Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info
MMD > Archives > June 1997 > 1997.06.17 > 02Prev  Next


Frati Monkey Organ
By Bob Conant

Gil,  I am not a real expert in these things but the following excerpts
from Bowers' Encyclopedia of Automatic Musical Instruments might help:

 "Frati and Company, located at Schonhauser Allee 73, Berlin, was a
  leading maker of hand cranked barrel organs during the 1880's, 1890's
  and early 1900's.  The firm was controlled by the Bacigalupo family of
  Berlin. ...

 "Frati maintained  an effective system of dozens of sales agents.
  In the United States, such firms as Pollman, North Tonawanda Musical
  Instrument Works, Muzzio and Molinari all imported Frati organs.
  Usually the Frati name was overlaid with a plaque bearing the name of
  the sales agent.  In other instances, the agents name was put directly
  on the instrument and there was no mention of the Frati firm. ...

 "Internal management problems plus the failure to change the Frati
  line from the barrel system ... to the cardboard system resulted in
  a decline of Frati's fortunes. ... In 1923 the assets of Frati & Co.
  were acquired by J. D. Phillips & Sons of Frankfurt am Rhein."

In view of the above, I would say that you have a Frati organ, of which
a number are known in the USA.  It would appear that it was imported and
sold by an agent in Mexico although I have never heard of this particular
agent.

Mike Kitner of Carlisle, PA, has restored a number of these instruments
in case you are looking for someone to do the work for you.  Tim Westman
of Woodsville, NH, is also an excellent restorer with the capability of
doing the restoration work.

Hope this helps,
Bob Conant
Endicott, NY


(Message sent Wed 18 Jun 1997, 00:55:11 GMT, from time zone GMT-0400.)

Key Words in Subject:  Frati, Monkey, Organ

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page