The Mascotte organette was made by Gately Mfg. It plays a 2.5″ roll, making it one of the smallest organettes ever produced. It has 14 notes.
Archives
Symphonia
Back to GalleryThe Symphonia organette was produce by the Wilcox & White Organ Co. of Meriden, CT circa 1894. It is a 20 note reed organ.
Polly Portable
Back to GalleryThe Polly Portable Phonograph was manufactured by the Polly Portable Phonograph Company of New York around 1925.
The unusual aspect of the Polly is that it does not have reproducer nor a horn. They are replaced by 16” diameter piece of stiff paper with an approximately 45-degree wedge cut out of it. It becomes a horn by bringing the edges of the wedge together and fitting a rivet on one edge into a notch on the other. The result looks something like a small satellite dish. When not in use, the horn folds into thirds and conveniently stores inside the lid.
The paper cone produces a nice tone and has adequate volume.
Single Violano
Back to GalleryThis is a Mills Single Violano-Virtuoso. The Mills Novelty Company produced from 4,000 to 5,000 Violanos between 1914 and 1930.
Unlike most automatic instruments, Violanos operate on electricity rather than air. Holes in a scrolling paper roll cause electrical contacts, which energize solenoids to trigger piano hammers, press metal fingers on the violin neck, and lower bow wheels onto the violin strings. The violin can play 64 notes, up to four at a time; the piano has 44 notes.
Columbia Majestic
Back to GalleryThe Columbia Majestic, also known as the “BD”, came out in 1905. It featured an elegant rounded-corner case and a nickel-plated paneled horn. The model sold for $100.
Le Charmeur
Back to GalleryThis pretty French phonograph from the early 1900s plays two-minute cylinder recordings. It came in a velvet lined, faux leather case.
Ad from the Petit Parisien newspaper of October 1902.
Mikiphone
Back to GalleryThe Mikiphone was manufactured by the Swiss company Maison Paillard. They produced between 150,000 and 200,000 of them in the mid 1920’s. At 4″ in diameter and under two pounds it is the smallest portable phonograph. Though it is pictured with a small record it is capable of playing full-size ones. In place of a horn, it uses a Bakelite resonator box which breaks into two parts for packing. A diagram in the lid shows how to just barely fit all the parts inside.
Phonograph Lamp
Back to GalleryThis is a combination phonograph and lamp manufactured by Burns & Pollock in the 1920s. The turntable is driven by an electric motor, but there is no electrical amplification. The base of the lamp doubles as the horn, directing the sound down and out. There are two lightbulbs below the phonograph and a small bulb next to the turntable.
HMV Lumiere
Back to GalleryThis is a model 460 HMV Lumiere in an oak case. HMV (His Master’s Voice) was a brand of the Gramophone Company Ltd. of London. The Lumiere gramophone replaced the usual reproducer, tone arm and horn with a pleated paper diaphragm. The center of the diaphragm is directly connected to the needle via a thin metal lever. The Lumiere was not a commercial success and was only manufactured for two years (1924-1925).
Pedestal Style Gem
Back to GalleryGem roller organs were made by the Autophone Co. of Ithaca, NY from the mid-1800s to the 1900s. This is a very early model; later ones have an enclosed bellows. It is also known as a cob organ because the music is provided on a cob-sized wooden cylinder with inserted steel pins. As the cylinder rotates, the pins press the valve covers to open them.
One of the least expensive organettes, it was advertised in the Sears catalog for $3.25. It has 20 notes.
(photo provided by Harold Draper of Roller Organ Restorations)
Manopan
Back to GalleryThe Manopan was made by Berliner Musikinstrumenten (Charles F Pietschmann & Sohne) in Berlin, Germany circa 1887. This model has 24 notes. It plays both continuous loop and cardboard book music. (photo provided by Harold Draper of Roller Organ Restorations) |
Organina
Back to GalleryThe Organina was one of dozens of organette brands made by the Massachusetts Organ Company. This is the Mignonette model, which has 16 notes.
Ads for the Organina stressed the fact that the paper roll was not the valve for the reeds. Instead, the paper holes triggered mechanical tracker arms that operated the valves. It’s also one of the few organettes that offered external roll spools.
(photo provided by Harold Draper of Roller Organ Restorations)
Phoenix
Back to GalleryPhoenix organettes were made by Schmidt & Co., Phonix Musikwerke of Leipzig, Germany from 1870 – 1905. This 34B model has 24 notes. The media is a zinc ring-shaped disc. There were different diameter discs made to accommodate different length tunes.
