Beschreibung:

In 1904, a young man named Henry K. Sandell joined the Mills Novelty Company. At the age of just 21, young Sandell had already distinguished himself as an inventor, having patented several devices in the electrical and mechanical fields. His first project for the Mills Co. was the perfection of an automatic violin-playing machine, and in 1905 or 06, Mills Novelty Company launched the "Automatic Virtuoso" and the Mills Violano-Virtuoso was born. From that day on into the 1930's, the Violano-Virtuoso went through many design changes and enhancements including a ship's version where the piano could be played manually, and several other versions where accompanying instruments could be added to the mainstay violin with piano. It was in the early 1920's when Mills developed the Deluxe Violano-Virtuoso where a second violin was added, not to accompany the first violin, but to play simultaneously, thus increasing the volume and expression of the violin while playing. This example of the Deluxe Violano-Virtuoso is housed in a beautifully finished North American quartered oak cabinet. The 18 month old restoration has accounted for every detail, including a magnificent restoration of the two violins and a complete overall rebuilding of the electrical and pneumatic systems, all culminating in a sound so emotionally rich to hear and so hypnotically-mesmerizing to watch its no wonder that the Violano-Virtuoso was designated as one of the greatest scientific inventions of the age by the U.S Government. This example is a flawlessly playing musical instrument with a meticulous restoration, with an absolutely gorgeous look and sound. The "Double Violano", as the machine is referred by collectors, uses the same piano roll as the single. Restored, with keys and 4 rolls. CORRECTION: Violano is electrically controlled not pneumatic. This is not a standard shippable item and will require 3rd party shipping or pickup arrangements to be made. Condition: (Excellent). Item Dimensions: 47" x 34" x 68 - 3/4". Name Value Keys Yes