Prescott Reed Organ (Melodeon)

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Description:

This reed organ was made by Abraham Prescott in Concord, New Hampshire, around 1835-1837. It is a small melodeon, with a rosewood case, single keyboard, with a compass of C-c3, and a pedal activated bellows suspended below the instrument. The instrument is marked:

A. PRESCOTT
MANUFACTURER.
CONCORD
N.H.

Abraham Prescott (1789-1858) was an early American maker of melodeons, who concentrated on them after setting up his shop in Concord, New Hampshire in 1831. "Melodeon" is defined as a reed organ with a simple stand, rather than a cabinet-style enclosure, which descends to the floor. Reed organs gradually went out of fashion, as upright pianos became affordable and easily available around 1910.

Date Made: 1838-1842

Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: United States: New Hampshire, Concord

See more items in: Culture and the Arts: Musical Instruments, Music & Musical Instruments, Organs

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Credit Line: Gift of Jay A. Lewis

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: 1992.0085.01Accession Number: 1992.0085Catalog Number: 1992.0085.01

Object Name: organ

Physical Description: rosewood (overall material)ivory (overall material)Measurements: overall: 30 in x 28 3/4 in x 15 1/2 in; 76.2 cm x 73.025 cm x 39.37 cm

Metadata Usage: CC0

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a4-61c4-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_607131

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