I have recently acquired Wurlitzer 165 Band Organ #3629 from
Edward Openshaw.  This organ was delivered by Wurlitzer in 1924 to
Ross Davis' Lincoln Park [Los Angeles] Southern California Carousel
where it remained until purchased by Don Rand and Ed Openshaw,
and played briefly thereafter at the Griffith Park Carousel in
Los Angeles.  When the carousel was sold, Rand and Openshaw kept
the organ, and it has not played or been on display for nearly
30 years.

This organ has a special nostalgic appeal to me as I grew up riding
this carousel and listening to this organ at Lincoln Park, and it
strongly influenced me in my interest in carousels, band organs,
and mechanical music.  I'm grateful to be able to once again enjoy
this organ and bring it back to life.

The organ is in excellent original condition, having only been
partially restored once in the 1950s by Davis' band organ mechanic,
Herbert Vincent.  The case, interior, parts, mechanism, and façade
are totally original.  With the organ acquisition were over 100
original rolls of music, original Lincoln Park signage, part of the
original carousel ring machine, and various paper archives.

Band organ impresario Joe Hilferty is currently restoring the organ
for completion in summer, 2014.  The restoration will preserve the
complete originality of the organ.  Around that time, two articles
on its acquisition and restoration will be written for one of the
mechanical music journals.

Glenn Thomas
Princeton, New Jersey
wurlitzer165@comcast.net.geentroep [delete ".geentroep" to reply]

 [ I recorded this organ thirty years ago when it played at the
 [ Griffith Park carousel.  I love its melancholy sound.  -- Robbie