Hi gang,  Once again, many of you were able to furnish information
on the "pig in a poke" Gavioli which we committed to purchase because
we suspected that it might be special.  After a plea on the MMD for
information, it flooded in from all over the world.  We have summarized
below the information we have received thus far.  If anyone has infor-
mation that should be added, or information that disagrees with the
following, please send me an e-mail as quickly as you can.  Thanks
in advance.

 - - -

Gavioli Residence Pipe Organ - The only one made by Gavioli?

The latest addition to our collection is the only (known) residence
pipe organ produced by the famous builder, Gavioli & Cie, Paris,
France.

Just before the turn of the century (ca. 1898), Gavioli was approached
to provide a large self-contained classical 90-key book playing organ
(with 11 pull-stops for manual playing) for a buyer with a very large
home.  As requested, a wonderful instrument was produced for the
customer: it's contained in a case with "gold" filigree, hundreds
of metal and wooden pipes, lots of carvings, a 90-key book playing
mechanism, a rank of playing exposed pipes, and a keyboard with 11
stops for manual playing.  There are 21 classical "Gavioliphone"
organ books, dated December 3. 1900, in like-new condition.

Unfortunately, after Gavioli produced this wonderful one-of-a-kind
organ, the buyer could not (or perhaps, would not) pay for the
instrument.

Although producing the most wonderful full-range band organs, dance
organs, and some crank organs in the world, Gavioli decided to test
the market in European residence pipe organs.  Recently obtained
historical information shows this instrument was likely used as a de-
monstrator in the Gavioli office and factory in Paris, France, at the
turn of the century.  As business slowed, Gavioli focused on their
worldwide sales of fine band organs and less on their new adventure
into the Residence Organ market.

In 1904 the Gavioli company became "Gavioli S.A.", suggesting that the
Gavioli we now own was produced before that time.  No other such organ
is known to have been produced by Gavioli.  Inquiries throughout Europe
have acknowledged that the instrument now in our possession is the only
one known to have been built, or is the only survivor.  At the center
top of its 10-foot height, in brass inlay, is "Gavioli & Cie" and
underneath is "Paris".

Its history after the turn of the century, and its departure from the
Gavioli factory, are not well documented.  However, for over 40 years
it has been in a large museum collection in Angers, France.  Recently,
most items in this collection were offered to buyers all over the world
on one of our two web sites.  Arthur Prinsen of Belgium is brokering
this private collection for world-wide customers.

We have found no published reference (world-wide) to the "Gavioli
(Gavioliphone) Residence Pipe Organ".  However, the classical book
music and the instrument clearly identify the maker as Gavioli & Cie,
Paris, France, and pictures with confirming documentation have been
obtained from Europe.

The Gavioli organ is totally original and complete.  It measures
approximately 10 feet high, over 6 feet wide and about 5 feet deep.
It weighs about 1,500 pounds (uncrated and assembled).  Its 220-volt
drive motor will be rebuilt, as necessary, and used with this
instrument.

There are 21 original 90-key classical music books for the instrument.
In addition, 20 more classical books will be produced in Europe in the
spring of 2000 by Arthur Prinsen.  If it can be done non-obtrusively,
a full-range MIDI system will be installed and four hours of wonderful
classical music will be arranged by Stephen Kent Goodman.  That will
bring the total to about 6 hours of unduplicated classical music for
this one-of-kind instrument.  (The MIDI system can be removed from the
Gavioli within 30 minutes of purchase and no trace of this system will
be left, if the customer wants the instrument "entirely original".)

Organ restoration will be completed by May, 2000, after receiving a
"100 points plus" restoration in the wonderful shops of The Great
Canadian Nickelodeon Company, Ltd., in Mount Forest, Ontario, Canada.
Ronald Schmuck operates one of the finest restoration shops in the
world, with over 80 years of family operation.

This one-of-a-kind, confirmed "historically significant" organ deserves
only the finest collection or museum.  Its absence from Europe will be
sorely missed   It will be made available in Europe, initially; its
return to its birthplace in Paris, France, is inevitable.

Acknowledgments:

I wish to express my sincere appreciation to those who furnished
historical knowledge after we purchased this instrument:

  Hans van Oost - Holland                 Stephen Kent Goodman - USA
  Philippe Rouille - France               Bill Harris - USA
  Arthur Prinsen - Belgium                Joe Schumacher - USA
  Richard Dean, Dean Organs - England     Douglas Henderson - USA
  Ron Schmuck - Canada                    Robbie Rhodes - USA
  Tim Trager - USA                        Art Reblitz - USA

and many, many others.

Those attending the open houses at the upcoming MBSI Annual Meeting in
Philadelphia PA USA will have an opportunity to inspect the instrument
with some of its wooden packing cases removed.

Regards,

Rick and Betty Cooley