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MMD > Archives > August 2006 > 2006.08.27 > 04Prev  Next


Mitsukoshi Wurlitzer Organ Player & Rolls
By Vic Searle

In cleaning out an old closet near the Mitsukoshi Wurlitzer organ
I discovered two rolls for the defunct player of 1930.  One is in
perfect condition, the other, which had been in the player since 1942
(last time the player was used), has a few tears at the beginning and
the paper has turned yellow.  Is there a good mending tape that will
hold up and not get gummy and fall off?

An ancient member of the music instruction staff (now retired)
still remembers the days of glory when the player was used every day.
He told me that there were originally 200 rolls, many played by
Jesse Crawford and Henry Murtagh, the only names he could remember.
But they all perished in the 1944 fire-bombing of Tokyo.

The old player is taking up a lot of space and has to be shoved around
whenever we want to get into the blower room to change the filter, etc.
We will be dismantling it and there will be junk available, tracker
bar, etc.

Right now we have three keyboards (recovered) with 5 pistons/manual and
the mahogany key cheeks.  The piston slips with 5 holes are missing.
If anyone is interested in getting these from Japan, I can dig them out
from under the junk and take a look.  As I recall they have key
contactors and contacts.

There is also safety pin recorder board for 15 pistons and 89 stop keys.
The organ is a 12-rank R-20, Op. 2099 from 1930.  If anyone is interested,
please contact me off list.  My e-mail is <wurli165@hotmail.com>

Vic Searle, Curator
Mitsukoshi Grand Court Wurlitzer
Tokyo


(Message sent Sun 27 Aug 2006, 19:56:39 GMT, from time zone GMT+0900.)

Key Words in Subject:  Mitsukoshi, Organ, Player, Rolls, Wurlitzer

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