Artis Wodehouse demonstrates the sounds and musical capabilities of her newly-restored 1887 Mason & Hamlin Liszt foot- pump organ. Recorded at her studio in the Bronx, NYC August 9th, 2009.
Interesting information. I have restored a Putnam & Sons built in Staunton, VA and a Cornish built in Washington, NJ. These old melodia reed organs deserve a special place in the history of American manufacturing. What a pity many are being lost due to a lack of proper appreciation. I appears Ms. Wodehouse has several different reed instruments in the collection.
Hi Artis, I Ihate to quibble, but the Seraphone is one set of reeds; the reason for the two qualities of sound is that with the swells closed, the air is admitted to the reeds by a very small slot in the reed box, but when the swell is opened, the reeds (mounted vertically) not only have an abundance of wind, but they speak out upward directly through the opening. The V.Celeste is formed by the Seraphone and both mutes of Melodia opened simultaneously.
Thank you. really helpful. Yeah- how do you date it, and where is the serial number located?
wehaveaghost 5 months ago
i like your demo, very easy to understand, thx.
he214abc 7 months ago
I have myself a Beckwith pump organ with only 11 stop knobs. I wasn't sure what bottom wooden flaps were until I viewed this video. Thanks.
da4678 7 months ago
Exellent demonstration, Thank you!
raymanretro 1 year ago
got one of these for sale if interested billymatheson28@yahoo.co.uk same age as this one
billymathy 1 year ago
I just bought a Mason and Hamin organ. Would you know any way of dating it? It looks like yours, but not as nice and maybe a couple years older.
Thanks
robinsacto 1 year ago
FANTASTIC!
etbuk 2 years ago
Interesting information. I have restored a Putnam & Sons built in Staunton, VA and a Cornish built in Washington, NJ. These old melodia reed organs deserve a special place in the history of American manufacturing. What a pity many are being lost due to a lack of proper appreciation. I appears Ms. Wodehouse has several different reed instruments in the collection.
altpapapi 2 years ago
Hi Artis, I Ihate to quibble, but the Seraphone is one set of reeds; the reason for the two qualities of sound is that with the swells closed, the air is admitted to the reeds by a very small slot in the reed box, but when the swell is opened, the reeds (mounted vertically) not only have an abundance of wind, but they speak out upward directly through the opening. The V.Celeste is formed by the Seraphone and both mutes of Melodia opened simultaneously.
Casey
MasonHamlinOrgans 2 years ago
Excellent explanation of this unusually complex instrument. Great photography and sound also.
AeolianHall1 2 years ago