I'm listing my instrument for sale on the E-bay auction.  For those
interested, a complete description follows, including instructions
on how to get to the auction site, where you can also view a photo
of the instrument.

Larry Lobel

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 Title of item: * Must Sell - Rare Aeolian Player Reed Organ
 Seller:        hayforker@aol.com
 Starts:        04/07/99 17:58:15 PDT
 Ends:  04/14/99 17:58:15 PDT
 Price: Currently $560.00
 To bid on the item, go to:
   http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=88282149

Item Description:  Aeolian Model 1500 Player Reed Organ.  Like a
player piano, this instrument 'plays itself' from a perforated paper
roll, and is powered by foot pedals.  It can also be played like a
normal reed organ, which also requires pedaling to provide suction.
It has 5 sets of reeds, a 6-octave keyboard, and 14 stop knobs, plus
2 for motor control.  It has a beautiful, rich tone.

This unique and very handsome Victorian style instrument dates from
about 1895, is all original on the outside.  The case looks like and is
the same size as an upright piano of that period, with beautiful
mahogany woodwork, curved panels, fluted columns, and elaborate carving
and fretwork.  The cabinet and finish are in very good condition for
age; there's some darkening of the finish and 'alligatoring' (tiny
cracks in the varnish) in some areas, but it's still quite attractive.

The delicate fretwork is intact; unusual to find like this.  There's a
3" piece of molding missing from the rear side of the lid and a 2"
gouge along the rear edge on one side about halfway up from the bottom;
both of these flaws are out of sight and not noticeable except on close
inspection.

The interior mechanism has been restored, probably in the last 10 to 20
years.  The lower bellows (foot-pumping) unit is very tight and
produces a lot of suction.  When you play the organ manually you get a
big sound with minimal pumping effort.  When you play a roll, however,
you have to pump harder and not all the notes will sound; this probably
indicates that the upper action, which has valves, pouches and bellows,
needs either a partial or total restoration.

This model takes 46-note rolls; these are not as common as player piano
rolls, but they can be found.  The organ comes with 10 rolls.  Q. David
Bowers' 'Encyclopedia of Mechanical Music' has a picture of this model
1500 on page 777 and some info about it on pages 742-3.

This rare instrument in playable condition would sell for around $5000.
Because this instrument needs some work, and I need the space, will
sacrifice for considerably less.  Payment by money order allows
immediate delivery; personal check must clear.  Buyer will pay and
arrange for shipping;  I can provide names of cross-country musical
instrument shippers.  I reserve the right to not do business with
anyone who has negative feedback.  Please e-mail me for any further
information or questions.