MECHANICAL MUSIC INSTRUMENTS FOR SALE (Reply to gasparini at channelbells dot you know the rest)
Popper Bianca
Watch the Moving Scene Here |
Listen to the Popper HereThe Popper Bianca is a rare instrument. Popper was the engineering genius behind the famous Welte Orchestrion company that was known to produce the finest organs. Popper spun off from Welte to form his own company but few of his instruments were produced before the market for this class of instrument softened.
The Bianca has a moving scene, which is a glass front with shadows of moving figures from behind the glass. You can see balloons, dirigibles, cars and a waterfall. You might also see a witch courtesy of my wife's love of the Halloween holiday. The Popper was made in Germany, probably in the 1920's, and thus survived World War II and the Great Depression during which many of these instruments were broken up for firewood. Our Popper was restored in 2004. During the restoration, we added several ranks of pipes so that the Bianca played the full range of music on the Popper rolls. Also, several Maesto ranks were added along with a MIDI system so that the instrument also plays Maesto music. It comes with the complete Maesto library of MIDI files and approximately 50 rolls of Popper music. |
Artizan Band Organ
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: The Artizan Factories, Inc. were established in 1922 by some of the top technical talent at Wurlitzer. The firm produced a limited line of band organs. Few Artizan organs were made, and fewer yet survive. They are generally considered the finest of the American band organs. Most have been converted to play the Wurlitzer style rolls.
This Artizan was built in 1923 and spent much of its life on a carousel. It then went into the hands of a collector in Connecticut, USA. He rented it out for parties and fairs. The current owners acquired it in June 1998. It comes with 12 Wurlitzer rolls. |
Table Model Interchangeable Music Box
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This beautiful carved instrument has six interchangeable cylinders measuring 17-3/4 X 2-1/2 inches contained in two separate drawers. The condition is excellent except for the faded plaque on the inside cover.
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Mandarin Box
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This box contains three Mandarins that strike bells. It plays 6 tunes on an 11 X 2-1/4 inch cylinder. The tune card has a small piece missing at the top but the box is otherwise in good condition. The current owners acquired this box from the Lost Street Museum in London.
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Three Bird Birdcage
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This cage houses three birds and thus is relatively rare; the most common is the single bird cage. The birds have real feathers and beaks and sing a bright song. They move their heads, beaks and tails. They alternate moving and pause in between songs. The cage is unrestored and may contain the original feathering.
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Self-Playing Accordion
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This accordion plays music via a cartridge that is inserted into its side. You move the accordion in and out to supply the air pressure but it is keyed via the cartridge. It is a very fun piece and people are often fooled into thinking that the operator is really playing the accordion. It comes with a case and charger and three cartridges of music. It is in good condition.
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Frati Trumpet Organ
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The Frait Trumpet Organ is reputed to be one of only eight in the world. It combines great musicality with physical beauty. Most Crank Organs or "Monkey Organs" were plain boxes but this organ has beautiful ranks of trumpets and pipes.
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