Dear Charles, Greetings from The Bronx! Regarding your inquiry about
the Paul Eakins collection, the majority of the collection was sold
to the Disney Corporation, that being the larger organs such as the
"Emperor", "Sadie Mae", "Big Bertha", the "Gypsy Queen", etc. "Madam
Laura" had been sold to Walt Bellm in Sarasota, Florida.
As it stands now, the "Emperor" and "Sadie Mae" are presently in the
Don Nielsen collection. "Madam Laura" and the "Gypsy Queen" (Gasparini)
were bought by Chris Carlisle (grandson of Paul Eakins), and were
extensively restored:
Carlisle Music Company - Chris Carlisle
http://www.bandorganmusic.com/
Disney had tired of the big organs once they wouldn't play properly
and were in need of major repair. Back in the late 1980s and early
90's the folks at Disney advertised for someone who could service
all types of mechanical music machines, music boxes, nickelodeons,
orchestrions, band organs, etc. The only problem was that the pay
they were offering was an insult. They would pay on a contingency
basis, and then it was barely more than they were paying their park
attendants. So, the instruments fell silent.
I may have missed a few instruments, but this is the gist of it.
Hope this is of some help to you,
Sincerely,
D.F. Rowe
Bronx, New York
|