Organette "Cobs"
Organettes were table-top-size, programmable musical devices, popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They operated on the principle of the bellows, like an accordion or bagpipe, and were powered by a hand-crank or foot-pedal. The compressed air escaped through valves, which were controlled by digital (on-vs-off) media. These could be metal discs, paper rolls, or wooden cylinders perforated with pins (known as "cobs"). Each disc or cob was "coded" for one song. The most popular brand of organette in the United States was the Gem Roller Organ (last image), available through the Sears & Roebuck catalog for $3.25. The Gem could play twenty notes, using cobs like these. If you want to play your cobs, Gem organs are available in the antique trade for around $1000!
This offering consist of three “cobs.” The Gem Roller Organ image is for reference only.
Organettes were table-top-size, programmable musical devices, popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They operated on the principle of the bellows, like an accordion or bagpipe, and were powered by a hand-crank or foot-pedal. The compressed air escaped through valves, which were controlled by digital (on-vs-off) media. These could be metal discs, paper rolls, or wooden cylinders perforated with pins (known as "cobs"). Each disc or cob was "coded" for one song. The most popular brand of organette in the United States was the Gem Roller Organ (last image), available through the Sears & Roebuck catalog for $3.25. The Gem could play twenty notes, using cobs like these. If you want to play your cobs, Gem organs are available in the antique trade for around $1000!
This offering consist of three “cobs.” The Gem Roller Organ image is for reference only.
Organettes were table-top-size, programmable musical devices, popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They operated on the principle of the bellows, like an accordion or bagpipe, and were powered by a hand-crank or foot-pedal. The compressed air escaped through valves, which were controlled by digital (on-vs-off) media. These could be metal discs, paper rolls, or wooden cylinders perforated with pins (known as "cobs"). Each disc or cob was "coded" for one song. The most popular brand of organette in the United States was the Gem Roller Organ (last image), available through the Sears & Roebuck catalog for $3.25. The Gem could play twenty notes, using cobs like these. If you want to play your cobs, Gem organs are available in the antique trade for around $1000!
This offering consist of three “cobs.” The Gem Roller Organ image is for reference only.