In Tim Trager's article in MMD 981213, about Jim Krughoff's 97-key Van
Steenput organ, he writes:-

> The Steenput is unique in that it has the mixtures found in a
> German organ as well as the orchestral ranks usually associated
> with an organ of French origin.

This puzzle can be answered by the sleeve notes of an LP of this
organ issued by the KDV (catalogue number KDV003 - release date
unknown).  This recording starts with Tom Meijer's arrangement of
Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2, which inspired Jim to buy the organ
in the first place.

  "When you take a look at the dimensions of this organ you probably
  won't believe that it once has been a barrel organ -- possibly a
  Ruth or a Richter.  Anyhow, the Van Steenput Brothers built a second
  case with pipes in front of the original one.  Most certainly some
  parts of the interior of the old organ have been incorporated in the
  present instrument."

So, it would seem that the Van Steenputs took the 'Double Ruth'
approach, only using an older organ as a starting point and about
10 years later.  The parallel with the Double Ruth (type 39) does not
stop there -- two Double Ruths were also built, but happily both are
still with us.

As an aside, the figures now adorning this organ were purchased in
1993 at the Brillscote Farm auction of part of the late Lord and
Lady Bangor's fairground collection.  The bulk of the collection
was displayed at Wookey Hole Caves in Wells, Somerset, but was sadly
disbanded and auctioned on 6th October 1997.  Pictures of some of the
items displayed and a report on the auction can be found on Brian
Steptoe's 'U.K. Gallopers' site at:-

   http://www.carousel.org/galloper/9701.html
   http://www.carousel.org/galloper/9711.html

Hope this is of interest.

Jeremy Brice.
Watford, Hertfordshire. U.K.