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Theremin

Date1929-1930 ca.
Place MadeNew York, New York, United States, North America
ModelAR-1264
Serial No.48014
SignedLabel inside RH door: 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. Label inside cabinet on KH side: JAMESTOWN / MANTEL COMPANY / Jamestown, N. Y.Markingsn/aDescriptionMaker: RCA (Radio-Victor Corporation of America) cabinet by Jamestown Mantel Co., Jamestown, NY
Date: ca. 1930 (APL); ca. 1929-36 (RCA began manufacturing theremins in 1929)
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
DimensionsHeight: 46-5/8 in
Width: 19 in
Depth: 12 in
(case only, not antennas)
ProvenanceProbably acquired by Arne B. Larson, ca. 1939
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
Radio-Victor Corporation of America
1930 ca.
Radio-Victor Corporation of America
1930 ca.
Storytone
Story & Clark
1940 ca.
Vivi-Tone clavier
Vivi-Tone Company
1934-1938 ca.
Viola
Ernst Reinhold Schmidt
1893
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