Owner: HWMC
Catalog # CL-AEFR-33
Free Reeds
'Estey' Reed Pump Organ
Brattleboro, Vermont
Estey Organ Corporation
Wood, ivory, ebony, metal
ca. 1925-1926
Wind Instruments – Free Reeds – Reed Organ
Reed Pump Organ (Portable Model-pedal operated) by Estey Organ Corporation. Estey, known for their reed organs, was founded in 1846, and began producing both large and small organs at the turn of the 20th century. This small organ is known as Model KK and was advertised as the ideal organ for ear training for small classes or individual instruction. Some advertising showed pictures of children playing the instrument. The model JJ, identical to this one with folding legs was advertised for missionaries. (Weight: 55 pounds). Serial number dates this organ @1925-1926. The Estey Organ Company closed its doors in 1960.
The term reed organ normally refers to a keyboard instrument in which sound is produced by free reeds. In North America, it is most often referred to as a pump organ, parlor organ, cabinet organ or melodeon if it is a suction instrument. If it is a pressure instrument, it is often referenced as a harmonium. Accordions, concertinas, and bandoneón are smaller, hand-held bellow driven free-reed instruments that also belonging to the family of reed organs.
Resources: https://www.reedsoc.org/index.php/information/what-reed-organ; https://www.britannica.com/art/reed-organ