Owner

Private owner

• Acquired: 2013-04-18

Speaker

RCA 106 Loudspeaker

Partial Provenance

1. Brian Dunlop (Colorado Springs)
2. Bill Cook (Woodland Park)
3. Private owner

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

Peter Sherman

This theremin has a 14,100 Ω grid cap resistor that was non-factory installed.

Speaker

Original 1930s Diamond Speaker, modern JBL M31-4 driver

Full Provenance

1. Lev Sergeyevich Termen
2. Clara Rockmore
3. Peter Sherman

Notes

Given to Clara Rockmore by Lev Termen and used in her performance with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Modifications by Lev Termen. Restored 10/98 by Robert Moog and Stephen Dunnington. At some point, GE coils were replaced by Westinghouse coils.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

Unknown owner

• Purchased: 2022-03-26

This theremin has a grid cap resistor that might or might not be factory installed.

Speaker

RCA 106 Loudspeaker

Full Provenance

1. Claude Johnson
2. Tony Johnson, Claude’s nephew
3. David Skelley
4. Unknown owner

Theremin’s Name

Unkl Claude

Notes

Purchased from the original owner’s niece in the Seattle area. The original owner apparently was a traveling inventor/musician and had removed the legs for ease of transportation. The Theremin’s workings have been restored by The Antique Radio Store in the San Diego area and I had removable Mahogany legs recreated by Joey Viasusso woodworker. Original cabinet doors were replaced.

Sold in online auction with RCA 106 Loudspeaker on 2022-03-26 to unknown buyer.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry.

Owner

Kurt Kowal

This theremin has a 3.13K Ω grid cap resistor that was factory installed.

Partial Provenance

1. David McCornack
2. Kurt Kowal

Notes

Both doors have been replaced; one was new construction, the other from another theremin with number 502. Antenna, doors, and refinishing by Floyd Engels. Missing upper part of auxiliary receptacle.

Recent ebay auction #260809146548: sold at $7,999.00, Ended: Jul 04, 2011, sold by patinahead.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2020-08-19.

Owner

Unknown owner

Partial Provenance

1. Unknown owner

Notes

Was serviced by Mark Mckeown

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2013-04-13.

Owner

Bob Brown/Mills Novelty Co

Speaker

RCA 106 Loudspeaker (x2)

Partial Provenance

1. Dr. Richard Howe of Houston, Texas
2. Bob Brown/Mills Novelty Co

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2014-12-05.

Owner

Private owner

Speaker

RCA 106 Loudspeaker

Partial Provenance

1. Marc Ellis
2. Private owner

Notes

All the glue joints were bad so I had to disassemble it so I could reglue it. I restored the finish by dissolving the top layer with a special chemical wash and spreading it around to cover many nicks and scratches. I filled one deep gouge with Mohawk refinishing products. You can still see a number of dents (barely) so it does not appear to have been refinished. It still has the original deep maroon color with some graining showing through, just as it appears on the interior of the doors, which were untouched.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2012-10-18.

Owner

Science Museum, London

Speaker

RCA 106 Loudspeaker

Partial Provenance

1. a man from Ohio
2. Lewis Lipnick of Alexandria, Virginia
3. Science Museum, London

Notes

It was purchased from a gentleman in Ohio who found it at an estate sale. No one knew what it was (including him at the time) but he knew it was something different and probably should be saved. The present owner is Lewis Lipnick of Alexandria, VA who has been the contrabassoonist with The National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C. since 1969. He has used it in performance with that orchestra.

It has its original finish, and there are a couple of stress cracks across the front and minor nicks here and there, but all-in-all it is very nice. The legs appear to be original. It came with the shown RCA “#106 Electro-Dynamic” speaker.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2013-09-05.

Owner

Private owner

Partial Provenance

1. Private owner

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2013-04-13.

Owner

Electronic Music Education and Preservation Project

This theremin has a 1000 Ω grid cap resistor.

Speaker

Jensen speaker in 106 cabinet

Partial Provenance

1. Marjorie Lynch, c. 1931
2. Private Owner
3. Jeff & Lynn Evers
4. Electronic Music Education and Preservation Project

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2017-01-26.

Owner

Unknown owner

Has AEOLIAN decal

Partial Provenance

1. Eli Buk
2. Unknown owner

Notes

This instrument was part of the legendary collection of scientific instruments, esoteric apparatus and ephemera of the late notable Renaissance man Eli Buk, in his famous shop on Spring Street in Soho, NY. Bears Aeolian label on lower left of cabinet’s front face.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2013-04-20.

Owner

Private owner

• Acquired: 2008-09-20

Speaker

Floyd Engels Diamond Speaker replica, RCA 106 Loudspeaker

Partial Provenance

1. Floyd Engels
2. Private owner

Notes

Restored by Floyd Engels (new legs, doors, antenna, and finish). It has a beautiful and powerful tone.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

Private owner

This theremin has a grid cap resistor.

Full Provenance

1. Private owner

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2017-05-15.

Owner

Chuck Renstrom

Speaker

Jensen MT-5

Full Provenance

1. Carl C. Harwood, Sr.
2. William Renstrom
3. Chuck Renstrom

Notes

“My father was blinded in World War II and became musical with playing a saw with a bow and the Theremin in his evangelistic meetings. My grandfather was the original owner of the instrument and he used it in his evangelistic meetings. He was also the founder of Western Bible Institute which then became Western Bible College and today is Colorado Christian University”

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2020-05-11.

Owner

Mike Buffington

• Purchased: 2007-10-27
• Acquired: 2008-05-11

Speaker

RCA 106 Loudspeaker

Partial Provenance

1. (Philadelphia Musician)
2. George Cadwallader Corson, of Plymouth Meeting, PA (1889–1970)
3. Peter Krause
4. Mike Buffington

Theremin’s Name

Uncle George

Notes

Originally purchased by a musician in Philadelphia in the 1930s and then purchased by Peter’s mother’s great uncle (mother’s father’s brother). Peter received the theremin in 1966 when he was 7 years old as a birthday present from his uncle George. he played it until 1974. He and the theremin moved back to Philadelphia, then to North Carolina in 1978, then to Connecticut/Cleveland in 1984 where he moved the theremin into his shop (and was in working condition). In 1990 he moved back to Durham, North Carolina and in the summer 2007 brought it back from the shop. It was non-working when removed from storage and sold as is. The 10K ohm resistor on the multi-tap resistor was found to be defective and was replaced with a 10 watt carbon resistor. The theremin works and sounds great now.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

Private owner

Partial Provenance

1. Private owner

Notes

This instrument had been stored in a basement for about forty years and had suffered from poor storage condition, deteriorated finish and deteriorated electronics. Following two years of documented restoration by Professor Gregory Wierzba, it is now working as it should once again. Among the more unusual early modifications, a heating element had been plugged into the AC receptacle in the cabinet, possibly to compensate for thermally unstable or weak components. The heating element has been removed (thankfully).

Professor Wierzba has been conducting valuable testing and recording of specific data from this theremin, including waveform, audio output and other data.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

Musical Instrument Museum

• Purchased: 2010-01-07

This theremin has a grid cap resistor.

Full Provenance

1. E. F. Salisbury (of Salisbury Corp, LA, CA.)
2. Sue Cogley
3. Bill and Marie Cogley
4. Musical Instrument Museum

Notes

Repaired resonant coils, audio transformer replaced with vintage Thordarson unit and inside of slant panel carved to accommodate. Appears very clean otherwise, and is functional.

From Bill: My Grandfather, E. F. Salisbury of Salisbury Corp, Los Angeles, CA., purchased this unit new. At his passing, it went to his daughter, my Mother Sue Cogley and she has recently placed it in my care. This unit is currently operating, has all original parts, wiring, cords, cabinet and is in good condition. The speaker is of the same, or close, vintage, however, is a cathedral type (not the preferred RCA 106).

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry.

Owner

The Musical Museum

Full Provenance

1. Joseph Whitely (Musaire)
2. The Musical Museum

Notes

Musaire‘s modified theremin: painted yellow, missing legs, on roller cart with speaker.

Richard Cole recalled that Musaire bought the theremin from Selfridge‘s Department Store in 1930 […] in the radio department.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

Private owner

This theremin has a grid cap resistor.

Speaker

Floyd Engels diamond speaker replica with Claratone speaker

Partial Provenance

1. Don Bice
2. Milhous Collection
3. Private Owner
4. Private Owner
5. Private owner

Notes

Acquired through Don Bice, who arranged the sale to Milhous at cost. In emails from June 2006, Don noted the following additional details from prior to the current restoration:

The cabinet had been modified and painted creme with gold antique applied. It had been owned by an attorney for many years. The original doors had been removed, and some replacement doors added which were slightly different.
The theremin… in the FLA museum is the same theremin you [CRL] called my attention to at the music store window on Ventura Blvd about 8 or 9 years ago. The restoration even included making a color copy of the patent information on my door, and applying it to the new doors that had been added to that instrument. They had been looking for a theremin for years and had not been able to find one.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

Hiroshi Fujita

• Purchased: 2007-03-07

This theremin has a grid cap resistor that was factory installed.

