Helmholtz Sound Synthesizer

[HELMHOLTZ, Hermann von (1821–1894)]. MAX KOHL AG. Helmholtz sound synthesizer, 1905. Rare, exceptionally large example of the first sound synthesizer. This model was manufactured in Chemnitz by the Max Kohl factory around 1905, after the design by Hermann von Helmholtz. Wood, brass and steel sound synthesizer, signed "Max Kohl, Chemnitz, 1⁄8", 39½ x 29", mahogany base fitted with 11 steel tuning forks signed "MK", each fork stamped with corresponding note and frequency in vs (vibrations per second, i.e. hertz). Forks 1-10 fixed between pairs of electromagnets and mounted vertically onto wooden platforms (numbered 1-10) along with brass Helmholtz resonators, each pair ranging in size according to their graduating frequencies, each platform with "Aus/Ein" [on/off] switch. 11th fork (marked UT2 256 vs) mounted horizontally onto wooden platform with electromagnetic coil mounted between tines, adjustable mercury cup below lower tine; one end of board fitted with 2 anodes and 2 cathodes for connection to external 20 volt power sources; other end of board fitted with keyboard of 10 keys (8 ivory, and 2 non-mammalian replacements), each corresponding to 1 tuning fork/resonator pair (UT2 256 vs; UT3 512 vs; SOL3 768 vs; UT4 1024 vs; MI4 1280 vs; SOL4 1536 vs; 1792 vs; UT5 2048 vs; RE5 2304 vs; & MI5 2560 vs). All 11 platforms connected together in series with wire filaments from the horizontal tuning fork. Provenance : sale, Sotheby’s, New York, 30 November 2018, lot 40. Some oxidization to metal components including resonators, tuning forks, anodes/cathodes, electromagnets, and labelling plates; wear to edges of mahogany base; wear to keys, two keys replaced with modern, non-organic materials; mechanics of one key in need of repair; mercury-dipping pin formerly affixed to underside of main horizontal driving fork lacking, a small component which would have been mounted near the base of the horizontal tuning fork missing (possibly a secondary mercury cup).

Estimate:$15,000

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