Rare Robot Band Hits $350,550 High Note at Morphy Auctions

DENVER, Pa. – A trio of robot musicians with a captivating, toe-tapping sound sold for $350,550, leading a parade of mechanical music machines and automata at Morphy Auctions $2.3 million sale of the late Henri Krijnen collection in September.

The 541-lot auction featured dance organs, orchestrions, slot machines and a myriad of other antique coin-operated novelties amassed over 50 years by Krijnen, a Dutch businessman who made his fortune in the gambling and entertainment industry.

The robot dance organ, created by Gebroeders Decap (Antwerp, Belgium) in 1963, was known to be one of Krijnen’s great favorites. It is one of only three that were made in a 105-key configuration, and was originally installed at the Hotel Eemland in Soest, Netherlands. Later it was professionally restored by AC Pilmer Automatic Music of Ossett, England.

Members of the robot band are programmed to play drums, a saxophone and brass horn, respectively, and the latter two even stand up for their “solos.” At one corner of the stage, a smaller robot of similar composition smiles and reminds patrons to tip the performers. Against an estimate of $100,000-$200,000, the delightful robot dance organ attracted 31 bids before selling for an impressive $350,550 to Ozzie Bilotta, whose private museum of vintage toys, arcade machines and related memorabilia – The Bilotta Collection – will open its doors this fall in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

“Being that the robot band was created in 1963, right in the heart of the classic sci-fi era, it fits right in with the museum’s theme of robots and space toys,” Billotta said. “However, the band is so large – nearly 12 feet wide – that I’m considering a few options. It might become the visual centerpiece at an affiliated business to be located near the museum. It needs plenty of room to ‘breathe.’ Hopefully I’ll have things figured out by the time it arrives from its current location (in Oosterhout, the Netherlands). I’m excited to bring this wonderful fusion of art, music, engineering and classic robot styling to the United States.”

Made in 1925, the ‘Double Tino’ orchestrion features automata in the image of famed Italian jazz accordionist Tino Rossi.

Courtesy Morphy Auctions

Another popular auction entry was the very rare Gastaud et Raibaut for J Bodson “Double Tino” orchestrion. Made in 1925, it features automata in the image of famed Italian jazz accordionist Tino Rossi and a drummer identified as “Mr Jimson of Martinique.” Possibly the most original surviving example, and the only one with all original clothing, accordion and wood stand, it sold at the midpoint of its estimate for $73,800.

A highly ornate and gilded Koenigsberg 70-key “Harmonium” street organ, made in Holland in 1913, has known several owners in its lifetime. Prior to joining the Krijnen collection, it was a crowd-pleaser at many shows and events in the north of England during the 1980s. Some parts of the organ had been faithfully restored, with archival photographs as the artisans’ guide. It sold within its estimate range at Morphy’s for $54,120.

A highly ornate Koenigsberg 70-key “Harmonium” street organ, made in Holland in 1913, sold for $54,120.

Courtesy Morphy Auctions

There was keen bidder interest in an all-American, original Frank Polk-carved one-armed bandit slot machine stand with a 1940s 25-cent Mills 777 high-top slot machine embedded in its chest. It displayed pristine condition and had its original lock, key, cashbox and back door. The no-nonsense life-size cowboy proved to be a good bet, drawing 56 bids and selling for $43,050 against a $3,000-$6,000 estimate.

Frank Polk-carved one-armed bandit slot machine stand with a slot machine embedded in its chest sold for $43,050.

Courtesy Morphy Auctions

Following the auction, Morphy Auctions CEO Tom Tolworthy, who curated and directed the Krijnen auction, commented: “Above all else, what distinguished the Krijnen collection and set it apart from all others was the hand-selected pieces from multiple musical categories, representing over twenty countries and three centuries of mechanical music innovation. Henri painstakingly brought many of the pieces, which had been lost to time, back to grandeur once again for future generations to enjoy. It is highly unlikely that we will ever see another collection like it in our lifetimes.”

The exact sale total was $2,289,891. That figure and all prices quoted in this report are inclusive of a 23% buyer’s premium. For more information, visit Morphy Auctions.

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