Wurlitzer Style 16 Mandolin PianOrchestra
(Sanfilippo Collection, December, 1992)

(Photograph courtesy of Tim Westman)

Although a picture does not take the place of the real thing, the visually majestic beauty of the Wurlitzer Style 16 Mandolin PianOrchestra with its colorful art-glass panels can easily be recognized and enjoyed here. Even though it is physically smaller in size than many Mandolin PianOrchestras, it is no less a prize, and it is happily enjoyed along with the other PianOrchestras residing in the extensive Sanfilippo collection.

(Photograph courtesy of Dana Johnson)

Rear view of the interior mechanisms of the Wurlitzer Style 16 Mandolin PianOrchestra. Notice that the entire mechanical apparatus is contained and supported entirely within an internal structural chassis, which, in turn, merely sits inside the outer furniture casework. A single rank of wooden violin pipes is at the back of the instrument. The trapwork (percussive effects) are in front of the pipework, and a melodious 30-note xylophone is at the front of the instrument. A side view of the orchestra bells is visible at the top left side of the piano harp (sounding board).

(Photograph courtesy of Dana Johnson)

Rear view of the PianOrchestra's trapwork section, with the violin pipes at the rear of the instrument removed. Visible trapwork, from left to right, triangle, snare drum, tambourine, and bass drum with kettle drum effect and cymbal. Castanet mechanism is not visible.

(Photograph courtesy of Dana Johnson)

Interior view of the PianOrchestra's bottom section, showing the feeder bellows (vacuum and wind-pressure pump) and the main pneumatic stack. The main stack not only operates the piano action by means of push-rods connected to small pneumatic motors, but it also contains the valves that respond to the holes in the perforated music rolls and that, in turn, control and/or cause to appropriately function all aspects of the entire apparatus.