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Autophone

r_swaney@msn.com · August 11, 2020 ·

22-note autophone

This 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)

Organette

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