The original organ was called "The big 'Vreese' of 'the Fist'".  In
plain Dutch: "De Grote Vreese van de Vuist".  "Vreese" was an organ
builder, and "de Vuist" was Mr. Bijvoet, nicknamed "de Vuist" (the
Fist, guess why!).

In the famous book "Glorieuze orgeldagen" (may be best translated
by "those glorious street organ times") by Frans Wieffering, he writes
about this organ (shortened and adapted -- J.K.):

  George Bijvoet, also known as "de Vuist", rented this excellent
  67-keys De Vreese organ from the Warnies company.  The organ was
  sold to Mr. Van der Wouden.  Carl Frei did a check-up on the
  instrument, and it went to the Hague, in which city it was exploited
  under the name of "De Hagenaar".  (A "Hagenaar" is an inhabitant of
  the Hague, like a Londoner is supposed to be living in London).

After some traveling around, the organ landed in the northern part
of Holland, maybe the city of Groningen.  Anyway, it was recalled as
a 90-key organ.

Quoting Frans Wieffenaar now:

  The organ landed up in the northern regions, and was qualified as
  being a 90-key Marenghi.  I do not know who was telling this
  madness.  In the very first place: 90-key organs do not exist, but
  89-key organs do.  The 89-key gamma was constructed by Gavioli,
  followed by Marenghi, Mortier, Limonaire and, as well, Carl Frei.
  In the second place: It was not a Marenghi, but a brand new organ
  built by De Vreese.

  The organ was finally transferred into the hands of Mr. Boomsma, and
  got back his name "De Hagenaar".

(end of quote)

In the more recent book "Draaiorgels, hun geschiedenis en betekenis",
we also meet "De Hagenaar", in this case as a "Farewell-organ".  A
picture shows us the organ still active in Holland, and the
accompanying text informs us correctly:  "The farewell-organ "The
Hagenaar", created by rebuilding the "Grote de Vreese" (by Carl
Frei).  The picture is made by Mr. Romke de Waard.

Maybe Hans van Oost (KDV) or Dick van Minnen (Museum van Speelklok
tot Pierement) have additional information?

And maybe the owner of "de Hagenaar" in New York could tell us more
about the organ (or, who knows, send us a picture as an e-mail
attachment?)

Jan Kijlstra