Ludwig Hupfeld AG (Böhlitz-Ehrenberg, Germany)

The Sinfonie-Jazz was one of the last orchestrion models built by the Hupfeld firm. This example, tentatively designated as Model No. 9, probably dating from the late 1920s, contains piano with expression, fox trot bells, a saxophone reed box, drums and traps. The percussion is more elaborate than in the earlier Helios models, with hi-hat cymbals, wood block and triangle, plus bass drum, snare drum and crash cymbal with mufflers for more subtle effects. It plays special style SJ rolls that feature solos on the saxophone. This example is in a modern Art Deco style case, indicative of its late 1920s design. It was pneumatically restored by Musikwerkstatt, Monschau, Germany in 1999. This lot includes over 30 re-cut and original music rolls!

This example was found in 1975 in East Germany by Claes O. Friberg and Q. David Bowers. It is not known how many Sinfonie Jazz orchestrions in various styles were made by Hupfeld, but experts concur that they numbered in the low hundreds. No more than about 12 can be accounted for today. In the jazz era of the 1920s several other firms made instruments that found use in cabarets of the day—including Philipps, Lösche and Popper. The present orchestrion will be the highlight of any fine collection. 64x96x30 inches.