Wurlitzer Style 30-A PianOrchestra
at the Playland Arcade

(Photograph courtesy of Lyle Martin)

The Wurlitzer 30-A Mandolin PianOrchestra when it was located at the Playland Arcade in the Fun Zone on the Newport Beach Peninsula, California. The small placard above the music roll access door reads: Plays Beautifully ... Try it! The much larger placard below the music roll access door reads: This 10 Piece Orchestrion is the "Grandpappy" of the Juke Boxes. The Musical Sensation of the Early 1900s. The two upper front green chipped glass panels in each side access door, as well as most of the small wooden inset sections in side access panels had been removed (but saved) so that patrons could see into and be enticed into playing the Wurlitzer PianOrchestra. The xylophone, pipework and trapwork was easily visible through the replacement clear glass panes. Photograph estimated to be circa 1960s.

(Photograph courtesy of Lyle Martin)

Looking up at the Wurlitzer 30-A Mandolin PianOrchestra when it was located at the Playland Arcade in the Fun Zone on the Newport Beach Peninsula, California. The mighty Wurlitzer PianOrchestra came close to touching the ceiling, which made it all the more impressive when a visitor walked into the arcade. Photograph estimated to be circa 1960s.

(Photograph courtesy of Lyle Martin)

The upper front of the Wurlitzer 30-A Mandolin PianOrchestra when it was located at the Playland Arcade in the Fun Zone on the Newport Beach Peninsula, California. The center glass panel is made of green chipped glass set in brass piping. The gilded decorative wood carving at the top of the center glass panel is original, but screwed to the panel upside down, something easily corrected by unscrewing two small wood screws and rotating the carving. Photograph estimated to be circa 1960s.

(Photograph courtesy of Lyle Martin)

Overall view from inside the arcade showing the Wurlitzer 30-A Mandolin PianOrchestra when it was located at the Playland Arcade in the Fun Zone on the Newport Beach Peninsula, California. This view alludes to the narrow arcade isles crammed with various now vintage arcade machines, with the huge Wurlitzer PianOrchestra towering over it all. It was the most pronounced attraction and it was visible from anywhere inside the crowded arcade. The impressive orchestrion stood just inside the left-side main entrance into the arcade, and was an immediate attention getter. Photograph estimated to be circa 1960s.