'Last Chance' to see the Welte-Mignon Exhibit at the Augustinermuseum.
I highly recommend the Augustinermuseum exhibit "Aus Freiburg in die
Welt, 100 Jahre Welte-Mignon" to anyone who has an interest in the
Welte-Mignon reproducing piano system.  This exhibit will close on
8 January 2006 so time is very short to view this historic exhibit.

The Augustinermuseum is located in the old city of historic Freiburg
im Breisgau, Germany.  The museum has extensive collections on medieval
art from the region.  The Welte exhibit is the work of curator and
Welte authority, Gerhard Dangel.  In addition there was extensive
assistance to curator Dangel by world-wide Welte product authorities
including Welte-Mignon expert Hans-W. Schmitz.

This extensive exhibit covers the orchestrion period of production
with a Welte style one orchestrion demonstrated to visitors at specific
times during the day.  The orchestrion is tastefully arranged in a room
setting of the period in which it was built.

There is an entire room designated to the Welte and Bockisch families
with many extremely rare photographs never seen in publication before
display at this exhibit.  There are also family oil paintings which
were from the private homes of the Welte family.

One entire room is designated to the Welte Mignon.  Seen in the
Welte-Mignon room is the Steinway-Welte grand piano actually owned
by Welte-Mignon co-inventor, Edwin Welte.  The piano is in a custom
designed Biedermeier furniture influenced art case, is fully restored.
The Steinway-Welte grand piano Edwin Welte is generally not
demonstrated to visitors but is fully visible for inspection.

Guided tours are possible by appointment for groups, where all
instruments are played.  Seen too in this room are the collection of
artist photos which were inscribed to Edwin Welte and Karl Bockisch.

Demonstrated regularly in the Welte-Mignon room is the Guenter
Welte-Mignon upright with a T-98 green paper Welte-Mignon action.
What makes the Guenter piano important is the dual foot powered and
electric operation.  This piano is extremely rare with Welte-Mignon
actions made in Germany.

Lastly there is a room displaying the electronic organ developed by
Edwin Welte, the Welte Phototone Organ.  Playing in the background is
organ music which simulates the playing of the type of organ Edwin
Welte invented.  The surviving glass discs on which the optical wave
pattern was printed for the organ tone generation are remarkable to
see.  This exhibit is a must for anyone interested in the history of
the company M. Welte & Soehne in Freiburg i. B, the various products
produced by M. Welte & Soehne, the Welte family, and most importantly
the Welte-Mignon.

The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Closed Mondays.  The Augustinermuseum is located at Augustiner Platz 1,
Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.  There is an extensive German language
catalog prepared for the exhibit for sale for 19 Euros, a bargain for
the price.  The pictures alone are worth the cost to buy the catalog.
The problem is that the Augustinermuseum has no provision for charge
cards nor shipping and the catalogs will need to be purchased by
someone who visits the museum.

The phone number for the Augustinermuseum is (0761) 201-2531;
fax: (0761) 201-2597.  The gift shop personnel did not generally
speak English.

Mark Reinhart