 | Big Bertha Big Bertha resided on a Looff Carousel in Ramona Park, Grand Rapids, Michigan from 1910 to 1945. She was made by Limonaire in France in the late 1800’s. First, she was a barrel organ, then she played from perforated cardboard books, then North Tonawanda endless rolls, then 82 key Artisan rolls, and now #165 Wurlitzer Military Band Rolls. She plays 369 pipes, a snare drum (with an action harking back to Leonard DaVinci!) a bass drum, two bells, tympani, double castanets, cymbals, a triangle and a set of 18 bells. She also has three life-like figures, many decorations and even a very savage-looking gargoyle. |
