Robin Pratt inquired about the "Titanic Organ".  I have also heard and
read the story, and it seems to be true, that a Welte Salon Style 3 was
being made for the Titanic, and was not done in time for the maiden
voyage.

The more interesting part of the story is that Mr. Welte was to accompany
the organ on the maiden voyage, but also canceled out when the organ
wasn't ready.

I understand that there are three of these Welte Salon Style 3 organs
extant (there is one shown on page 954 of Bowers Encyclopedia, described
as a Model 4, but I think these were really called Style 3, at least
based on the rolls), but I don't know which one was intended for the
Titanic.

One has been in a museum in Europe for quite some time I believe.  A
second was owned by Jerry Doring in California, and I think that is the
one that appeared in one of the Retonio auctions (pictured on the cover
of the catalog) a few years ago, I don't know where it ended up.

The third is in our collection, having come from a music museum in
Intercourse, PA, before that from Ham Hamilton (a dealer in Pennsylvania)
who reported it came from the Packard summer home in Michigan.  These are
indeed wonderful instruments, although ours is in need of restoration,
which is scheduled to begin within the next year.

Marty Roenigk
mroenigk@aol.com
www.mechantiques.com

 [ Thanks for the info, Marty.  How does the Welte organ at Disneyland
 [ (Anaheim CA) relate to the organs you describe?  -- Robbie