Title

Gem Roller Organ 1887

Creation Date

1887

Maker's Mark

Autophone Company

Description

The Gem was the smallest, cheapest, and most popular of the roller organ range. It is basically a 20-note suction operated reed organ in a light wooden table-top case. It measures 14 1/2 inches wide, 12 inches deep, and 8 inches high, and weighs 6 1/2 pounds. The roller, drive mechanism, and pallet valves are mounted on cast-iron brackets on the top front section of the case.  The brass reeds are mounted on the inside of the sloping panel, directly behind the pallets. The pumping bellows or feeders are mounted in the lower section of the case, with the reservoir at the top rear. The rear section of the reservoir is covered with black rubberized “bellows cloth” and moves up and down as the instrument plays.