[ Craig Smith asked in 050128 MMDigest, "Has anyone ever seen
 [ or had reference to this Gavioli instrument?

The patent on the Gavioli "guitharmonie" is French pat. nr. 19120 of
16-7-1857.  Before I discovered the patent it was thought that it was
a kind of mechanical guitar!

Two different constructions are patented: one looks like a guitar case,
with a rounded lid over the barrel (I attached an engraving from a
Gavioli catalog).

The other type is even more interesting: it has the crank on one side,
and at there is a kind of guitar neck on the other side with a handle.
By pressing that handle it was possible to bring expression in the
music by squeezing the magazine bellows.

I am curious to know which of these types is in Craig's hands now.

Cheers from the Netherlands (rain here, but snow in Italy!)
Hans van Oost

P.S.: I could send Craig the patent drawings if he needs them.

 [ Thanks, Hans, I'll place the engraving image at the MMD Pictures
 [ site, http://mmd.foxtail.com/Pictures/  -- Robbie