A Moderated Mechanical Music Discussion Group for Collectors, Technicians, Dealers, and Fans
Welte testimonials
Welte Organ Testimonials
courtesy Gerhard Dangel

gould1.jpg (77 kb)


   Built in 1898, Howard Gould's 282-foot yacht "Niagara" was purchased in 1917 by the U.S. Navy and converted to an armed patrol yacht.  She later served the U.S. Navy Hydrographic Office in the Caribbean Sea as a survey vessel.  Ref. Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships and http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/1309.htm

 

In a recent MMDigest someone complained about the few Welte instruments known today and that there were no lists.  I can provide the treasure hunters with a "partial list of prominent American patrons of Welte-instruments" and a "partial list of prominent foreign patrons of Welte instruments".  Both are from
"The Welte Philharmic Pipe Organ, E: Welte-Mignon Corporation, founded 1832. Studios: 665 Fifth Avenue, at 53rd Street New York."

The lists of prominent owners are undated, but they must be from 1915 or later because the gold medal of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, San Franisco, 1915, is reproduced.  They seem not to be post-war, but the firm's address is different from another from after 1912 (273 Fifth Avenue).

The Howard Gould organ is from the other catalogue, The Welte Philharmonic Organs, Ed: M. Welte & Sons, New York, 273 Fifth Avenue.  I wonder where that ship is now?  (I hope not torpedoed by a U-Boot!)  Maybe one or another instrument or its history will be brought to daylight through these lists.

Greetings from Freiburg im Briesgau, home of M. Welte & Söhne

Gerhard Dangel
Augustinermuseum, Freiburg
01 Oct 2003 15:48:13 +0200

High-resolution images:
  patrons1.jpg  (932 kb, 600 dpi) "A partial list of prominent American patrons"
  patrons2.jpg  (678 kb, 600 dpi) "A partial list of prominent Foreign patrons"
  gould_organ.jpg  (1024 kb, 200 dpi) "Welte organ on Mr. Howard Gould's steam yacht"
 
 

patrons1c.jpg (129 kb)





24 October 2003
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