There are currently 140 RCA Theremins in the registry: 116 registered, 24 unregistered. To submit your RCA Theremin to the registry, check the submission guidelines. To locate serial numbers, check the identification section.
These are theremins that have a verified, unique serial number that distinguishes them from any other in the registry.
These are theremins that have not had their serial number documented, or have incomplete serial number information. These instruments may have appeared in media and correspondence, or are documented as part of a museum collection. Care has been taken to avoid duplicates, but duplicates are entirely possible. Identifying traits, modifications, condition, etc., are used to track unregistered RCA Theremins.
Serial | Doors | Doc | Fin | Leg | Ant | Owner/Museum | location/Address | Notable | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
100002OwnerPrivate owner
SpeakerRCA 106 Loudspeaker Partial Provenance
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | 194 | ? | ✓ | ✗ | Private owner | Nashville, Tennessee | ||
100006OwnerPeter ShermanThis theremin has a 14,100 Ω grid cap resistor that was non-factory installed. SpeakerOriginal 1930s Diamond Speaker, modern JBL M31-4 driver Full Provenance
NotesGiven 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. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | 85 | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ▪ Musical Instrument Museum: 4725 E. Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix, AZ 85050, USA | ||
100007OwnerUnknown owner
This theremin has a grid cap resistor that might or might not be factory installed. SpeakerRCA 106 Loudspeaker Full Provenance
Theremin’s NameUnkl Claude NotesPurchased 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. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry. | N/A | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | Unknown | ||
100014OwnerKurt KowalThis theremin has a 3.13K Ω grid cap resistor that was factory installed. Partial Provenance
NotesBoth 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. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2020-08-19. | 502* | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | Kurt Kowal | Bozrah, Connecticut | ||
100015OwnerUnknown ownerPartial Provenance
NotesWas serviced by Mark Mckeown PhotosNone This theremin was added to the registry on 2013-04-13. | ? | ? | ? | ? | Unknown | Minneapolis | ||
100017OwnerBob Brown/Mills Novelty CoSpeakerRCA 106 Loudspeaker (x2) Partial Provenance
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2014-12-05. | 152 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Bob Brown/Mills Novelty Co | Wisconsin | ||
100022OwnerPrivate ownerSpeakerRCA 106 Loudspeaker Partial Provenance
Notes
PhotosNone This theremin was added to the registry on 2012-10-18. | 229 | ✗ | ✓ | ? | Private owner | San Diego, California | ||
100023OwnerScience Museum, LondonSpeakerRCA 106 Loudspeaker Partial Provenance
NotesIt 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. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2013-09-05. | 67 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ▪ Science Museum, London: Exhibition Rd, Kensington, London SW7 2DD, UK | ||
100027OwnerPrivate ownerPartial Provenance
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2013-04-13. | N/A | ? | ? | ? | Private owner | Los Angeles, California | ||
100029OwnerElectronic Music Education and Preservation ProjectThis theremin has a 1000 Ω grid cap resistor. SpeakerJensen speaker in 106 cabinet Partial Provenance
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2017-01-26. | 44 | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ▪ Electronic Music Education and Preservation Project: Harleysville, PA 19438, USA | ||
100034OwnerUnknown ownerHas AEOLIAN decal Partial Provenance
NotesThis 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. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2013-04-20. | 490 | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | Unknown | New York, New York | AEOLIAN | ||
100036OwnerPrivate owner
SpeakerFloyd Engels Diamond Speaker replica, RCA 106 Loudspeaker Partial Provenance
NotesRestored by Floyd Engels (new legs, doors, antenna, and finish). It has a beautiful and powerful tone. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | N/A | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | Private owner | Paris, France | ||
100040OwnerPrivate ownerThis theremin has a grid cap resistor. Full Provenance
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2017-05-15. | N/A | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | Private owner | Colorado | ||
100042OwnerChuck RenstromSpeakerJensen MT-5 Full Provenance
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” PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2020-05-11. | 310 | ? | ✗ | ✓ | Chuck Renstrom | Lakewood, Colorado | ||
100043OwnerMike Buffington
SpeakerRCA 106 Loudspeaker Partial Provenance
