Mechanical Instruments

Musical Instruments

Mechanical Instruments

Three Mechanical instruments are in the FHC. All are in working condition.

Chautauqua Roller Organ- pine cabinet with stenciling; hand crank; bottom of front bellows stamped with "Sept. 22, 1893."

Phonograph- blue morning-glory horn with gold trim; standard model A; made by the Standard Talking Machine Co., 200 Monroe Street, Chicago; horn attachment stamped "Pat. Aug. 13, 1901"; wooden base, 11-1/2" by 5-1/4".

Regina Music Disc Player- serial number 20328; ca. 1897; cherry or mahogany cabinet.

Keyboard

• Accordion- (mid-nineteenth-century) squeeze-box; rectangular shape with 12 natural and 12 accidental keys, mother of pearl (some missing). Not in playing condition.
• Melodeon- (1850-1860) Foster's portable reed organ; 3-1/2 octave mode, 25 x 13 x 28 inches; oak; made by George A. Price & Co., Buffalo, New York. Restored to working condition in the 1930's for J. K. Lilly. Currently on loan to the H.J. Heinz Regional History Center for their "Pittsburgh Rhythms" exhibit.
• Square Piano- (1828-1834) Foster's piano on loan from the Carnegie Museum; presented to the Carnegie in 1899 from Henry Butterfield (grandson of Stephen's brother, Henry); made by Dubois & Stodart Mfg., No. 167 Broadway, New York; 6-octave. Not in playing condition.
• Square Piano- (1840-1860) Rosewood and mahogany spinet piano manufactured by Chickering and Mackay of Boston; 6-octave piano.

Percussion

Cured Horse's Jawbones (3) - (1930's) minstrel percussion instrument; mentioned in Foster's "Angelina Baker"; one autographed and donated by Clarence F. Miles.

String

Guitar - (1850's) made for Firth, Pond, & Co.; bridge restored to playing condition in 1983.

Wind

Clarinets (2) - (1850's) one with sections stamped "J.T.L." under lyre; seven wood sections (incomplete), some cracked.

Wind

• Flute - (1857) Foster's 8-key rosewood flute presented by him to William Hamilton; head and turning joints cracked; made by Chabrier Peloubet; described in the May/June 1984 issue of The Carnegie Magazine.
• Flute- (1850's) 5-section rosewood flute with 8 keys (2 missing); badly cracked mouthpiece; no maker's stamp.
• Flute- (1840's - 1850's) purchased for the Dear Friends Ensemble; rosewood with ivory joints, 5 keys, 4 sections; restored in 1986 by Lloyd Farrar of Washington, D.C.; no mfg listed; on loan.

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