Harmonium Roundup

Here's a bunch of interesting harmoniums that I've come across in the last few weeks.

First is this 1920s portable harmonium made by Dale, Forty & Co. It is in A1 condition and sold for a very reasonable £102.

This is a Pearl River harmonium and only has 25 keys which should make it very portable. It sold for a bargain price of £25.

This one needs a bit of work is it's pedals are missing. Still it's already reached £150.

This one was made in 1853 by R. F. Stevens of Kelly Street, London.
It needs restoring but it has 12 stops and looks really good so it should be excellent when finished.

Comments

[Rob Kennedy]

I find your site very interesting & extremely frustrating in equal measure as I am desperately trying to BUY a portable pedal NOT INDIAN harmonium but you always seem to show those that have already been sold.
My question is, Where can I actually buy one? if you could help I would be extremely grateful and would, most certainly buy you a pint. Cheers.

[Squeezyboy]

Hi Rob,

I know what you mean - I'm on the look out for a decent pedal harmonium myself.

I know of only one UK company that makes them - The Early Music Shop
http://www.e-m-s.com/front/emsframes.html

I think there are a few Indian companies that make pedal harmoniums e.g. DMS http://www.indianmusicalinstruments.com/pedalharmonium.htm

Other than that, Ebay is worth a look.

If anyone else knows of a good source of pedal harmoniums that leave a note please.

[Einar Stenseng]

I'm very interested in that Pearl River harmonium, or one of its kind. Do you know where I could find one?

[Squeezyboy]

Hi Einar,

I think Ebay is your best chance of finding one.

[Frans van der Grijn]

What is meant with 'pedal harmonium' an ordinary reed organ / harmonium ( there IS a difference!!) or does it mean a pedal reed organ, i.e. a 2 manual with 30 notes pedalboard, and hence needing a windmachine... Both are plenty available if you know where to look.

Most searches here seem to be about folding reed organs with treadles to pump the bellows.. They are looked for and search by many bands for live performances. However, I hardly have seen one that is played in the correct way... Treadling is something you have to understand :-)) Most performers I have seen with a folder, treadle in the rhytm, and gues what: the reed organ starts to sound like a smoker running a 3 mile parcours.

I am dutch, so inclined to be less polite that you english blokes :-)

[Josh]

Hi. Beautiful organs up here. I am looking for a folding organ. do you know where I can find one? Would really appreciate any help or guidance. please do let me know. thanks.