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| Appraisal ID: | 117102 | |
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| Appraised On: | 14-07-2006 | |
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| Title: | Late Victorian Pump Organ | |
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| Date/Era/Period: | Late Victorian? | |
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| Description: | A pump organ that I believe is from the Late Victorian Era as it is about five to six feet tall. It was Manufactured by "Whitney, Raymond and Company" of Cleveland, Ohio USA. I was told that this organ dates to around 1889. There is what is left of the Manufactuer's certificate but I had to piece it together in a puzzle. | |
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| Condition: | The piece is in fairly to moderately good shape. The wood does need refinishing in some area but all the wood is intact. Their are ornate carvings on the panels, front of keyboard, underneath keyboard and on both sides near the legs. The Organ plays well, could use some tuning and probably a professional to look at it, if it is worth doing such. Two Ivory keys are missing about 1/2 to 1/3 of the key. The stops all work and are in great shape. The pedals work great. The two swing out miniature tables? are in great shape. The manufacturer's signature on the front of the organ is in great shape and reads "Whitney, Raymond and Co.," "Cleveland, USA". Then below this signature stamp is the wording "United States Organ". The organ is completely level, not missing pieces of wood. I found the manufactuers label that would have been on the back of the organ, inside the pull up part over the keyboard. It was in a plastic bag and I pieced what was left together as best I could. I would say it is in fairly good condition. There are a few scuffs of white paint on the bottom sides near the feet. The piece is weathered with time in certain spots where it would need to be restored to see it's full grandeur, only by a professional, if it is worth doing that. | |
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| Origin: | I found it through an estate dealer who holds a booth at a weekend antique market. I do not know where he bought it from as he travels all across the country, but mostly in the southeast region. | |
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| Provenance: | It was only sold through this estate dealer from a private estate. I have no known information if it is listed in any books, periodicals or owned by anyone famous or infamous. However, it did come from one family. | |
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| Appraised By: | RANDY MAY |
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| History Of The Item: | Hello and thank you for your submission! The date that you estimate for the organ is fairly close...it was likely made a few years earlier. here is a little info on the original propreitor of the company that made it: GEORGE FRANKLIN WHITNEY, son of William Benjamin and Marilla L. (Clement) Whitney, was born in Petersham, Massachusetts, May 29, 1847, and died in Cleveland, Ohio, June 16, 1918. He was compelled to leave school at nine years of age, when he left his home and worked for other people. He studied privately, and obtained in that way a general knowledge of medicine. He continued his private study until twenty-three years of age, earning his own living during the fourteen years following his leaving home. He had no assistance whatever in financing his education, and at the age of twenty-three years, when he entered college in Irvington, Indiana, he had earned every dollar he had ever had. After finishing classical courses in Irvington, he entered Western Reserve University, in the medical department, there continuing until March 3, 1886, when he was awarded his degree of M. D., being then thirty-nine years of age. This unlearned farmer boy had accomplished a wonderfully courageous feat, having started from home at the age of nine years, making his own way, financing a classical and medical college education, and beginning medical practice at an age when physicians are supposed to be established for life. He had been in various occupations after leaving home, and before entering the medical college he had been engaged in business in Cleveland, Ohio, under the firm name of Whitney & Raymond Organ Factory, their place of business on Windsor Avenue and 55th Street. He had been in the same business in Galion, Ohio, in 1877, in the Union Organ Company; and in Dayton, Ohio, was connected with Childs Brothers, organ manufacturers. He was an expert piano and organ tuner, specializing in organ tuning. Even after entering college, he worked for Childs Brothers in Irvington, and in this way paid his college expenses. It was a high and worthy ambition that actuated Mr. Whitney, and all through the years he never for a moment lost sight of his goal, a medical education. After settling in practice in Cleveland, he made most of the medicines he prescribed, they being mostly tinctures and distillations from roots and herbs. He built up an enormous practice, and was known through his medicines from coast to coast, also in Europe and Japan. His medicines were well known, and his prescriptions were so valuable that they are today (1927) popular and in demand, although Dr. Whitney, who prepared them, has passed away, and the sign, Dr. George F. Whitney, has disappeared from the lawn of his former residence on East 115th Street, Cleveland, Ohio. The office is practically as he left it at his passing in 1918, and Mrs. Whitney continues to have frequent visitors at the office for some of his well known prescriptions. Dr. Whitney was a lodge member of the Free and Accepted Masons; Webb Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Oriental Commandery, Knights Templar; and was a noble of the Mystic Shrine. Dr. Whitney married, August 26, 1878, in Dennison, Ohio, Mary Catherine Wyne, daughter of George M. and Mary Elizabeth (Kirkham) Wyne, her father an engineer and a machinist of Dennison; her mother was of French descent. (See Wyne III.) Mrs. Whitney survives her husband, and resides in a beautiful home at No. 1661 East 115th Street, Cleveland, Ohio. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and interested in many other activities. |
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| Appraiser Tips: | This item will indeed need refurbishing by a professional. You may have to go out of your area to find someone willing to refurbish it and even then it might be quite expensive to do. There were not very many Whitney organs made so the knowledge base is quite low. Parts may have to be made from scratch. |
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| Research Sources: | Special thanks to the Whitney, Wyne and Allied Families. Various similar items in the auction and retail markets |
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| Appraiser Comments: | Hello and thank you again for your submission. As stated this item was appraised as in need of restoration and I feel you paid fairly close to the wholesale value for such an item so you are nright on par if your goal is to restore it. Congratulations and very best to you and yours! Regards, Randy May |
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