Mechanical music began to flourish
in the 1300-1400’s when carillons were operated by means of a rotating barrel
with protruding pins. As the barrel rotated, the pins would operate levers
that struck the bells. In the late 1500’s, the technology was applied to musical
“flute clocks” where the pinned barrel and clock were powered by a weight hung
from a string. The pins on the barrel opened valves that sent wind to various
organ pipes. Germany’s Black Forest became the Mecca for organ builders and
between 1359 and 1780, more than two hundred organ builders flourished in Saxony.
In the 1700’s automated organs became popular in churches because of the difficulty
in finding organists that could play the organ with human hands. Also, crank
operated street organs evolved to popularize the organ grinder and his monkey.
In the late 1800’s, small, hand-cranked organs were developed for entertainment
in the home.
In about 1875, automated organs evolved
into Fairground and Band Organs and these instruments comprise some of the most
colorful automatic musical instruments ever made. These instruments, loudly-voiced
so they could be heard above the surrounding din, provided music for merry-go-rounds,
carnivals, circuses, amusement parks, skating rinks, and similar attractions.
Typically, such an instrument contains several ranks of pipes, all voiced on
high wind pressure. In accompaniment to the pipes, limited percussion effects—usually
a bass drum, snare drum, and cymbal—are used. These organs were designed to
play loudly—in order to be heard above the din of the carousel, dozens of skaters,
or carnival rides and, equally important, to act as a Pied Piper to draw crowds
from far and near. The industry developed in two directions: European built
Fairground Organs and American built Band Organs.
Fairground Organs were developed
in Europe and the major manufacturers were German (Bruder and Ruth), French
(Gavioli, Limonaire and Gasparini) and Dutch (Frei). Fairground organ music
is quite musical. Whereas American Band Organs generally play marches and waltzes,
the Fairground Organs often play classical, opera or operetta music in addition
to popular tunes of the day.
German organs are quite loud and
brash while French organs are generally sweeter.
Feeding a cardboard “book” through
the instrument makes the music play. Holes in the book operate the mechanism.
The book is made of thick cardboard that folds back and forth on itself like
an accordion. Fairground organs generally have very ornate facades with many
carvings, paintings and decorations in a neo-baroque or art nouveau style.
Occasionally, the organs have one or more carved wood figures that represent
a conductor or bell ringers.
Band organs were developed in the
US. They are heavy with percussion and tend to be militaristic. They were
originally designed to replace a military band. In 1893, Eugene DeKleist, a
native of Dusseldorf, Germany, started the North Tonawanda Barrel Organ Works
in North Tonawanda, NY. During the 1890’s, DeKleist manufactured barrel organs,
barrel-operated pianos, automatic xylophone and chimes, and similar instruments—all
mainly for the carousel and amusement park trade. In 1909, Wurlitzer acquired
the DeKleist interests and began operating the factory under the Wurlitzer name.
Wurlitzer went on to become the largest manufacturer of Band Organs. Typically,
Wurlitzer Band Organs played with paper rolls somewhat like a player piano.
Our collection contains examples
of a flute clock, Fairground Organ, Band Organ, and two crank organs.
Flute
Clock with Automata:John Makkellow made our
flute clock in 1820. The clock works are from the German Black Forest
region but the case appears to have been made in England. This was typical
of the times since the Black Forest supplied many clock makers all over
the world. The clock is noteworthy because of the fact that it contains
automata or moving mechanical figures. The three figures are dressed
in military band uniforms and they move the instruments to their lips
and sway back and forth. Also, noteworthy is the fact that the clock
has four barrels with eight tunes per barrel; most flute clocks have only
one barrel. The music is excellent and is comprised of airs, marches,
fanfares and classical music; many flute clocks have religious facades
and music and are generally not as interesting visually or musically as
this piece.
The Gasparini Fairground Organ:
The Gasparini is an uncommon instrument and is noteworthy because of the
three beautifully carved figures on the façade as well as the nice paintings.
