MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

Automated mechanical music devices became a real craze around the turn of the century and paper rolls were used to automate every conceivable instrument. Musical movements were also placed in all kinds of things.  Even today, computer technology has been used to make everyday instruments, such as the accordion and crank organ, play tunes.  We have seven interesting pieces in our collection.

Triola Zither:  The zither is both strummed and operated with a 25-note paper roll and is ca 1920.  The paper roll plays the melody and numbers on the side of the roll correspond to chords that are strummed with the left hand. These zithers were very popular from the late teens through the 20’s.

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Rollmonica:  This instrument is a harmonica played by a paper roll and is ca 1925.

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Musical Alarm Clock:  This clock was bought by my Grandfather Whitmarsh’s foreman on a trip he took to Germany,  probably in the 1930’s.  He gave it to my grandfather as a present.  It was frequently used at Christmas time.  When the children awoke early, he would set the alarm clock and no child was allowed to come downstairs until the music played.

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Musical Shoe Brush:  My Grandfather Bay owned this shoe brush.  It is the only one of its kind I have ever seen.  When brushing your shoes, you press a little button that activates a small cylinder box.

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Musical Chair: This chair is a favorite with our grandkids. When they sit on it, a small cylinder music box is activated and it plays a pretty tune.

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Accordion:  This accordion was made in 1999 and contains a computer chip that operates the valves.  The music plays when one opens and closes the bellows.  I can frequently fool people into thinking that I am actually playing the accordion.

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Violin: The violin was made in 2000 and is plastic. While not an antique, it is a fun piece. When you draw the bow over the strings, a note plays. Then, when you lift and stroke again, another note plays. Thus, you can play the complete preset tune but at whatever speed and inflection you so desire.

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Chinese Cigarette Lighter: On a trip to China in September, 2001, we ran across a street vendor who was selling cigarette lighters with a picture of Chairman Mao on the base. To our surprise, when we flipped the lid, a musical movement played a Chinese patriotic song. We bought the lighter immediately and added it to our collection.

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