Recently found in an old church, near Ithaca New York: a very rare and
unusual steam operated Ampico.  (Most likely built on special order in
the early years for homes without electric service)

The stack is most unusual and complex.  It seems to be made entirely of
aluminum, with small steam-activated aluminum piston rockers for each
note of the piano keyboard.

The expression mechanism is also made of aluminum alloy complete with
well-made metal valves which silently adjust to different intensities
upon receiving information from the Ampico roll.

The entire action is extremely well built and smooth running, in spite
of its complexities.  Instead of a pump mechanism, a small alcohol
powered boiler and steam engine are used in the bottom of the piano.
The engine drives four metal pistons to create a vacuum for the tracker
bar and primary valves.  A length of chain extends up the side of the
piano, replacing the usual air motor, and drives the transmission.

The small steam engine is very compact and efficient.  Other than a few
hissing sounds, is rather quiet, but found to be somewhat inconvenient
to light with a match in it's position in the bottom of the piano.  A
long vent hose similar to that of a central vacuum cleaner, is used to
exhaust excess steam and pressure, and is placed outside of a window.

The music roll being played on the piano was quite unfamiliar to me.
It was called:

  "Do you know it is April 1st?"

 Bruce Clark