Digitorium

[jmacg]

I am writing a social history of the piano in New Zealand and one thing I'm mentioning is the 'Digitorum', a finger exercise machine made by Chappell and Co. It was advertised here in 1870. I am keen to get an illustration of one of these machines and I wonder if you can point me to someone or organisation who might be able to help. The Digitorium had five ivory piano keys and was supposed help players strengthen their fingers by playing weighted keys, the weight of which could be adjusted. It was produced by Chappell between 1860 and 1880. (They may have stopped making it because I understand it did more harm than good.) While I know Chappells made a Digitorium, it may have been made by other firms as well, and I don't particularly care who the maker is, because that is not specified in the advert. If you're interested in the synopsis of my book, it is at
www.ngaiopress.com/synopsis.htm

[Bill Kibby]

I think you'll find that although other people made somewhat similar devices, Digitorium was Chappells' name. Email me, I may have an illustration.

[jmacg]

I now have a Digitorium! (Thanks to Bill Kibby).

[stevem]

A charity shop I work in has recently had a digitorium donated. It was manufactured/sold by Metzler & Co Ltd.
Other than this forum I have only found definitions/descriptions or photographs of a digitorium, and the 3 photos I have found are of items in museums.
Can anyone give me an idea of how much it is worth, and where best to sell it? It would be nice if the charity could make some money from it.

[Bill Kibby]

Digitorium was Chappells' name, but Metzler could well have sold them. We are not licensed valuers.

[Gill the Piano]

I've got one, but it was retailed by Richard Cook & Go., 133 Fenchurch Street, London EC. It hasn't got ivory keys though, just wood (mahogany, I think) throughout the whole thing. There's one in the Horniman Museum. If you need a pic of mine I cam get someone to take one for you.