Being an autoharpist, I have just been passed this image of the Carlingcott Orchestra. Carlingcott is an ex mining village south west of Bath UK. The Wesleyan Chapel Orchestra is said to have existed for over 130 years.

What interests me is the two autoharps and the zither in the back row. Given that the autoharp was said to be invented around 1890, and this photo, going by clothing, is pre Great War, they must have been fairly new instruments. Also, the left hand harp looks like it is fully chromatic, i.e. the bars can be pre-selected to one of three positions to alter the key.

I have one of these autoharps, and still occasionally play it, but it is very worn now. I'm looking or another.

Just thought I'd share this with you good folks:

Carlingcott Orchestra

Tone