Pressure “Box Case”

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Beautifully encased pressure models were also produced. Simply stenciled “The Roller Organ”, these early “box case” pressure models had not only an enclosed base which covered the bellows, but a swell lid with glass insert to view the mechanism. The lid not only provided access to change the roller, but a rudimentary volume control–an organ swell. Clover-shaped cutouts admitted air into the base and the pressure feeder bellows, composed of two interconnected single acting feeder bellows, were operated from the crank via a wooden connecting rod. Air flowed through wooden channels into the internal reservoir bellows, which was compensated by leaf springs. An internal relief valve was provided to alleviate excess pressure which might damage the bellows. The case design was somewhat similar to that shown in patent drawings. Although advertising illustrations often pictured this model without the lid, there was no “lid-less” model–careful examination of the illustrations reveals the telltale hinge markings.