Rose Howard wrote in MMDiget 990105:

> I am writing a novel about San Francisco in the 1890's.  Were there
> player pianos at this time?  The scene requiring the piano takes
> place in a bordello where the patrons are expected to drop a nickel
> or quarter into a slot to produce music.  Is this actually a
> nickelodeon?  Were they available in 1890?

In "Memoirs of a San Francisco Organ Builder", Louis J. Schoenstein
(of the firm Felix Schoenstein and Sons, Organ Builders) wrote of
several orchestrions of various sizes being in existence in San
Francisco, starting with the first in 1868.  These were indeed coin
operated (most likely for 5 cents, hence the name), but were barrel-
played.  Mr. Schoenstein mentions converting one instrument to play
paper rolls in the mid 1890s, but does not mention who built the
roll-player, or what scale it used.

Barrel pianos were fairly common, and were often coin-operated.  The
Wurlitzer company sold them starting in 1898, and their initial success
in the coin-operated instrument/jukebox business was based upon the
success of these pianos.

Refer to "Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ", Vol. 3.  Author
Preston J. Kaufmann states that Wurlitzer started selling them "to gain
a foothold in the large and profitable coin-piano industry ..."
If it was 'large and profitable' in 1898, it must have been in exist-
ance for some time, and there would most surely have been at least a
few examples in San Francisco by the 1890s.

> I did find reference to the local police in 1910 requesting all
> the houses remove all music and replace it with the Automatic Harp?
> Was this the Hurdy Gurdy or did that come before?

Starting in 1905 the Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. sold Automatic Harps built
by the J. W. Whitlock Co.  They were actual harps, with plectra to
pluck the strings.  Played quite well, and not very loud, which is
probably what the police wanted.

> As you are familiar with San Francisco, if I come up with some
> question about S.F. would you be kind enough to help me find the
> answer.  You should have seen the somersaults I did trying to find
> the name and description of a hotel for my characters to stay in.
> I finally, after much research, decided on the Palace Hotel.

Good choice!  It was the 'biggest and best' of its time.  I was born in
San Francisco, and lived there for 32 years before leaving for warmer
climes...

Regards,

Bob Loesch
http://www.jps.net/rrloesch