Electronic harpsichord
Maker
Frank Holton & Company
Date1940 ca.
Place MadeDeKalb, Illinois, United States, North America
Place DistributedElkhorn, Wisconsin, United States, North America
Serial No.117
SignedEngraved on metal plate screwed onto center of nameboard: ELECTRONIC-HARPSICHORD/--MADE BY--/Frank Holton & Co./ELKHORN, WISCONSIN/--PATENTS PENDING--MarkingsStamped in wood on right side of pinblock: 117; note names stamped in black ink above natural notes.
DescriptionThe manufacture of the Holton electronic harpsichord was contracted to Rudolph Wurlitzer to be manufactured in their DeKalb facility, according to surviving Holton company records.
Rectangular wooden body, with fold-back hinged cover for keyboard, and hinged cover for pinblock. Hinged music stand with stylized “H” cut out of center. Rounded covers screwed onto each corner. Four removable, tubular metal legs with castors. 56 strings. Black plastic volume knob mounted with trapezoidal metal plate on left side of nameboard, marked with ON and OFF, no numbers. Single foot pedal on removable rectangular attachment.
Keyboard: 4 -½ octaves, CC-g4; 33 ivoroid keys, 23 black keys.
Mechanism: Each string is plucked by a curved metal plectrum which moves in an elliptical path when the key is struck. The mechanism is somewhat touch-sensitive, allowing for use of dynamics. Electromagnetic pickups mounted over strings.
DimensionsHeight: 80 cm/ 31.5 in.
Width: 59.3 cm/ 23.346 in.
Depth: 32 cm/ 12.59 in.
ProvenanceLloyd Loar, Chicago, IL, ca. 1934-1943; Bertha (Snyder) Loar, Chicago, IL, 1943-1949, Beverly Hills, CA, 1949-1994; Roger Siminoff, Arroyo, CA, 1994-2005. Siminoff discovered this instrument (along with NMM 10,878, NMM 10,879, NMM 10,880, NMM 10,882, NMM 10,883 others) in storage while putting Mrs. Loar’s affairs in order in 1994. They had been in crates since Loar’s death in 1943, moving to California with Mrs. Loar in 1949.
Credit LineGift of Roger H. Siminoff, 2005
Object number10881
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