c.1900, The Farrand Co. Tiger Oak “Piano Desk”

This Farrand oak pump organ is a personal repurpose/restoration job for a customer.  It was manufactured in Detroit, Michigan between 1897 and 1914. This two piece non-working pump organ came to me in pretty rough shape, as the varnish finish on it was almost black in color and very crinkled from years of being exposed to the sun and unprotected environmental conditions. I complete disassembled this unit and stripped the old finish off followed by restoring the beautiful golden oak finish underneath the old varnish. I reconstructed the piece as a fully functioning “organ desk” by adding a new tiger oak desktop made from a similar age antique drop leaf table. I then moved the foot control board to a rearward position, thereby make it more comfortable to use as a desk. I then removed the original keyboard and pull stop knobs and placed them toward the rear side of the desktop for esthetics. Lastly, I added remote control LED light strips to the lower foot control unit, the desktop and to the upper hutch unit. This is a beautiful fully functioning family owned desk unit that I believe will allow it to be preserved for decades to come.

C. 1900, Estey Organ, Co. Tiger Oak “Piano Desk”

This pump organ was purchased in Alexander, Arkansas. It is made of quarter sawn tiger oak.  It was manufactured in Brattleboro, Vermont. Based on its Serial Number, #273606 this organ was manufactured between 1894 and 1911. I completely disassembled the organ and repurposed it as an organ desk by repositioning the foot control board to the rear of the desk, creating a new desktop from an antique oak drop leaf table, moving the keys and pull stops to the rear of the base cabinet, and finally refinishing the wood finish. The desktop includes portal access for electrical cords. Additionally, I installed remote controlled LED strips on the upper and lower sections of the desk that provides the desk illumination and makes for a beautiful setting in any home or business. Lastly, this particular pump organ was built for use in a church setting, as the backside of the unit would be exposed to the church congregation, so the back panel is also fully finished with solid tiger oak panels with beautiful scroll panels that will emit awesome light shadows onto back walls with the LED lights illuminated in dark lit rooms.

EP Needham ‘Silver Tongue’ Walnut “Organ Desk”

This solid walnut wood pump organ was purchased in Avon, OH.  It was manufactured by the E.P. Needham & Son Company in New York between 1869 and the late 1800’s.  The “Silver Tongue” line of organs was named by Needham to distinguish their brand of instruments.  Their factory in New York was called “The Silver Tongue” factory. I repurposed & restored this piece into an awesome fully functional “organ desk”.  This American treasure is made of solid walnut wood casing. I retained the original keyboard, pull stops, and foot pedal controls which I removed and transferred to the rear of the organ desk in order to allow plenty of leg-room.  The desktop was constructed from a similar age antique solid walnut wooden table. Hidden electrical pass-through access ports are built into the back panel to allow the use of electrical components such as computers, monitors, radios, etc. Multiple coats of durable tung oil varnish finish have been hand buffed into the entire piece of this desk, which should provide decades of use with very little maintenance. Additionally, I installed a concealed remote controlled LED light strip into the upper shelving unit that illuminates the keys and desktop which adds a welcoming warm light glow to the desk in low light. Lastly, I included a secret hidden compartment under the desktop for storing small office materials such as paper, pens, etc. This is a one-of-a-kind ‘organ desk’ that not only is beautiful and functional but will also be conversation piece of furniture in homes and businesses.

c. 1890s, Sterling Organ Co. Walnut “organ desk”

This pump organ was purchased in Richland, Missouri.  It was manufactured by Sterling Organ Company around the 1890s.  I repurposed this non-working pump organ into this beautiful fully functional compact “Organ Desk”.  Stunning craftsmanship work on this American made piece of solid walnut furniture manufactured in this Derby, CT approximately 130 years ago.  The desktop was created from a similar age wooden drop leaf table and refinished with multiple coats of durable tung oil finish. Everything on this desk is original with the exception of the desktop, and backside scroll piece which I added to the piece, as it was missing its back cover.  Additionally, I added remote controlled LED light strip into the upper piece of the ‘organ desk’ to provide lighting to the desktop and it also creates a wonderful light pattern in dim lighting as the light passes through the scroll pieces. The internal bellows and other reed organ parts have been removed and the foot control panel has been relocated to the back of the desk to allow spacious room for feet movement. Hidden electrical pass-through ports are built in the back of the desk so that computer and other corded electronic equipment can be used.  The desk is equipped with original roller casters so that it can be easily moved by one or two people.  This is an original design and likely a one-of-a-kind piece that would look great in a home or business location.

c. 1880s, New Haven Walnut “Organ Desk”

This walnut pump organ was purchased in Richland, MO.  It was manufactured by the New Haven Melodeon Company in New Haven, Connecticut in 1877. I repurposed & restored into an awesome fully functional “organ desk”.  This American treasure is made of solid walnut wood casing. I retained the original keyboard, pull stops, and foot pedal controls which I removed and transferred to the rear of the organ desk in order to allow plenty of leg-room.  The desktop was constructed from a similar age antique solid walnut wooden table. Hidden electrical pass-through access ports are built into the back panel to allow the use of electrical components such as computers, monitors, radios, etc. Multiple coats of durable tung oil varnish finish have been hand buffed into the entire piece of this desk, which should provide decades of use with very little maintenance. Additionally, I installed a concealed remote controlled LED light strip into the upper shelving unit that illuminates the keys and desktop which adds a welcoming warm light glow to the desk in low light. Lastly, I included a secret hidden compartment under the desktop for storing small office materials such as paper, pens, etc. This is a one-of-a-kind ‘organ desk’ that not only is beautiful and functional but will also be conversation piece of furniture in homes and businesses.

