In MMD 990110, John Page mentioned a player piano at the Musical Museum
at Cotton, England:

> This, I believe, is one built by Gavioli in 1892 and is book-playing.
> I imagine it to be the fore-runner of the book-playing organ, which
> was first seen in 1895.  I don't know offhand whether it's keyed or
> keyless, but perhaps someone out there knows more.

The Gavioli piano is either a 54- or 55-key instrument (the descrip-
tion depends on the source of information). The key frame for the mech-
anism is located where the keyboard would be found on a conventional
hand played piano.  This particular instrument is hand turned and in
a very plain wooden case.  As such, one could imagine it being used in
the streets.

However, since the mechanism includes a foot operated sustain pedal,
located conventionally, I would have thought that this is unlikely to
have been the intended market.  If I remember correctly, the music
library included a number of books arranged by Abel Frans, who is
probably better known for his arrangements for book operated mechanical
organs.

I have seen one other Gavioli player piano.  This had the book mechan-
ism placed on top of a conventional looking piano, complete with
keyboard.  When I saw this example it was powered by electricity, but
I do not know whether this was original or the result of some later
modification.

I hope that the above is of interest.  Unfortunately I do not have
any detailed information on either of these two instruments.

Douglas Bush
UK