Rusty King, Terry Hathaway, Dana Johnson, and I have been working
on a Link registry of coin pianos and orchestrions for the Mechanical
Music Press web site, http://www.mechanicalmusicpress.com/  At the
same time, I'm working with Dave Bowers on the massive new Guide Book
of Coin-Operated American Pianos and Orchestrions.  For both projects,
we're looking for something that positively identifies the early Link
Style O coin piano.

When the Link Piano Co. was established in early 1913, two of its
earliest coin pianos were designated the Styles O and R.  The Style
R is well-known, being a tall upright piano with flute pipes, a
horizontal bin above the pinblock, a chain drive with slender metal
fingers to help pull the loops of paper along, and art glass panels
in the front.  A beautiful original color advertisement exists,
identifying it as an R.

We've seen no such original ad for the Style O, however.  Did it have
a keyboard or not?  One or more extra instruments?  Art glass?  If any
reader can identify the Style O with certainty, please let me know.

Art Reblitz
orchestrion@comcast.net.geentroep [delete ".geentroep" to reply]