Details
Image(s)
TitleRoll Playing Orchestrion ‘Violano Virtuoso’
CreatorMills Novelty Company (manufacturer)
PlaceChicago (United States)
Year ca. 1928
Object number0826
Object categorymechanical hammered string instruments, orchestrions
Object nameorchestrion with strings, orchestrion with roll
DescriptionThe sound sources in this orchestrion are a piano and a real violin. The violin strings are played by cellulose-coated wheels spinning at a variable speed. This orchestrion is completely powered by electricity. Even the program reading system registers electrical impulses through the holes of the music roll. To keep the strings in tune, they are all equipped with a weight that varies in strength for each string.
Accompanying textsThe instrument plays repertoire for violin and piano, including classical repertoire and contemporary popular and dance music - waltzes, foxtrots, barcarolles, jigs, blues tunes, nocturnes and serenades.
The Mills company was a manufacturer of slot machines, but saw an opportunity to also make music machines for gambling halls. The first Violano Virtuoso dates from 1905. Mills was in the mechanical music business from its founding in 1890 until about 1930, first as a dealer in instruments made by others (sold under the Mills name), and later as a manufacturer under the direction of Henry K. Sandell.
The Mills company was a manufacturer of slot machines, but saw an opportunity to also make music machines for gambling halls. The first Violano Virtuoso dates from 1905. Mills was in the mechanical music business from its founding in 1890 until about 1930, first as a dealer in instruments made by others (sold under the Mills name), and later as a manufacturer under the direction of Henry K. Sandell.
Dimensions
geheel height: 163 cm
geheel width: 109 cm
geheel depth: 79 cm
geheel depth: 112 cm
geheel height: 170 cm
geheel width: 109 cm
geheel depth: 79 cm
geheel depth: 112 cm
geheel height: 170 cm
Digital references