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For historic importance, rarity and maintenance, Ill give this carousel a 9. The Charles Carmel carvings are SPECTACULAR - here you will find his absolute best work, and Borellis enhancement of them is done in perfect taste. My only complaints are that the band organ - an absolute jewel Gavioli with mechanical figures - is horribly out of tune; Playland could really do well in giving it a little attention...and that the carousel is run WAY too slow! There is an original Mangels manufacturers plate to the right of the band organ, stating "Max speed 6 rpm" - being the carousel nerd that I am, I timed the rate at which Playland runs the machine - 3 rpm! No wonder it seems so slow. I was miffed to find that it never gained the momentum needed to utilize the floor slips, designed to let the horses swing out with the centrifugal force. This is a very rare feature in carousels, and its a crime that this one doesnt have the chance to show it off.
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