overall: 10 1/4 in x 10 in x 2 1/2 in; 26.035 cm x 25.4 cm x 6.35 cm
Object Name:
organette
Place made:
United States: New York, Ithaca
Date made:
ca 1878
Description:
<p>This organette was made by Autophone Company in Ithaca, New York, about 1878. It is a hand pressure operated model, with 22 free reeds. Accessioned with cardboard music strips (MI.68.13.01 - .25)</p>
<p>This instrument features U. S. Patent #211821, dated December 3, 1878, by Henry B. Horton, for improvements in mechanical musical instruments that play perforated paper strips. In the patent description the inventor uses the term “autophone” to describe the instrument.</p>