David Sharpe asks about packing and shipping a barrel organ [021030
MMD].  Having shipped several organs across country and restored
a number of organs, I'd like to comment on the possible problems.

As tempting as it may be to send the barrel and organ separately,
I would not do this unless you can find a _very_ secure method.
If either is lost or damaged, the insurance companies will only pay
the 'value' of the item in question, no matter how much insurance you
pay for.

What is an organ worth without it's barrel?  Given the cost of
replacing the barrel, I'd say it's way less than one-half.  And what's
the value of a barrel with no organ?  A couple hundred dollars at best.
If either is damaged, you'll probably have to give it to them in return
for the money.

But it is only practical to ship the organ and barrel wrapped
separately in the same box if the organ is small, so for most street
organs, you have to leave the barrel in the organ.

First of all, everything inside the organ's case should be immobilized
so that something doesn't come loose and bounce around during shipment.
There are ways to deal with the pipes on the bottom and the top of the
chest.

The first organ I bought 20 years ago was a large one.  I paid the
guy to build a crate it, buy packing materials and send it air freight.
He built it out of 1/4" paneling and filled the thing with peanuts.
Needless to say, the case came apart while in the airplane and peanuts
(and pipes) were everywhere.

Next, the key frame should be lifted and held in place, perhaps by
cords around the ends, over the edge of the case and around the barrel
shaft.  Or put a piece of foam between the key tips and the barrel.

The crank can be packed inside, behind the barrel, with cloth all
around it (not bubble pack which can be punctured by the pins).  Then
center the barrel and pack corrugated cardboard on both ends to keep
it from moving laterally -- just like a cylinder music box.

Then find a box that is a least 1" higher and 2" deeper than the case
and a little longer than the barrel shaft.  Put a piece of hardboard or
plywood in the bottom so that the four legs do not punch through the
bottom.  Placing some bubble pack between the bottom pipes and the
board will help them stay in place.

Then pack all around the case with beadboard or some similar material,
to completely fill the space between the case and the box.  The idea is
to spread out any impact across the entire surface of the case.  Cut
around projections and the barrel shaft.  Try to pack around the edges
of the front insert as that is sort of fragile.

Tape your name, address and phone number on the organ and the outside
of the box, just in case.  Lastly, find a box that is 4" to 6" larger
in each direction than the first box and pack the first box inside it,
centered 3 ways.  Completely fill the space with peanuts or bubble
pack.  The box should be double or triple weight if the organ is
larger.

A comment on your shipper: If it is a dealer, they should know enough
to pack and ship carefully, and what you describe is not careful
enough.  If it is an individual, I think you and the shipper should
have discussed beforehand how he was packing it.  Something like, "Have
you shipped this type of item before?  How are you planning to pack
it?"  And if you don't like the answer, you should give instructions
and agree on the method beforehand.

Of course, the very best method is to go get it yourself or have
someone bring it to you.  Good luck.

Craig Smith
near Rochester, New York, USA

P.S.: So, how about telling us about this organ?