Roller organ
Maker
Autophone Company
Date1925
Place MadeIthaca, New York, United States, North America
Serial No.none
SignedStencilled on reed chamber, gold-lettering: The Gem / Roller OrganMarkingsStamped on underside of bellows: SEP 28 1925
Printed instructions adhered to underside.
DescriptionOrganette employing a pinned wooden cylinder, or cob, the pins directly activating hinged valve keys. Cob is turned by hand-cranked gearing, which also works the bellows.
Wood case, painted black; painted gold stencils of flowers and medallions. Twenty metal keys. Printed-paper directions on underside of bellows.
Cobs 6-1/2in long.
Similar instruments: #3856. Two similar uncatalogued Gems in JH2 (floor) dated Aug 8 1925 and Nov [illegible] 1925; the latter's case is broken.
The Autophone Company produced thousands of roller organs, which were sold by many retailers, including Sears Roebuck and Co., and Montgomery Ward.
Dimensions14-3/8 in (365 mm) x 12 in (305 mm) x 7-7/8 in (196 mm)
ProvenanceArne B. Larson Collection, Vermillion, South Dakota, 1979.
Credit LineArne B. Larson Collection, 1979
Object number02715
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