(photo provided by Harold Draper of Roller Organ Restorations)
Herophon
Back to GalleryThe Herophon was manufactured by Euphonika of Leipzig, Germany circa 1905. This model has 24 notes. It’s unusual operation rotates the entire player mechanism while the punched cardboard disc remains stationary, This design was meant to get around a patent held by competitor Ariston – a strategy that didn’t hold up in court. (photo provided by Harold Draper of Roller Organ Restorations)
Clariophon
Back to GalleryThe Clariophone was manufactured by William Spathe of Germany. It has 24 notes. The media is most unusual: a lead sheet with raised dimples to activate the notes. The interchangeable sheets are wrapped around a wooden barrel to play.
(photo provided by Harold Draper of Roller Organ Restorations)
Autophone
Back to GalleryThis 22-note Autophone model was the first table-top organette produced in America. It was manufactured in 1878 by the Autophone Co. of Ithaca, NY.
It is operated by squeezing and releasing a bellows. That both forced air through the reeds and advance the paper roll one note. An interesting feature is that one hole position on the roll could double the duration of a note, effectively reducing the required roll length.
(photo provided by Harold Draper of Roller Organ Restorations)
Chickering Ampico A Grand
Back to GalleryThis is a 1926 Chickering grand piano with an Ampico Model A player mechanism. It is a 5’6″ grand with a walnut art case. This is an example of a reproducing piano, which differs from an standard player piano in its ability to vary the note dynamics (volume) as it plays.
The roll mechanism and volume and tempo controls are located in a pullout drawer under the keyboard.
Everything is controlled pneumatically with the exception of the electric motor that drives the vacuum pump. The pneumatics are located under the main body of the piano.
Lecoultre Piano-Forte Cylinder Music Box
Back to GalleryDer Dubbele Harmonette
Back to Gallery27-inch Symphonion with 12 bells
Back to Gallery
This 27 1/2 inch Symphonion with 12 bells
Seeburg Style KT with Dancing Girls Art Glass
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c. 1913
Manufactured by J. P. Seeburg Company in Chicago, IL.
Contains piano with mandolin attachment, violin pipes, triangle, castanets, and tambourine
The Style KT was coin operated for use in taverns and dubbed the Midget Orchestrion. It uses a G roll with 10 tunes.
Wurlitzer Style 150 Military Band Organ
Back to Galleryc. 1928
Manufactured by Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. of North Tonawanda, NY.
Contains brass trumpets, several ranks of pipes, and traps.
This organ was voiced very loud and was intended for use on amusement park midways to play over the noise of the crowd. According to Wurlitzer’s advertising, “The cost of five musicians for evening sessions only will pay for this organ in a few weeks.”
Wurlitzer Style CX
Back to Galleryc. 1921
Manufactured by Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. of North Tonawanda, NY.
Contains a piano with mandolin feature, 38 violin and 38 flute pipes.
This was the last of the Wurlitzer keyboard orchestrion series. The “wonder light” at the top revolves as the machine plays.
Wurlitzer Style CX with Roll Changer
Back to Galleryc. 1917
Manufactured by Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. of North Tonawanda, NY.
The automatic roll changer was a hugely popular feature for Wurlitzer. It plays six five-tune rolls instead of one ten-tune roll. This model has a popular CX style case.
Wurlitzer Style 125 Band Organ
Back to Galleryc. 1929
Manufactured by Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. of Tonawanda, NY.
The visible instruments included 13 brass trumpets, 11 brass piccolos, 13 wooden flageolets, 2 drums, and cymbal.
Wurlitzer advertised this organ as “especially designed for small to medium rinks”. It was the workhorse of the Wurlitzer organs, found in many amusements parks.
Wurlitzer Mandolin PianOrchestra model 12
Back to Galleryc. 1915
Manufactured by Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. in North Tonawanda, NY.
Contains 37 violin and violincello pipes, piano, mandolin, bass and snare drum, and cymbal.
Wurlitzer produced the cases; the interior mechanisms were manufactured by Phillips of Germany. The model features a carved peacock with a “wonder light” tail. A total of 61 of this model were produced.
Welte Style 2 Cottage
Back to Galleryc. 1893
Manufactured by M. Welte & Sons of Freiburg, Germany.
