S q u e e z y t u n e s

Toy Accordion

What a great looking toy accordion - so much better in aged condition than all shiny and new.

clipped from cgi.ebay.co.uk

PlaRola Organ

This is neat. It's a PlaRola organ from the 1940s. Although it looks as though you play it by blowing into like a Rolmonica I think that's not right. Instead turning the crank creates a vacuum and then the holes in the paper rolls allows air to escape. I could be wrong though.

This one came with its original box and five original music rolls - Home Sweet Home, Parade of the Wooden Soldiers, Happy Days are Here Again, Way Down Upon the Swannee River and Silent Night.

It sold for $128 (US) and in doing a bit of research about these I discovered that you can still buy music rolls for these and all sorts of other 'organettes'. It also uses the same size music roll as the PlayaSax featured on Squeezytunes back in March.

Previously on Squeezytunes: PlayaSax
Link: Music Rolls available from Schmidt's Music Rolls

Magnus Chord Organ

I don't what model of Magnus this is, but it's ugliness has a certain charm - and it least it has a wooden case. A bargain at just £14.99 on Ebay.

Cute Melodeon

This one is pretty special. It's a fully working melodeon which has been restored and tuned. It measure 6" high, 3.5" deep and 8" across when the bellows are closed (15cm x 9cm x 20cm) and was said to play like a dream. It had a buy it now price of £250 although I don't think it sold.

Toy Pianos Galore

Here's a round up of some nice toy pianos spotted on Ebay recently.

This Holly Hobbie from 1976 sold for just £11.

This lovely Somerville Gem failed to reach its reserve.

This piano, from an unknown maker, has a mirrored backplate but didn't receive any bids at all.

This 'Bliss' is quite spectacular. They don't make 'em like this anymore, sadly. It sold for £25.

This funky Goldon sold for not inconsiderable £37.50.

This cute Chime Piano was made in Japan and sold for nearly £20.