Theremin’s NameUncle George NotesOriginally 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. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | 473 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Mike Buffington | Brooklyn, New York | ||
100044OwnerPrivate ownerPartial Provenance
NotesThis 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. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | 62 | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | Private owner | Michigan | ||
100050OwnerMusical Instrument Museum
This theremin has a grid cap resistor. Full Provenance
NotesRepaired 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: PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry. | 372 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ▪ Musical Instrument Museum: 4725 E. Mayo Boulevard Phoenix, AZ 85050, USA | ||
100057OwnerThe Musical MuseumFull Provenance
NotesMusaire‘s modified theremin: painted yellow, missing legs, on roller cart with speaker. Richard Cole recalled that Musaire bought the theremin from PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | N/A | ✗ | ✗ | ? | ▪ The Musical Museum: The Musical Museum, High Street, Brentford TW8 0DU, UK | ||
100065OwnerPrivate ownerThis theremin has a grid cap resistor. SpeakerFloyd Engels diamond speaker replica with Claratone speaker Partial Provenance
NotesAcquired 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:
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | N/A | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | Private owner | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | ||
100080OwnerHiroshi Fujita
This theremin has a grid cap resistor that was factory installed. SpeakerRCA 106 Loudspeaker Full Provenance
NotesFrom 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. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | 277 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Hiroshi Fujita | Tokyo, Japan | ||
100083OwnerPrivate ownerThis theremin has a 1K Ω grid cap resistor that was factory installed. Partial Provenance
NotesHas a Lynch brand grid cap resistor. Measures 947Ω (Labeled .001 M). PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2013-06-07. | 320 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Private owner | Chiba, Japan | ||
100087OwnerSusan G. MurrayFull Provenance
NotesMissing 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. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2013-03-06. | 93 | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ▪ Museum of Making Music: 5790 Armada Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008 | ||
100088OwnerPrivate ownerSpeakerRCA 106 Loudspeaker Partial Provenance
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2018-08-07. | 440 | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | Private owner | ||
100092OwnerPrivate ownerSpeakerRCA 106 Loudspeaker Full Provenance
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry. | 454 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Private owner | Florida | ||
100094OwnerNational Music CentreThis theremin has a grid cap resistor. Partial Provenance
NotesThe 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. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2012-09-18. | 136 | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ▪ National Music Centre: 134 11 Avenue SE, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2G 0X5 | ||
100104OwnerGeorge EpplePartial Provenance
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2013-08-13. | 82 | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | George Epple | Baltimore, Maryland | ||
100110OwnerJim Vines
SpeakerRCA 106 Loudspeaker Partial Provenance
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2016-04-20. | 259 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Jim Vines | Greenport, New York | ||
100111OwnerMike MolnarPartial Provenance
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | 4 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Mike Molnar | Glen Gardner, New Jersey | ||
100113OwnerPrivate ownerPartial Provenance
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. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | N/A | ? | ✓ | ? | Private owner | London, England | ||
100115OwnerBuck Sanders
SpeakerRCA 106 Loudspeaker Partial Provenance
Notes
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 PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry. | 354 | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | Buck Sanders | Los Angeles, California | ||
100118OwnerThomas Cordara
This theremin has a grid cap resistor that was non-factory installed. SpeakerRCA 106 Loudspeaker Full Provenance
Theremin’s NameGoldie NotesFormerly 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 PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | 510 | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | Thomas Cordara | New York, New York | ||
100119OwnerN. JacksonThis theremin has a grid cap resistor. Partial Provenance
Theremin’s NameBaby NotesLegs 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. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | 428 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | N. Jackson | London, England | ||
