An urgent appeal to MMDers! In a sudden development, 1924 Aeolian 1535
player pipe organ is in danger of being lost and requires an immediate
rescue. Background --

Aeolian 1535 is a II/22 residence player pipe organ that was installed
in 1924 in the 40-room mansion of James Cooper in Windsor, Ontario,
Canada [across the Detroit River from the U.S. city of Detroit].

Cooper made millions in various entrepreneurial pursuits. The most
income derived from his involvement in what may be diplomatically
termed the import export business of alcohol during the Prohibition
years. Cooper died a few years later in 1931 and the mansion -- the
largest then or since in the area -- was razed in 1946.

The new Morris Funeral Home bought the organ just before demolition for
use as a chapel instrument, where it remains to this day. The organ was
moved by the area Casavant representative who made no changes of any
kind. No changes have been made since then.

This instrument is completely unaltered. All pipes are extant as is all
original equipment including a 5 HP Spencer blower and a belt driven
generator. The latter has been supplanted with a rectifier but remains
on site. Included is a 49-note harp and a 20-tube Deagan chimes unit.
The console contains a 176-note Duo-Art roll player. Several original
rolls remain.

Everything is operational including the Duo-Art player in unaltered
condition. The windchest pouches are all original and every single one
of them is operational!

The funeral home was acquired by a national chain some years ago and
has now been deemed redundant. They have recently accepted an offer
from an institutional buyer who will level the building. The closing
date is the end of August, 2024.

The seller is sympathetic to the historic value and condition of
Aeolian 1535. A new home is desperately sought. There is an asking price
of $10,000 but this may be negotiable or waived if the new owner will
keep the organ intact and will allow it to be open to exposure to the
public. They would like to see it installed in an estate home or museum
or something similar.

Assistance with disassembly and packing for transport may be available.
Removal will be challenging due to the third floor location of the two
main chambers, harp, jackbox and relays, and pedal pipes. The organ
speaks through an opening in the floor in the organ chamber. There is
a corresponding grill in the ceiling of the chapel. The console and
3-rank Echo division is on the balcony.

Please contact me for information. Time is of the essence.

Ron Dossenbach
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
dossen54@gmail.com.geentroep [delete ".geentroep" to reply]

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 [ Ron Dossenbach is an organist, organ maintainer and organ fan.
 [ More at http://rondossenbach.blogspot.com/ -- Robbie