Shirley Temple Acoustic Automaton

[DebbieK]

I am currently working on a project that the group might find interesting and some members might be helpful to me as well.  I have a Shirley Temple Organ Gramophone Automaton (circa 1935) that I am trying to restore.  This piece was produced as a Christmas display item for store windows. It simulates Shirley Temple playing an organ. Above is a picture from the front. (this is not my unit). I have also attached a picture of my unit from the front. Attached is a copy of an original ad.  According to the ad it is three-tube amplifier with tone and volume control housed with turn table in compact portable unit.  The turn table is behind the organ pipes. Mechanical arms are attached to the turntable and also to Shirley’s hands.  She has special pegs in her hands to be attached to the mechanical apparatus.  When the turntable turns her hands go across the keys as if she is playing.  I have included a closer up photo of turn table mechanism.

 

Would love some of your thoughts.  I understand that there were only ten of these made.  It was made by Herbert O. Brown in Fairfield Maine.  

 

Debbie Kirkpatrick

debbie@kirkpatrick.net

[CurtA]

Does it work or not, if not, what seems to be wrong?  What are you trying ti figure out?

[Martin_P]

Wow, very cool and unique! If I stumbled upon this, I would have thought it was something cobbled together.  

[DebbieK]

I can see why you would think so. My question to this group is whether the turn table can be repaired

[DebbieK]

On 9/16/2024 at 4:33 PM, CurtA said:

Does it work or not, if not, what seems to be wrong?  What are you trying ti figure out?

It doesn't work. I am trying to see if the turn table can be repaired. Of course there will be other things to do.

[CurtA]

When you say "turn table" that is a term for the round platter that a record sits on.  Are you referring to that or the mechanical portion including the motor?  If the machine is a wind up, what happens?  Does anything move, does the crank just spin with no resistance or does the crank seem stuck and unable to wind?  

 

Or, is this an electrically powered device?  If so, you will probably need to find someone who can repair or replace the motor, which its the most likely culprit.  You may be able to find a similar electric portable phonograph which you could canniibalize for parts.

These are things that might lead to solving your problem...

Edited September 20, 2024 by CurtA