Pierre Eich (Ghent, Belgium)

This lovely instrument replicates violin music with a rank of violin pipes, which play in concert with the piano and mandolin attachment. The instrument was acquired from Hawaii by the Milhous brothers. It has been cosmetically restored and presents beautifully with a handsome Art Deco façade and four hanging lamps. It is accompanied by a half-dozen original rolls and features a plaque with the original dealer's name, "Justin VanHyfte, Pianos Electriques, 40 Place du Lion d'Or – GAND," where Gand refers to the city of Ghent, where the instrument was made.

In Ghent the firm of Pierre Eich produced a line of quality instruments in the early 20th century. Production was limited, and sales were primarily in Belgium and in neighboring Holland. Remarkably, Pierre Eich produced instruments until 1939, later than most, as other makers of coin-operated pianos generally ceased business by the early 1930s.

The three most popular Eich instruments were the Super Violin (a piano with mandolin attachment and violin pipes) as offered here, Solophone (a piano with from three to six ranks of pipes depending on the model) and the Piano-Jazz (a piano with accordion and some models with drum and trap effects). These were made in many different case designs and were especially popular in the 1920s and 1930s. All are of excellent craftsmanship. Today, examples of Pierre Eich instruments in collections are few and far between due to their rarity. Two examples are represented in the Milhous Collection, each one a classic. 63x90x32 inches.