Philipps / Wurlitzer Orchestrions

Preserving Our Heritage

An Invitation to Help Preserve History

Any information or personal stories regarding large Philipps or Wurlitzer orchestrions are of keen interest. In this mechanical music section, every known Pianella / Wurlitzer PianOrchestra is provided a separate page, enumerating its original specifications, known history, restorations, modifications, and maybe a few associated stories. Photographs are included when available, and in a few instances a monophonic audio clip in MP3 format is provided.

To aid in developing a dating system for these Philipps and Wurlitzer orchestrions, here are some suggestions as to the kinds of information that is very helpful. The items enumerated are merely suggestions, and are not meant to infer any limits to the kinds of information that would be of interest:

• Shipping ledgers or other factory documents providing finite date information.
• Dated advertising material introducing a specific model.
• Complete model designations, such as name, type, and/or number (i.e., Philipps Pianella Celesta, Model 6).
• Chassis serial and/or work numbers.
• Piano serial number and/or date codes cast into piano harp.
• Roll mechanism serial numbers.
• Any dates scribbled on the machine.
• Photographs of mechanical components, such as pumps, chests, register units, expression devices and trapwork, to aid in studying and dating the evolutionary steps for a particular type of machine.

Anyone who can add to or compliment anything within this mechanical music section is heartily encouraged and invited to contact the Webmaster at:

Copyright © 2003-2024 Mechanical Music Press, et al. - All rights reserved