Speaker

RCA 106 Loudspeaker

Full Provenance

1. Mike Headley
2. Hiroshi Fujita

Notes

From eBay description:

From the original family comes this 1929 rca theremin - model number ar-1264 and matching rca 106 speaker. Originally sold to a prominent los angeles teacher, instrument maker and musician. This theremin was played at the first methodist episcopal church in los angeles on october 6th, 1935. This theremin has not been offered since it was sold new. Articles written about the original owner and a copy of the church bulletin are included in this sale. The theremin cabinet is in near mint condition with only small scuffs and scratches you would normally expect for a piece of this age. It is original and complete with the exception of the red jewel in front of the “on” indicator lamp. Fully intact are all the original labels, including the gold radio victor corporation label on the inside of the right hand door as you face the back and the jamestown mantel co, jamestown new york label under the main chassis shelf. Electronically the chassis has been restored in 1988 by a prominent vintage radio technician (receipt included) and is in excellent playing condition. The chassis maintains what appears to be its original radiotron tube set (balloon) with the exception of both 171’s one of which is an everready (balloon) and the other is a tung-sol (st shape). This unit plays strong with plenty of sensitivity and volume. To the best of my knowledge, plays as it was intended to although i am not a theremin expert (as you can tell by the volume loop being installed backward in the pictures) - i am a 25 year radio collector / restorer. The unit comes with the original volume loop and pitch rod - which are original and in great shape. All original latches and hardware are intact. All original switches and knobs are in good condition and work well. Electrical cords are not original. The interior of the cabinet is very clean and original. Chassis is in good condition (dusty) and original coils are intact. Once again this unit has been part of the original family for 77 years and shows minimal wear for a piece of it’s age. Chassis is marked with serial number 100056 or 100066 (it’s a little hard to read) the number 277 is stamped on the bottom of each door. The rca 106 speaker was purchased as an original companion to the theremin by the original owner. As you can see by the pictures, the tapestry is badly soiled and torn and will need to be replaced (i believe reproductions are available) the cabinet is solid and shows a little more wear than the theremin itself but still in good condition. This speaker is fully functional and sounds clear for it’s age and condition.

Previous auction 1-13-07, reserve not met first time. Missing pilot lamp hardware. An outboard component appears to be wired to SPU, possibly audio transformer.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

Private owner

This theremin has a 1K Ω grid cap resistor that was factory installed.

Partial Provenance

1. Christopher Elabu
2. Perry Margouleff
3. Private owner

Notes

Has a Lynch brand grid cap resistor. Measures 947Ω (Labeled .001 M).

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2013-06-07.

Owner

Susan G. Murray

Full Provenance

1. Samuel Finkler
2. Samuel Goldhaber
3. Susan G. Murray

Notes

Missing music shelf. Was on display at the Museum of Making Music in the “On!” exhibit, which ran from September 2009 to March 2011.

This was the other RCA purchased by Samuel Finkler that went to Samuel Goldhaber, a brother-in-law in California. Samuel Goldhaber would play the Finkler theremin during visits back east, as there was no one in the Finkler family who played the instrument.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2013-03-06.

Owner

Private owner

Speaker

RCA 106 Loudspeaker

Partial Provenance

1. Private Owner
2. Private owner

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2018-08-07.

Owner

Private owner

Speaker

RCA 106 Loudspeaker

Full Provenance

1. Vigo Sundt
2. Leonard Hesse
3. Private owner

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry.

Owner

National Music Centre

This theremin has a grid cap resistor.

Partial Provenance

1. National Music Centre

Notes

The cabinet has had the legs cut off and has a deteriorated older refinish (black paint?).  The chassis is heavily modified. Appears to have a replaced power transformer mounted outboard of the SPU, non-original 24A grid resistor and grid clip, added RF choke and capacitor at the base of the volume resonant coil, etc. From the look of the added parts some of the work was done probably in the ‘50s.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2012-09-18.

Owner

George Epple

Partial Provenance

1. Private Owner
2. George Epple

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2013-08-13.

Owner

Jim Vines

• Acquired: 2020-10-15

Speaker

RCA 106 Loudspeaker

Partial Provenance

1. Robert & Cheri
2. Jim Vines

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2016-04-20.

Owner

Mike Molnar

Partial Provenance

1. John V. Terrey
2. Mike Molnar

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

Private owner

Partial Provenance

1. Joseph Whiteley (Musaire)
2. Private owner

Notes

“Joseph Whiteley gave me his second theremin back in the 1980s. The original power chassis was missing and the cabinet had been hacked about. At some point in the past he had been experimenting with it to try to get different tones from it. Unfortunately, since the cabinet has been hacked about, sanded down, re-varnished etc, the original cabinet number is no longer visible.”

Missing brass front panel hardware. Demonstrated at Hands Off 2007.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

Buck Sanders

• Purchased: 2003-02-00
• Acquired: 2003-02-00

Speaker

RCA 106 Loudspeaker

Partial Provenance

1. Private Owner
2. Buck Sanders

Notes

I bought my theremin in February of 2003 on eBay from a “communications collector” who lived in Idaho. He had purchased the Theremin in Pasadena, CA from a radio shop sometime in the mid 70s. The legs had been removed and a travel case was made for it presumably in the 30s or 40s. I had legs made for it as well as new antennas. As far as I know the finish is original (a dark, chocolatey brown). It is functional and can be heard in the score and sound design for “Hellboy” alongside Robby Virus’ Moog theremin.

From previous owner’s ad on vintageradio.info (prior to eBay listing):  Ad No.: 2881 - Subject: RCA Theremin for sale - Posted on: 09/18/02

I have an original RCA Theremin that I might sell if someone is interested

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry.

Owner

Thomas Cordara

• Purchased: 2021-12-18
• Acquired: 2021-12-29

This theremin has a grid cap resistor that was non-factory installed.

Speaker

RCA 106 Loudspeaker

Full Provenance

1. Julius Goldberg
2. John Snyder (acquired Jan 1982)
3. Peter Pringle
4. Thomas Cordara

Theremin’s Name

Goldie

Notes

Formerly owned by Julius Goldberg. There are a few modifications for filtering and tone improvements that were likely done while this theremin was in the Theremin Studio.

peterpringle.com/visitgoldie1.html

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

N. Jackson

This theremin has a grid cap resistor.

Partial Provenance

1. Olivia Mattis
2. Bruce Woolley
3. N. Jackson

Theremin’s Name

Baby

Notes

Legs are original and intact, as are paper stickers inside; all appears to be original and in great condition. Apparently, the instrument was restored by Floyd Engels.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

Technisches Museum Wien

• Acquired: 2009-00-00

Partial Provenance

1. Private owner, Richmond, CA
2. Technisches Museum Wien

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2022-01-28.

Owner

Daniel Becker

Speaker

More modern PM with matching transformer

Full Provenance

1. Samuel Finkler
2. Marvin and Sylvia Becker
3. Dr. Daniel Becker

Notes

One of two RCA theremins purchased by radio shop proprietor and chemical engineer Samuel Finkler in mid to late October 1929. The radio shop was in the Woolworth building, NYC. This is the same Samuel Finkler who developed the experimental community of Roosevelt, NJ in the 1930s, as documented in “Lost Utopia”.

The instrument passed to Samuel’s daughter and son in law, Sylvia and Marvin Becker of Delray Beach, FL, and then to their son, Dr. Daniel Becker.

Stored in an unused beach house for many years. Reconditioned in the mid to late 1990s, after at least 35 years of being non functional. The cabinet was refinished, the tone resistor and resonant coil windings were replaced as part of the electronic restoration. Original doors have been missing since at least the early 1950s, currently replaced with plywood panel. Speaker is a conventional modern type PM unit with matching transformer. The original speaker was a late 1920s factory-made oval speaker baffle and corresponding driver on a tall stand. This speaker was eventually removed from its stand and fastened between the theremin legs, facing front (since removed and no longer present).

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2013-03-07.

Owner

Andrew Baron

• Purchased: 2004-02-28
• Acquired: 2004-03-07

This theremin has a grid cap resistor that was non-factory installed.