B. Shoninger Rosewood ‘Organ Desk’, c.1872

 

 

Circa 1872. B. Shoninger rosewood melodeon that I repurposed & restored into an awesome fully functional “organ desk”.  This American treasure is made Brasilian rosewood and has gorgeous cabriole wooden legs with hand-carved angelic faces carved into the front legs. I was able to retain the original ivory & ebony keyboard keys and carved wooden foot pedals. I was able to repurpose the original hinged top cover into an awesome desktop complete with pass-through electrical ports that enable modern laptops, monitors and other electrical devices to be used for office/desk purposes. To preserve this treasured piece for decades to come, I hand buffed multiple coats of tung-oil varnish finish onto the piece that brings the original beauty back to its original state of over 140+ years ago when it was originally manufactured. Lastly, I included a secret hidden compartment under the desktop for storing small office materials such as paper, pens, etc. This is a one-of-a-kind ‘organ desk’ that not only is beautiful and functional but will also be a conversation piece of furniture in homes and businesses

c.1858 S.D. & W. Smith Rosewood Melodeon Desk

 

 A spectacular authentic pre-civil war (c.1858) antique S.D. & W. Smith Co. (Boston, MA) rosewood inoperative melodeon pump organ that I was able to ‘re-purpose’ and restore into a fully functioning writing desk. I was able to use practically all the original pieces of the organ (desk top, ivory keys, music scroll, foot pedals, etc) back into the desk for aesthetic purposes that clearly reflects its earlier life, while creating ‘new life’ that will enable this great American treasure to be functional for generations to come. I restored all the finish with multiple coats of tung oil, hand buffing between each coat. I also included hidden ‘pass through’ ports into the backside of the desktop that allows electrical equipment (e.g. laptop, etc) to be used with this desk. The legs are removable for easy transport in almost any vehicle and the whole desk weighs less than 50 pounds. The backside of the desk is fully finished and therefore can be viewed from the front or backside (e.g. large open room). This is truly an amazing fine piece of furniture that can’t really be compared to any newer desk that you might find made today. I continue to be amazed at the craftsmanship that our early American manufactures could build into these great American treasures with the primitive tools that they had available to them in mid-1800s. Enjoy! 

c. 1860s Xavier Spang Co. Rosewood Desk

c.1860’s Xavier Spang Co (Syracuse, NY) melodeon pump organ that I custom re-purposed into an awesome writing desk. The desk base is made from rosewood veneer and unique beautifully crafted decorative cast iron covering over solid wooden curved legs. The desktop was made from the original cover with a wonderful 150+ year old patina that I preserved by hand buffing multiple coats of tung oil. Additionally, I was able to incorporate some of the original ivory & ebony keys into the desk unit. These rosewood melodeon desks are a pleasure to create and make one of the most beautiful desks that I’ve seen anywhere.

c.1873 New Era Pump Organ Re-purposed Into A Functioning Writing Desk

Above pics show my latest ‘re-purposed’ c.1873 New Era Pump Organ that I transformed into a beautiful solid walnut writing desk. I was able to keep the original ivory organ keyboard keys, pull stop and to relocate the foot pedal backstop board and foot pedals onto the back of the desk which provides unencumbered leg room under the desk, while giving a nice resting spot for your feet. This particular desk has a 10 inch clearance from the desktop to the upper desk shelf which makes it suitable for using laptop and other low profile items. I also installed hidden LED lights under the top shelf that adds a nice glow to the desk at night highlighting the background keyboard keys. I have completely restored the structure and finish on this piece with numerous hand rubbed coats of low gloss tung oil finish which should protect this treasure for decades in the future. This is truly a unique, solid construction American treasure that I’m confident will likely be around for another century.

c.1860s Carhart & Needham Co (NY) Rosewood Melodeon Repurposed Into A Functional Writing Desk

c.1860s Carhart & Needham Co (New York) rosewood melodeon that I repurposed into a gorgeous functional writing desk. I was able to incorporate the original ivory & ebony keys into the sides of the desk. Everything on this piece is original and was in good condition prior to beginning this project.  I am always astonished how these 150+ year old treasures turn out in the end. It has now been passed on to a wonderful musically talented couple in Baltimore, MD where I’m sure it will be appreciated for many generations to come.