Chapel Pump Organ has a new Home in Michigan

John and Helen Brown of Tecumseh, MI are the new owners of this historic Chapel Pump Organ.  I understand from speaking with Helen, that it will hold a spot of honor in their historic home.
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Antique Pump Organ with Provenance

Cornish & Co. Chapel Pump Organ

with History (Provenance) for Sale

This pump organ is no typical pump organ. You can probably purchase one at an antique store for $500 or even $400. But this one is a little bit special for those collectors who like a story.

This single keyboard foot operated church pump organ was manufactured in Washington, NJ by a company founded by a NJ state representative back in the day. Cornish & Co. Piano and Organ company produced good quality pump organs for the state side and European market. This organ is c. 1890s. The story goes that English manufactured organs were a bit pricey especially for small congregations and churches. So a smart pastor would acquire an organ made in America, far less expensive despite the shipping costs across the pond. That is the case with this organ. Once manufactured it left New Jersey on the first leg of an eventual round trip sojourn spanning a hundred years. In its early life she made her way to a small church outside Ipswich (Hadleigh) England. There she would remain the church organ for many years up until the death of the church deacon, and at that time the organ was sold as part of an estate auction.

The purchaser was an eventual antique dealer name Archie McNeil. At the time of the auction in England Mr. McNeil was stationed in Europe with the US NATO forces. He was originally from Savannah, GA. While in Europe with his family, his daughter started taking piano and keyboard lessons and he though it a good idea to purchase this pump organ as it was quite light and portable so moving it would be easy as they romped about Europe. The organ remained in his possession as he traveled throughout Europe on his assignments despite the fact that his daughter quickly lost interest in the keyboard instruments.

Story has it that while in Brussels, Belgium it was played on several occasions by a Jamaican organist that Archie hired from time to time for special events that called for this type of music. During one of these events in front of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) HQ and again in the American Embassy in Bonn, West Germany it was played for such dignitaries as President George H. W. Bush (Sr.), Generals Collin Powell and Norman Schwarzkopf along with other top NATO brass.

A print ad for the Cornish & Co. Piano & Organ company from 1905

Once Mr. McNeil's duties were over with NATO he returned to the USA and Savannah, GA with his prized acquisition in tow. For years it remained in storage until one day he placed it in an Antique Mall on Broughton Street downtown Savannah. It would not sit long as JP & Tonya Saleeby, owners of the Broughton St B&B were scouring the city looking for fine antiques with interesting histories to place in their newly opened Inn. In December 1995 Tonya purchased the organ for JP's birthday and they placed it in the parlor of the B&B. On more than one occasion guests at the inn would play the little pump organ the the delight of all others around.

It remained there until the Inn was sold some 5 years later. Afterwards it journeyed to Hinesville, GA and finally to Bennettsville, SC where it currently resides. Another interesting piece that has accompanied this organ was a c.1640 Bible Desk once used by Royal Governor Spotswoot of Virginia (http://www.royalgovernorspotswoodbibledesk.blogspot.com for more on that one.)

Photo (from a postcard) of the original Cornish & Co. Organ plant in Washington, NJ

Despite the pump organ's extensive travels, all keys, pedals & stops work splendidly and she sounds as good as the day the organ was made. Along with the organ comes a stool (not pictured). It generally takes two strong men to move this piece, but it is quite portable and will fill any room with a cheerful sound. I am told by an expert in the pump-organ business that this is a rare example of a 14-stop organ (most organs have far fewer stops, usually 6 or so).

This famous little pump organ that could is offered for sale. Due to its exceptional condition and play quality and for its unique history as a piece that served our nation's President & top brass in NATO by bringing smiles to their faces she is offered for sale at only $1,500. Due to the history her true value is probably double this figure (around $2,500). Reasonable offers however are welcome. Call or email JP at (912) 656-2297 / jpsaleeby@aol.com

**** New Items for sale: Entire Medical Antique Collection (Dr. Saleeby's) offered for sale. Visit http://www.Medical-Antiques.blogspot.com for more info.