Speaker

none

Partial Provenance

1. Purported to be professional musician who performed publicly in the Hollywood / LA area.
2. James R. and Lavonne Johnson, Chatsworth, CA.
3. Andrew Baron

Notes

As reported by Lavonne Johnson of Chatsworth, CA:

Acquired by James R & Lavonne in 1959 or 1960 at a moving & storage auction in North Hollywood. James was an aerospace engineer and musician. For weekend entertainment, they frequented local sales with their neighbors Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, and had a self-imposed $100 spending limit. This theremin was purchased as a sealed lot, in a crate marked simply “Electric”.  Mr. Johnson’s interest in electronics was the basis for taking a chance on the unidentified lot. Lavonne clearly recalled seeing a suitcase full of playbills and newspaper clippings about the performer/owner at the sale, but unfortunately this was left behind as they didn’t realize the value of the literature at the time. Lavonne recalled one article in the suitcase specifically mentioned “The Spiral Staircase<“, which, along with the location of purchase indicates a possible Samuel Hoffman connection; conceivably a second home or studio instrument. (Performers on RCAs were known to have owned a backup). Additional indications of a professional past include a surviving early-mid 1930s play list with music set times, and cloth insulated speaker and power cord extensions, bound at intervals with friction tape.

Shortly after acquiring it, the Johnsons contacted RCA and were rewarded with correspondence and literature from the Director of Domestic Patents at RCA’s David Sarnoff Research Center in Princeton, O. V. Mitchell. Realizing after the purchase that antennas were missing, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson returned to the sale venue and requested a list of all buyers, and they contacted each one. The antennae were never located and the Johnsons never heard the theremin play during their 44 years of ownership.

Son Keith Alan Johnson conducted the eBay sale shortly after James’ passing. Sold as untested and missing antennae, but otherwise complete and exceptionally well preserved. The sale included the RCA correspondence dated July 21, 1960, including RCA file blueprint copies of all the manuals and additional ephemera.  A perfect set of Floyd Engels reproduction antennas now complete this working theremin.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

Experience Music Project Museum

• Acquired: 1998-00-00

Partial Provenance

1. Private Owner
2. Experience Music Project Museum

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2013-12-10.

Owner

Canada Science and Technology Museum

Partial Provenance

1. John Ost, a piano tuner from Ottawa
2. Canada Science and Technology Museum

Notes

The instrument was formerly owned by Mr. John Ost, a piano tuner from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It was donated to the National Museum of Science and Technology, Ottawa, Ont, Canada, Nov. 1,1970.

Condition: Working, some scratches on cabinet, apparently still has legs (47 inches high). Catalogue No: 740759.000 710502

Cabinet serial number is worn. Could be either 285 or 283.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2016-03-07.

Owner

Pavek Museum of Broadcasting

Full Provenance

1. M.W. Wills of Waseca, Minnesota
2. The Pavek Museum of Broadcasting

Notes

“[The museum] purchased this theremin from an antique dealer in 1995 who was handling the estate of M.W. Wills. Mr. Wills was an engineer at RCA. The set came with one piece of RCA interdepartmental correspondence dated August 5, 1930, crediting Mr. Wills with some minor improvement.” - Steve Raymer

The left cabinet door has been replaced with a reproduction.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2012-05-10.

Owner

Private owner

This theremin has a grid cap resistor that might or might not be factory installed.

Full Provenance

1. Lev Sergeyevich Termen
2. Lucie Bigelow Rosen
3. Elena Moneak
4. Private owner

Notes

The RCA Theremin of Lucie Rosen underwent many changes. The internals are from the standard RCA Theremin production, but the cabinet is one that was commonly used for Lev-built theremins, with the serial number XVI stamped on the inside-sides of the doors and the chassis rails. It was initially modified by Termen with “extended octaves and two changes of tone color.” At some point, the original legs were removed and a stand was fabricated, as well as sockets for additional inputs/outputs (likely power and an audio output) were added to the pitch side of the cabinet. Later, the cabinet was decorated with “detail taken from elevator doors” found on the first and second floors of the Rosen’s building on 54^th St. In 1942, Lucie gifted Elena Moneak of Chicago her theremin. A transcript of Elena’s letter to Lucie is below. The Theremin has been passed down to Elena Moneak’s relatives.

My Dear Mrs. Rosen: -

The Theremin arrived yesterday and I don’t believe you will ever be able to realize my glee. Surely, knowing, that you have made someone so happy should be most gratifying to you.

I deeply appreciate this great courtesy and promise you to take the best care of your instrument while it is in my possession.

Although it is hooked up and I am able to get a sound, I regret to report that the volume is very weak. I presume that is because my speaker is not the correct one. My engineer is now researching for a speaker and as soon as I get it I shall let you know.

My studio, unfortunately, is located in the direct current territory and so I must use a converter. I have one of course, but you know that is never quite as satisfactory.

Again I thank you and shall keep you posted.

Sincerely,

Elena Moneak

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2021-04-10.

Owner

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Speaker

Floyd Engels Diamond Speaker replica

Full Provenance

1. Norman Frost Greeley
2. Norman Greeley Brown
3. Olivia Mattis
4. The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Theremin’s Name

Greeley Theremin

Notes

Restored by Floyd Engels. The instrument was a gift to me from its previous owner, Norman Greeley Brown, who inherited the instrument from its original owner, his grandfather Norman Frost Greeley.-Olivia Mattis

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry.

Owner

Dan Grandon

This theremin has a grid cap resistor.

Partial Provenance

1. Dan Grandon

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2012-11-12.

Owner

Yuki Yano

Partial Provenance

1. Yuki Yano

Notes

Legless with many modifications. Large section of winding missing on pitch resonant coil. Replaced volume pitch trimmer.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2024-10-02.

Owner

Mark & Mary Anne Neiner

• Acquired: 1990-00-00

Speaker

RCA 106 Loudspeaker

Full Provenance

1. Ella & George Einsele
2. Raymond J. Neiner
3. Mark & Mary Anne Neiner

Notes

From the current owner:

Ella Einsele and her husband George, a violin and violin string manufacturer, saw the theremin demonstrated at the 1933 worlds fair in Chicago. Being a music teacher, she wanted to have her own theremin. I noticed one of RCA’s stores was on Pershing (38th St. in Chicago). That might be where they bought it.

Their nephew Raymond J. Neiner inherited their estate incuding the theremin and the Perfection Musical String Co. which was located in (northwest Indiana) Brunswick, IN.  I inherited from Raymond in the early 1990’s.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2015-01-05.

Owner

Rick Levine

Full Provenance

1. Robert S. Alter
2. Fred Oster
3. Rick Levine

Notes

This entry is originally from thereminworld.com’s original registry. Information may be out of date.

This theremin is owned by Rick Levine of New Jersey. He purchased it in 1987 from Fred Oster (Vintage Instruments, Phila, PA). Included with the instrument was significant documentation, including communications from the original owner in January, 1930 to RCA (Charles E. Phelps & Mr. Shewell) and their responses concerning operating problems. Based on the aforementionedand the following, this Theremin appears to be one of the earliest produced (1929).The original owner was Robert S. Alter of Cincinnati. A.M. Gibson of Houston, TX writes that Alter was "a concert organist and pianist and a master of the Musical Saw as well as the Theremin, Musical Glasses, and other unusual instruments."Mr. Alter in his letters refers to the RCA serial number as #2 (and a GE #100195). It is in excellent condition and he plays it occasionally.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry.

Owner

John Woodward Collection

Speaker

RCA 100a enclosed in a RCA 106 cabinet.

Partial Provenance

1. Warren “Woody” Woodward
2. John Woodward Collection

Theremin’s Name

Woody (After John’s father Warren “Woody” Woodward)

Notes

The chassis serial number was stamped with an extra 0: 1000197

Replica antenna provided by RCATheremin.com

Woody was purchased in the summer of 1973 at the San Fernando Swap Meet on a Tuesday morning, dealer day, where all the dealers got together to sell to the trade. This was also open to the public and my Dad and I would often go. Just graduated from High School I went to the swap meet with my dad and while walking the aisles a pickup truck full of distressed furniture pulled into a space. All the dealers stopped what they were doing and ran over to see what was being unloaded. “Woody” was pulled from the heap and unceremoniously set aside so the furniture could be sold. The picker wanted 20 dollars for “Woody” to cover the cost of his space. We had 17 dollars between the two of us and the picker gladly accepted my offer. After purchasing “Woody”, I asked the picker where “Woody” came from. He told me that everything came from a big pile of trash outside of a building. “Woody” and the furniture were headed for the dump! “Woody” was taken home and placed in the garage and put under a blanket. Life moved on and “Woody” stayed in the garage for 42 years! A chance conversation with Robert Burchett at the annual Antique Phonograph Society’s expo in 2015 brought about the idea of recommissioning the Theremin. Bob’s expertise is wireless communication and he with much technical and many times spiritual guidance from Andy Baron began the task. Sometime during “Woody’s” life there was a house guest. A little mouse decided to store his acorns inside “Woody’s” coils! Besides eating the acorns, the coil wire was also tasted! The coils were sent to Andy and he did the meticulous task of repairing them. When tested they were surprisingly good. Bob was able to make “Woody” play on Halloween 2015 and you can see and hear “Woody” on You Tube. “RCA Theremin Plays for First Time”. I wanted to share “Woody” through public performance and another year of of preparation began. Bob, Andy and noted Thereminist Ed Sussman through tele-coms got “Woody” ready for the big reveal. Almost a year later and likely much more than half a century “Woody” was played before an audience! Today “Woody” and Moogy (Ed’s very special eitherwave) are played by Ed Sussman in a joint community service project developed by Ed and myself to share the history and artistry of these most unique instruments. I must thank Bob, Andy, Mike and Ed for bringing new life and purpose to my old pal “Woody”. With sincere appreciation and respect for your commitment to these unique instruments.-John

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2015-09-06.

