"The Organette Book, A concise listing of all known self-playing portable reed organs" by Kevin A. McElhone. Published in 2002 by the Musical Box Society of Great Britain, and printed by Stanley L. Hunt Ltd., Rushden, Northants, United Kingdom. Hardcover, 417 pages with about 770 plates, illustrating some 560 different makes, types and models of organette, plus important historical adverts and documentation. The book measures 6-3/4 inches (17 cm) high by 10 inches (25 cm) wide.

Text from the author reads as follows:

The Organette Book is intended to be a reference work for both novice collector and expert. Auction houses and prospective purchasers will find it an invaluable aid to the correct description and identification of these hand-operated small reed instruments.

A definition of an organette is provided in order to define the boundaries between similar instruments that maybe categorised differently. Where there is doubt, an instrument will be included rather than excluded from the book. The book is arranged in alphabetical order for ease of reference to both makes and models. The contents list shows the range of subject matter contained within the book.

The book contains about 770 plates, illustrating some 560 different makes, types and models of organette, plus important historical adverts and documentation. These illustrations are supported by a comprehensive text. The extent of the text for each make and model is dependent upon the amount of documentation available. Thus, the text for popular models is extensive and that for the rare and less known models is proportionately less so. It is possible that many of the illustrations may never have been published in a work such as this.

Much of the book's content has been derived from material contributed by collectors from around the world or from prime sources. Our technical editors and contributors revealed many instruments previously in general reference works on mechanical musical instruments.

Contents

    The Organette Book
    Preface
    Introduction
    Contents
    Acknowledgements
    What is an Organette?
    Family Tree
    The Organettes - Alphabetically by Name
    Novelty Items
    Comparison of Scales
    Identification of Music
    Identification of Instruments
    Titles Made and Tune Lists
    Storage of Music
    Speed of Operation
    Makers of Organettes and Agents/Retailers
    Makers of NEW Rolls, Books, Cobs, Boxes
    Catalogues Available
    Musical Societies
    Museums
    Finding an Organette
    Tips on Organette Restoration - by Ted Brown
    Sources and Acknowledgements
    Table of Organette Models
    Original Cost of Purchase
    Patents
    Terms Used
    Index of Illustrations

e-mail me now to reserve this book

Return to: Bill Wineburgh's Home Page