(Photograph courtesy of The Sell It Now Store.)

This beautiful example of a Joseph Ori 43-note calliope was reportedly manufactured in 1914 for the Sells-Floto Circus, which was said to be a combination of the Floto Dog and Pony Show and the Sells Brothers Circus. These combined shows toured with sideshow acts in the United States during the early 1900s..The calliope measures approximately 41 inches wide, 21 inches deep, and 66 inches high,and weighs in at approximately 300 lbs. The horizontally oriented variable pitch whistle can be seen stationed above and just behind the keyboard—a telltale and unique visual feature that can be used to quickly confirm that an instrument is an Ori calliope. This instrument reportedly sold for $4,000 in an estate auction in 2012.

This and the following pictures were originally posted on the Liveauctioneers website, as lot 195 for their Oct 6, 2012 sale. The calliope was offered by the "Sell It Now Store," 11005 W. Bluemound Road, Wauwatosa, WI 53226 (an auction house in Wisconsin).

(Photograph courtesy of The Sell It Now Store.)

This view of the Ori calliope shows the keyboard with its protective metal cover lifted out of the way. Directly above it is the horizontally oriented variable pitch whistle, which is manually turned on (by a valve left of the keyboard) and then manually operated by the calliopist if and when so desired. The pitch is modified by pulling or pushing on the rod extending out from the whistle's right side. The little knob and lever arrangement to the right of the keyboard can be used to make minor adjustments to the wind-pressure delivered to the whistles.

(Photograph courtesy of The Sell It Now Store.)

This closeup view provides a keener view of the horizontal variable pitch whistle. On the copper riser at the left side of the keyboard is a simple rotating cock or plug type valve that is used to turn on or off the pressurized air supply to the variable whistle. To vary the pitch the calliopist grasps and then moves the rod (at the right end of the whistle in or out as may be desired.

(Photograph courtesy of The Sell It Now Store.)

A closeup of the beautifully polished brass whistles on the Ori calliope. At center front is a pressure gauge, indicating the wind-pressure applied to the whistles.

(Photograph courtesy of The Sell It Now Store.)

The back side of the Ori calliope is simple and elegant, with its white and polished brass decor, as is the front side where the calliopist sits and plays his or her magic. The three rows of artistically arranged polished brass whistles are symmetrically balanced to provide a pleasing effect. The horizontally oriented variable pitch whistle, at rear, is partially visible between the whistles located in the back row.