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Roller organ
Trade name:Gem Roller organ
Maker: Autophone Company
Date: 1925
Place Made:Ithaca, New York, United States, North America
Serial No: none
SignedStencilled on reed chamber, gold-lettering: The Gem / Roller Organ
MarkingsStamped on underside of bellows: SEP 28 1925
Printed instructions adhered to underside.
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.
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.
Terms
Credit Line: Arne B. Larson Collection, 1979
Not on view
Object number: 02715