I recently acquired, in the UK, a Mason and Hamlin reed organ
containing a 46-note roll player. It has a very attractive,
substantial walnut cabinet with a 'parlor' top with dummy pipes.
The roll player is squeezed in under the music rack and appears to
be original. The roll motor is divided in two, the 2 halves being
spaced far apart at either side of the instrument, connected by
a crank shaft 3 feet 6 inches long! Transmission is by cogwheels
for Play, leather belt for Rewind.
Despite its appearance and the illustrious name of Mason and Hamlin,
this is a very humble and basic instrument, musically speaking.
There are just two rows of reeds (one row plus two half-rows would be
more accurate) available for hand playing (8' and 4' in the bass, and
2 x 8' in the treble) with no octave couplers. The roll seems to
command an extra 8' rank, mounted vertically at the back of the case,
which is playing all the time; I have not yet been able to ascertain
if the manual ranks can also be used by the roll player.
I have looked in vain for any kind of serial number. The only numbers
I can find are stamped into the left end of the keyboard frame, "25",
followed one inch later by a solitary "2". Can anyone tell me what
these numbers mean?
I have worked on many reed organs over the years, but never before on
a Mason and Hamlin. I have checked every online resource which I can
find, plus my library of books and sale catalogues, but I can find no
reference anywhere to any kind of Mason and Hamlin player organ; surely
this cannot be a unique survivor? Does anyone out there have any
further information, please?
Rowland Lee
UK
[ Mason and Hamlin 46 note player organ
[ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/15/02/02/150202_072803_mandh1.jpg
[ Mason and Hamlin 46 note player organ roll player detail
[ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/15/02/02/150202_072803_mandh7.jpg
[ Mason and Hamlin 46 note player organ stops 1
[ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/15/02/02/150202_072803_mandh8.jpg
[ Mason and Hamlin 46 note player organ stops 2
[ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/15/02/02/150202_072803_mandh10.jpg
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