A Hupfeld Phonoliszt-Violina Piano-Violin Model “A,” hailed as “the most successful automatic violin and piano playing machine ever made,” fetched $221,400, including the buyer’s premium, during Morphy’s coin-op and advertising auction held from October 17-19. Manufactured in Leipzig, Germany, around 1912, this unique machine uses advanced mechanisms to simulate the nuanced playing of a skilled violinist. Each violin played one string, while a bow consisting of 1,350 strands of horsehair maintained consistent tension, even with humidity changes. The complex system enabled the reproduction of violin techniques such as vibrato, staccato, bowing, and accent, along with piano expression.
Ludwig Hupfeld, the machine’s creator, famously stated, “The most admirable quality of the Phonoliszt-Violina is its soul,” emphasizing the importance of imbuing the self-playing violin with human-like expression. The machine was originally purchased from a French restaurant by Jasper Sanfilippo in 1983. The current consignor acquired it from Sanfilippo’s Place de la Musique collection in 2012.
The Phonoliszt-Violina underwent restorations by Reblitz Restorations in Colorado Springs, Colorado, first in 1986 and again in 2014. Restoring such complex instruments can be costly, with restoration expenses reaching up to $150,000. Further details on additional machines and advertising items from this auction will be featured in a future issue.
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