Manufacture date: circa 1905-1910

Song Title: Helena Polka

[audio mp3="https://www.virginiacitymusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/helena_polka.mp3"][/audio]

The Gavioli 65-Key Organ is another small European fairground organ that was acquired by Charlie Bovey from the B.A.B. Organ Co. of Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1958. It was created by Gavioli et Cie, of Paris, France, and perhaps one of the 20 of its kind still in existence. The history of this piece is relatively unknown, however, it is believed to have been used in a carousel or other amusement attraction in the Coney Island area in the early 1900s.

Currently, certain parts of the carved façade are from another organ, however, the piece was modified to play its own property paper music rolls in place of the original Gavioli folding cardboard music. Mass-produced music rolls were less expensive than hand-punched cardboard.