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Image Not Available for Minshall organ
Minshall organ
Image Not Available for Minshall organ

Minshall organ

Alternate name(s)
  • Electronic reed organ
  • Electric reed organ
Date1944-1953 ca.
Place MadeBrattleboro, Vermont, United States, North America
Serial No.1566
SignedStencilled in gold-colored lettering above stops: MINSHALL - ESTEY
MarkingsNone on the exterior; instrument was not opened, which is likely where serial number and other markings would be found.
DescriptionAn early foray into electronic organs, this instrument, with its full sets of reeds and a vacuum-tube tone cabinet, was intended for churches, chapels, homes, and auditoriums. An advertisement from 1943 states that the Minshall-Estey organ was "famous for its Cathedral Tones...for its ease of playing...and moderate cost...," and that it "is the piano-size organ with the 'big voice.' Any pianist can play it!"

Compass: C-C (6 octaves), 73 keys

Walnut case.
Volume pedal.

Contrabass switch (left side) and tremolo knob (right side).

Twelve stops (player's left to right): Diapason Bass 8’; Dulciana Bass 8’; Octave Bass 4’; Dulcet Bass 4’; Bourdon Treble 16’; Gedeckt Treble 16’; Diapason Treble 8’; Melodia Treble 8’; Octave Treble 4’; Flute Treble 4’; Flautino Treble 4’; Full Organ
DimensionsHeight: 1025 mm
Width: 1365 mm
Depth: 755 mm
ProvenanceArne B. Larson Collection, Vermillion, South Dakota, 1979.
Credit LineArne B. Larson Collection, 1979
Object number03569
On View
Not on view
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