Album Notes

What can one say about a wonderful Orchestrion that has everything? When it plays, all “H” breaks loose! This superb machine seems to enchant all who see and hear it. It is such that experts say they have never heard an “H” play the way this one does. Many hours were spent in redoing the entire machine.
The “H” was used in real high-class places. It must have been the desire of all owners of taverns, eating establishments, bordellos, ice cream parlors, or dance halls to own one of the most elaborates machines made during this era. Acquiring one of these was solely dependent upon the type of music the place could afford-consequently, automatic pianos and orchestrions were made in different sizes and prices ranged from the $300 category into the thousands of dollars.
The “H” is much sought after by collectors all over the country. In 1919, according to the original price card, they sold for $3,075. This is the largest keyboard type orchestrion manufactured in the United States and was marketed from 1911 through 1927.
The “H” plays tunes with great gusto, and the solo sections enhance various types of music from blues to semi-classical. It carries the Seeburg motto, “Dependability, Efficiency.” Often called the “Masked Marvel,” it is equal to a seven-man orchestra. The music rolls have been hand arranged to play wonderful solo effects. It plays Style “H” rolls, manufactured by the J.P. Seeburg Company of Chicago, Illinois.
Instrumentation: New and original scale piano of seven and one-third octaves and three unisons throughout, with mandolin attachment; 68 pipes-violin, piccolo, flute, oboe, and clarinet; bass drum, snare drum; kettle drum effect; cymbal; triangle; castanets; and xylophone. Drums or any other effect can be shut off at will. A strong feature is the patented loud and soft drum effects. It is equipped with tempo regulator on outside below key-bed. Magazine slot registering 1 to 20 coins. Seeburg master hand arranged solo music rolls contain 10 selections on Seeburg rewind system. Height 7’ 3”, Width 2’ 10” and Length 6’ 4”. Double veneered hardwood case finished in mission oak, with carved wood Caryatids representing “Strength and Beauty” at each side, hold up the top of the case. The double doors in front are of beautiful art glass with brass pipes thereon in bas-relief. From the top hang three artistic art-lamps and on the inside there are four lamps with illuminate the art glass in the corners and top side only. Listen for the solo effects as “All “H” Breaks Loose!”