Internet Antique Gazette » organs http://www.internetantiquegazette.com Reference information on antiques & fine art topics. Tue, 31 Dec 2019 08:03:51 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 Cob Roller Organs (Gem/Concert/Chatauqua/Grand) http://www.internetantiquegazette.com/music/970_cob_roller_organs_gemconcertchatauquagrand/ http://www.internetantiquegazette.com/music/970_cob_roller_organs_gemconcertchatauquagrand/#comments Mon, 02 May 2011 13:48:28 +0000 hcst http://970-guid In the late 1880′s, the Autophone Company of Ithaca, New York, began producing a line of hand-cranked roller reed organs. The early models were operated by pressure, with exposed bellows. When the company began producing vacuum-operated models, some were called simply “The Roller Organ” or “The American Music Box”. But the most common and least expensive was called “The Gem Roller Organ”. It was by far the most popular, at [...] Click here to continue reading.]]> The Cob Roller Organ

In the late 1880′s, the Autophone Company of Ithaca, New York, began producing a line of hand-cranked roller reed organs. The early models were operated by pressure, with exposed bellows. When the company began producing vacuum-operated models, some were called simply “The Roller Organ” or “The American Music Box”. But the most common and least expensive was called “The Gem Roller Organ”. It was by far the most popular, at possible production levels of tens of thousands in a single year. Its black stenciled case and open roller frame allowed a retail price as low as $3.25 with three rollers. Sales volume was made possible by contracting with such distributors as Sears Roebuck and Company, who featured a model showing their own stencil in their catalogs. The Gem was also sold as “The New American Music Box” as well as several private labels. A few variations appeared with such enhancements as walnut finishes, or hinged front swell covers as on the “Home Music Box”. The 20-note Rollers, mass produced and pinned by machine and priced as low as 18 cents each, “cost less than [...] ordinary sheet music”, and so hundreds of thousands were sold, of over 1200 titles.

A “step up” in the product line, the “Concert Roller Organ”, also sold as the “Chautauqua Roller Organ”, used the same 20-note Rollers as the Gem. But these were available in larger and more ornate walnut or oak cases, with a glass front swell cover, and sold for as little as $7.60. Improved exhausters provided smoother cranking, and the extensive list of Rollers aided sales.

The “Grand Roller Organ” was the top of the line, using the larger 32-note Rollers. The case was usually oak, rather than walnut. A higher price of $14.95 or more for the Grand with three Rollers, and 65 cents or more for additional rollers prevented large sales quantities. Likewise, fewer titles of 32-note Rollers were manufactured.

Since the manufacturing date was usually printed on the bottom of the case, it is relatively easy to date particular instruments. Rollers are copyrighted July 14, 1885, and Gems appear from the late 1880′s through the late 1920′s–an amazing lifespan for a single basic design. Their success may be attributed to the full, rich sound and pleasing music arrangements, with the low cost for a basic model. And today, those same features contribute to their collectability.

Historic information copyright by and courtesy of Todd Augsburger, www.rollerorgans.com.

]]> http://www.internetantiquegazette.com/music/970_cob_roller_organs_gemconcertchatauquagrand/feed/ 0 Organette history http://www.internetantiquegazette.com/music/1437_organette_history/ http://www.internetantiquegazette.com/music/1437_organette_history/#comments Tue, 12 Apr 2005 12:55:35 +0000 hcst http://1437-guid Organette pioneer John McTammany held many organette related patents issued in the 1880′s and 1890′s, but but likely the first organette-type instrument, called the Cartonium, was built by J.A. Teste in 1861 in Nantes, France.

The first commercial organettes sold in America were produced by The Munroe Organ Reed Company, organized in 1869. Located in Massachusettes, they grew to become one of the market’s premier firms with an [...] Click here to continue reading.]]> A Brief History of Organettes

Organette pioneer John McTammany held many organette related patents issued in the 1880′s and 1890′s, but but likely the first organette-type instrument, called the Cartonium, was built by J.A. Teste in 1861 in Nantes, France.

The first commercial organettes sold in America were produced by The Munroe Organ Reed Company, organized in 1869. Located in Massachusettes, they grew to become one of the market’s premier firms with an output in 1887 of over 50,000 instruments annually. Another major manufacturer was the Mechanical Orguinette Company (later The Aeolian Organ and Music Company) of New York.

The first popular organette in America was the Trumpetto. This small mouth-operated reed organ played a roll with only eight notes. This was the only popular organette until the late 1870′s.

In the 1880′s, organettes were mainly sold by mail order. Prices ranged from $1.65 to $10. Today, these antiques can sell for hundreds of dollars.

The machines came in many shapes and sizes. They ranged from eight to twenty-five notes. Some were played by blowing through them, but most were played with a hand crank that was turned to create a vacuum. A paper roll would travel over a track bar — just like on a player piano — with holes for each note which pulled the air through to reeds which produced the music.

Although these types of machines were sold up into the 1930′s, they began to lose their popularity by 1900 while the home phonograph rose in popularity. The Rollmonica — or “player harmonica” — sold during the late 1920s and the 1930s was the last organette produced. Interestingly, the Rollmonica was very similar in design to the first organette, the Trumpetto, since both were mouth operated.

information courtesy of Ed Schmidt of Schmidt’s Music Rolls, http://www.music-rolls.com a prime source for antique and new music rolls for these instruments.

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