Concert Roller Organ / Chautauqua Roller Organ

← back to Roller Organ

Concert Roller Organ

Style Concert Roller Organ
Air supply Two Single-acting Vacuum
Dimensions 18 x 15 x 12-1/2 inches
Mfg Years circa 1895-1925
Additional same as Chautauqua stencil


Although the overall case style of the Concert remained basically the same, the internal design was changed significantly from the Concert with Bottom Reservoir. Instead of the previous bellows system, by the mid 1890s the Concert design produced vacuum by two single-acting exhausters. The two exhausters are moved to the lowest position, below the reservoir, so are readily visible underneath. Integral relief valves for each bellows are mechanically opened as the reservoir collapses. Since the two exhausters do not produce as smooth an airflow as the previous design, the reservoir bellows is enlarged slightly to about 5 inches in depth. The single-acting bellows are much simpler in construction, so it is evident that this change was instituted as a labor and cost savings.

Most of the Concert style organs display the “Concert Roller Organ” stencil, but other stencils are found. The most common of alternative stencil is the “Chautauqua Roller Organ”, widely distributed by the Larkin Soap Mfg. Co. as a premium. A common case variation is that the sides of the case have straight edges on early models, curved edges on later. Case woods and finishes vary from walnut to oak, oak being most common on Chautauqua stencils.

Cabinet Roller Organ The ornate stencil of “The Cabinet Roller Organ” is often found in Europe.