Owner

Ezra Layman

Partial Provenance

1. Thomas Layman
2. Ezra Layman

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2019-05-10.

Owner

Ernie Mannix

Speaker

RCA 106 Loudspeaker

Full Provenance

1. Francis Jennings (b. 1919)
2. Ernie Mannix

Notes

A GE Theremin in a Westinghouse cabinet with a Westinghouse SPU. Note the brass plaque on the chassis board is identical in style to RCA #200183.

The original owner was Francis Jennings, born 1919. Besides the Theremin, Francis played violin, piano, organ, zither, harp and autoharp. The theremin was most likely purchased in Boston by her parents. Her mother was a piano/voice teacher and her father Secretary of the Council Of Churches, and a former Baptist minister. Her daughter, Susan Pond, said the RCA was purchased about 1930.

Their family was good friends with the musician/actor/activist, Paul Robeson. Interestingly, Paul Robeson toured with Clara Rockmore. It is very possible that the desire to own a Theremin came after seeing Rockmore play on this tour.

The theremin was played well into the 1950s and after that, laid dormant for decades.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2022-04-19.

Owner

Jan & Stuart Stanton

This theremin has a grid cap resistor.

Speaker

RCA 106 Loudspeaker in alternate console

Full Provenance

1. George Sydney Stanton
2. Charles Russell Stanton
3. Jan & Stuart Stanton

Notes

“We have a theremin that was given to us around 2000 by my husbands father, Charles Russell Stanton. He had received the instrument from his father, George Sydney Stanton who was the original owner. Russ, Stuart’s father, would play the Theremin and accompany my daughter while she played the flute. Their favorite was Moon River. The instrument is in good shape and good working order. We played it on Labor Day 2014. The speaker cabinet is damaged from a flooded basement. Some of the decorative wood is rippled or has fallen. The speaker still works well. The cabinet has the original finish.”

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2014-09-15.

Owner

Nada Greberman Berd

Speaker

Ca. 1927 Neutrowound

Partial Provenance

1. David Greberman
2. Nada Greberman Berd

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2014-03-06.

Owner

Private owner

• Purchased: 2004-05-27

Partial Provenance

1. Private owner

Notes

Poor refinish, oversize wood knobs on back doors (missing orig.), some rust on chassis, missing pilot jewel, plastic wire nuts & power cord.

Ebay auction text: “This particular RCA Theremin AR-1264 has been off the market for over 50 years. It has been with the last owner for over 30 years and was recently put up for sale at his estate. Inside of cabinet has original label that reads: Manufactured by Jamestown Mantel Company, Jamestown, NY. It also has the original RCA label on the backside of the door that is in excellent condition (see pic). All tubes except one that needed replaced our thought to be original. The replacement is of the correct type and was replaced before I purchased the Theremin. The Theremin warms up quickly and to the best of my knowledge plays as it was intended to. It makes a range of sounds and the Volume Loop and Pitch Rod make the changes as designed. The Volume Loop and Pitch Rod are original and in great shape. Original cabinet, legs, and all related hardware in super condition. All door latches and hardware in great shape and look to be original. All original switches and knobs in excellent condition and work well. The small red “pilot” light glass is missing (the mechanical part of the “pilot” light looks to be intact and in good condition (see pic) but is missing the bulb and red glass insert). Interior and chassis are really clean and just show light normal wear for age of piece. Pictures tell the story on that one. The electrical cord is not original. The interior cabinet and components are completely original and unrestored. Chassis is marked with serial number 100211. The serial number on the bottom of the doors is to faint to make out. I have tried and tried but cannot get an honest read off of the bottom of the cabinet doors. The exterior of the cabinet of this Theremin was refinished professionally as commissioned by the previous owner. It is lighter than the original color.The exterior finish is in beautiful condition. The interior of the cabinet and the back of the doors retain the original factory finish and RCA AR-1264 Label. The legs are tight, original, wobble free and in excellent condition. Speaker is mounted on what appears to be original plywood and has a “chicken wire” grille. No Cabinet. The cone of the speaker looks undamaged and it plays fine. It is a little dusty. See pictures for speaker details. Speaker is stamped or engraved “Made In The United States of America”. Also a decal on speaker that reads “Magic Magnet Speaker” and “CC” which stands for Cina.......Corp. I can’t make out the rest of the “Cina” part because of wear on the decal (see pic). Anyone who has longed for an original working RCA AR-1264 will probably not get many opportunities to find one in this clean and working condition.”

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

Mike Molnar

Partial Provenance

1. John V. Terrey
2. Mike Molnar

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2021-02-23.

Owner

Haags Gemeentemuseum

Speaker

RCA 106 Loudspeaker

Partial Provenance

1. Haags Gemeentemuseum

Notes

The ‘Haags Gemeentemuseum’ in The Hague, The Netherlands has an RCA Theremin in permanent loan. The Theremin is in original state with original cables and plugs; is NOT in working condition and it’s the museums policy to keep the instruments as original as possible, so at the moment it will not be restored. The instrument is in permanent display. There is a RCA Loudspeaker 106, serial number 253969.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry.

Owner

Steve J. Sherman; Nadia Reisenberg/Clara Rockmore Foundation

Partial Provenance

1. A. E. Andrews (4922 S. Boston Ave. Tulsa, OK)
2. Sandra Abarca
3. Steve J. Sherman; Nadia Reisenberg/Clara Rockmore Foundation

Notes

A newspaper clipping from The Tulsa World 1953-03-01 shows pervious owner A. E. Andrews with this theremin.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2014-01-16.

Owner

Unknown owner

• Purchased: 2009-09-27

Speaker

RCA 106 Loudspeaker

Partial Provenance

1. Mrs. Margaret Ryder Bosley
2. man in Indianapolis
3. ebay seller in Wichita
4. Unknown owner

Notes

Cut-off legs, apparently turned into stand. Documented provenance. Spare tubes, RCA Svc. Notes (orig. copy), autographed Moog book; Analog Days.

eBay Auction text: “One of 485 ever built, and experts estimate perhaps half of them still exist. To describe it as “RARE” is stating the obvious! Condition: Amazing for being 80 years old. The electronics appear to be all original with no obvious mods or repairs. The wood cabinet of the Theremin appears to be the original finish and displays well for its age, although one back door has some warping. The speaker has an obvious grill cloth issue, but cone seems okay. AC cord is brittle.

Provenance: I purchased it from its second owner in Indianapolis. He acquired it from the local original owner, his neighbor and family friend. It road gently in my car to my home in Wichita.

AUCTION INCLUDES: RCA Theremin with both Antenna, RCA Speaker Cabinet, Theremin Stand, and a box of spare tubes, from the original owner’s estate! Also – including a copy of a newspaper article about the original owner, original owner’s manual book. Also including the self teaching course book from Moog, along with the Analog Days book autographed by Dr. Bob Moog at the book’s release in LA a few years ago. Seems fitting to include it, based on his history and relationship with Theremin.”

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

Mike Cook

Partial Provenance

1. Mike Cook

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2019-09-19.

Owner

Private owner

Partial Provenance

1. Private owner

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2021-01-02.

Owner

Private owner

This theremin has a grid cap resistor.

Partial Provenance

1. Dave Weiner
2. Private owner

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry.

Owner

Unknown owner

Partial Provenance

1. Unknown owner

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2013-04-13.

Owner

Steve J. Sherman; Nadia Reisenberg/Clara Rockmore Foundation

This theremin has a 881 Ω grid cap resistor that was factory installed.

Speaker

non-electrified loudspeaker

Full Provenance

1. Glada Louise Caffall
2. Holly O’Hern
3. Nadia Reisenberg & Clara Rockmore Foundation

Theremin’s Name

The Glada Louise Caffal RCA Theremin

Notes

“The Nadia Reisenberg & Clara Rockmore Foundation received an email on October 28, 2020 from a woman named Holly O’Hern from Goshen NY. She (along with her sister) had inherited her grandmother’s theremin, had enjoyed "playing" it as a kid. Her grandmother, Glada Louise Caffall, was a singer who lived in Ballston Spa, NY, married to the Minister of the Ballston Spa Presbyterian Church (her married name was Glada Swan), and apparently the church arranged for send her to NYC to learn to play the theremin with Lev Termen himself.”

