Theremin
Date1929-1930 ca.
Place MadeNew York, New York, United States, North America
ModelAR-1264
Serial No.48014
SignedGold and black label inside right side door in back: RCA THEREMIN /
MODEL AR-1264 /
INPUT VOLTS 105/125 CYCLES 50/60 /
MAX. INPUT WATTS 60 /
CAUTION! BEFORE INSTALLING OR OPERATING /
READ INSTRUCTIONS
1129942127738413879841472470
1170881128243913986651507016
1195362131309414267541507017
1201272132928314320221537708
1231764134925214485501544081
1239852135676314523391558437
1251377137740514594121611848
1273627138587314653321661058 /
NOTICE /
THIS DEVICE IS LICENSED ONLY FOR PRIVATE USE IN HOMES /
AS A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT OTHERWISE THAN IN COMBINA- /
TION OR IN CONNECTION WITH APPARATUS IN THE FIELD OF / WIRE TELEPHONY; AND ONLY WHERE NO BUSINESS FEATURES / ARE INVOLVED. NOT LICENSED FOR THEATRICAL OR OTHER / PUBLIC OR PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCES / UNLESS SUCH / USE IS AUTHORIZED BY SPECIAL WRITTEN CONTRACT OF / SALE. /
RADIO – VICTOR CORPORATION OF AMERICA /
NEW YORK, N. Y., U. S. A. / N.P.48014
Paper label with single line border inside cabinet on left side of cabinet: Jamestown / Mantel Company / Jamestown, N. Y.MarkingsMarked on tube mounts in white ink: UY-227 UY-224 UY-227 UY-227 UX-120 UX-171 UX-171
Red and white label with single line border on UX-120 tube: AUDIO STAGE ONLY
Red and white labels with single line borders on UX-171 tubes: FOR USE ON / LAST AUDIO / STAGE ONLYDescriptionMaker: RCA (Radio-Victor Corporation of America) cabinet by Jamestown Mantel Co., Jamestown, NY
6 extra tubes – one dates 4/19/37; one 12/27/36; one 4/17/37
Music rack facing player, as well as controls for on/off and volume/pitch
Two antennae control pitch and loudness.
Played by moving hands in electromagnetic fields produced by the antennae.
Dark-brown finished solid hardwood case with open pores and visible ray flecks; nickel-plated steel hardware
Original field coil speaker with walnut cabinet and brocade cloth covers on all sides. DimensionsHeight: 1184 mm; 46-5/8 in.
Height, case only: 629 mm; 34-3/4 in.
Width: 482 mm; 19 in.
Depth: 305 mm; 12 in.
Speaker dimensions:
Height: 847 mm; 33-11/32 in.
Width: 610 mm; 24 in.
Depth: 275 mm; 11 in.
ProvenanceNo known provenance. Published ReferencesRhea, Thomas L., The Evolution of Electronic Musical Instruments in the United States, Ph.D. dissertation, George Peabody College for Teachers, 1972, pp. 41-59.
Credit LineGift of Arne B. Larson, 1987
Object number04154
On View
Not on view
