Seeburg Coin Pianos
By Marty Roenigk
Don Teach was wondering how many Seeburg "H" and "G" models there are out there. I sure don't know, but my impression is that there are more "H" models than "G" models despite the "H" presumably being more expensive due to is more ornate case, etc. We just bought an "H" along with a collection of about 20 other large pneumatic instruments, and the "H" has tremendous visual appeal, which is what the operators needed to attract the coins in the first place.
How many "H" models are left? I have seen perhaps 20-25 in various collections and auctions, probably more. It is always hard to estimate since the machines move around from old collections to new ones and get double counted. And there were some reproductions made, I don't know how many. You obviously have to apply a multiplier of some sort to that since I'm sure there are a lot I have not seen. Nevertheless it is undoubtedly the preeminent American keyboard orchestrion. We will probably keep it and put in display in the historic hotel we are buying in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
It is interesting that I would be much harder pressed to estimate how many "G" models there are out there, simply because to me they were not as memorable. I just know it was a smaller number, or maybe it just seems like it because the "H" is more impressive?
Marty Roenigk
mroenigk@aol.com
www.mechantiques.com |
(Message sent Sat 8 Feb 1997, 14:56:52 GMT, from time zone GMT-0500.) |
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