100126OwnerTechnisches Museum Wien
Partial Provenance
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2022-01-28. | 19 | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ▪ Technisches Museum Wien: Mariahilferstr. 212 1140 Vienna, Austria | ||
100130OwnerDaniel BeckerSpeakerMore modern PM with matching transformer Full Provenance
NotesOne 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). PhotosNone This theremin was added to the registry on 2013-03-07. | N/A | ✗ | ? | ? | Daniel Becker | Montauk, New York | ||
100143OwnerAndrew Baron
This theremin has a grid cap resistor that was non-factory installed. Speakernone Partial Provenance
NotesAs 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. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | 464 | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | Andrew Baron | Santa Fe, New Mexico | ||
100145OwnerExperience Music Project Museum
Partial Provenance
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2013-12-10. | 180 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ▪ Experience Music Project Museum: 325 5th Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, USA | ||
100152OwnerCanada Science and Technology MuseumPartial Provenance
NotesThe 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: Cabinet serial number is worn. Could be either 285 or 283. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2016-03-07. | 28_ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ▪ Canada Science & Technology Museum: 2421 Lancaster Rd, Ottawa, ON K1G 5A3, Canada | ||
100156OwnerPavek Museum of BroadcastingFull Provenance
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. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2012-05-10. | 276 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ▪ Pavek Museum of Broadcasting: 3515 Raleigh Avenue, St. Louis Park, MN 55416, USA | ||
100158OwnerPrivate ownerThis theremin has a grid cap resistor that might or might not be factory installed. Full Provenance
NotesThe 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 54th 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.
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2021-04-10. | XVI | ✗ | ✗ | ? | Private owner | ||
100159OwnerThe Metropolitan Museum of ArtSpeakerFloyd Engels Diamond Speaker replica Full Provenance
Theremin’s NameGreeley Theremin NotesRestored by Floyd Engels. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry. | 479 | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ▪ The Metropolitan Museum of Art: 1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028, USA | ||
100165OwnerDan GrandonThis theremin has a grid cap resistor. Partial Provenance
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2012-11-12. | 88 | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | Dan Grandon | Alexandria, Virginia | ||
100185OwnerYuki YanoPartial Provenance
NotesLegless with many modifications. Large section of winding missing on pitch resonant coil. Replaced volume pitch trimmer. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2024-10-02. | ? | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | Yuki Yano | Gunma, Japan | ||
100186OwnerMark & Mary Anne Neiner
SpeakerRCA 106 Loudspeaker Full Provenance
NotesFrom the current owner:
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2015-01-05. | 400 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Mark & Mary Anne Neiner | Munster, Indiana | ||
100195OwnerRick LevineFull Provenance
NotesThis entry is originally from thereminworld.com’s original registry. Information may be out of date.
PhotosNone This theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry. | 2 | ? | ? | ? | Rick Levine | New Jersey | ||
100197OwnerJohn Woodward CollectionSpeakerRCA 100a enclosed in a RCA 106 cabinet. Partial Provenance
Theremin’s NameWoody (After John’s father Warren “Woody” Woodward) NotesThe chassis serial number was stamped with an extra 0: 1000197 Replica antenna provided by RCATheremin.com
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2015-09-06. | 307 | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | John Woodward Collection | Sun Valley, California | ||
100198OwnerEzra LaymanPartial Provenance
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2019-05-10. | ? | ? | ✗ | ? | Ezra Layman | Iowa City, Iowa | ||
100200OwnerErnie MannixSpeakerRCA 106 Loudspeaker Full Provenance
NotesA 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. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2022-04-19. | 342 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Ernie Mannix | ||
100206OwnerJan & Stuart StantonThis theremin has a grid cap resistor. SpeakerRCA 106 Loudspeaker in alternate console Full Provenance
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.” PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2014-09-15. | 79 | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | Jan & Stuart Stanton | Elizabeth, Colorado | ||
100207OwnerNada Greberman BerdSpeakerCa. 1927 Neutrowound Partial Provenance
