Marino Persechini was a street performer/musician in Boston, Massachusetts. He purchased his instrument in 1899 in New York City and played the instrument throughout Boston until he retired in 1974. At the time of his retirement he was 94 and the instrument was 75 years old. He sold the instrument to Frank O'Boy of Towne Antiques in Brookline, Massachusetts, who encouraged people to come to his store and hear the instrument. Special thanks to Stephen Baird of the Street Arts & Busker Advocates website where much of this history (and some of the photographs found below) were gleaned.
And thanks to Andrew Pinard for helping this unique instrument find its way into our hands. Please be sure to check out their  websites: