Roller Organ's and other various styles of hand cranked reed Organette's were produced from the late 1870's through the 1920's but quickly fell out of favor after the introduction of the phonograph around the turn of the century. They were much less expensive than disk or cylinder music boxes that were produced during the same period and were produced in the thousands in both the USA and Europe. Most of them eventually ended up in the attic or the
barn or simply thrown away, but thanks to the internet they're enjoying a renewed interest. Some Organette's used paper music rolls similar to a player piano, some used metal or cardboard disk's and some used pinned wooden cylinders or "cobs" as the media to supply the music. Roller Organ's and Organette's are a relatively inexpensive introduction to mechanical music collecting and a great investment.If your in need of Roller Organ or Organetterestoration don't hesitate tocontact me.
The pneumatic operated organette's, such as the Mandolina, Celestina and Symphonia to name a few, were the most expensive organette's made due to their higher quality craftsmanship and more complex mechanical systems. Each individual note is actuated by a small pneumatic valve that opens the airway to the reeds. They're also the best sounding and most powerful of all the organette's that were produced. The pneumatic action allows these organette's to play fast and repetitive notes which is not possible on standard paper-as-valve organette's or cob organs.
The "Gem" was produced by the Autophone Company of Ithaca New York which was the first company to produce organette's in the USA. The company also produced the "Concert", "Chautauqua" and "Home Music Box" models. Earlier models, like the one pictured, were pressure operated which forced air out through the reeds. This was changed early on in production to the more efficient vacuum system which became the standard for most American made organette's. The Autophone Co. was the largest manufacturer of organette's in the US and the only American firm to use interchangeable metal-pegged wooden cylinder's, or cob's, for the music media.
The "Tournaphone" and "Cabinetto" organette's had the largest music roll of all the table top machines produced that's almost 13" wide. The large resonator for the reeds gives the instrument a deep mellow tone not heard on the smaller higher-pitched organette's
For restoration information or questions click here - I'd be glad to help!
Produced by the Paul Ehrlich, the Ariston is one of several pressure operated organette's that were produced in Germany. Ariston's were available in 16, 19, 24 and 36 reeds. Some models were also sold with a Tremelo Stop, Forte Stop, and double reeds. The majority of German instruments that were made used zink or hard cardboard disk's as the music media. Almost all European organette's operate on air pressure rather than vacuum and are much more susceptible to air leaks.
The Web Ring below is a ring of web sites for Enthusiasts
and Collectors of Crank Organs, Roller Organs, Organettes, Paper Roll or
Disc Organs, Barrel Organs, Busker Organs, Monkey Organs, Street Organs,
or any type of Hand-Operated Mechanical Reed or Pipe Organ.
