The Autophone Company of Ithaca, New York produced thousands of hand cranked pneumatic reed organs during the 19th and early-20th century, including the Gem Roller Organ and the Concert Roller Organ. These 20-note instruments use interchangeable 6-1/2" long metal-pin-studded wooden cylinders that come into contact with the hinged ends of organ valves and cause them to lift. When they lift, they admit wind into the box through vacuum systems and create musical tunes. The Concert model Autophone Roller Organs added a protective glass cover over the wooden cylinder.
The Gem was made available to music lovers across the country through hundreds of different music merchandisers; however, they could also be purchased out of the Sears & Roebuck catalogue. At one point near the turn of the twentieth century, they were available for $3.25.