Radio-Victor Corporation of America (New York City)

An early electronic musical instrument, the Theremin is named for its inventor, Russian professor Léon Theremin, who patented it in the U.S. in 1928 and subsequently licensed its manufacture to RCA. It is played without physical contact by holding one's hands near two metal antennae connected to oscillator circuits, an amplifier and a loudspeaker. The movement of one hand controls the musical pitch and the other controls the volume. The Theremin has been used in several well-known movies including Spellbound and The Day the Earth Stood Still; a similar-sounding instrument was used in the Beach Boy's 1966 hit song "Good Vibrations." This example is complete with its original amplifier and interior components, with a new freestanding speaker of the type commonly used when the instrument was used with orchestras or in public concerts. It was built by a Theremin authority, who also conducted a professional restoration of the other components. These rare and seldom encountered instruments from the "golden age" are sought after by today's collectors for their unique sound. 37x96x34 inches.