Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info
MMD > Archives > July 2003 > 2003.07.28 > 01Prev  Next


Licensing Street Organs in Paris
By Vincent Morgan

I just received the following comment from Eve Chaillat of the
Le Ludion Organ Co. in Toulouse, France.

Vincent Morgan, New York City

 - - -

Regarding the report about the barrel organ in Paris, be assured that,
in this era with a wide range of beggars, it is not easy to go down
on the street and play the organ.  Obviously it is necessary to get
a license.  Some grinders try to get an agreement with a cafe.

As in the past, all grinders must wear a special metal plate, as a
beggar's license; we show that on our web site www.Musique-Mecanique.com
and also the "ordonnance" dated Paris, 4 July 1816, which explains that
too many people play organs in the street and sing seditious songs.
For that reason, the government tries to control them and authorize
only well-known tunes or themes from the up-to-date theater shows.

Eve Chaillat
Le Ludion
Toulouse
http://www.Musique-Mecanique.com/
http://www.LeLudion.com/

 [ At http://www.musique-mecanique.com/pag_musee/autorisation.htm
 [ (translation by Robbie):
 [
 [   PREFECTURE OF POLICE
 [   ORDINANCE
 [   Concerning Players of Organs in Streets and Public Places
 [   Paris, July 4, 1816.
 [
 [   WE, THE MINISTRY OF STATE, PREFECT OF POLICE,
 [   In consideration that the number of Organ Players, in the streets
 [   and public places, have increased considerably within the province
 [   of the Prefecture of Police:
 [
 [   That those who exercise this profession often give rise to
 [   complaints, either because of the ribald songs that they sometimes
 [   take the liberty to sing, or because of embarrassments that they
 [   cause in streets and places where they station themselves; That
 [   for lack of comfortable means to recognize those who cause these
 [   complaints, the guilty can only with difficulty be repressed. ...
 [
 [ I am impressed that the phrases of the Paris ordinance of 200 years
 [ ago are very much like today's English declarations.  Ah, oui!  It's
 [ the influence of the law court and lawyers!  ;-)  -- Robbie


(Message sent Mon 28 Jul 2003, 23:38:31 GMT, from time zone GMT-0400.)

Key Words in Subject:  Licensing, Organs, Paris, Street

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page