Contains 152 pipes, snare and base drums, triangle, and cymbal.
This model is considered to be an outstanding example of orchestrion building. Its “starburst” pipework is voiced exceptionally well and plays classical as well as modern songs of the era.
Weber Otero
Back to Galleryc. 1927
Manufactured by Gebruder Weber of Waldkirch, Germany.
Contains a Feurich piano, ranks of pipes, mandolin, and full traps.
The large Webers of the late 1920’s represent the zenith of sophisticated orchestrion building and music arranging. This model features side cabinets for roll storage, brass trim, and elaborate beveled mirrors.
Seth Thomas with Regina Music Box
Back to GalleryManufactured by Seth Thomas Clock Company of Thomaston, CT.
This rare model has Regina changer built into the base. It has the option of playing either a traditional chime or a tune at the top of the hour.
Seeburg Style H
Back to Galleryc. 1922
Manufactured by J. P. Seeburg Company in Chicago, IL.
Contains violin and flute pipes, xylophone, snare and base drum, and traps.
The Style H is considered to be the most ornate American orchestrion ever made. It has two statues (named Strength & Beauty), four art glass panels, three hanging lamps, and side “clown” glass. Most were made with quartered oak.
Popper Welt Style X
Back to Galleryc. 1922
Manufactured by Popper & Company in Leipzig, Germany.
Contains two ranks of pipes, xylophone, wood block, drums, and cymbal.
The large Welt machines feature back lighted, animated scenes, usually including fountains or waterfalls. This example is one of three Style X’s know to exist.
Popper Welt Style O
Back to Galleryc. 1925
Manufactured by Popper & Company in Leipzig, Germany.
Contains one rank of pipes, mandolin, xylophone, base and snare drums, and cymbal.
The Style O features a large animated scene. This was added to compete against the latest media: radio.
Popper Vindobona
Back to Galleryc. 1915
Manufactured by Popper & Company of Leipzig, Germany.
Contains pipes, snare, cymbal, base drum, full traps, and piano.
Phillips Paganini
Back to Galleryc. 1921
Manufactured by J. D. Phillips & Sons of Frankfort, Germany.
Contains a piano, several ranks of pipes, and full traps.
This Paganini, in a black lacquer case, is the only know example of a keyboardless orchestrion of its type. It has a double roll mechanism.
Peerless Style A
Back to Galleryc. 1912
Manufactured by Peerless Piano Player Co. of St. Johnsville, NY.
Contains a piano, one rank of pipes, and traps.
Only one Style A machine is known to exist.
Peerless Style 44
Back to Galleryc. 1898
Manufactured by Peerless Piano Player Co. of St. Johnsville, NY.
This was the first American-made coin-operated piano. Like the Link machines, it employs an endless roll.
Mortier 112 Key Cafe Organ
Back to Galleryc. 1942
Manufactured by Theofiel Mortier of Antwerp, Belgium.
Contains over 600 pipes, accordion, full percussion, xylophone, wood blocks, and other sound effects.
Due to lack of build materials during WWII, the pipes and façade are constructed almost entirely of wood.
Link Style 2E
Back to Galleryc. 1927
Manufactured by the Link Piano Co. of Binghamton, NY.
Contains a piano and repeating xylophone.
All link instruments play a multi-tune continuous roll that never needs rewinding. They are particularly popular for their snappy arrangements.
Limonaire 68 Key Fairground Organ
Back to Galleryc. 1906
Manufactured by Limonaire Freres in Waldkirch, Germany.
Contains ranks of pipes, xylophone, wood blocks, drums, and cymbal.
Large Limonaire organs were voiced for outdoor venues, and have a loud but sweet tone for fairs and amusement park rides. This organ was an incomplete Gavioli instrument when the sale of the Gavioli factory to Limonaire Freres took place.
Limonaire Freres 35 Key Fair Organ
Back to Galleryc . 1910
Manufactured by Limonaire Freres of Paris, France.
Contains three ranks of pipes and traps.
Imhof & Mukle Badenia
Back to Galleryc. 1920
Manufactured by Imhof and Mukle of Waldkirch, Germany.
This impressive orchestrion has three moving scenes and a large original wonder light, in addition to a colorful oak art case. It plays special I & M rolls that resemble early cardboard book music.
Hupfeld Helios Style II/33
Back to Galleryc. 1918
Manufactured by Ludwig Hupfeld in Leipzig, Germany.
