Player Pianos and Pump Organs
This amazing player piano and original claw-footed stool would have passed for junk if you ran across it on the curb. Fortunately, the owner knew it was something special. Today's value- about $11,500.00.
Lester Player Piano
Made by Lester of Philadelphia
1918
Fully Restored by the Action Piano Company
Lester Player Piano
Made by Lester of Philadelphia
1918
Fully Restored by the Action Piano Company
From about 1906, through 1930, player pianos were built by the millions in the United States. In 1917, the Standard Pneumatic Action Company, which was one of the large producers of player parts, sold over 175,000 player actions for installation in various brands of pianos. There were about fifty well known companies that made player components and literally hundreds of piano manufacturers selling player pianos during their heyday of greatness. The player piano was the center of home entertainment.
There are literally thousands of parts inside an average player piano-- some no larger than the head of a pin. We don't just get your player piano to work again. We actually take everything apart, replace all the pneumatic cloth, restore the gaskets, leather pouches, valves, seals and felt parts, using the highest quality materials. Many players can also be electrified so that they will work with your feet, or at the push of a button. RESTORED AND ELECTRIFIED PLAYER PIANO, 1916
Pump Organs
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From this... 
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Cornish Pump Organ 1881 Completely restored and back at home in North Carolina.
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To this.... 
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Another Cornish Pump Organ, circa 1896.
This Cornish (Majestic) model reed organ (below) came to us in boxes. Almost every glue joint and all the connecting dowels had been broken off. The back structure alone was in over thirty pieces. Someone had attempted to strip the old finish, but failed to clean it properly or treat the wood. All the pumps, bellows, reed chest, reedpan, and stops required much repair and restoration. The mirror was removed and resilvered by a master craftsman, and the gold lettering and stop detail was all restored. The keys are original 1896, Bakelite, with restored ebony sharps, all polished and sealed. The pumps and reservoir were all rebuilt with top quality bellows cloth and all new leather valves were made. The result, following many months of working in the fine detailed carvings, however, revealed an instrument that is as lovely to look at, as it is to listen to. All the wood was stripped, washed, sanded, toned, sealed, sanded again and received many coats of final finish. One of the legs from the lovely stool was missing, and the support spindles were broken. A new leg was made in our shop, and the top was restored using original style crushed red velvet.
'THE MAJESTIC '
A masterpiece example of late Ninteenth Century Cornish Organ Company craftsmanship
A masterpiece example of late Ninteenth Century Cornish Organ Company craftsmanship
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We take great pride in the restoration of antique pump organs and melodeons. Most of these antiques date back to about 1833, and were much more popular than pianos in homes where such instruments were affordable. Learning a song on the pump organ was easy-- the student just held down one key, until the next one could be found. With the piano, a whole new set of teaching rules came into play. While pianos were gaining ground from pump organs by the late 1800's, it was the player piano that entranced the public and entered the American home by the millions, replacing the pump organ entirely. By the mid 1920's, three out of every four pianos sold were players.
Today there is a great resurgence in the popularity of the pump organ. While melodeons with a single pedal are quite difficult to operate, the pump organ, when professionally rebuilt, pedals very easily and has a unique sound that few (if any) electronic keyboards can match. In addition to being functioning musical instruments, pump organs serve as central pieces of very ornate and useful furniture. Many, like the Cornish organ above, are adorned with intricate hand carvings, decorative shelves and mirrors.
Be sure to visit the link below for STORIES OF REBIRTH to see more lovely Pump Organs and pianos.
Today there is a great resurgence in the popularity of the pump organ. While melodeons with a single pedal are quite difficult to operate, the pump organ, when professionally rebuilt, pedals very easily and has a unique sound that few (if any) electronic keyboards can match. In addition to being functioning musical instruments, pump organs serve as central pieces of very ornate and useful furniture. Many, like the Cornish organ above, are adorned with intricate hand carvings, decorative shelves and mirrors.
Be sure to visit the link below for STORIES OF REBIRTH to see more lovely Pump Organs and pianos.
See more beautiful organs and pianos
