Untitled
Crane and Son
Category
Musical instruments, devices and recordings
Date
1800 - 1830
Materials
Rosewood, oak and metal
Measurements
285 mm (H); 770 mm (W); 370 mm (D)
Place of origin
Liverpool
Order this imageCollection
Erddig, Wrexham
NT 1151257
Summary
Portable harmonium or ‘American organ’, c.1900 with metal swing handles and with a folding stand. Labelled CRANE & SONS, Ltd. / WREXHAM & LIVERPOOL Stamped C&S 64348 on edge of case at treble end of keyboard. Compass C – c 3 Stop levers in treble and bass keyblocks the lever at bass labeled VIOLA / 4’ Label for lever at treble end missing. Additional draw-stop at treble end of keyboard - probably a ‘forte’ operating a swell shutter of some kind. Casework of oak with drop handles each end and a single suitcase style handle for carrying when closed and folded. Originally oak boards hinged at each end of the underside of the instrument could fold down to make a stand and the two treadles, which survive operated the two exhaust bellows via two tapes. Crane and Sons where dealers, not the maker, and their stamps and numbers are found on other instruments at Erddig.
Provenance
Given by Phillip Yorke III (1905-1978) along with the estate, house and contents to the National Trust in 1973.
Marks and inscriptions
Under lid: CRANE AND SONS, Ltd. / WREXHAM & LIVERPOOL
Makers and roles
Crane and Son, maker