The GE volume control resonant coil was replaced by a Westinghouse coil at some point. The legs were also removed and fashioned into a stand which the theremin now sits on.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2020-11-14.

Owner

National Music Museum

Partial Provenance

1. Arne Larson
2. National Music Museum

Notes

NMM 4154, purchased by Arne Larson in the 1940s, and the file for the instrument has some correspondence with RCA as well.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry.

Owner

Private owner

• Purchased: 2005-04-26

Partial Provenance

1. Rita Leeseman
2. Jack in South Carolina
3. Private owner

Notes

1-26-04 sold on eBay for $3,680.00. Weathered, damaged coils and interior, missing vol. antenna, damaged pitch antenna, moderately damaged cabinet, missing doors. 4-26-05 sold on eBay for $4,300.25. No further restoration except for complete tube set and brass reproduction antennae from a Florida fabricator (Floyd?). This instrument was purchased by The Audities Foundation in Calgary, Alberta Canada, and was restored by Mark McKeown in 2006. It is the subject of the RCA Theremin restoration article in the August 2006 issue (Vol 23, No. 8) of Antique Radio Classified.

According to Rita, This theremin was found in an old house in Paso Robles California. My brother is a contractor there and he found it. I believe it belonged to a friend of his’ parents. When my brother and he cleaned and repaired the house this was among the items that were to be taken to the dump, shutter.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

Arnold Chase

Speaker

RCA 106 Loudspeaker

Partial Provenance

1. Danny Gustafson
2. Arnold Chase

Notes

Was for sale from the Estate of Danny Gustafson

Pass-through hole is located on the wrong side of the floor. The bottom panel was installed backwards.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2016-12-05.

Owner

Musée des Ondes Emile Berliner

This theremin has a grid cap resistor that was factory installed.

Speaker

RCA 106 Loudspeaker

Partial Provenance

1. Private Owner
2. Richard Belanger
3. Musée des Ondes Emile Berliner

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2021-02-23.

Owner

Mike Buffington

• Purchased: 2015-11-12
• Acquired: 2016-07-06

Partial Provenance

1. Patrick McDonough
2. Mike Buffington

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2015-06-11.

Owner

Bill Kolberg

• Acquired: 2005-01-00

This theremin has a 16K Ω grid cap resistor that was factory installed.

Speaker

RCA 106 Loudspeaker

Partial Provenance

1. Russell McCaig
2. Olivia Mattis
3. Bill Kolberg

Notes

Grid cap resistor measures 24K (brown body, blue end, orange dot).

The theremin is missing the door interlock switches and the auxiliary power receptacle inside the cabinet.

From the old thereminworld.com registry: I live near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and I am the very proud owner of an RCA AR-1264 Theremin; cabinet door numbers 77/140, chassis serial number 100266. I had purchased the Theremin earlier this year [2005 - Ed.] from the renowned Musicologist, Olivia Mattis, along with an RCA 106 speaker. She told me that I am only the forth owner of this instrument.
The cabinet has its original legs and a beautiful chocolate colored finish including the usual scratches from age. I found it peculiar that the rear doors have different numbers stamped on them, but unfortunately, I do not have any additional information whether they had been switched at the factory or were replaced sometime later. I received the Theremin complete and in working order with the exception of the circuitry which had been modified to allow it to connect to a modern day amplifier. The speaker too had been updated with a newer permanent type speaker.
Since then, I have reversed the modifications and returned the circuitry to its factory configuration, I have kept the cabinet in its original condition, and I bought another RCA speaker for parts which I used to restore the speaker to its original configuration.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry.

Owner

Theodore Whiteside & Oana Feier

Speaker

RCA 106 Loudspeaker

Full Provenance

1. Arthur Jesse Scates (1882—1932) & Wilma Beck Scates (1884—1945)
2. First Lt. Arthur J. Scates (1921—1943)
3. Molly Scates McFadden
4. Mark Oros
5. Theodore Whiteside & Oana Feier

Notes

In an article by reporter and columnist for the Seattle Post- Intelligencer, Shelby Scates recalled this theremin in his family’s home: https://open-spaces.com/articles/theremin/

This instrument was repaired by Mike Buffington in the spring of 2021.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2020-11-09.

Owner

Jeff Eiseman

This theremin has a grid cap resistor that was non-factory installed.

Partial Provenance

1. Jeff Eiseman

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2016-09-22.

Owner

Private owner

• Purchased: 2006-06-07

Partial Provenance

1. Chuck Collins
2. Private owner

Notes

Restored and refinished by Floyd Engels. Reproduction parts to replace missing original parts include: Doors, antennas, on/off & play switch plates (cast plastic), safety interlock switches (cosmetic dummy only—not functional). Lots of chassis restoration was done, including rewound oscillator coils, trimmers replaced with Radiola types, new wires, etc.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

Private owner

Speaker

RCA 106 Loudspeaker

Full Provenance

1. Edward Everett Horton
2. Private owner

Notes

Inside left door had a label “Richardson Music Co, The Music Lover’s shop, Los Angeles” which appeared to be the distributor which Edward Everett bought the unit from. Came complete with a gorgeous tapestry 106 cabinet.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

University of New Mexico Art Museum

• Acquired: 1992-00-00

Partial Provenance

1. Charles Mattox
2. University of New Mexico Art Museum

Notes

Was donated to the UNM Art Museum by Professor of Art Charles Mattox in 1992.

Was powered on and was functional on 2017-07-11.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2016-02-15.

Owner

Private owner

• Acquired: 1997-00-00

Full Provenance

1. a Brentwood doctor
2. Private owner

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2014-01-13.

Owner

Nori Ubukata

Speaker

Built-in

Partial Provenance

1. Bob Ousley
2. Robert Bridge
3. Private Owner
4. Nori Ubukata

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2013-11-01.

Owner

Unknown owner

Partial Provenance

1. Unknown owner

Notes

Was brought into Third Coast Guitar Service for repair.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2015-03-31.

Owner

Moog Music

Partial Provenance

1. Moog Music

Notes

Theremin Fixer Upper. Missing doors, legs, antenna, and is in parts.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2013-07-12.

Owner

Stearns Collection

Speaker

RCA 106 Loudspeaker

Full Provenance

1. Vera Richardson Simpson (1927-1977)

Notes

Served on the early radio show “The Green Hornet” from 1938 to 1952.

The Stearns Collection website

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2012-05-11.

Owner

Todd Marsden

Partial Provenance

1. Todd Marsden

Notes

This entry is originally from thereminworld.com’s original registry. Information may be out of date.

I have an RCA Theremin, Serial Number (hand written on the wood in between the two antennas) is 200022. It also had RCA speaker model 100-A serial #2054700 (or is the last digit a 6, hand written so hard to tell). I purchased it about 9 years ago from a man who’s wife had recently died. Apparently her family was the original owner. I paid $95, which was about all I had to my name. I just wanted one because I was a big Jimmy Page fan, but didn’t realize at the time what I had. I went back a couple days later with money from my boss, a studio owner, and purchased a solid state theremin from the man, built from a kit by R.A. Moog!
The RCA Theremin worked up until recently, but I haven’t had the money to get it working again. I have some replacement tubes and schematics provided by the seller. It appears that two handles were added to the sides to make it more portable, a shelf was added to hold the RCA 100-A speaker, and a couple screws were used to hold the top shelf securely. The cabinet has lots of scrapes and dings, I wasn’t sure if refinishing was a good or bad idea.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry.

Owner

Mike Buffington

• Purchased: 2019-08-22
• Acquired: 2019-08-22

Speaker

RCA 106 Loudspeaker

Partial Provenance

1. Miss Gloria Parker
2. Mike Buffington

Theremin’s Name

Gloria

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2019-09-19.

Owner

Smithsonian Institution

Speaker

RCA 106 Loudspeaker S/N:252083

Partial Provenance

1. Mrs. Ralph Richards
2. Smithsonian Institution

Notes

This theremin was used and donated by Washington, DC resident, Mrs. Ralph Richards. It was donated in 1967. Restored in 1992 by Robert K. York.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

Private owner

• Acquired: 2021-09-20

Has AEOLIAN decal

Speaker

RCA 106 Loudspeaker (also use a modern Peavey Black Widow speaker with impedance matching transformer)

Partial Provenance

1. Rich Little, Manassas, VA (not the comedian)
2. D. Gontarz of Manassas, VA. (Oct 2005 to March 2006)
3. Private owner
4. Private owner

Theremin’s Name

Aerielle

Notes

Cabinet was rough with loose joints, bad finish, and wasps’ nests throughout the instrument. Cleaned up nicely though cabinet had to be refinished and secured. Electrically restored (minimal component replacements), original coils, transformers. Both antenna were missing and beautifully reproduced by Mike Buffington. Cabinet bears “AEOLIAN” decal on the front.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

Michael Mossman

Full Provenance

1. Leopold Stokowski
2. Howard Mossman

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2020-08-02.

