lUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS - Please support publication ...

"We were aware that this .problem would meet with the sharpest
criticism on the side of musical celebrities, and therefore did not omit
to submit our first model, immediately on its completion, to a
thorough and critical examination at the hands of the foremost
professional experts. The recognition of a startling beauty of
reproduction in violin tone together with a highly artistic
accompaniment on the reproducing piano was unanimous. We place the
Paganini on the market with the consciousness that we are offering an
instrument of a very high class order.
"It will be found that the Paganini instruments not only meet the
highest musical demands, but also in quality in workmanship, will keep
up our reputation for turning out first class instruments only..."
THE PAGANINI VIOLIN PIANO (as described by one of the main
distributors, the Rudolph Wurlitzer Co., circa 1914): A Wonderful New
Musical Instrument - This instrument is the latest Wurlitzer triumph
and the very highest type of refined musical instrument.
"The work of the Paganini Violin Piano will be best appreciated by
musical persons who understand and appreciate good music. This
instrument reproduces the actual playing of a piano and violin by artists
of the highest rank, the violin leading and the piano playing the
accompaniment.
"The Paganini will play everything in music from the popular hits to
the big classical numbers with a correctness of technic and musical
shading that will positively amaze the listener.
"Take a position in another room or turn your back on this new
musical wonder and you will ·find it impossible to say that you are not
listening to the best work of a finished pianist and violinist, thoroughly
accustomed to playing together in concert.
"The Paganini has been tried out in the very finest places and in
every case it has caused a sensation, so different is it in every respect.
"A visitor in a fine cafe or hotel restaurant of today notices that the
music comes drifting in, so to speak, not'loud, but in soft, delicate
strains that can be plainly heard and enjoyed by those who wish to stop
their conversation to listen, while it is so soft as not to interfere with
low conversation by those who wish to talk. The orchestra is hidden in
such places, and as said above, the music seems to drift in.
"That is the exact niche the Paganini fills. It really seems made to
order for just such refined places. Put the Paganini in the place of the
hidden orchestra and your diners will never know but that they are
listening to the finest violinist and pianist they ever heard. When they
discover that the artist musicians are entirely automatic, their in terest
deepens. The charm of the music grows and grows with repeated
hearings.
"In a word, the Paganini Violin Piano is a thoroughly dignified,
refined musical instrument of the highest grade, suitable for the finest
metropolitan hotels and cafes. It will not only make good under the
most exacting conditions, but it is no exaggeration to say that it will
CARRY THE MOST CRITICAL AUDIENCE BY STORM.
"An excellent assortment of music rolls is ready for the instrument.
These include the latest popular music of the day and the classical
standards which possess popular flavor. The cases of the Paganini Violin
Pianos are chastely elegant. They conform in every particular to the
class of music the instrument produces."
If a more glowing description of an automatic musical instrument
was ever written by a manufacturer or distributor we have yet to read
it!
Although Paganini instruments were once found in many
establishments across America and Europe, they are rare today.
Originally, they were not plentiful. The Paganinis were expensive due to
the great time and expertise needed to make them. Prices STARTED at
$3,500.00 for the simplest model - a style with just ONE rank of
pipes!
Today we know of the following Paganini instruments that still
survive. All are in the hands of those who appreciate them, we are
happy to say. The roster, to the best of our knowledge, is as follows:
1. Style 3 with keyboard; the specimen we now offer for sale.
2. Style 3 with keyboard; specimen in one of America's leading
private collections.
3. Style 3 with keyboard; specimen in the private collection of Mr.
Christopher Ross of Victoria, B.C., Canada. This Paganini was
personally selected by Mr. Ross' grandfather when he visited the
Philipps factory in 1928. It is now being restored to its former musical
glory.
4. Style 3 with keyboard; specimen in a museum due to open soon in
Germany. A public announcement of this has not yet been made, so it
would be premature to make it here. In the museum it will be a central
attraction illustrating sophistication in the making of automatic musical
instruments.
5. Style 3 with keyboard; specimen in the home of Terry Hathaway,
a director of our firm - the instrument which has made us so
enthusiastic about the Paganini!
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6. Style 3 keyboardless; specimen in one of America's leading private
collections.
7. Style 0-14 keyboardless; specimen in the government owned
musical museum in Utrecht, Holland.
To our knowledge, none of the others on this list is for sale or is
about to be for sale in the foreseeable future. Hence, the opportunity
presented now may be the last chance to acquire a Paganini for a long,
long time!
The instrument we offer is in choice unrestored condition. It is a
large and beautiful specimen that will be admired wherever it is
displayed. Measurements are: 9'1" high (with decorative top gallery in
place), 5'7" wide, and 3' deep. It disassembles into two parts, top and
bottom, for convenience in moving. With the Paganini is a supply of
music rolls of popular and classical selections.
Although the Paganini would certainly be a top attraction in a
musical museum (no public musical museum in America has one), it
would find, perhaps, an ideal home in a fine residence. The music of the
Paganini is soft, mellow, and pleasing. It is at its best when playing
classical music. If you are the owner of a finely built and finely restored
and regulated reproducing piano, then you will be able to appreciate
the Paganini to its fullest extent. It is truly a marvelous musical
instrument!
$4995.00 (Stock No. WUR-3998)
WURLITZER STYLE BX ORCHESTRION
With Automatic Roll Changer
This Style BX is a lovely example of a classic Wurlitzer keyboard
orchestrion. Manufactured during the World War I era, this orchestrion
contains a piano, mandolin attachment, a large rank of violin pipes, a
bass drum, a snare drum and a triangle.
It uses regular Wurlitzer Automatic Player Piano rolls and is equipped
with the famous Wurlitzer Automatic Roll Changer. This device holds
six 5-tune rolls and changes them automatically. In this way, the roll of
your choice can be selected via an indexing knob at the left side of the
case, or, left to play continuously or by repeated dropping of nickels in
the slot, the orchestrion will play each roll through, one after the other.
In this way a program of 30 different tunes without repetition awaits
the listener.
Front and rear views of the Wurlitzer BX orchestrion. This
instrument has been carefully restored (a nice quality job) and is
ready to take its place in your musical exhibit. The colorful art glass
fronted BX will enable you to relive the wonderful age of ragtime,
two steps, and other nostalgic music in a really meaningful way!