(Photograph courtesy of John Perschbacher.)

The National standard one-size-fits-all model automatic piano, in the usual quartered oak veneered case with a golden oak finish. This was only one case style offered by the National Automatic Music Company, and then, after the 1925 reorganization, by the Automatic Musical Instrument Company (AMI). Unusual for a coin piano manufacturer, production was limited to a single model, which no doubt made manufacturing comparatively easy. The keyboard decal reads: "Property of National Automatic Music Co., Grand Rapids, Mich." On the right side of the piano is National's signature selective coin slot faceplate, which has 8 individual coin slots (along with 8 tune labels located below the coin entry slots). In the inset wood panel to the left of the upper glass window is a circular aperture through which is displayed a back-lighted tune number whenever a selection is being played. This tune number corresponds to the numbered list of selections located on the coin slot faceplate at far right.

(Photograph courtesy of Andrew Barrett.)

Unrestored National coin piano, #7535. While still the property of Knott's Berry Farm, this piano was sold at auction on March 31, 2017, by Heritage Auctions. It is typical of a well used specimen that has been mechanically maintained just well enough to be kept playable, but never fully restored. The quartered oak case bears the usual scuffs, scratches, and blemishes due to rough handling, which is characteristic of sustained commercial use. The case is intact except for the four wood panels that were replaced by glass panes, so as to display the intricate mechanical components located in the "keybed" area. Such instruments attest to the proven durability of National coin pianos.

(Photograph courtesy of Dana Johnson.)

A National coin piano in a painted case with decorative pinstriping. This particular piano is typical of the light-green paint job with decorative pinstriping that was applied to factory refurbished pianos during the tail end of the 1920s. The factory refurbishment included the above mentioned refinishing of the exterior case, rebuilding and replacing parts of the piano action, repairing and regulating the player system, and the retrofitting of some sort of amusement device. This was done to modernize the piano's appearance and make it more visually attractive, in an attempt to prolong the life of National coin pianos during a time when the radio and electrically amplified phonographs were quickly replacing music roll operated automatic musical instruments. These refurbished pianos were usually retrofitted with either an Automatic Whippet Race or a Dancing Figure trade stimulator, this one obviously being one with the Automatic Whippet race diorama.

(Photograph courtesy of John Perschbacher.)

A rare look inside a factory storeroom full of refurbished National pianos. The pianos, for which the front side is visible, all seem to have been retrofitted with the Automatic Whippet Race device. This glimpse inside the Automatic Musical Instrument Company factory was probably taken sometime between 1927 and 1930. It demonstrates that AMI (and previously National) was quite serious about keeping the company's assets up to date and serviceable, and also visually attractive to patrons looking for a good time with some toe-tapping music.

(Photograph courtesy of Dick Hack.)

Beautifully restored National automatic piano #7352 in a quartered oak case, and with a retrofitted Automatic Whippet Race diorama. This piano originally had a manually operated muffler rail, but later repurposed as a mandolin attachment, The serial number of the Holtzer-Cabot motor is 520587, which dates it circa early 1925. Thus, assuming the motor was installed later that same year, this piano may have been built and readied for shipping during mid to late 1925.

(Photograph courtesy of John Perschbacher.)

National coin piano with a retrofitted Dancing Figure trade stimulator. The original booklet caption for this photograph, circa 1930, is as follows: "Coin-operated automatic piano with jointed figure which dances to and fro across the miniature stage in perfect time with the music." The piano case has been refinished in green with decorative pinstriping, typical for National pianos refurbished by the factory and retrofitted with either an Automatic Whippet Race or a Dancing Figure type of trade stimulator.

(Photograph courtesy of John Perschbacher.)

AMI home model automatic phonograph. The picture is from a 1930 booklet made especially for stockholders and other people interested in the Automatic Musical Instrument Company. According to the original caption: "This model is designed for use in the home and is furnished either as a straight automatic phonograph or as a combination photograph and radio. Both types are controlled as to operation and volume by a push button board placed in any desire location."

As with the commercial coin-operated automatic phonograph, the home model also held ten two-sided 78 RPM shellac records, for a total of twenty playable sides, any of which could be selected as desired. Front access doors, thrown fully open are shown all the way back against the sides of the case, can be closed to conceal the phonograph and radio when not in use. As with the above image, the record seen through the upper window is a Brunswick labeled record.

(Photograph courtesy of John Perschbacher.)

AMI new home model automatic phonograph. The picture is from a 1930 booklet produced for stockholders and other people interested in the Automatic Musical Instrument Company. The original caption read: "The new home model instrument, either straight phonograph or combination phonograph and radio, embodies many novel features and will play either 10-inch or 12-inch records."

This new home model also held ten two-sided 78 RPM shellac records, for a total of twenty playable sides, but was advertised as being able to play both 10-inch and 12-inch records. The front access doors are opened wide to reveal the phonograph mechanism, which is visible through a display window. And the top lid is also shown open, which allows access to the phonograph compartment when changing records or performing other maintenance tasks. Again, the visible record labels are for Brunswick records.