Hello again,  Well, I am back seeking information for a friend who
has a very unusual barrel organ and writing desk combination.

It is German, ca. 1830-1850; it contains a clock on the top with
perhaps a 30 key barrel organ in the upper 1/3rd of the piece and
fold-down writing desk and storage drawers in the lower 2/3rds.  The
piece measures about 9 feet high, 6 feet wide and 2-1/2 feet deep
(approximately).

There is a clock mounted on the top of this piece with a face size
of 6-8 inches.  The ornate, wooden enclosure for the clock is about
18 inches square.

The entire piece has drawers and doors with four columns (approximately
2 feet high) across the middle.  These very ornate columns pull out to
reveal narrow "hidden" compartments.  When you open the middle doors,
a very ornate writing desk is revealed, complete with beautiful inlays.
When the inner, middle doors are opened, the compartments for writing
supplies are noted along with more "secret" compartments.

The upper one-third of this large piece, when opened, reveals about
100 wooden pipes which are apparently associated with a barrel organ.
Somewhere on the piece, according to my friend (perhaps on the clock
face), is the name "Wheatermeyer" (this is likely the incorrect
spelling).  The organ is connected to the clock so it performs every
hour on the hour.  The piece is reportedly German, circa 1830-1850.

This piece was "reviewed" by Sotherbys who stated they "could get
at least $45,000 for the piece" (supposedly) but did not share much
information with the owner.  I suspect that this is a very custom piece
made early during the last century.

In my 40 years in mechanical music, I have never owned or seen such a
piece.  It is kind of an organ clock built on top of a beautiful old
writing desk.  The pipes appear to be of very good quality and the desk
with the ornate center columns is fantastic.

Can anyone help me with information on this piece?  How about it
Philippe?  Siegfried (Wendel), I suspect you may know exactly what it
is?  Any leads or possible sources of information would be appreciated.
Art, with your vast knowledge of the "unusual," I would love to hear
from you.  Thanks to everyone in advance for any help that you might
be able to give me.  Please respond to <cotps@aol.com>.

With best regards,

Rick and Betty Cooley
Cooley's Olde Tyme Piano Shoppe