Lot 1108
A Delightful Concert Roller Organ. United States, c. 1900-1915. The Organ consists of a neatly made oak case with lifting front glass panel, a spindle to hold a music roll, and a crank handle to simultaneously drive the twin air bellows and turn the music roll. The rolls ("rollers") with raised steel pins, which would operate the instrument's twenty air valve keys. At the back, another panel in plain wood provides access to the crankshaft for lubrication. Piece in very fine condition and apparently in working order, but needs a little tightening or adjustment. Beveled glass pane perhaps a replacement. One of bellows is stamped "FEB 28 1912," likely the date of manufacture. Comes with 40 "rollers," or music rolls, including such favorites as "See Saw Waltz," "Everybody Works but Father," "Oh Susanah," "Bringing in the Sheaves," and much, much more. Lot of 41 pieces.
Late in the 1880's, the Autophone Company of Ithaca, New York, began manufacturing a line of hand-cranked roller reed organs. The earliest models had exposed bellows. Later with the vacuum-operated, twin-bellows models, the instruments were called "The Roller Organ" or "The American Music Box". At the bottom end, the least expensive model was "The Gem Roller Organ," which saw production levels of tens of thousands in a single year, with retail prices as low as $3.25. Sales volume was made possible by contracting with such distributors as Sears Roebuck and Company, who featured models under their own name, as well as several private labels, sometime adding their own brand name. The 20-note music rolls ("rollers") were mass produced and could be priced as low as 18 cents each, often less than the price of ordinary sheet music! Also, a music catalog of over 1200 titles aided sales.
Next up in the product line, was the "Concert Roller Organ", which also sold as the "Chautauqua Roller Organ." These used the same 20-note Rollers as the Gem, but these were available in larger and more ornate walnut or oak cases, with a glass front cover. These sold for as little as $7.60, but often averaged about $10 or $12.
Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,500.
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