Imhof & Mukle (Vöhrenbach, Germany)

As one of the most famous of the early manufacturers of mechanical musical instruments, Imhof & Mukle utilized a cardboard music roll system of unique design as opposed to paper music rolls or folding cardboard music. This was called the "Music Leaf" system and, in effect, uses heavy manila paper (think of a file folder) on which selections are programmed.

This beautiful Tell instrument, as in William Tell, features several moving scene effects, which were popular in the era immediately preceding the mid-teens. The company, instead of assigning model numbers, used names taken from musical classics.

The only known surviving Tell orchestrion, this example was originally sold to a café in France, where it remained until 1997. It was acquired from the collection of Danny DeBie in Belgium and subsequently restored by Mike Argain in Fresno, California. Instrumentation includes piano with mandolin attachment, two ranks of violin pipes and a unique rank of 30 solo violin pipes with tremolo that turn the other ranks and piano treble off when they play. Percussion includes orchestra bells, drums and cymbal. The main case, side cabinets and hanging fixtures are original, except for the glass beading. The original statues have been replaced with appropriate statues of the period. The Tell plays from its original cardboard rolls and from a convenient digital MIDI player system. The last, which does not compromise the original mechanisms, makes it possible for one to commission a virtually unlimited repertoire of music if so desired. The Tell is accompanied by a dozen rolls and a library of MIDI files.

Imhof & Mukle had its inception in the 1840s when Daniel Imhof began making clocks with musical attachments. By the late 19th century many large and important orchestrions using pinned wooden cylinders were made, widely marketed through different agencies, including in foreign countries. A magnificent Imhof & Mukle cylinder orchestrion is at the top of a grand staircase in the Sanfilippo Collection.

By the early 20th century instruments with music rolls were the order of the day, as noted, using manila paper. Many different models were produced, some small and with keyboards, others large and imposing. In New York City the Ernst Böcker Orchestrion Company sold them widely, including in hotels, taverns and elsewhere. Passengers on the Hudson River Day Line steamers from New York City to Albany and back enjoyed Imhof & Mukle music, as did members of the New York Jockey Club in their quarters near New York City. Probably about a dozen various Imhof & Mukle models sold in America survive today, plus a few (such as the present Tell) located in Europe. Today all Imhof & Mukle orchestrions are very highly prized. 124x125x46 inches.