Rochester, New York)

Mason & Hamlin is renowned as one of America's finest piano makers. This 6-foot 11-inch Model BB was reportedly formerly owned by the Hill family of coffee producers and features two separate player systems: an Ampico, with a style B drawer under the keyboard and style A mechanisms under the soundboard, and a modern digital player that operates from CDs. It may also be played by hand. The MIDI system is also connected to the pipe organ, allowing it to be played from the organ console. The lovely walnut case is decorated in the Rococo style with 24-karat gold leaf, and the entire instrument was professionally restored in the 1990s. It plays very well and includes a library of over 50 Ampico rolls.

The Ampico reproducing system was popularized by the American Piano Company of East Rochester, New York in the second decade of the 20th century. The mechanisms were placed in several different makes of pianos to provide various levels of cost. The final Mason & Hamlin was introduced in the 1920s. 71x43x62 inches.