Signed "George A. Prince of Buffalo, New York," this spectacular rosewood "Organ Melodeon" has two ranks of genuine ivory keys, stops and a foot pedal rank as well.
Although in playing condition, this historic musical instrument deserves serious restoration. Many years ago, the bellows were replaced with an electric pump. At least one note is stuck on, several keys do not play, stops do not work well, and the linkage for the foot pedal notes is damaged. There are fragmentary pieces to use or reconstruct.
On the right is a "swell" or loudness pedal. The rosewood case appears to have its original finish, there are dings, burns and mars as shown and the music desk is a later reconstruction. Prince did not furnish matching benches, so a walnut bench from about 1925 is included.
George Prince was born in 1818, began melodeon production in 1846. His very successful business produced 24,000 instruments by 1860. This model is shown in an 1865 ad for the company, and Buffalo became known as the "Melodeon Capital of the World." A similar example of this historic organ is at the Metropolitan Museum in New York City.
When closed, the case measures 52"wide, 29"deep and 38" tall, exclusive of the removable pedal assembly.
Item # J-16136
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