Organ Grinder Related Items & Images (over 500 pieces)
I have been collecting and restoring Mechanical Musical Instruments for many years and have written 12 articles on the subject for the Musical Box Society International.
As a hobby, I enjoy taking my vintage Václav Hrubeš barrel organ instrument (ca: 1888,) out on the streets to play it for the public. This contact with the public allows me to entertain and instruct them on the history of the instrument, the organ grinder and to boost interest in the subject of mechanical music.
As a teacher, I understand one can get more information across to a student, if the subject is made fun. In an effort to make the subject fun, I have developed a theatre presentation that gets the public involved. To boost interest further I have been writing a book on the subject of the organ grinder.
"Organ Grinder Graphics"

If all goes well I will call my book "Organ Grinder Graphics." When finished, this book will use my collection of organ grinder related items (over 500) to high light the look, lure, history and sounds of these street icons as they were seen and were written about in past days.

In this set of items & images posted, you will be able to get a taste of the amount of different imagery the organ grinder has inspired. These items include: Photographs, Engravings, Litho-graphic and Como-Litho-graphic images, Trade cards, Post cards, water color paintings, and books to name a few. It is my hope that when the book is produced it will also include the sounds of these street instruments as the collection also includes vintage recordings from cylinder (see below) & 78rpm records, as well as sheet music and related images. I hope you will take the time to wonder through these images and enjoy them for what they truly are, A slice of our shared history.

 

Water Color painting

ca.1940s

Photograph

ca. 1910

Como-Lithograph

ca. 1880s

Sheet Music Cover

ca.1920s

Sheet Music Cover

ca.1900s

Sheet Music Cover

ca.1890s

Cast iron grinder on slate base

ca.1860s

Trade Card

ca.1870s

Photograph

ca. 1920s
Pewter Figures 1980s
Como-Lithograph ca.1880s
Photograph ca. 1940s
Pot-Metal Die cast Lamp ca.1940s
Hand Tinted Photograph of a child with a Hurdy Gurdy from Stereo View 1870s
Organ Grinder Image & Poem ca.1920s

Lithograph

ca.1890s

Diecut Valentine

ca.1920

Lithograph

ca.1890s

Book Illustration

ca.1930s

Glass Snow Dome

ca. 1940s

Diecut Valentine

ca.1920

Four- Color Offset

1980s
Photograph ca. 1930s
Engraving 1870s
Edison Cylinder catalog with Organ Grinder 1907,
Photograph ca. 1930s
Photograph of Grinder with Street Piano (from Stereo View)
Majolica Coffee Mug 1890s
Photograph ca. 1910s
Como-Lithograph ca.1880s
Lithograph 1890s

Photograph

ca. 1920s

Diecut Valentine

ca.1920s

Como- Lithograph

ca.1880s

Hear a barrel piano here

Engraving 1870s
This is an overview of the various kinds and types "Organ Grinder" items that have been collected to be included in this book project.

Part of this project will also take a look at the modern day Organ Grinder. Four-thousand plus visitors enjoyed these modern organ grinders, at a rally in St. Charles, Mo, May 1, 1999.

16 of 25 instruments at the event can be seen in this image along with 37 of 125 members who attended with instruments.

"Thanks For Looking" - I hope you enjoyed them.

If you have any images you would like to sell please contact me at <garyg@studio801.com> Don't forget to send a photograph.

(Rev.03-2006)

Click on the "Barrel Organ" icon to link to view one of these vintage instruments. Click on the resume" icon to return. Click on the "Home Page" icon to return to the "Studio801" home page.