Sorry about the delay in answering. I am just getting caught up reading
the last weeks MMDs. Someone, I think Brian Cather (?), asked a couple
questions about the Aeolian Orchestrelle and I haven't seen a posting
that really answered what he asked. I certainly am not an expert in
these machines but want to at least give him something to start with.

The first question asked if there were two different models. Actually
there were quite a few models with varying sizes and numbers of ranks
of reeds but, yes, there were two distinctly different types of
Orchestrelle. The first Orchestrelles were the 58 note players which
were based on the previous Aeolian Grand reed organs and incorporated
the player from the Grand with the reeds and resonating cavities from
the recently purchased Vocalion Company.  The 58 note Orchestrelles
started with the smallest machine, the Model S. It was slightly larger
than an upright piano and cost around $1000 new in the 1890s. Models
increased in physical size, number of ranks of reeds and cost from
there. The larger models cost $4000 to $5000 at the turn of the century.
The physical size on these largest models was well over 6 feet high
and 6 feet wide. The 58 note rolls they played were called Aeolian
Grand rolls and were 10 1/8 inches wide with holes on 6 per inch centers.

The second major type of Orchestrelle is the solo Orchestrelle. These
played 116 note rolls but the same width as the 58 note rolls. The
effect was to be the equivalent of playing two manuals or keyboards.
The rolls they played were the Aeolian Pipe Organ rolls (not the
176 note Aeolian Duo-Art Organ rolls). These rolls had 116 notes on
12 holes per inch centers and were also 10 1/8 inches wide.
Effectively, there were two 58 note scales on the rolls, the even
numbered holes playing one manual and the odd numbered holes playing
the second manual. Note the organs had only one physical manual. Many
of these Solo Orchestrelle organs were fitted with a dual tracker bar
so that they could play the Aeolian Grand rolls as well as the Aeolian
Pipe Organ rolls. The Solo Orchestrelles were physically larger and it
is not unusual to find them much in excess of 7 feet tall and many
would be difficult to fit into an average modern room.

The cases on all Orchestrelles were a fine piece of furniture and even
the smallest models are a very finely made reed organ. The Solo
Orchestrelles are more scarce as far as I can tell and the Aeolian
Pipe Organ rolls are much less frequently found unless a machine
comes with a good supply of them.

Regarding prices, in the United States I have looked at several and
the prices would seem to be between $1000 and $3000 for a non-solo
Orchestrelle in good but unrestored condition. An unrestored Solo
Orchestrelle in good shape might run as high as $5000. The experts
in this country tell me that these instruments are at present rather
unappreciated and therefore undervalued. Bargains can be found.

I believe the other question was regarding the supply of rolls and
any new rolls available. Aeolian Grand rolls seem to come up from
time to time in MBSI marts, piano roll auctions, etc. Prices should
be comparable to piano rolls. Wilcox and White reed organ rolls can
be played on Orchestrelles if they are rewound and the spool flopped
over (Wilcox and White ran their rolls in the opposite direction).
I have second hand information that Kevin McElhone of Northants, UK,
has produced a comprehensive list of all known Orchestrelle rolls
and has recut a number of the more interesting ones. I don't think
this included the 116 note Pipe Organ rolls.

The first instrument I ever restored was while I was in college in the
late 1950s. It was an Estey that had seen service in a country church.
It is long gone but I have always wanted a player reed organ and have
recently arranged to purchase one of the larger non-solo Orchestrelles.
I look forward to adding it to our modest collection and am interested
in any Orchestrelle facts and lore that anyone would like to add to this
diatribe.

Hope this helps.

Bob Conant