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2014-03-06. | 60 | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | Nada Greberman Berd | Wyncote, Pennsylvania | ||
100211OwnerPrivate owner
Partial Provenance
NotesPoor 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.” PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | ? | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | Private owner | ||
100212OwnerMike MolnarPartial Provenance
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2021-02-23. | 108 | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | Mike Molnar | Glen Gardner, New Jersey | ||
100221OwnerHaags GemeentemuseumSpeakerRCA 106 Loudspeaker Partial Provenance
NotesThe ‘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. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry. | 231 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ▪ Haags Gemeentemuseum: Stadhouderslaan 41, 2517 HV, Den Haag, The Netherlands | ||
100222OwnerSteve J. Sherman; Nadia Reisenberg/Clara Rockmore FoundationPartial Provenance
NotesA newspaper clipping from The Tulsa World 1953-03-01 shows pervious owner A. E. Andrews with this theremin. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2014-01-16. | 110 | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | Steve J. Sherman; Nadia Reisenberg/Clara Rockmore Foundation | Cold Spring, New York | ||
100226OwnerUnknown owner
SpeakerRCA 106 Loudspeaker Partial Provenance
NotesCut-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.” PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | 484 | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | Unknown | ||
100228OwnerMike CookPartial Provenance
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2019-09-19. | 432 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Mike Cook | Parker, Colorado | ||
100235OwnerPrivate ownerPartial Provenance
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2021-01-02. | 411 | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | Private owner | ||
100236OwnerPrivate ownerThis theremin has a grid cap resistor. Partial Provenance
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry. | ? | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Private owner | Los Angeles, California | ||
100240OwnerUnknown ownerPartial Provenance
PhotosNone This theremin was added to the registry on 2013-04-13. | 234 | ? | ? | ? | Unknown | Pueblo, Colorado | ||
100242OwnerSteve J. Sherman; Nadia Reisenberg/Clara Rockmore FoundationThis theremin has a 881 Ω grid cap resistor that was factory installed. Speakernon-electrified loudspeaker Full Provenance
Theremin’s NameThe 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. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2020-11-14. | 501 | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | Steve J. Sherman; Nadia Reisenberg/Clara Rockmore Foundation | Cold Spring, New York | ||
100245OwnerNational Music MuseumPartial Provenance
NotesNMM 4154, purchased by Arne Larson in the 1940s, and the file for the instrument has some correspondence with RCA as well. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry. | 81 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ▪ National Music Museum: 414 East Clark Street, Vermillion, SD 57069, USA | ||
100247OwnerPrivate owner
Partial Provenance
Notes1-26-04 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, PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | N/A | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ▪ The Audities Foundation: Calgary, Alberta, Canada | ||
100249OwnerArnold ChaseSpeakerRCA 106 Loudspeaker Partial Provenance
NotesWas 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. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2016-12-05. | 445 | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | Arnold Chase | West Hartford, Connecticut | ||
100260OwnerMusée des Ondes Emile BerlinerThis theremin has a grid cap resistor that was factory installed. SpeakerRCA 106 Loudspeaker Partial Provenance
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2021-02-23. | 228 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ▪ Musée des Ondes Emile Berliner: 1001 Rue Lenoir, Montréal, QC H4C 2Z6, Canada | ||
100265OwnerMike Buffington
Partial Provenance
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2015-06-11. | N/A | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | Mike Buffington | Brooklyn, New York | ||
100266OwnerBill Kolberg
This theremin has a 16K Ω grid cap resistor that was factory installed. SpeakerRCA 106 Loudspeaker Partial Provenance
NotesGrid 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: PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry. | 77/140 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Bill Kolberg | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | ||
100268OwnerTheodore Whiteside & Oana FeierSpeakerRCA 106 Loudspeaker Full Provenance
NotesIn 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. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2020-11-09. | 186 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Theodore Whiteside & Oana Feier | Sarasota, Florida | ||
