A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Piccolo Piano
PICCOLO PIANO, a low upright pianoforte introduced by Robert Wornum of London in 1829. The novelty consisted first in its small size, and then in the application of a new action invented by Robert Wornum and patented three years before. [See Pianoforte.] Though the strings were placed vertically, the height of the Piccolo piano did not exceed 40 inches. The facile touch gained by the new mechanism soon attracted the attention of the musical public, and with its long since proved durability has made it a favourite model of action for the manufacturers of the present day both here and abroad. The 'piccolo' was finished to stand out in the room away from the wall; its original price was 36 guineas.
[ A. J. H. ]