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AI Appraisal
Description
Pump organ, not in working order.
Hoping to donate it to a museum in South Africa.
Category
Music and Music Instruments
Medium
Wood
Distinguishing marks
Says made by Cornish Company, Washington, New Jersey.
It has a sticker inside the back that says "Improved Stop Action" Patented March 18th, 1890, no 423,750.
It has a sticker inside the back that says "Improved Stop Action" Patented March 18th, 1890, no 423,750.
Condition
Fair
Date Period
used between- estimate 1890 - 1917
History
This organ was ordered from the USA and shipped to Durban harbour in South Africa. It was then transported by ox-wagon to the north of the country to a town called Pietersburg (now renamed to Polokwane). It was installed into the first "mother church" of the Dutch Reformed Church in the town. The exact date of it being installed and used are unknown but this church operated from 1890 till 1917.
In 1918 a new church was build with a pipe organ, and this organ was sold to a congregant, Mr C.F. van Dyk, who passed it down to his grandson Mr Peter Wheeler in about 1970, who still has it in his home, in Pretoria, South Africa.
The one wooden stop which controls the Vox Humana was missing when the organ was sold to Mr van Dyk. The one foot pedal strap and the air bellow have broken in the last 20 years due to deterioration.
In 1918 a new church was build with a pipe organ, and this organ was sold to a congregant, Mr C.F. van Dyk, who passed it down to his grandson Mr Peter Wheeler in about 1970, who still has it in his home, in Pretoria, South Africa.
The one wooden stop which controls the Vox Humana was missing when the organ was sold to Mr van Dyk. The one foot pedal strap and the air bellow have broken in the last 20 years due to deterioration.
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