I am in the process of restoring my Wurlitzer 153 band organ,
serial number 3191.  When I opened up the windchest, I found the
following inscription scrawled in pencil:

  Rebuilt by Geo. E. Sh**p & Son
  1823 So. 10th St., St. Joseph 29 Mo.
  June July 1950

The handwriting is difficult to read, so I am not sure if the last
name is Shomp, Shoup, Sharp or some other variant of the script.

Based on the shipping records for the Wurlitzer factory, I found
that the organ was originally shipped on July 31, 1919, to Columbus,
Indiana, and that it was later repaired on May 5, 1925 and shipped
to Urbana, Ohio.

My (overly ambitious) goal is to get this instrument playing by its
90th birthday this coming summer.  ;-)

I am curious to find out as much history as possible about this
machine.  For example, why was the organ shipped to two different
states in it's early life?  Was it owned by a travelling circus that
happened to be in two different locations for the original purchase
and later repair, or was it repaired (and/or updated) in 1925 because
of a change in ownership?

Where has the organ been for its life?  How many owners has it had?
Who is George E. Sh**p and son and does he or his son still live?
I would like to find out more about the work that they did and get
copies of any photos that might exist of the organ back then.

The list of questions goes on and on.  If anyone has suggestions on
how I can track down some of this information or knows anything about
this organ I would appreciate hearing from them.

Jack Breen
Southborough, Massachusetts