Owner

Yuki Yano

Partial Provenance

1. Yuki Yano

Notes

Legless, with many modifications made, including modern rewiring including the laced cable leads, front panel knobs and pilot light covers, door knobs, and a replacement plywood chassis board.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2024-10-02.

Owner

Private owner

This theremin has a grid cap resistor that was factory installed.

Partial Provenance

1. Private owner

Notes

Cut-off/missing legs, missing door knobs, replaced pitch antenna, misc “servicing”, home wall switch/plate cut in rear skirt, missing pilot lamp hardware.

eBay auction 2005-06-25. $6,743.00, Reserve not met, No sale.

eBay auction 2005-08-04. $6,750, 0 bids, No sale.

eBay auction 2006-04-08. $4,600.00, Reserve not met, No sale.

eBay auction 2006-04-21. $4,950.00, Reserve not met, No sale.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

Scienceworks History and Technology, Museum Victoria

• Acquired: 1977-00-00

Partial Provenance

1. Mrs F. Jeffery of Melbourne
2. Scienceworks History and Technology, Museum Victoria

Notes

This Theremin was donated to Museum Victoria by Mrs F. Jeffery of Melbourne in 1977. It was on long-term loan to the Percy Grainger Museum at the University of Melbourne and now resides back with the Museum Victoria at Scienceworks, but as of February 2016, unfortunately not on public display.

Point of contact for this instrument is Nick Crotty, Acting Manager, History & Technology Collections & Collections Manager.

Photographs by David Thompson. Serial number photographs by Evan Murfett.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2016-02-02.

Owner

Private owner

This theremin has a grid cap resistor.

Speaker

RCA 106 Loudspeaker

Full Provenance

1. Private owner

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2014-08-29.

Owner

Private owner

• Acquired: 1974-00-00

This theremin has a grid cap resistor.

Speaker

N/A

Partial Provenance

1. Private owner

Notes

Theremin was saved from being thrown out in 1974 in New London, CT. Missing doors, speaker, tubes; has both antennae.

The previous owner was a magician and apparently used it for sound effects. He is deceased and I haven’t been able to trace ownership further back than that.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

Neil Young

Speaker

RCA 106 Loudspeaker

Partial Provenance

1. Neil Young

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2016-12-06.

Owner

Private owner

This theremin has a grid cap resistor.

Partial Provenance

1. Curt Emmons
2. Private owner

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2018-04-27.

Owner

Charlie Draper

Has AEOLIAN decal

This theremin has a 10K Ω grid cap resistor that was factory installed.

Speaker

RCA 106 Loudspeaker

Partial Provenance

1. Charlie Draper

Theremin’s Name

Electra

Notes

Grid cap resistor measures 12.27K (brown body, black end, orange dot).

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2019-09-19.

Owner

Harold Sloan

Partial Provenance

1. Harold Sloan

Notes

This entry is originally from thereminworld.com’s original registry. Information may be out of date.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry.

Owner

Private owner

• Purchased: 2002-10-27
• Acquired: 2002-10-27

This theremin has a grid cap resistor.

Speaker

RCA 106 Loudspeaker

Partial Provenance

1. Private owner

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry.

Owner

Ed Stander

• Purchased: 2013-04-30
• Acquired: 2013-09-13

Speaker

RCA 106, JBL M31-4

Partial Provenance

1. Music House Museum, Acme, Michigan
2. Andrew Baron
3. Ed Stander

Notes

Obtained by Andrew Baron in April 2009 with no cabinet, SPU, tubes or antennas (upper chassis complete, coils and shelf only). Untested. Sale arrangements conducted by Judy York on behalf of Music House Museum.

Restored and made complete by Mike Buffington and Andrew Baron, 2013, with Buffington reproduction cabinet, and reproduction hardware by Buffington and Floyd Engels. Electronic restoration by Andrew Baron.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

Stan Gibb

Speaker

RCA 106 Loudspeaker

Partial Provenance

1. Edward O. Munson
2. Floyd Lawson
3. Tom Lawson
4. Stan Gibb

Notes

“While visiting Tom Lawson (a friend) I noticed he had the parts of a Theremin in his garage. He was surprised that I knew what it was and not long after that he was giving away the things in his garage. This was sometime in 2006 or 2007. After his death on April 27, 2008 his wife contacted me and told me that Tom wanted me to have the Theremin. When I picked the instrument up, she gave me the pictures he had taken and the following letter he had written where he talks about his father and giving away the electronic equipment he had in his garage.

Following is the letter I received. It only mentions the Theremin in the last paragraph. I’m sending the entire letter just in case some of the other information might be of use to you.” - Stan Gibb

Tom Lawson, 1729 St. James Place, Placentia, CA 92870

Tuesday, June 6, 2006

Theremin Model AR 1264

A little history about this unit, my stepfather Edward O. Munson had collected radios and electronic equipment for his whole life. Starting in Genoa, Nebraska around 1920. He had numerous old radios stored in our garage during WW II.

I can recall several RCA #1 (2 tube radios), Atwater-Kent breadboards in new condition. The tuning coils were beautiful and showed superior craftsmanship. Victrola’s both the cylinder the and large disk style and hundreds of records for them. I remember “ I’m forever blowing bubbles” and a speech made by “Teddy Roosevelt.” There were about 30 radios and Victrola’s taking up some space in the garage. My parents separated and I went into the service and my Grandmother called the junk man and cleaned out the garage while I was in Germany. When I came home I couldn’t believe she had trashed all that museum quality stuff.

Dad had saved several pieces that I later inherited, a Zenith Multi band radio that was as big as a refrigerator. Number 36 of 100 manufactured in 1936. An early Kinescope Projection TV and several Webcor Wire Recorders, Numerous Oscilloscopes from simple models to Government special for specific use in military equipment maintenance. Repair tools, electronic, machine and woodworking equipment.

To explain to a 10 year old boy how a wire recorder worked he set up a lamp with a tall cylindrical shade, an electric eye photo cell, an oscilloscope, a signal generator and amplifier and speakers for audio output.

He talked into a mike attached to the oscilloscope and watched the wave form and made sketches of the waveform. Then he transferred this wave to the lampshade and blacked out the lower half. (He explained that this was the same as the sound track on 16 and 35 MM movie film). Turned on the light and then rotated the lamp shade slowly and the speakers started to make audible sounds that as he increased the speed off rotation became understandable as the word he had modeled from the oscilloscope originally. The word HELLO came through quite well.

He then explained that at some time in the future some one would invent a devise that would store all this information in electronic form and that you would be able to take movies and process them into storage devices and later take a new script and insert the actors into this new movie. That was 1946 in a garage in Whittier, CA and I never forgot that demonstration or the talk with my Dad, as was one of those wonderful sharing times. Years later when computers came along and then PC’s and cheap memory allowing you to manipulate data and photos anyway you want, it was the completion of his projection into the future. When he was 90 we talked about this and too much time had past. He was still interested in new things happening in electronics. Was fascinated with my digital camera and lap top computer.

I have given my son one of the Steam Engines that Dad had made from a scratch kit from England. His Dollhouse model is in the Atascadero, CA Museum, complete with electric lights in the rooms and a working radio in the parlor. Collector in Oregon has the Zenith Radio several collectors in the Central Coast area are recipients of Dad’s gifts of his collectible tools.

The RCA Theremin model AR 1264 is the last piece from the garage. I just sold the old house and it brought to mind that I still had this Theremin in my garage. It had been damaged and is in bad shape, but it appears all there.

I am looking for a good home for this piece of History.

Photos of the unit are attached.

Tom lawson.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was added to the registry on 2018-05-26.

Owner

Bret Moreland

• Purchased: 2001-06-25

This theremin has a 1.65K Ω grid cap resistor that might or might not be factory installed.

Partial Provenance

1. Maunette Engleharte
2. Carlton Smith
3. Bret Moreland

Theremin’s Name

Maunette

Notes

Purchased the rusted power supply chassis, main chassis, pitch coil, volume coil. Pitch coil was damaged and had to be rewound. No antennae, No cabinet (due to water damage during storage). Purchased from Carlton Smith Pipe Organ Restorations 212 W. 10th Street, Suite D-240 Indianapolis, IN 46202. Carlton got the theremin from a friend who had purchased it from the estate of Maunette Engleharte of Grand Rapids, MI. Restored by Steven Hasten of Portland Or. Restoration began on March 2, 2004. Electronic restoration completed May 4, 2005 using a temporary oak cabinet.

