Mechanical wonder

The holy grail of mechanical musical instruments was to incorporate violins. This master built circular bows that rotate around the two triplets of violins. The violins tilt forward and back to engage the bows. The mechanisms on the necks manage the fretwork. At the time, early 20th©, this marvellous machine sold for 15,000 marks: about the price of a decent house. Of the 3,500 built, about 80 still exist. Price now? About €300,000 - the price of a decent house.

Top of the Rhine Gorge

November 6th 2013
Geo: 49.9789, 7.92641Rudesheim, locally known for its fine Reisling and its quaint, 144m-long shopping street Drosselgasse. Population 10,500 and 3,000,000 tourists each year.Also there, was Siegfried's private collection of 350 mechanical musical instruments, dating from the middle 19th©. One of his machines included a piano keyboard and six violins (see pic and caption). I was ... read more

Europe » Germany » Hesse » Rudesheim am Rhein

As Europe's largest economy and most populous nation, Germany remains a key member of the continent's economic, political, and defense organizations. European power struggles immersed Germany in two devastating World Wars in the first half of the 20t... ... read more

Joined	June 20th 2017	Trips	14
Last Login	June 20th 2017	Followers	0
Status	BLOGGER	Follows	0
Blogs	349	Guestbook	524
Photos	1,565	Forum Posts	0