The punched holes are "read" by a vacuum control system that in turn opens valves allowing the compressed air to enter the selected pipes and play the music. The music is contained on a paper roll with holes punched in it, designated by Wurlizter as style 150, similar to a player piano roll. The DeBence Music Museum has one of each of three other models of Wurlitzer band organs. Wurlitzer made many other models of Band Organs and there are surviving examples of most of them. As far as we know there are only 3 of this model presently in use in public. We don't really know how many are still in existence, but it must be a small number by now. There were about 169 of this particular model built, the first one in 1916, with the last one in 1936. This model became the standard by which Merry Go Round organs were judged. (Some keys play more than one pipe.) It is equipped with a glockenspiel (the row of small bells on the lower front of the machine). It is a 54 key organ, which plays 46 notes, actuates 6 stops and plays 2 drums and a cymbal. A nice copy.This is a Wurlizter Model 153 Duplex Orchestral Band Organ, built about 1919 by the Rudolph Wurlitzer Company in North Tonawanda, New York. Rodgers Organ ad on back cover features their 33-E model. I remember Dan Papp, the man who made the 4/36 Wurlitzer in the New York Paramount the standard to which all others were compared. Reprint of Chicago-Tribune article - Theatre Organ Revival is More than Nostalgia Conn Organ ad featuring their 3-Manual Theatre Organ. The Boyd Kimball's Move to Wilmington - excitement over the installation of a three manual, nineteen rank Kimball pipe organ in the John Dickinson High School. A Theatre Organ "Pipe-In" at the University of Rhode Island - featuring their Moller-Austin four manual, forty-four rank pipe organ installed in Edwards Auditorium.
Taming the Savage Beast - how to capture the proper sound when moving a theatre organ to your home - helpful illustrated 3-page article. Portrait of Lee Erwin, Theatre Organist - nice four-page article with photos. Studio Wurlitzer Pipe Organ - article with great photos.
Contents: Photo of the interior of the Fox Theatre, Washington, D.C. Nice Wurlitzer organ ad inside front cover.
You'll also learn many skills and techniques designed to give your playing a highly professional and musical sound." Size: 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall. Both treble clef (melody) and bass clef (accompaniment) notation are taught simultaneously, beginning with your first song. The concept and approach of this instruction program represents a departure from many other organ courses, yet it provides professional keyboard training and a thorough knowledge of music fundamentals. Contents include: "Registration Guide / Master Chord Chart / The Wurlitzer Way Reference Chart For Supplementary Songbooks / Parts 1 - 4: A Progressive Course In Creative Stylings For Wurlitzer Organs / Part 5: Hymns / Part 6: Folk Songs Of The World / Part 7: Latin Tempos / Part 8: Country Hits / Part 9: Show Tunes / Part 10: Record Hits." "Wurlitzer proudly introduces a completely new organ course. Box is green with yellow and white lettering. Multiple colored wrappers with yellow lettering. Minor edge and corner wear lightly scuffed and scratched some light shelf wear overall a very crisp and clean 12 stapled soft cover set! Box is edge and corner worn with one of the corners being taped together.