FS: Mills Novelty Violano Virtuoso

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FS: Mills Novelty Violano Virtuoso

Postby CoinOpNut » Mon May 16, 2022 9:45 pm

Offering for sale a magnificent, automated violin and piano player: The Violano-Virtuoso made by Mills Novelty Company of Chicago, IL.

This late-style machine wears serial number 4013, stamped into the back door and visible through the piano plate.

The machine is in excellent working order, having had a thorough mechanical/electrical overhaul and subsequent tuning and calibration.
I'm happy to share YouTube video links so you can see the machine in action.

The beautiful mahogany case features full-length capped columns with deep-grained veneer. Cabinet has a few spots/marks to the high-gloss lacquer finish, but overall presents beautifully with a rich, dark glow. The four doors have beveled glass for viewing the violin and piano. The top lid is hinged and has the original prop and newer bronze screening in place; offering a simple, yet effective volume control. The coin slide is set for 5c play.

A modern DC power supply has been installed with full fusing to provide safe and quiet, consistent power to the machine. Additionally, the machine is powered through an isolation transformer to provide added electrical safety.

The Violano is located in the greater Los Angeles area (near Pasadena). I have a highly-regarded instrument mover who is familiar with these machines and can work with the buyer to arrange transportation (at the buyer’s expense).

Priced at $19,750. and includes 4 rolls that offer a nice mix of fox trots and waltzes.

A bit more about the Mills Violano-Virtuoso:

Singled out by the U.S. government in 1909 as one of the eight greatest inventions of the decade when it was introduced at the Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition, the Mills Violano-Virtuoso stands as one of the most important and incredible musical devices ever made. With its finely tuned 64-note violin and an accompanying 44-note piano, the "Single Mills" as it became known to collectors, was a revolutionary machine, offering businesses and homeowners an affordable alternative to hiring live orchestras. Some even contended that the Violano-Virtuoso could play to perfection many complex and up-tempo arrangements that most orchestras would not even attempt!
Perfected and patented in 1912 by Henry K. Sandell, the Violano-Virtuoso was produced in limited quantities until 1929 and could be found in the very finest restaurants, hotels and ocean liners. In fact, the Violano-Virtuoso was one of the few American-made mechanical musical devices to be distributed world-wide to the most exclusive international clientele.
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Attachments
Mills VV Doors open.jpg
CoinOpNut
 
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Re: FS: Mills Novelty Violano Virtuoso

Postby madd58 » Tue May 17, 2022 12:25 pm

Beautiful machine!
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Re: FS: Mills Novelty Violano Virtuoso

Postby CoinOpNut » Sun Jun 19, 2022 5:39 pm

Thanks!

Machine has been sold!
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