Believed to be made by Imhof & Mukle in 1861, the carved oak-cased orchestrion was part of an 80-lot collection built up by the late Harold Smith of Saddington Hall, Saddington, Leicestershire, where the sale was held in a marquee in the grounds. Buyers from across Europe and America were undaunted by the £90,000 top
estimate and the orchestrion went home courtesy of a German museum’s bid of £95,000.
Orchestrion goes to the expected tune of £95,000
MUSIC makers, from Jaques Frères musical boxes to Würlitzer juke boxes, make their sometimes surprising mark at auction but although this German orchestrion, right was one of the most unusual pieces to come up at any English rooms, Market Harborough auctioneers Gildings (12.5% buyer’s premium) recognised it as a major money maker in their May 28 sale.