100270OwnerJeff EisemanThis theremin has a grid cap resistor that was non-factory installed. Partial Provenance
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2016-09-22. | 195 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Jeff Eiseman | Massachusetts | ||
100276OwnerPrivate owner
Partial Provenance
NotesRestored 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. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | N/A | ✗ | ? | ✓ | Private owner | Bellevue, Washington | ||
100290OwnerPrivate ownerSpeakerRCA 106 Loudspeaker Full Provenance
NotesInside 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. PhotosNone This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | 64 | ? | ? | ? | Private owner | Los Angeles, California | ||
100296OwnerUniversity of New Mexico Art Museum
Partial Provenance
NotesWas donated to the UNM Art Museum by Professor of Art Charles Mattox in 1992. Was powered on and was functional on 2017-07-11. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2016-02-15. | 491 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ▪ UNM Art Museum: Center for the Arts, 203 Cornell Dr, Albuquerque, NM 87106, USA | ||
100297OwnerPrivate owner
Full Provenance
PhotosNone This theremin was added to the registry on 2014-01-13. | 260 | ? | ? | ? | Private owner | Pennsylvania | ||
200000OwnerNori UbukataSpeakerBuilt-in Partial Provenance
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2013-11-01. | N/A | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | Nori Ubukata | Lyon, France | ||
200005OwnerUnknown ownerPartial Provenance
NotesWas brought into Third Coast Guitar Service for repair. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2015-03-31. | ? | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Unknown | ||
200008OwnerMoog MusicPartial Provenance
NotesTheremin Fixer Upper. Missing doors, legs, antenna, and is in parts. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2013-07-12. | N/A | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ▪ Moog Music: 160 Broadway St Asheville, NC 28801, USA | ||
200009OwnerStearns CollectionSpeakerRCA 106 Loudspeaker Full Provenance
NotesServed on the early radio show “The Green Hornet” from 1938 to 1952. The Stearns Collection website PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2012-05-11. | 403 | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ▪ Stearns Collection: 1100 Baits Drive Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA | ||
200022OwnerTodd MarsdenPartial Provenance
NotesThis entry is originally from thereminworld.com’s original registry. Information may be out of date.
PhotosNone This theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry. | ? | ? | ? | ? | Todd Marsden | ||
200023OwnerMike Buffington
SpeakerRCA 106 Loudspeaker Partial Provenance
Theremin’s NameGloria PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2019-09-19. | 59 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Mike Buffington | Brooklyn, New York | ||
200030OwnerSmithsonian InstitutionSpeakerRCA 106 Loudspeaker S/N:252083 Partial Provenance
NotesThis theremin was used and donated by Washington, DC resident, Mrs. Ralph Richards. It was donated in 1967. Restored in 1992 by Robert K. York. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | ? | ? | ✓ | ✓ | ▪ The Smithsonian: 1300 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, D.C., USA | ||
200047OwnerPrivate owner
Has AEOLIAN decal SpeakerRCA 106 Loudspeaker (also use a modern Peavey Black Widow speaker with impedance matching transformer) Partial Provenance
Theremin’s NameAerielle NotesCabinet 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. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | 1 | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | Private owner | Charleston, South Carolina | AEOLIAN | ||
200048OwnerMichael MossmanFull Provenance
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2020-08-02. | 245 | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | Michael Mossman | White Plains, New York | ||
200049OwnerYuki YanoPartial Provenance
NotesLegless, 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. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2024-10-02. | ? | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | Yuki Yano | Gunma, Japan | ||
200051OwnerPrivate ownerThis theremin has a grid cap resistor that was factory installed. Partial Provenance
NotesCut-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. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | 42 | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | Private owner | Studio City, California | ||
200052OwnerScienceworks History and Technology, Museum Victoria
Partial Provenance
NotesThis 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. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2016-02-02. | 417 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ▪ Museum Victoria: 11 Nicholson St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia | ||
200066OwnerPrivate ownerThis theremin has a grid cap resistor. SpeakerRCA 106 Loudspeaker Full Provenance
