This Model C-52 has the original cream painted finish featuring two oil painted
landscape themed panels. Equipped with wooden flute pipes, 14 note bell unit, snare
drum, bass drum with cymbal, and a three-movement conductor figure. It operates
from ten-tune 65 note Wurlitzer Caliola or APP music rolls. Instrument measures approximately
7 feet wide, by 6 1/2 feet tall, by 3 1/2 feet deep, weighs approximately 400 pounds.
The pneumatics of the chest and bell unit were recently re-covered and mechanisms
were thoroughly tested. All in good working order, ready to delight a crowd.
The Stinson model C-52 is based on the rare Wurlitzer Caliola. The Caliola was
introduced in 1928 as competition for the air calliope, advertised as producing a
more beautiful and softer tone than the calliope. However, 1928 was very late as
the demand for mechanical music machines was waning. Along with the growing popularity
of the phonograph and radio, the stock market crash in 1929 proved to be the end
of many mechanical music companies. About 60 Caliolas were made from 1928 through
the early 1930’s. Enough of a demand grew in the 1970’s among collectors to warrant
the reproduction of this and other mechanical music machines. Don Stinson of Bellefountaine,
Ohio, made about 25 models of his C-52 during the next few decades.
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