Hi, let me add my two cents worth. The three organs -- the Gavioli
"Madam Laura", Limonaire "Big Bertha" and Gavioli/deKleist "Sadie Mae"
-- were purchased by my grandfather in 1963, in Gulf Shores, Alabama,
where they had been sitting in storage after the Ramona Park was
closed. Two of the three organs were in pretty good shape, but the
"Sadie Mae" was in boxes and baskets when it was delivered to the
workshop.
The Gavioli "Madam Laura" was sold to Walt Bellm's Museum in Sarasota,
Florida, around 1972-73, where it sat for many years dying a slow
death. Three years later the majority of the collection was sold to
Disney World. Over a period of two years, 14 trailer trucks hauled the
collection down to the Disney World warehouse. "Sadie Mae" went in
1976 and "Big Bertha" went in 1978, after she had all of her music
recorded.
"Big Bertha" is still at Disney World, but "Sadie Mae" is now in the
hands of a private collector. Perhaps Bob Moore, the person who
maintained the collection, could give us some details on the organs
while they were at Disney World. Two years ago Bob showed us "Big
Bertha" and she looked nice but sounded awful. I would love for him
to share some stories about his time maintaining the collection.
Thanks,
Chris Carlisle
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