For sale: the last remaining example of the Wurlitzer Autograph
piano equipped with the 6-roll Wurlitzer automatic roll changer.
This was Wurlitzer's offering of a reproducing piano for the
high-end commercial market.

I am told this particular machine was found in a Brooklyn movie
theater and was probably used to entertain patrons between shows.
Due to wear on the pedals it was also hand played and was most
likely located in the pit in front of the stage.  There are 3
operating push buttons on the left key cheek with 2 solenoids for
remote operation.  This particular piano was built in 1917 with
serial number 31193.

A total of 85 instruments were produced between 1915 and 1926.  From
1915 to 1918 the Autograph piano used the Welte expression system.
After a two year break, production resumed in 1921 but using the
Art-Echo system.  No Art-Echo system pianos are known to exist.

This piano is a combination of Wurlitzer, Welte and Auto-Pneumatic
components and mechanical designs.  It has T-100 Red Welte up-and-down
pumps mounted on the underside of the keydesk but the connecting
rods to the crankshaft are Wurlitzer wooden band organ style.  The
expression action is Red Welte.  The stack is Auto-Pneumatic and is
held in place by Welte screw clamps.

The piano was originally painted in a creamy mustard color which has
faded to ivory.  Gold leafing is applied to moldings and around the
edges of various panels.

The tracker bar is standard 11-1/4" wide, 9 to the inch.  There are
68 original Autograph rolls with the piano.  The soft pedal was changed
from lock and cancel with 2 holes to chain perforation operation with
a single hole and the function holes on the left side were shifted up
leaving hole No. 1 blank.  It would not be difficult to convert the
piano to play standard Licensee format or even make it play both
Licensee and Autograph rolls.

The piano is in very nice original unrestored condition. It has not been
messed with.  Included with the piano is a custom designed roll cabinet
I built that matches the piano.  I built the cabinet with the idea that
the piano would be repainted in the original Wurlitzer color and the
cabinet painted to match.  The cabinet looks as if it was built by
Wurlitzer to go with the piano.

I have come to realize I just have too many unfinished projects and
a few that I will never get to, this being one of them.   I want it
to go to someone that will restore it and enjoy it and I am very open
to offers.  Attached are a few photos with more available.

Wurlitzer Autograph Piano (1915 - 1918)
Welte-Mignon system
98 hole tracker scale
11-1/4" wide, 9 holes per inch
80 playing notes

1 Blank
2 Bass mezzoforte off
3 Bass mezzoforte on
4 Bass crescendo off
5 Bass crescendo on
6 Bass sforzando off
7 Bass sforzando on
8 Rewind
9-88 Playing notes : C-G
89 Contact (stop/shutoff)
90 Soft pedal
91 Loud pedal on
92 Loud pedal off
93 Treble sforzando on
94 Treble sforzando off
95 Treble crescendo on
96 Treble crescendo off
97 Treble mezzoforte on
98 Treble mezzoforte off

Thanks,
Dave Krall
Hammond, Indiana

 [ Previous MMD articles about this instrument are indexed at
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Archives/KWIC/A/autograph.html 
 [ -- Robbie

 [   Wurlitzer Autograph Piano - Serial # 31193, built 1917
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/18/11/20/181120_090704_web-1.jpg 
 [   lower compartment
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/18/11/20/181120_090704_010.JPG 
 [   upper compartment
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/18/11/20/181120_090704_032.JPG 
 [   custom-built matching roll cabinet
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/18/11/20/181120_090704_100_2135.JPG 

 [   Westinghouse motor
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/18/11/26/181126_161919_015.JPG 
 [   treble expression pneumatics
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/18/11/26/181126_161919_018.JPG 
 [   Wurlitzer gearbox
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/18/11/26/181126_161919_020.JPG 
 [   coin accumulator
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/18/11/26/181126_161919_021.JPG 
 [   treble expression pneumatics
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/18/11/26/181126_164305_023.JPG 

 [   Revolver drive belt & pulley
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/18/11/26/181126_162256_024.JPG 
 [   Revolver take-up drive
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/18/11/26/181126_162256_026.JPG 
 [   projection booth remote control magnet valves
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/18/11/26/181126_162256_028.JPG 
 [   Revolver
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/18/11/26/181126_162949_030.JPG 
 [   keyboard legs
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/18/11/26/181126_163901_031.JPG 

 [   crankshaft
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/18/11/26/181126_162949_040.JPG 
 [   crankshaft
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/18/11/26/181126_162949_042.JPG 
 [   exhauster pump stick
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/18/11/26/181126_162949_044.JPG 
 [   pump sticks
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/18/11/26/181126_163256_045.JPG 
 [   Wurlitzer gearbox
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/18/11/26/181126_163256_046.JPG 

 [   Wurlitzer gearbox
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/18/11/26/181126_163256_047.JPG 
 [   "Manufactured under license from M. Welte & Sons ..."
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/18/11/26/181126_163256_054.JPG 
 [   cutout
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/18/11/26/181126_164305_062.JPG 
 [   "Wurlitzer Automatic Roll Changer"
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/18/11/26/181126_164901_100_2562.JPG 
 [   25 music rolls for Wurlitzer Autograph-Piano
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/18/11/26/181126_164901_658.JPG