I wonder if someone within the group can advise me about the following
instrument that has come into my possession.  It is a small stringed
wooden board, about 2 feet wide, having the same shape as the upper
part of a grand piano.  It could easily be played on one's lap.

It is about 2 inches thick with a central sounding chamber, similar
to that in a guitar. It has approximately 25 strings (some are missing)
that run from left to right, with small tuning pins on the left hand
side.  The 8 or so lower register strings are similar to those fitted
to acoustic guitars.  The higher ones are very thin piano wire.  There
is an almost circular brass(?) plectrum that would presumably fit over
a finger for playing purposes.

The interesting bit is in the centre of the board.  There are 9 small
strips of wood (each about 0.5 wide by 6 inches long) that are fitted
at right angles to the strings, and supported at their ends by spiral
springs.  The underneaths are fitted with differing arrangements of
felts, so that when pressed, damp certain combinations of strings so
as to allow chords to be played without any special musical ability.
There are markings as to which chords are thus achieved, and some
obscure notations along the front.

The only name that is visible on the base is inscribed in large gold
coloured script and looks something like "Schelring."  Any information
on origin or pedigree will be most helpful, not least with regard to
what I should call it!

Many thanks.

Roger Waring - The Pianola Workshop
Solihull, England
http://www.pianola.co.uk/