Photos

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This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

Musee de la Musique

This theremin has a grid cap resistor that was non-factory installed.

Partial Provenance

1. Walter Sear
2. Musee de la Musique

Photos

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This theremin was added to the registry on 2017-06-16.

Owner

Mike Buffington

Partial Provenance

1. Hal Kravig
2. Nicholas Neal
3. Mike Buffington

Notes

Came from the basement storage room of an old silent movie theater in Iowa about 25 years ago. It’s working with all of its original components and coils and is not altered or modified. Legs have been cut off and replica hinged music shelf provided by Mike Buffington.

Photos

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This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

Peter Pringle

This theremin has a grid cap resistor.

Speaker

Claratone

Partial Provenance

1. Jolly Coburn
2. Samuel Hoffman
3. Hoffman family
4. Peter Pringle

Notes

peterpringle.com/meethoffman.html

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

Private owner

Has AEOLIAN decal

Speaker

RCA 106 Loudspeaker

Partial Provenance

1. L. Douglas Henderson
2. Roger A. Baffer
3. Private owner

Notes

The pitch antenna is missing 2 of the 4 prongs.

Small Aeolian decal on the front skirt.

“At our music museum, which ran from 1963-1986, I played it in the earlier years, with the Duo-Art grand accompanying me … just short demonstration snippets.

I suspect this instrument sat around in Maine for about 3-plus decades before I got it. It was purchased at Aeolian Hall for use by people who had a Summer cottage in the Waldoboro ME area, definitlely upscale vacationers.”

Photos

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This theremin was added to the registry on 2016-11-15.

Owner

Stanley Hirsh

This theremin has a grid cap resistor.

Partial Provenance

1. Manuel Vasquez II
2. Manuel Vasquez III
3. Stanley Hirsh

Notes

Both antennas are original and contains extra tone resistor. The cabinet is missing the legs and the front of the cabinet appears to have water damage.

Photos

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This theremin was added to the registry on 2013-02-15.

Owner

Private owner

Partial Provenance

1. Private owner

Notes

Missing legs, poor condition

Photos

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This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

Yoko Onishi

Speaker

RCA 106 Loudspeaker

Partial Provenance

1. Mischa Tulin
2. Alex M. Stazak
3. Private Owner
4. Yoko Onishi

Notes

The cabinet is custom made with tiny wood inlay. This may have been done in order to provide a separate two piece theremin for easy travel by Mr. Tulin’s friend who was a master craftsmen. It is in working order and is a work of art as well.

Pitch coil was replaced with a GE coil.

Photos

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This theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry.

Owner

Tropikordia Foundation

• Purchased: 2016-04-30

Speaker

RCA 106 Loudspeaker

Full Provenance

1. Philip Brandish (1929–2003)
2. Walt & Mary Murray (2003–2016)
3. Tropikordia Foundation (2016– )

Notes

The previous owner was Philip Brandish (98 years of age); he bought the theremin in Peoria, IL in 1929 and has been the only owner for the past 75 years.  We had the pleasure of meeting with Philip in his residence in IL in 2003; we spent a couple of hours with him while he gave us the history of how he acquired this beautiful piece.  We have the original documents that he received and a letter that was sent to him by RCA in 1935 when he had some service questions.  It is all original and working.  My husband restores old tube type radios, so we had on hand any tubes that it may have needed.  It was wonderful meeting Philip, his wife and his son.  My husband remembered seeing one when he was a child and had been looking for one ever since.

Photos

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This theremin was added to the registry on 2012-03-05.

Owner

Synthorama Museum for Synthesizers

• Acquired: 1996-05-22

Partial Provenance

1. B. A. Weeks, MD (Maui, HI)
2. Chris Youdell
3. Synthorama Museum for Synthesizers

Photos

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This theremin was added to the registry on 2016-02-15.

Owner

National Music Museum

• Acquired: 1996-03-08

Partial Provenance

1. National Music Museum

Notes

NMM 5935 (ex Stein) has the number 200138 on a brass plaque inside the instrument. Donated as part of the Charles D. Stein Collection and Archives by his son, Howard F. Stein, and daughter-in-law, Nancy Cunningham. Includes separate stand and amplifier. Ca. 1930.

Photos

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This theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry.

Owner

Private owner

Speaker

built-in

Partial Provenance

1. Private owner

Photos

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This theremin was added to the registry on 2013-07-23.

Owner

Private owner

• Purchased: 2010-12-16

Speaker

106

Partial Provenance

1. a woman in Fresno, CA
2. Father
3. Sarah Johansen, Omaha, NE
4. Private owner

Notes

Was listed on eBay (auction no. 170577673240) $11,500 starting bid with $13,000 reserve.

Photos

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This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

Private owner

Partial Provenance

1. Private owner

Photos

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This theremin was added to the registry on 2014-01-16.

Owner

The Franklin Institute Science Museum

• Acquired: 1933-11-16

This theremin has a grid cap resistor.

Speaker

RCA 106 Loudspeaker

Full Provenance

1. Grace Gulick Dike and Paul H. Dike
2. The Franklin Institute

Notes

(From the files of TFI): Acquired from Mr. Paul H. Dike, 252 High St., Germantown, Phila. Presented in memory of Mrs. Grace Gulick Dike, musician and recitalist, who demonstrated the operation of the Theremin with this instrument at the Meeting of The Franklin Institute on October 15, 1930.

1/17/51 Loaned to Howard Mossman 2/21/51 & 9/7/51 Mr. Mossman would like to buy Theremin

Refinished probably 50 years ago or more. Cabinet had stretchers added to legs for stability, that were still in place in 1951 but were eliminated after the cabinet restoration. Antennas were probably made in the old TFI machine shops. This instrument and its 106 speaker were donated in 1933. The four small filled holes around the control area are from a cover plate fastened to the cabinet to protect the controls years ago when it was an interactive display. According to an 80 year old former curatorial employee, this theremin hasn’t been available to the public for at least 40 or more years. This theremin was in a state of disrepair for at least 56 years, from sometime prior to January 1951, to April 2007 at which time it was completely restored by Andrew Baron.

Photos

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This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

Unknown owner

• Purchased: 2007-05-31

Speaker

RCA 106 Loudspeaker

Partial Provenance

1. woman near Philadelphia
2. John Hoge
3. Unknown owner

Notes

Electronically reconditioned by Dick Hack in Balitmore; modern capacitors embedded in the original tins. Sold by 3rd owner John Hoge NYC (Living in Philadelphia at time of sale?). 2nd owner was woman near Philadelphia.

Photos

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This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

Wally De Backer

Speaker

RCA 106 Loudspeaker

Partial Provenance

1. Sonny Clutter
2. Private Owner
3. Private Owner
4. Wally De Backer

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry.

Owner

Private owner

Partial Provenance

1. Private owner

Notes

Auction number 7229 at Stockholms Auktionsverk, 2006-03-07

Original auction text:

7229 - RCA THEREMIN ELEKTRONISKT MUSIKINSTRUMENT,

Modell AR-1264, omkring 1929, höjd 119; smärre skador, en antenn mm saknas Uppfanns av Leon Theremin, rysk fysiker, som 1927 kom till USA.

Valuation: SEK 30 000-35 000 (EUR 3 200 - 3 800)

dead link

Photos

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This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

Private owner

Partial Provenance

1. Michael Bogart, Toronto
2. Olivia Mattis
3. Private owner

Notes

12-10-04 eBay auction. Missing doors, patched (taped around portions of windings) coils, “needs rewiring” in auction description. Seller: Michael Bogart, Toronto. Sold to Olivia Mattis

Photos

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This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

Dave Arland

Speaker

RCA 106 Loudspeaker

Partial Provenance

1. Howard Mossman/Michael Mossman
2. Dave Arland

Notes

This instrument was sent to me by a kindly old gentleman in San Francisco who rescued it from in front of a neighbor’s house. It had been set out to be collected by the trash men. He knew what it was, and contacted Emil Dodlin (historic curator) at RCA headquarters at 30 Rockefeller Center and asked him if he was interested in receiving this theremin. Since Emil knew me through previous correspondences, he contacted me and told me of the availability of this instrument. He said that he did not want it, and if I did to contact the gentleman in question. I did so and he kindly packed it up in a discarded refrigerator carton, and at his own expense, and sent it out to me airmail express. He wanted nothing from me and just wanted the Theremin to have a good home. It arrived safe and sound and "sang" beautifully right out of the box. As a footnote to this story, the lady that threw this theremin out said she needed the room in her garage and didn’t know what that thing was. She said her husband bought it in 1930 and it’s been in the garage ever since. - Howie Mossman

Photos

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This theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry.

