Prescott Reed Organ (Lap)
Prescott Reed Organ (Lap)
- Description (Brief)
-
This organ was made by Abraham Prescott in Concord, New Hampshire, around 1838-1842. It is a melodeon (lap organ) with a rectangular rosewood and maple case, double bellows, 8 soundholes, ivory buttons (29 naturals. 20 accidentals), with a compass of C - c3. This instrument is also known as an “elbow” organ, “rocking” melodeon, or lap organ. The swell knob plate is inscribed:
-
A. PRESCOTT
MANUFACTURER
CONCORD
N.H. -
Abraham Prescott (1789-1858) was one of the most prolific of the bass viol makers. A self-taught instrument maker, he began his craft in Deerfield, New Hampshire, in 1809 and moved his business to Concord in 1831, where he continued to make violoncellos, bass viols, and double basses (and later reed organs and pianos) until about 1850. Prescott instruments are often fitted with machine-head tuning gears instead of more usual pegs.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- Organ (Lap)
- date made
- 1845-1855
- place made
- United States: New Hampshire, Concord
- Physical Description
- rosewood (overall material)
- maple (overall material)
- ivory (overall material)
- ID Number
- MI.378539
- catalog number
- 378539
- accession number
- 143839
- Credit Line
- Gift of Mrs. Frank H. Robinson
- See more items in
- Cultural and Community Life: Musical Instruments
- Music & Musical Instruments
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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