June 20-21, 2020 Coin-Op & Advertising
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/20/2020
The J.P. Seeburg Piano company of Chicago was one of the top names in the automatic piano and orchestrion business in America, and in the 1920's they were the leader and had the lion's share of the business. Beginning about 1907 with the introduction of their 65-note pianos, Seeburg quickly advanced to the introduction of the much larger and ornate Style "G" and Style "H" orchestrions beginning about 1911 and producing them as late as 1926. The Seeburg Style "H" is simply an impressive example of musical ingenuity expressed mechanically, but with undeniable grace and beauty represented thru stunning art glass panels, quartered north american oak construction, gorgeous carved figures "Beauty" and "Strength", and a harmonic sound produced through the melodic coordination of the piano, base and snare drums, a rank of flute and violin pipes, xylophone, cymbal, castanets, wood block, and triangle. This instrument is truly an outstanding representation of Seeburg's genius in orchestrion manufacture and presents a once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire one of the best examples available in today's market. This example spent most of its life in the famous Crystal Saloon in Virginia City, Nevada. It was rescued from the original building in the 1960's and stored in a warehouse in Chicago until it was acquired in 1998, and restored in 2011 where it has been on display in a climate controlled home until being offered at Morphy's Auction this year. From the beautiful rich tiger-striped oak cabinet, to the remarkable original art-glass panels, original carved Beauty and Strength figures, and a ready-to-play restoration, this Seeburg Style "H" is one of the best examples offered to the public in recent history. Comes complete with 60 "H" rolls, some original and some re-cuts, the original bass drum head with signatures and autographs from the patrons of the Crystal Saloon beautifully framed in matching quartered oak, and an original postcard from the Crystal Saloon in Virginia City, Nevada showing the orchestrion on location. Restored and with keys.
This is not a standard shippable item and will require 3rd party shipping or pickup arrangements to be made.Condition: (Excellent).
Item Dimensions: 72" x 85" x 34".