Contains many ranks of pipes, full traps, xylophone, mandolin, and Chinese Cymbal.
Originally made for a dance hall in Barcelona, Spain, it is the only Style II/33 known to exist. The cost was 28,000 DM ($83,024 in 2017 dollars). It is equipped with a dual roll system, allowing it to play continuously.
National Dog Race Piano
Back to Galleryc. 1915
Manufactured by the National Automatic Music Co. of Grand Rapids, MI.
Inserting a coin plays a tune and bets on the outcome of a mechanical dog race.
Wurlitzer Harp Model A
Back to Galleryc. 1905
Designed and built by J. W. Whitlock of Rising Sun, Indiana.
The harp has 60 strings.
Whitlock built the harps and sold them exclusively to the Rudolph Wurlitzer Company for $250. Wurlitzer retailed them for $750 at the peak of their popularity.
Pierre Eich Solophone
Back to Galleryc. 1920
Manufactured by Pierre Eich in Ghent, Belgium.
The Solophone model was available in several ornately carved oak case styles. It plays custom Pierre Eich rolls.
Dutch Street Organ
Back to Galleryc. 2008
Manufactured by NBC Organ of Holland.
The organ was custom built for the Mr. Arnold Chase. It has extensive carvings, statues, and paintings to represent the style of street organs of the 1920s. It is MIDI controlled.
Decap Robot Orchestra
Back to Galleryc. 1957
Manufactured by Gebroeders Decap (Decap Brothers) in Antwerp, Belgium.
Contains several ranks of pipes, a Hammond organ, and a custom synthesizer for trumpet and saxophone voices. One robot plays a Crucianelli piano accordion.
This is the larger of the two robot orchestras, featuring a 105 key organ (the smaller has 92 keys). It is estimated that 10 robot orchestras were built.
Cremona Style K
Back to Galleryc. 1912 – 1920
Manufactured by Marquette Piano Company in Chicago, IL.
Contains 79 pipes (30 violin, 30 open flutes, 19 piccolo), castanets, tambourine, triangle, and mandolin attachment.
Cremona Style G
Back to Galleryc. 1912
Manufactured by the Marquette Piano Company in Chicago, IL.
The Style G was one of the more popular models by Marquette. This one features a unique clown face design – available on special order.
Blesssing Burgford Castle
Back to Galleryc. 1912
Manufactured by Blessing Family in Unterkirnach, Germany.
Contains a piano and several ranks of pipes.
The Blessing Family, comprising several generations, manufactured orchestrions from the mid-1800’s through the early 20th century. Only two of the elaborate Castles models still survive.
Arburo Dance Organ
Back to Galleryc. 1930
Manufactured by ARthur BURsens and Gustav ROehls (ARBURO) in Hoboken, Belgium.
The machine plays cardboard books. It features an accordion manufactured by Scandalli.
Polyphon Style 6G
Back to GalleryThe Polyphon 6G plays a 22 inch disc. The comb is the same as a 19 5/8 inch Polyphon but with the addition of a 2 3/8 inch bell track playing 16 saucer bells. The instrument was found in the old Alpen Rose restaurant in East Germany (after the wall came down), was restored and purchased on an EBay auction. It is coin operated using a 5 pfennig coin (a dime works also)
Paillard Changeable cylinder music box
Back to GalleryThis changeable cylinder music box was made by Paillard. There are four cylinders with a storage drawer beneath the mechanism. The tune cards are contained in its original book with instructions on how to change the cylinders.
Ombro-Cinema (Shadow Theater)
Back to GalleryThe Ombro-Cinema is a toy that combines a small music box with an animated story. The story is illustrated on a long strip of paper that is rolled up on two wooden spindles. When the music box is wound and played, it turns one of the spindles causing the paper to scroll behind a window. The animation effect is caused by having two slightly different drawings of each scene cut into thin slices and interlaced. The window has a fence painted on it with bars that are the same width as the drawing slices. Thus, when the paper is scrolled behind the fence the viewer rapidly switches between the two drawing as they are alternately hidden behind the fence.
The toy was manufactured in France around 1910.
This was found at a Seattle toy show around 1998. It came in a well-made cardboard box with the same graphics as the toy. There were four story rolls included, two in black and white and two in color. The story in the photos and video is Puss In Boots.
