Mills Violano orchestrion
Mills Violano orchestrion
USA
1912
Mills Violano–Virtuoso
Wood (maple, mahogany, spruce, birch), metal, glass, brass; casting, carving, casting, presswork, engraving
109 х 78 х 163 cm, 300 kg
Stamp on the fretboard “3764”. Inscription: “VIOLIN PIANO/VIOLANO-VIRTUOSO INVENTED By H.K. SANDELL/MNF’D: By Mills Novelty Co./PATENTED IN UNITED STATES AND FOREIGN COUNTRIES” and USA patents’ dates on the motor; inside the case on panel: “VIOLANO VIRTUOSO/SELF PLAYING/VIOLIN AND PIANO»; «VIOLANO-VIRTUOSO/MANUFACTURED BY MILLS NOVELTY CO. /MILLS BLDG.-CHICAGO, U.S.A. TEL. MON. 2017”. Mark: “2071”, “PAT/JUNE 4 1912/MILLS NOVELTY CHICAGO ILL USA”. Inscription on the soundboard: “VIOLANO VIRTUOSO/SELF PLAYING/VIOLIN AND PIANO»; «VIOLANO-VIRTUOSO/MANUFACTURED BY MILLS NOVELTY CO. /MILLS BLDG.-CHICAGO, U.S.A. TEL. MON. 2017”. Inscription on wooden frame covered with glass inside the case: «VIOLANO-VIRTUOSO/DESIGNATED BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT AS ONE OF THE EIGHT GREATEST INVENTIONS OF THE DECADE/MILLS NOVELTY CO., CHICAGO”. Inscription on paper label on one of the shutters: “TO HEAR VIOLANO-VIRTUOSO PLAY. Insert 10 cents in Slide-Push In and Pull Out/Form 158C”. Mark: “2071”. On wooden frame covered with glass inside the case: “PAT/JUNE 4 1912/MILLS NOVELTY CHICAGO ILL USA”
Wooden case, made in the form of a cabinet, mahogany veneered, with blank and glass doors, with top lid, with locks. 110 V electric motor and paper music roll are hidden behind the doors. The violin and the mechanism are mounted in the façade upper part behind the sliding doors, consisting of four shutters with faceted glass. Four strings violin. Metal frame with four plastic buttons tuned in the interval of perfect fifths: g, d, a, e is in front of it.
Metal box "electric motor" for automatic piano playing is above the violin. Metal strings are tightened on the soundboard inside the case. They sound when struck by hammers.
The mechanism is coin activated.
Инв. 979/ММП