[ Part I was published in 26.01.20 MMDigest. ]

The STA-58 operated at a lower pressure than the typical 43-whistle
instruments, which are furnished with 1.0 psi wind pressure and tuned
at 0.75 psi. The wind came from a suitably sized Spencer centrifugal
blower, rather than the usual Roots lobe style blower. A connection
on the air intake side provided the suction required to operate the
roll-playing system.

Like numerous other Calliaphones, the STA-58 had a steel member case
frame to which steel sheets were affixed. The housing was decorated
vis a peculiar rolled-on wood grain process. The only wood in the case
were the concealed boards that filled in the space between rolled
steel members and provided stability for the sheet metal expanses.

The STA-58 had a functional, original keyboard, but when I acquired
it the roll playing system was entirely gone. For more than a decade
I sought the requisite parts to accomplish a restoration. I was able
to acquire an appropriate vintage and style Monarch roll frame and
associated other apparatus, two original Tangley stacks with valves,
and all other components needed for an original presentation.

In mid-1995, I retained Terry Haughwout to fabricate a Tangley-style
58-valve manifold and otherwise bring the roll-playing system to
completion and full operation. Subsequently, Dave Miner was hired later
in the same year to bring the remainder of it to operational condition,
and to also repair, polish and lacquer the whistles, but did not have
him voice them.

Without asking, or seeking permission, Dave measured my STA-58 and
from it later created the Bender semi-replica 58 some years later.
Direct replicas are somewhat of a concern when they are not readily
discernable from an original. The Bender unit is adequately different
that a confusing situation will not occur.

In 1997 I sold the STA-58 to Bill Griffith of Spring Green, Wisconsin,
a newspaper man, circus owner and generally successful entrepreneur.
He bought a bunch of other calliopes, the most diverse collection ever
assembled, and to house and present them organized the world's only
calliope museum. He had fun with the operation for a few years and
then sold the STA-58 and several other rare calliopes to Bob Gilson,
who added them to his incredible collection.

Today, the only original Tangley STA-58 Calliaphone is owned by Elise
Roenigk and located at her Crescent Hotel operation in Eureka Springs,
Arkansas. Starting in 1937, and for about a decade thereafter, the
Crescent Hotel housed Norman Baker's fraudulent Cancer Clinic.

The late Marty Roenigk and wife Elise bought the structure in year
1997 and shortly thereafter sought a suitable Tangley Calliope,
hopefully a 58, for presentation via a March 1, 1999 posting on
MMD[1]. Eventually they came to know of the STA-58 in Bob Gilson's
holdings and the transfer of ownership was made possible between
friends.

There is a second, remnant STA-58, in the Don Nielsen collection[2],
however, it has replacement Tangley style whistles. It may have been
assembled in that manner by the person who acquired the remnants of
various air calliope builders. I also have evidence indicating the
one-time existence of a third instrument.

Fred Dahlinger
Baraboo, Wisconsin

[1] https://www.mmdigest.com/Archives/Digests/199903/1999.03.01.02.html 
[2] https://www.americantreasuretour.com/ 

[ An earlier article by Fred about this instrument is at
[ https://www.mmdigest.com/Archives/Digests/201707/2017.07.18.03.html 
[ -- Robbie