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Portable Pump Organ Questions

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  • Portable Pump Organ Questions



    Hi Everyone,</p>

    Just found this forum and have been reading up on all the info here.</p>

    I was wondering if anyone would be able to help me out with some questions on a pump organ I just acquired. It's from an old church and they used to take it out on Sunday school outings to the park and play it there.</p>

    It's got Kingsley written on it, and it looks like it's made by a local company from here in Brisbane - but I can't find any record of that company on the net anywhere.</p>

    </p>

    It's a bit beat up as you can see. But the church it's from is about 100 years old - so I'm guessing it could be that old too.</p>

    These are the legs that fold up under neath the bellows when it's closed.</p>

    </p>

    </p>

    And here's the front of it.</p>

    </p>

    </p>

    It all folds up into itself and forms a box. It's quite cute really. It plays beautifully and is all in tune with itself - although it's about a quarter tone off concert pitch.
    </p>

    Any ideas on how much it's worth? if anything and what sort of history these instruments have. Any websites out there about them? I couldn't find anything. :-(
    </p>

  • #2
    Re: Portable Pump Organ Questions



    Hi Vicky,</p>

    I saw a similar instrument for sale on ebay a while ago and they referred to it as a "chaplain's portable organ". The one being sold was used by US Army chaplain's for field services. If you do a Google search on chaplain's portable organ you'll find a number of links to explore. There is a YouTube link (below) to a fellow playing one that he says was about 100 years old. Seems they were also used by missionaries. I've seen instruments like this with the bellows built onto the back of the unit used by folk and indian musicians. Of course you're stuck with only using one hand unless you've got somebody to work the bellows. The new ones seem to go for a couple hundred dollars on ebay.
    </p>

    http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=WeO_Sw-soio
    </p>

    </p>
    Gary

    Current: Rodgers 340 "Special", Gulbransen Rialto K (Both Versions), Allen Theatre Deluxe, Rodgers Olympic 333, Roland Atelier AT70 (I hope)
    History: Rodgers 321B, Rodgers 740B, Gulbransen Theatrum, Hammond H-133, Thomas Malibu, Heathkit/Thomas Paramount

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Portable Pump Organ Questions



      It looks for all the world like a Bilhorn Folding Organ. The way it folds is the same. Ditto the round sound holes, wire knee swell. Is it made of plywood? Bilhorns were.</p>

      Looks like it says "King &amp; King" not Kingsley.</p>

      Casey</p>

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Portable Pump Organ Questions



        hi vicky </p>

        My name is Gavin I have a few questions about your pump organ in you still have it.  My e-mail is [email protected]  </p>

        Comment


        • #5
          Yes, that's a Bilhorn all right: Casey was right, as is usually the case.

          Regards,

          Mark.

          Comment


          • #6
            Here's all the info on Bilhorn in Robert Gellerman's Reed Organ Atlas........

            Bilhorn brothers Organ Co: founded 1885: 56 Fifth Av: 518-20 Fifth Ave: 207 N.Wells St: 1414 McLean Ave: 77 W.Lake St: in 1932 Chicago IL: music publishers and makers of folding organs: also Bilhorn Organ Co: Peter Philip Bilhorn, proprietor and George E.Bilhorn. Made organs for Sears, Roebuck in 1902. Bought reeds and reed boards from Hinners Organ Co. Active at leat through 1941. Serial numbers: 1900-1094, 1900-1107, 1903-2858, 1933 322175.

            If you can find a serial number on yours and it ties up with one of those above you will know a) if it is indeed a Bilhorn and b) roughly when it was made.

            I hope this helps you in your research.

            Regards,

            Mark.

            Comment

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