Folding reed organ
Date1885-1941 ca.
Place MadeChicago, Illinois, United States, North America
ModelTelescope
Serial No.2546
SignedDecal inside lid, black cursive lettering with gold border: The Bilhorn Telescope / ORGAN CHICAGO, U. S. A.MarkingsStamped on interior of lid, lower right hand corner: 2546
Decal adhered to interior of lid, below signature, with seven medals of honor from World’s Fairs.
Decal in form of banner, above medals: ENGLAND PATENTED U. S. A.
Decal in form of banner, below medals: CANADIAN AND OTHER PATENTS PENDING
Hand-written on left and right bellows flaps, respectively, indicating the side:
RT. S. / BACK [arrow points toward back of instrument]
LT. S. / BACK [arrow points toward back of instrument]
Descriptionconfiguration: wooden case designed to fold into itself for ease of transport; metal fittings (pedals, stops and hinges); red fabric (inserts in sound holes); canvas with single-side coated in rubber (bellows)
case: three-ply wooden case with veneer on both sides, where visible from the folding nature of the design - according to catalog listings, the cases were made of oak with either oak, walnut or maple veneer, as well as leatherette; metal corner guards tacked into case; metal handle folds flat
keys: 3 octave (plus one) range; celluloid veneers
pedals: two wooden foot pedals power the bellows, attached with fabric straps - designed to fold flat on metal hinges
bellows: two rubberized-canvas bellows
Dimensionslength: 15.5 in ()
width: 23.5 in ()
height: 11in ()
Credit LinePaul and Jean Christian Collection
Object number12985
On View
Not on view
