Automatic disc harmonium “Reform – Orgel”
Automatic disc harmonium “Reform – Orgel”
Sweden, Karlstad
Circa 1900
J.P. Nyströms Orgel & Pianofabrik
Wood, metal, leather, celluloid; wood carving, polishing, mechanical work
150.5 x 102 x 52 cm
Inscriptions on the fallboard: “A.B. J.P. Nyström/Karlstad SVERIGE/Reform – Orgel/PATENT.”, depictions of medals from 1881 and 1883; inside the frame between the medals: “Innehar sjutton (17) Patenter a egna Uppfinningar inom orgelbranchen.”
Instrument is housed in vertical wooden, black-lacquered, and polished case. Case is shaped as a small piano with a forty-nine-key keyboard enclosed by sliding fallboard lid. Cast shaped drive handle for the perforated disc is located on the right side of the vertical panel below the keyboard.
The suction pneumatic system of the harmonium operates by alternatingly pressing the pedals. The instrument can be used both in manual performance mode and in semi-automatic mode. In the latter case, it is necessary to mount a program disc and turn the drive handle.
Music media: perforated cardboard disc 33 cm in diameter.
308/ММП