Organ identification?

[nutmegct]

This popped up on the Yahoo email list. Can anyone identify the maker and model? Two stops (Diapason and Principal), knee swell; the only detail found stamped inside is 3165 JEBW.



Tom M.

[myorgan]

Tom,

It is a cabinet organ, but I'm more familiar with the Mason & Hamlin organs rather than this. Considering the width of the treadles, I suspect it is of European origin, and is an harmonium and works on pressure rather than suction.

I'm curious to find out what it is when more educated minds weigh in.

Michael

[nutmegct]

Thanks Michael. I had thought harmonium too, but wouldn't a harmonium have an "expression" knob - and not a knee swell?

Also, my 99% inexperienced brain seems to recall that a harmonium runs C to C, not F to F.

[myorgan]

Great observations! I missed those. I'm sure those two indications could be variants on an harmonium, but I would imagine the same could be true of a reed/pump organ.

Good eye!

Michael

[Rodney]

Hi Tom,

I think it could be any one of the case suppliers or builders from the New England area, like New Haven, Shoninger, Loring & Blake or Woods (etc) . The squared off trim work is similar to the case on my W. Bell, which the case was also outsourced from USA. https://www.reedsoc.org/index.php/ro...12758&itemID=8

[Organfella]

Very interesting piece. Where are the treadles? The straps indicate there must be somewhere. I like the platform in the front. This suggests that the treadles are collapsible and folded into the cavity, like the Sherlock-Manning. Nifty idea as it rounds off the cabinet neatly while the organ is not in use.
Nico

[myorgan]

Where are the treadles? The straps indicate there must be somewhere.

Nico,

I think perhaps the straps were cut, and the treadles are under them inside the organ (just rotated down). It's hard to tell from the one photo showing them.

Michael

[nutmegct]

Another of the Forum's great mysteries! For the last two hours, whenever I'd attempt to access the forum, I'd get "server down" or "connection refused". I couldn't even ping the forum host (Dreamhost). I was hoping to read Michael's reply to Nico's question about the treadles; I'd received email notice of that q&a..

I finally made contact with the forum just now (3pm EST), and see Rodney's post - from yesterday! - about New England builders - which wasn't there when I previously checked the forum earlier today.

The merry circus continues!

(Rodney - thanks for the possibilities).

Tom M.

[Organfella]

Perhaps the virus finally got hold of the Forum as well.... Nico

[nutmegct]

The fun never ends! I just (5/28, 12 noon EST) got an email notice of Myorgan and Organfella's 5/21 and 5/22 comments - six days after the comments were posted! Yippee!

[myorgan]

We talk s-l-o-w-l-y!

Michael