Recently found in an old music studio near Ithaca, New York: a very
rare and unusual steam powered Welte-Mignon, most likely built on
special order in the early years for a home without electrical power.

The stack is most unusual and complex.  It is 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 aluminum valves which silently adjust to different
intensities upon receiving coded information from the Welte rolls.

The entire action is extremely well-built and smooth running, in spite
of its complexities.

Instead of an electric motor, a small kerosene powered boiler is piped
to various sections of the piano stack and expression system.  A small
engine drives four metal pistons to create a vacuum for the tracker bar
and distribute signals to the primary and secondary valves.  A length
of chain extends up the side of the piano, replacing the usual air
motor to drive the transmission.

The small steam engine is very compact and efficient.  Other than a few
hissing sounds the mechanism is rather quiet.  We found to be somewhat
inconvenient to light the alcohol burner with a match in its position
in lower portion of the piano.

The piano is equipped with a 20-foot metallic hose similar to that
of a central vacuum cleaner.  The end of the hose is placed outside of
a window to exhaust excess steam and fumes from the burner.

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

Bruce Clark

 [ The piece is an adaptation of the French "Poisson d'Avril".
 [ More at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_Fools%27_Day
 [ -- Robbie  ;-)