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2014-08-29. | 402 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Private owner | Missouri | ||
200075OwnerPrivate owner
This theremin has a grid cap resistor. SpeakerN/A Partial Provenance
NotesTheremin 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. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | N/A | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Private owner | Wendell, Massachusetts | ||
200076OwnerNeil YoungSpeakerRCA 106 Loudspeaker Partial Provenance
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2016-12-06. | 72 | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | Neil Young | Los Angeles, California | ||
200080OwnerPrivate ownerThis theremin has a grid cap resistor. Partial Provenance
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2018-04-27. | N/A | ✗ | ✗ | ? | Private owner | Los Angeles, California | ||
200082OwnerCharlie DraperHas AEOLIAN decal This theremin has a 10K Ω grid cap resistor that was factory installed. SpeakerRCA 106 Loudspeaker Partial Provenance
Theremin’s NameElectra NotesGrid cap resistor measures 12.27K (brown body, black end, orange dot). PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2019-09-19. | 11 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Charlie Draper | England | AEOLIAN | ||
200084OwnerHarold SloanPartial Provenance
NotesThis entry is originally from thereminworld.com’s original registry. Information may be out of date. PhotosNone This theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry. | ? | ? | ? | ? | Harold Sloan | ||
200085OwnerPrivate owner
This theremin has a grid cap resistor. SpeakerRCA 106 Loudspeaker Partial Provenance
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry. | 138 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ▪ SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention: 1312 Bay St, Bellingham, WA 98225, USA | ||
200089OwnerEd Stander
SpeakerRCA 106, JBL M31-4 Partial Provenance
NotesObtained 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. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | B-3 | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | Ed Stander | Delmar, New York | ||
200099OwnerStan GibbSpeakerRCA 106 Loudspeaker Partial Provenance
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. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2018-05-26. | 512 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Stan Gibb | Prescott, Arizona | ||
200102OwnerBret Moreland
This theremin has a 1.65K Ω grid cap resistor that might or might not be factory installed. Partial Provenance
Theremin’s NameMaunette NotesPurchased 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. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | B-1 | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | Bret Moreland | Boulder, Colorado | ||
200105OwnerMusee de la MusiqueThis theremin has a grid cap resistor that was non-factory installed. Partial Provenance
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2017-06-16. | 460 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ▪ Musee de la Musique: 221 av. Jean-Jaurés, 19e, 75017 Paris, France | ||
200112OwnerMike BuffingtonPartial Provenance
NotesCame 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. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | N/A | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | Mike Buffington | Brooklyn, New York | ||
200118OwnerPeter PringleThis theremin has a grid cap resistor. SpeakerClaratone Partial Provenance
Notespeterpringle.com/meethoffman.html PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | N/A | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | Peter Pringle | Québec, Canada | ||
200125OwnerPrivate ownerHas AEOLIAN decal SpeakerRCA 106 Loudspeaker Partial Provenance
NotesThe 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.” PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2016-11-15. | 503 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Private owner | AEOLIAN | ||
200129OwnerStanley HirshThis theremin has a grid cap resistor. Partial Provenance
NotesBoth 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. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2013-02-15. | 91 | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | Stanley Hirsh | El Paso, Texas | ||
200130OwnerPrivate ownerPartial Provenance
NotesMissing legs, poor condition PhotosNone This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | 218 | ? | ✗ | ? | Private owner | ||
200132OwnerYoko OnishiSpeakerRCA 106 Loudspeaker Partial Provenance
NotesThe 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. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry. | N/A | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | Yoko Onishi | Kanagawa, Japan | ||
200135OwnerTropikordia Foundation
SpeakerRCA 106 Loudspeaker Full Provenance
Notes
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2012-03-05. | 147 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Tropikordia Foundation | Gainesville, Florida | ||
