John Ravert asked about the 90-key "Dutch" street organ "deWitte".
The organ was built to the order of Kevin Sheehan in Brixton, London,
between 1986 and 1989. It was packed and shipped out to the USA on
July 5th, 1989, by professional shippers, first by road to Frankfurt,
Germany, thence by air-freight. I was advised that this was the best
way to go. About one year on, I learned of the unfortunate damage the
organ had sustained during the journey.
It's great to hear that deWitte is being well looked-after now, and
good news that the full potential of the original Carl Frei scale is
now being realised. I hope that ghastly glockenspiel (not original)
is being discarded. That awful clanging noise belongs to a rowdy band
organ, not the sweet tones of a serenading street organ.
There were many photographs made of the organ's building, along with
good quality sound recordings. I will be bringing copies of these to
this year's Olcott Beach rally in July. I am hoping to meet John there
in person, and catch up with one of Page & Howard's memorable projects.
John Page, UK
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