Electronic cello with theremin fingerboard
Maker
Teletouch, Inc.
Date1930 ca.
Place MadeNew York, New York, United States, North America
SignedNoneMarkingsStamped on International Resistor Company resistor in instrument cavity: IRC [logo] / W-200White, red, black, an gold decal on amplifier speaker: MANUFACTURED BY / CINAUDAGRAPH CORP. / MAGIC / MAGNET SPEAKER / PATS.PEND. / STAMFORD, CONN. U. S. A.
Aluminum label printed in blue ink on amplifier transformer, the type number die stamped: SPECIAL SERIES / TYPE UTC S-15 / UNITED TRANSFORMER CORP. / NEW YORK, N.Y. U.S.A.DescriptionPlayed in ‘cello position, between legs. Fingers depress a fingerboard (no strings) which is like a strip of elastic (black plastic film). No bow is used. As long as the finger
remains depressed, tone is sustained. Volume is controlled by knobs, as well as tone color. Similar, but not identical, to instrument pictured in Teletouch advertisement.
"Neck" of brass and nickel-plated brass
Body of black lucite
Ebony endpin with nickel-plated steel hardware
Amplifier- Speaker manufactured by CINAUDAGRAPH CORP., Magic Magnetic Speaker, Patents Pending, Stamford, Connecticut, USA. Transformer by United Transformer Co., NYDimensionsTotal length: 1254 mm
Maximum body width: 348 mm
Maximum body length: 355 mm
Amplifier height: 479 mm
Amplifier width: 350 mm
Amplifier depth: 263 mmProvenanceNo known provenance.
Credit LineGift of Ruth Hahn, 1974
Object number01133
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