200136OwnerSynthorama Museum for Synthesizers
Partial Provenance
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2016-02-15. | 225 | ✓ | ✗ | ? | ▪ Synthorama Museum for Synthesizers: Hauptstrasse 15, 4542 Luterbach, Switzerland | ||
200138OwnerNational Music Museum
Partial Provenance
NotesNMM 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. PhotosNone This theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry. | ? | ? | ? | ? | ▪ National Music Museum: 414 East Clark Street, Vermillion, SD 57069, USA | ||
200141OwnerPrivate ownerSpeakerbuilt-in Partial Provenance
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2013-07-23. | 22 | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | Private owner | ||
200144OwnerPrivate owner
Speaker106 Partial Provenance
NotesWas listed on eBay (auction no. 170577673240) $11,500 starting bid with $13,000 reserve. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | 269 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Private owner | ||
200145OwnerPrivate ownerPartial Provenance
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2014-01-16. | 447 | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | Private owner | Aarwangen, Switzerland | ||
200150OwnerThe Franklin Institute Science Museum
This theremin has a grid cap resistor. SpeakerRCA 106 Loudspeaker Full Provenance
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. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | 344 | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ▪ The Franklin Institute: 222 North 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA | ||
200159OwnerUnknown owner
SpeakerRCA 106 Loudspeaker Partial Provenance
NotesElectronically 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. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | ? | ? | ? | ✓ | Unknown | ||
200171OwnerWally De BackerSpeakerRCA 106 Loudspeaker Partial Provenance
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry. | 118 | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | Wally De Backer | Brooklyn, New York | ||
200174OwnerPrivate ownerPartial Provenance
NotesAuction 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) PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | 224 | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | Private owner | ||
200180OwnerPrivate ownerPartial Provenance
Notes12-10-04 eBay auction. Missing doors, patched (taped around portions of windings) coils, “needs rewiring” in auction description. Seller: Michael Bogart, Toronto. Sold to Olivia Mattis PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | N/A | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Private owner | Oxfordshire, England | ||
200181OwnerDave ArlandSpeakerRCA 106 Loudspeaker Partial Provenance
Notes
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry. | 154 | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | Dave Arland | Carmel, Indiana | ||
200182OwnerPerry MargouleffThis theremin has a grid cap resistor that was factory installed. Partial Provenance
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2013-02-12. | 457 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Perry Margouleff | Glen Cove, New York | ||
200183OwnerVintage X-Ray MuseumSpeakerRCA 106 Loudspeaker Partial Provenance
NotesNote the brass plaque on the chassis board is identical in style to RCA #100200. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry. | 297 | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | Vintage X-Ray Museum | Lake Worth, Florida | ||
200190OwnerMoog MusicThis theremin has a grid cap resistor. Partial Provenance
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry. | ? | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ▪ Moog Music: 160 Broadway St Asheville, NC 28801, USA | ||
200199OwnerPrivate ownerPartial Provenance
NotesIt 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! PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | 152 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Private owner | Wisconsin |
ID | Serial|Doors | Fin | Leg | Ant | Currently Located In or Owned By |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1OwnerAlex SchubPartial Provenance
NotesThis 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). PhotosNone This theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry. | 20 | ? | ? | ? | Alex Schub | Los Angeles, California |
2OwnerDebbi SchwarzPartial Provenance
NotesThis 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. PhotosNone This theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry. | 117 | ? | ? | ? | Debbi Schwarz |
4OwnerDuane SaetveitPartial Provenance
NotesThis 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! PhotosNone This theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry. | 331 | ? | ? | ? | Duane Saetveit | Buffalo, New York |
5OwnerThe Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins UniversityPartial Provenance
NotesIt 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. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry. | 200XXX|371 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ▪ Arthur Friedheim Library: 1 East Mount Vernon Place Baltimore, MD 21202, USA |
