Imhof & Mukle (Vöhrenbach, Germany)

Originally installed in a Swiss hotel lobby and then acquired by prominent collector Klaus Fischer, this Imhof & Mukle Badenia orchestrion features an interesting arched top and original bronze Art Nouveau lights on its added side cabinets, with three moving picture windows of interesting scenes, including a windmill, waterfall and dirigible. The latter was considered to be the most advanced form of aviation at the time this orchestrion was made! Such animated effects, which were used on larger instruments of other manufacturers as well, including Hupfeld, Wurlitzer and Philipps, are a great attraction in any collection today. Relatively few survive.

Instrumentation of the Badenia includes a piano with expression, xylophone, orchestra bells, flute and violin pipes and percussion including bass, snare drums and cymbal. The instrument plays bright, enjoyable music from manila rolls of a unique Imhof & Mukle "Music Leaf" design and also plays from a digital MIDI player. After acquisition from the Fischer Collection in 1997, it was restored by Musikwerkstatt Monschau and is one of only three Badenia examples known to exist. It includes a half-dozen original music rolls plus a library of MIDI files. Of note, the Badenia term derives from Baden, the German state that incorporates Vöhrenbach, where the Imhof & Mukle factory stands today. 100x120x36 inches.