Apollo
In 1901, the Melville Clark Piano Company introduced the Apollo line of pianos and player pianos (not to be confused with the Japanese brand “Apollo” from the mid 20th Century). Melville Clark was an inventor and innovator, and these Apollo instruments were built as high quality, advanced instruments for their time. Apollo built pianos and player pianos under the names of Apollo, Art-Apollo and Apollophone (a player piano with a built in phonograph). By the 1920s, the famous Rudolph Wurlitzer Company had gained completed control of both Melville Clark and Apollo brand names, and Wurlitzer continued to build pianos under both the Melville Clark and Apollo labels until the World War II era.
We have restored a number of Apollo brand pianos and player pianos in our restoration shop over the years. The quality of Apollo pianos is exceptional, and the sound quality of these instruments consistently rivals the most well-known and costly brand names!
INSTRUMENT CATALOGS & EPHEMERA
Can you find your instrument listed in these antique catalogs?
Apollo player piano catalog, circa 1906
Apollo player piano catalog, circa 1915
Wurlitzer sales catalog featuring both “Wurlitzer” and “Apollo” brand of pianos and player pianos, circa 1930
Apollo Advertisements
Early 20th Century advertisements for Apollo pianos and player pianos
Related Restorations
Click the photos below to see the amazing restoration processes