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I have purchased my first roller organ and it is in need of some
repairs.  I have looked at most web sites and information on the
Internet but most of the repair info is for vacuum organs.  At this
time I have determined that mine is an earlier model, probably 1887,
1888 pressure type.  It has the round pads and the clover shaped
cutouts in the sides, backed with red material.  I can't find anything
that tells me who made it or when.

From what I have read so far the Gem organs had a walnut finish or
black.  Most of the finish is still on this one as is the gold trim,
but the wood is black walnut.  Was this something that was used in the
earlier models?

Is there information on rebuilding the earlier type, or is the basic
principles the same as the vacuum models?  Is there a good procedure
for restoring the finish on an organ?

Also one final question: I have seen several books listed on mechanical
organs and such; is there one that would be best for this type of
roller organ?

Thank you,
Olie K. Teeter, Jr.
Flintstone, Maryland
teeter@tje1.com.geentroep [delete ".geentroep" to reply]