Owner

Perry Margouleff

This theremin has a grid cap resistor that was factory installed.

Partial Provenance

1. H Whipple Abbott
2. Perry Margouleff

Photos

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This theremin was added to the registry on 2013-02-12.

Owner

Vintage X-Ray Museum

Speaker

RCA 106 Loudspeaker

Partial Provenance

1. C.E. ‘Sonny’ Clutter
2. Vintage X-Ray Museum

Notes

Note the brass plaque on the chassis board is identical in style to RCA #100200.

Photos

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This theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry.

Owner

Moog Music

This theremin has a grid cap resistor.

Partial Provenance

1. Moog Music

Photos

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This theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry.

Owner

Private owner

Partial Provenance

1. Private owner

Notes

It is in near perfect original scratch free condition with inspection tag that has a bit of cabinet overspray on it. It is functional with no parts missing, as good as it gets!

Photos

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This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

Alex Schub

Partial Provenance

1. Alex Schub

Notes

This entry is originally from thereminworld.com’s original registry. Information may be out of date.

This theremin is played by Alex Schub, a professional musician from Los Angeles. Mr. Schub may be reached via e-mail at: AlexSchub@mediaone.net. He has performed the theremin part in Ives’ 4th Symphony with the LA Philharmonic, recorded commercials (Planet Lunch), and performed extensively on Dramatic 16, the history of Sci-Fi on SONOTON Music. He also played theremin on the re-release of the score to It Came From Outer Space (Monstrous Movie Music).

Photos

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This theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry.

Owner

Debbi Schwarz

Partial Provenance

1. Debbi Schwarz

Notes

This entry is originally from thereminworld.com’s original registry. Information may be out of date.

It has a beautiful speaker with it and we have plugged everything every way we can and can not get it to work. I enjoyed listening to my dad play it many many times as a child but I didn’t pay much attention to how it plugged into the speaker. Mine is a full cabinet-about 4 feet from the floor. I would appreciate any information you have.

Photos

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This theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry.

Owner

Duane Saetveit

Partial Provenance

1. Duane Saetveit

Notes

This entry is originally from thereminworld.com’s original registry. Information may be out of date.

His father, Joseph G. Saetveit, got it from a radio station in Sioux Falls, SD in the early 1930’s. They told him if he could play a recital on the thing, he could have it. He toured intermittently around the Midwest playing recitals in churches and other small venues. It was in storage for many years after that. At his 50th high school reunion, an old friend restored it to working condition for him. Today, the instrument is still in good shape and still works!

Photos

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This theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry.

Owner

The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University

Partial Provenance

1. Charles Stieff
2. The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University

Notes

It was formerly the property of the Charles Stieff family of Maryland who gave it to Peabody in the 1980’s. It is now on display in the Arthur Friedheim Library. It has been recently repaired and returned to working order by Fred Geil and Paul Marchese. Funds for the repair work were provided by a generous gift from the late Francis Schillinger, widow of Joseph Schillinger.

Photos

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This theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry.

Owner

National Music Museum

Partial Provenance

1. National Music Museum

Notes

This entry is originally from thereminworld.com’s original registry. Information may be out of date.

The S.M.M. has a model AR-1264, nearly identical to No. 200138 which has no serial number. It is part of the Charles D. Stein Collection and Archives.

Photos

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This theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry.

Owner

The Exploratorium

Partial Provenance

1. The Exploratorium

Notes

From the Exploratorium’s Archive: Original piece donated & was on floor for a couple of years when old insides died - replaced w/ transistorized kit from Southwest Technical Products Corp.

Photos

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This theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry.

Owner

The Henry Ford Museum Collection

• Acquired: 1968-00-00

Partial Provenance

1. Russell E. Cushing (Gibraltar, Michigan)
2. The Henry Ford Museum Collection

Notes

HFM Object ID 68.62.4 and is in the best condition. According to the book Henry’s Attic: Some Fascinating Gifts to Henry Ford and His Museum, it was donated in 1968 by Russell E. Cushing of Gibraltar, Michigan.

Photos

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This theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry.

Owner

The Henry Ford Museum Collection

Partial Provenance

1. The Henry Ford Museum Collection

Notes

HFM Object ID 43.139.1

Photos

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This theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry.

Owner

The Henry Ford Museum Collection

Partial Provenance

1. The Henry Ford Museum Collection

Notes

HFM Object ID 36.556.15 and is in a walnut case

Photos

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This theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry.

Owner

Jane Evans

Speaker

106 built into cabinet

Partial Provenance

1. Jane Evans

Notes

This entry is originally from thereminworld.com’s original registry. Information may be out of date.

I have my father’s RCA model 1264, NP48014, Theremin. It is in it’s original case, which is is good, but not mint, condition. It needs a new electrical cord, as the fabric-covered cord is quite frayed. To my knowledge, it would be in working condition with the addition of a new cord. My father, Sam Fenner, purchased it new in the early 1930’s. At that time, he lived at the Grand Canyon, working as a mule-train guide down into the Canyon during the days and as an entertainer (fiddle, musical saw, and theremin) for the dudes at the Bright Angel Lodge on the south rim of the Canyon each evening. He and three of his fellow guides/entertainers were the ‘Oringinal 1935 Grand Canyon Cowboy Band’.

Photos

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This theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry.

Owner

David A. Newton

Full Provenance

1. Mr. Newton
2. David A. Newton

Notes

This entry is originally from thereminworld.com’s original registry. Information may be out of date.

Mr. Newton’s family is the original owner of this AR-1264 still in playable condition. The theremin is currently being refinished and tuned. Pictures are available at the above link. Mr. Newton’s father used the theremin in the Cornish School of Music in Seattle around the 1930’s.

Photos

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This theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry.

Owner

Unknown owner

Partial Provenance

1. Unknown owner

Notes

eBay auction, ended 6-07-07. Untested, no legs, two house light switches added behind large rectangular hole cut into lower front panel.  Incorrect control knobs.  Has antennas. $8,000 reserve not met, 19 bidders, $3670 high bid.

Photos

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This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

Don Bice

Partial Provenance

1. Don Bice

Photos

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This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

Private owner

Partial Provenance

1. Private owner

Notes

excellent condition

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

Private owner

Partial Provenance

1. Private owner

Notes

seen alongside recent theremin in auction for finish comparision.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

Private owner

Partial Provenance

1. Doctor Olsen
2. Private owner

Notes

Steven M. Martin borrowed this RCA from Princeton labs. It was originally owned by a Doctor Olsen who worked at  Princeton Labs. You might have seen the instrument revolving on a rotating platform at the beginning of Theremin, An Electronic Odyssey.

Photos

Direct link to this RCA

This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

Unknown owner

Partial Provenance

1. William Nickert
2. Fred Othmer
3. Unknown owner

Notes

Yes, that indeed, that was the voice of William Nickert. After he passed away, I contacted the people that were looking after him as to the disposition of his RCA theremin. They told me it was auctioned off at the Freedman Auction House in center city Philadelphia. The winning bid was made by Fred Othmer, owner of the Antique Musical Instruments Co., also in Philly.

I went to his store and saw the instrument, and the RCA 106 Loudspeaker there, but Fred was not there. I was allowed to play the theremin and discovered it had lost the top octave. I convinced the clerk that I could restore the full range to the instrument if he would trust me lend me a small screwdriver, which he did. By readjusting the two pitch trimmer capacitors the full 3-1/2 octave range was restored.

Later, I found that the theremin was sent to New York to a store on Vesey Street and from there I lost track of it.

Photos

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This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

Private owner

Partial Provenance

1. Orben Sime
2. Private owner

Notes

New leg stand. Westinghouse Pitch coil.

Photos

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This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

University of Central Missouri, Department of Music

Partial Provenance

1. Don Essig
2. University of Central Missouri, Department of Music

Notes

Currently missing chassis.

Photos

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This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

Rebecca Mercuri

Speaker

RCA 106 Loudspeaker

Partial Provenance

1. Jon Sank
2. Rebecca Mercuri

Photos

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This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch.

Owner

Antiquity Music

Partial Provenance

1. Antiquity Music

Photos

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This theremin was added to the registry on 2012-10-11.

Owner

Private owner

Full Provenance

1. W. Raymond (Ray) Burrows
2. Floyd Engels
3. Private owner

Notes

Westinghouse theremin with a GE volume coil. Legs were cut off but reattached at the seams. Floyd Engels replaced a transformer and provided new legs (which he might have installed).

Photos

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This theremin was added to the registry on 2013-11-27.

Owner

Private owner

Partial Provenance

1. Private owner

Photos

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This theremin was added to the registry on 2014-01-16.

Owner

Private owner

Partial Provenance

1. Private owner

Photos

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This theremin was added to the registry on 2023-05-15.