C.O.C.A. Times
Issue: 2013-July - Vol 19 Num 2 - Page 10
help her get the correct and current pricing. The prices
I acquired the instrument in 2010, and sent it to the
on Ozzie's list are very interesting today. For example, Haughawout Music Company in Ohio for a complete
the Seeburg H was priced at $2,750-$3,250, a Violano restoration. Terry has been restoring machines for 36
double at $1,000-$1,500, and a National Calliope for years and specializes in Violanos. He has worked on
$1,500-$2,250. The list included this early model Vio- more than 600 such instruments, of which at least 150
lano for only $400-$750, which needed some work at have been completely restored back to their factory
that time, such as replacing the missing bass strings and specifications. That's an amazing number considering
piano magnets. Stella must have been a tough negotia- fewer than 25 percent of the original machines pro-
tor as Ozzie ended up buying the machine for $800, duced are known today. The rough estimates on the dif-
which was a little more than he had down on the list.
ferent models known are this early cabinet style, 11
The museum previously had Ozzie convert the ma- home models, just over 20 bow fronts, over 50 doubles,
chine to play the more popular, later rolls. Surprisingly, and around 900 singles. That's a very high survival rate
after all those years I was able to acquire those early for a coin-operated machine. It is believed that many
parts from his son Tom, who still had them in a box. of them were saved due to the violin located inside the
Tom also had the original contract from 1921 between cabinet, since they have always been a treasured instru-
his grandfather and the Mills Novelty Company, the list ment. Whatever the case may be, there are plenty of
of machines in which Stella had provided his father, Vio lanos known today for everyone to listen to and en-
and the bill of sale on this early Violano. Tom acquired joy in their collections.
the machine when his
father passed away
I would like to thank my
from cancer in 1973.
mentors who have helped
His family has been
me with valuable infor-
in the coin-operated
mation on this article and
business for three
have been a big influence
to myself; David Bowers,
generations.
Tom,
just like his father, is
Terry Haughawout, Art
known for his resto-
Reblitz and Tom Wurde-
ration work on these
man. In addition, I would
fine musical ma-
like to mention Don Barr
chines. Tom worked
who was an early pio-
neer in Violano mainte-
alongside his father
when he was a boy
nance and history. Some
of the information above
to learn the trade and
comes from his inter-
is currently in his 80s
views with Bert Mills and
and one of the living
subsequent articles he
links into this musi-
wrote for MESI. I would
cal past. He sold this
also like to give credit to
early style Violano
the Music Box Society In-
in 2000, and it went
ternational (MESI) who
into the Tomaras col-
previously printed this
lection.
article in their magazine.
I hope to have a video
of this machine posted
on my website soon, at
www.kccoinop.com
More photos on next page and also on the COCA website.
10
I acquired the instrument in 2010, and sent it to the
on Ozzie's list are very interesting today. For example, Haughawout Music Company in Ohio for a complete
the Seeburg H was priced at $2,750-$3,250, a Violano restoration. Terry has been restoring machines for 36
double at $1,000-$1,500, and a National Calliope for years and specializes in Violanos. He has worked on
$1,500-$2,250. The list included this early model Vio- more than 600 such instruments, of which at least 150
lano for only $400-$750, which needed some work at have been completely restored back to their factory
that time, such as replacing the missing bass strings and specifications. That's an amazing number considering
piano magnets. Stella must have been a tough negotia- fewer than 25 percent of the original machines pro-
tor as Ozzie ended up buying the machine for $800, duced are known today. The rough estimates on the dif-
which was a little more than he had down on the list.
ferent models known are this early cabinet style, 11
The museum previously had Ozzie convert the ma- home models, just over 20 bow fronts, over 50 doubles,
chine to play the more popular, later rolls. Surprisingly, and around 900 singles. That's a very high survival rate
after all those years I was able to acquire those early for a coin-operated machine. It is believed that many
parts from his son Tom, who still had them in a box. of them were saved due to the violin located inside the
Tom also had the original contract from 1921 between cabinet, since they have always been a treasured instru-
his grandfather and the Mills Novelty Company, the list ment. Whatever the case may be, there are plenty of
of machines in which Stella had provided his father, Vio lanos known today for everyone to listen to and en-
and the bill of sale on this early Violano. Tom acquired joy in their collections.
the machine when his
father passed away
I would like to thank my
from cancer in 1973.
mentors who have helped
His family has been
me with valuable infor-
in the coin-operated
mation on this article and
business for three
have been a big influence
to myself; David Bowers,
generations.
Tom,
just like his father, is
Terry Haughawout, Art
known for his resto-
Reblitz and Tom Wurde-
ration work on these
man. In addition, I would
fine musical ma-
like to mention Don Barr
chines. Tom worked
who was an early pio-
neer in Violano mainte-
alongside his father
when he was a boy
nance and history. Some
of the information above
to learn the trade and
comes from his inter-
is currently in his 80s
views with Bert Mills and
and one of the living
subsequent articles he
links into this musi-
wrote for MESI. I would
cal past. He sold this
also like to give credit to
early style Violano
the Music Box Society In-
in 2000, and it went
ternational (MESI) who
into the Tomaras col-
previously printed this
lection.
article in their magazine.
I hope to have a video
of this machine posted
on my website soon, at
www.kccoinop.com
More photos on next page and also on the COCA website.
10
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).