Paul Morris writes in 020919 MMDigest:

> I suspect the "Pipe Orchestra" was similar to a Pipe Orchestrelle,
> the early form of Aeolian pipe organ with a divided specification
> like an Orchestrelle.

Good!  So there _was_ a Pipe Orchestrelle, with divided stops.

Divided stops are a good idea and often found on old hand-played church
and chamber organs, especially with only one manual keyboard.  In
particular the Bourdon 16' stop will draw separately in the bass, so
the organist can play bass accompaniment left-handed without muddying
up the right-hand melody with the sub-octave voice.  Also solo reed
stops usually draw in halves on these small organs, as in Oboe treble
and Bassoon bass.

Spanish Baroque organs are unique.  Every stop draws separately for
bass and treble, no matter how many manuals the organ has, making the
instrument look twice as large as it is.

American reed organs, of course, are usually totally divided in their
registrations.

Mike Knudsen