Prescott Reed Organ (Melodeon)

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.

Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
organ
date made
1838-1842
place made
United States: New Hampshire, Concord
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
ID Number
1992.0085.01
accession number
1992.0085
catalog number
1992.0085.01
Credit Line
Gift of Jay A. Lewis
See more items in
Culture and the Arts: Musical Instruments
Music & Musical Instruments
Organs
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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