It came to us via a most unusual route. We first saw it for auction at
Sotheby’s only a few months after we developed an interest in mechanical
music. While we fell in love with it we noted that it was in need of
major restoration and, at the estimated auction price, we passed. However,
it did not sell and it came up for auction again at a reduced estimated
price so we decided to bid. However, we were in Tucson packing my mother’s
house for a move to RI and Gale had a serious cold. In the middle of
the night, she had severe trouble breathing and we rushed to the hospital.
Around 7 AM, a doctor rushed in with a phone and said that London was
calling! It was the auction house and the organ was coming up for bid.
With Gale lying in bed hooked up to IV’s, I had little interest in bidding
and we passed again. Gale recovered and we began kicking ourselves for
not bidding on the organ the second time around. I asked around and found
out the name of the winner and wrote him a letter. We never heard back
from him. In June 1999, we toured Europe on a bus with 44 other people
interested in Fairground organs. While we saw many beautiful organs,
we would always say to each other
that the Gasparini was prettier. Finally, at the September 1999 MBSI
meeting I met the man who had purchased the Gasparini and introduced myself.
He said, “Oh you’re the guy who wrote me! My 2 year old daughter ate
your letter and I lost your name and address!” He said that his restorer
was booked for the next 10 years so that if we really wanted the organ,
he’d sell it to us at his cost. A deal was instantly done and we were
once again reminded that there are some very special people who collect
these instruments!
Of all of the French organ
manufacturers, Gasparini is the least known and there are relatively few
examples still in existence. The firm was founded in 1865 and lasted
until the mid-1910’s. While a number of examples must exist, we know
of only four others. The Gasparini began life as a barrel organ and thus
it is older than about the mid-1890’s. It was probably turned, either
by hand, or by a belt connected to a steam engine. After many years in
use as a Fairground organ, it was purchased by Monsieur Farkas, a Frenchman.
It was part of the Madam & Monsieur Farkas collection, which mainly
consisted of dolls and toys. The Farkas had their own private museum
in Baden, France. Ron Schmuck and Arthur Prinsen met with Farkas in 2000
but were unable to find out much more of the history of the organ; Farkas
was 83 and spoke no English.
Ron Schmuck of The Great Canadian
Nickelodeon Company restored the organ after a complete tear down. The
top piece had been cut off somewhere in its past but we were able to recreate
it by discussions with Monsieur Farkas. When we tore down the organ we
found that an old newspaper had been shellacked in one of the chambers
to prevent leaks. Also, the washer on one of the drumbeaters was a 10-franc
coin. Ron has installed a MIDI system and a glockenspiel without affecting
the originality of the piece. Alan Pell in England developed the MIDI
system and has supplied a variety of MIDI files. The instrument can play
with the original Gasparini book music as a stand-alone instrument or
can play in an expanded manner with the MIDI files.
The
Artizan Band Organ:The Artizan Factories, Inc.
was 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. Our Artizan was built in 1923 and spent much of its life
on a carousel. It then went into the hands of a collector in CT. He
rented it out for parties and fairs. We acquired it in June 1998.
French Automata Crank Organ:
This is a very rare piece. Crank organs were made, primarily, by the
Germans and on rare occasions they included moving figures or automata
into the organ. Generally, these figures were hand carved wood, were
relatively small and had limited movement. The French were noted for
their automata…larger clothed figures with much movement. Our organ is
clearly of French origin since it has the typical French automata figures.
The organ is the only known example of a French Automata crank organ and
is ca 1840. It plays eight tunes by means of a barrel with pins stuck
in it.
Mandolina: The Mandolina
was made by the Monroe Organ Reed Company of Worcester, MA and distributed
by the Mechanical Orguinette Company of New York. The later became known
as the Aeolian Company,
a manufacturer of high quality, reproducing pianos. The organettes were
produced by the tens of thousands annually from the 1880’s through the
early 1900’s. Operated by a paper roll, they included 20 pipes and were
made for home use.
