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Hey John
Just took this photo of the earliest example of the invention of the American Reed Organ (called "Melodeon") invented circa 1842 which I told you about. It was acquired in Palmer Mass. back in the 70's. I have left it in all original condition with the papers intact that are glued to the bellows. It was pumped via a rope that hung down in which the foot could be inserted in a loop so that it could be pumped. I highly doubt there are many of these left in existance, for soon 2 Iron Pedals were invented. (One for the bellows and the other for expression.) In less than 10 years from this simple beginning, the double pump Reed Parlor Organ emerged as "the" instrument of the American People. (Pianos were still much too pricey at the time for the average person to afford.) The case is of Rosewood and the whole instrument is quite light in weight. I doubt it could hold-up to much. Range was 4 octaves plus one black note. (c2-c#6.) Must have been a killer to pump this one! LOL :-)
Justin~
Thank you very much Justin! That's adorable! Is it in playing condition? Do you play it? I've seen a person play one of those on Youtube, but it has the foot pedals of brass. I thought of making one with ropes to put your feet in myself! I can't remember if I came up with it or heard about it first & forgot. The very first were invented in Europe.
Hey John C
Yes, it IS adorable and is the only Reed Organ I now own. I have always treasured it and just about guard it with my life! LOL :-)
It "might" still be in playing condition. When I acquired it, I pushed the bellows up with one hand and with the other had my fingers on a C Major Triad. The 3 notes sounded. At 1st I was going to restore, but decided against because of the original papers affixed and the fact that this may be about the only survivor left in all original undamaged condition. This Melodeon was only pumped by one foot as the double foot method had not yet been figured-out in the beginning infancy of the American Reed Organ. It is a very fragile piece and I fail to see how it could have stood up to much use before something cracked or broke.......probably one of the legs for sure. It weighs less than 15 pounds total and does not fold-up.
Yes, the reeds did come first in Europe and may have begun their start in India perhaps?
Hope you had a nice weekend.
Justin~
Nice little pump organ... somewhat like the predecessor of the electrically blown reed organs of the 1950s to 1970s (Magnus, Bontempi, Antonelli, just to mention a few brands) - I also owned and played one when I was 11 to 12 years old (but soon left it for a full-fledged two-manual electronic organ)! A nice instrument with a 37-key manual and 16 chord keys to the left - major and minor, each ranging from E flat to E along the circle of fifths (probably C minor to C sharp minor would have been more appropriate...).
There also exists a photo from early September 1991 showing me (back then only with longish rather than really long hair) playing an old pump organ - an acquaintance who was with me even came up with "Anitra's Dance" from Edvard Grieg's Peer Gynt Suites on that instrument!
But generally spoken, I'm much more into electro-magnetical tonewheel Hammond organs... hoping to find a chance to bang away on a B-3 or at least an A-100 in the nearer future (unfortunately, these beasts are too big for my small apartment - and very expensive here in Germany)!
See you in Khyberspace!