Built by Gebruder Weber Orcherstrionfabrik in Waldkirch, Germany, these instruments were designed to imitate the small musical quartets found in cafés and restaurants throughout Europe. This example is believed to date from 1925. The orchestrion contains cello & violin pipes and a ‘mandolin’ attachment to the piano treble, with various expression devices, all controlled by a perforated paper music roll. Weber instruments were well known – being highly regarded because of their excellent construction and the astonishing musical repertoire produced by house arranger Gustav Bruder.
Previously, this instrument formed part of the Ashorne Hall collection near Warwick, until 2004 when it was acquired by Ted Reed for the Amersham Fair Organ Museum.
Played on open days between:
November, January & March: 12:50 – 13:05 & 15:40 – 15:55
December, February & April: 11:35 – 11:50 & 14:00 – 14:15
Weber ‘Unika’ 21752 playing: I Lift Up My Finger & I Say Tweet Tweet – Saroni