Aeolian Organ Company dated the specification sheet for Opus 1280 as
August 23, 1913.  This is one of two organs they sold to Helen Gould
Shepard on the same day.  Apparently the contracts were finalized a few
days later on September 4, 1913.

The other organ, Opus 1281, was installed in her summer home in
Tarrytown, N.Y., while Opus 1280, which I now own, was installed in the
Jay Gould house on Fifth Avenue, New York City (the northeast corner at
47th Street).

What is significant about Opus 1280, other than its survival, is that
its pipe rank specification is an almost perfect match to the ranks
called for on the automatic Duo-Art rolls.  The Duo-Art was first
introduced in 1915, so it is safe to assume that the concept of the
fully self-registering organ was being developed when Opus 1280 was
designed.

Many of you know that I have equipped Opus 1280 with a Duo-Art playing
system as well as a MIDI system.  The organ is now alive and well and
performs daily.  During this centennial year, several events and
recordings will be produced.  Those will be announced later.

To get my creative juices flowing, AMICA president and Atlanta resident
Tim Baxter gave me a tour of an original Aeolian installation in the
Callanwolde mansion when I recently passed through his area
(http://www.callanwolde.org/tour/organ.html ).  The organ is in the
walls and ceiling of this huge house and is indeed a treasure of days
gone by.

My organ has a website at http://aeolianorgan.com/aeolian/Welcome.html 

In the year to come, there will be additions to the site, but for now
you can explore what is there.  Under the specification page, you'll
see the August 23, 1913, date.

Bob Taylor
Missouri