Wurlitzer 105 Band Organ
Back to GalleryModel 105 Wurlitzer band organ, serial number 4069. Documents show a manufacture date of 5-24-1928 and it having been shipped to N. Tonawanda. The base and next layers of paint on this instrument were both stenciled “Allan Herschell Co”. Considering the shipping log, this organ most likely started out as carousel organ. It was restored to the original base layer paint. Plays 125 style rolls.
The audio you hear is of an original Wurlitzer Style 125 roll, Roll No. 3222. This is a march roll with only 6 tunes played at a 10-tune roll length, so each is rather lengthy. Tune #1 (Golden Plume March) was missing from the roll. The remaining 5 tunes are, in order, are:
2. With Flags Aloft (Spirit of West Point)
3. Paean Of Triumph
4. The Merrimac
5. The Marines’ Hymn
6. The Changing of the Guard
Gebrüder Bruder Airophon Model 107 Fairground Organ
Back to GalleryThe Gebr. Bruder Model 107 Fairground organ is a 52 keyless instrument. It features 5 bass notes utilizing flutes and low trumpets; 10 accompaniment and 22 melody notes of flutes, violins, and principals; a countermelody produced by 14 trumpets. These sections are played individually, at either piano or forte level, all controlled automatically by the music roll, giving the instrument great dynamics. Also included are a number of percussive effects including: bass drum, cymbal, snare drum, crash cymbal, castanets, triangle, and xylophone. These, along with the 179 pipes, help produce some the happiest music on earth.
This Airophon was built around 1925, and was the first to use roll music, all previous used book. This is the deluxe version, which plays a drum roll cadence during rewind, using small pinned cylinder, a glockenspiel, and a crash cymbal. The latter two are played by the addition of two more holes in the music, holes #0 and #53. This allows it to play standard 52 hole music.
You can see and hear this instrument playing below:
An audio-only version of this same tune is available below
Vichy Acrobat Automaton
Back to GalleryGoldman Collection
Raffin 20/31 Pipe Organ
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LeCoultre 6 Air Cylinder Music Box
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Link AX Orchestrion
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DeBence Musical Museum
Charles Bruguier Birdbox c.183
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Schack Collection
1927 Artizan Air-Calio
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DeBence Musical Museum
Musical Toilet Paper Holder
Back to GalleryGeorge Glastris, Edison Gallery
Q.R.S. PlayASax
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Snuff Box, Sur Plateau Musical Mvmt.atr. Piguet & Meylan, Early 19th Century
Back to GalleryGoldman Collection
Gavioli 110 Key Fairground Organ
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Wellershaus Fairground Organ 58 Keys
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DeBence Musical Museum
Welte Style 4 Concert Orchestrion
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Sanfilippo Collection
Gem Roller Organ, 6 ½“ Cob
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Augsburger Collection
Mills Bow Front Violano Virtuoso
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Sanfilippo Collection
REGINA 11-inch DISC STYLE 19 MUSIC BOX
Back to GalleryMortier 102 Key Fairground Organ
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Harris Collection
Reginaphone 20¾” Disc Music Box/Phonograph
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Meekins Collection
Hupfeld Phonoliszt Violina Style B
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Gilson Collection
Bacigalupo Flute Barrel Organ
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Empress 18½” Disc Music Box
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Choffnes Collection
Wurlitzer CX-B Nickelodeon
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Nix Collection
Nicole Freres Grand Format Cylinder Box
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Choffnes Collection
Walbaum Cabinet ca. 1620-25
Back to GalleryHelmut Kowar
The Walbaum Cabinet belongs to the collections of the Kunsthistorisches Museum (art history museum) of Vienna. It takes its name from Matthaus Walbaum (1554-1632) to whom the bas reliefs and decorations of the cabinet are attributed.
The cabinet consists of three parts: the base houses the organ works, above it a pavillion like architecture opens its doors to a hall with a dancing lady in it, and on top a clock is placed. The organ works contains two 17 note ranks of wooden pipes, one rank of stopped flutes and one rank of open flutes. A wooden barrel contains two tunes which are manually selected by shifting the keyframe.
This instrument is featured in an article by Helmut Kowar appearing in the May/June 2013 issue of Mechanical Music.
The photo is courtesy of Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, all rights reserved.
Wurlitzer Band Organ
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Bies/Boehck Collection
Capital Cuff Style C Music Box
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Choffnes Collection