6OwnerNational Music MuseumPartial Provenance
NotesThis 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. PhotosNone This theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry. | ? | ? | ? | ▪ National Music Museum: 414 East Clark Street, Vermillion, SD 57069, USA | |
13OwnerThe ExploratoriumPartial Provenance
NotesFrom the Exploratorium’s Archive: PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry. | 249 | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ▪ The Exploratorium: 3601 Lyon Street, San Francisco, CA, USA |
14OwnerThe Henry Ford Museum Collection
Partial Provenance
NotesHFM 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. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry. | ? | ? | ? | ▪ The Henry Ford Museum Collection: 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn, MI 48124-5029, USA | |
15OwnerThe Henry Ford Museum CollectionPartial Provenance
NotesHFM Object ID 43.139.1 PhotosNone This theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry. | ? | ? | ? | ▪ The Henry Ford Museum Collection: 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn, MI 48124-5029, USA | |
16OwnerThe Henry Ford Museum CollectionPartial Provenance
NotesHFM Object ID 36.556.15 and is in a walnut case PhotosNone This theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry. | ? | ? | ? | ▪ The Henry Ford Museum Collection: 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn, MI 48124-5029, USA | |
17OwnerJane EvansSpeaker106 built into cabinet Partial Provenance
NotesThis entry is originally from thereminworld.com’s original registry. Information may be out of date.
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry. | 100XXX|521 | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | Jane Evans | Texas |
18OwnerDavid A. NewtonFull Provenance
NotesThis entry is originally from thereminworld.com’s original registry. Information may be out of date.
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was transferred from thereminworld.com’s original registry. | 100XXX|223 | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | David A. Newton | Portland, Oregon |
25OwnerUnknown ownerPartial Provenance
NoteseBay 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. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | 200XXX | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | Unknown | Beaverton, Canada |
37OwnerDon BicePartial Provenance
PhotosNone This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | ? | ? | ? | Don Bice | Glendale, California | |
38OwnerPrivate ownerPartial Provenance
Notesexcellent condition PhotosNone This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | ? | ? | ? | Private owner | Ohio | |
39OwnerPrivate ownerPartial Provenance
Notesseen alongside recent theremin in auction for finish comparision. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | 200XXX | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Private owner | New York/California |
41OwnerPrivate ownerPartial Provenance
NotesSteven 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. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | 100XXX | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Private owner |
42OwnerUnknown ownerPartial Provenance
NotesYes, 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. PhotosNone This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | ? | ? | ? | Unknown | |
43OwnerPrivate ownerPartial Provenance
NotesNew leg stand. Westinghouse Pitch coil. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | 100XXX | ✓ | ✗ | ? | ▪ Unknown Museum: |
47OwnerUniversity of Central Missouri, Department of MusicPartial Provenance
NotesCurrently missing chassis. PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | N/A|414 | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ▪ University of Central Missouri: 109 Utt Building, Warrensburg, MO 64093, USA |
51OwnerRebecca MercuriSpeakerRCA 106 Loudspeaker Partial Provenance
PhotosNone This theremin debuted here on 2012-02-28 with the site launch. | ? | ? | ? | Rebecca Mercuri | New Jersey | |
53OwnerAntiquity MusicPartial Provenance
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2012-10-11. | 100XXX | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ▪ Antiquity Music: 12031 Jefferson Blvd., Culver City, CA, 90230, USA |
55OwnerPrivate ownerFull Provenance
NotesWestinghouse 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). PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2013-11-27. | 200XXX|439 | ? | ✗ | ✓ | Private owner | Tokyo, Japan |
56OwnerPrivate ownerPartial Provenance
PhotosNone This theremin was added to the registry on 2014-01-16. | 10012X|80 | ? | ? | ? | Private owner |
57OwnerPrivate ownerPartial Provenance
PhotosDirect link to this RCAThis theremin was added to the registry on 2023-05-15. | 200XXX | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | Private owner | New York |
Note that there are numerical gaps in the Unregistered list from theremins which have been identified and moved to Registered.