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.1892 Mason & Hamlin Co Walnut Organ Desk

It’s been a while since I’ve restored/repurposed a pump organ with a hutch top on it, but this c.1892 Mason & Hamlin pump organ is truly an amazing piece.  The solid walnut wood and finish was in almost perfect condition considering it is 120+ years old.  Perhaps someone had restored it along the way and did a marvelous job.  I tried some different techniques with this one as I was able to remove the foot pedal backstop board and foot pedals and move them to the back of the desk.  Additionally, I relocated some of the original keys to the side of the desk instead of the back.  I also included the original organ pull stop panel to the back of the organ and installed hidden LED lights under the top shelf that adds a nice glow to the desk at night.  One thing I particularly like with this unit is it can be used with our without the hutch.  Also, there is sufficient height between the desktop and top shelf to allow laptops and smaller widescreen monitors to be used.  I have to say this is probably one of the best vertical type pump organs that I’ve had the pleasure of repurposing/restoring.  I’m confident this conversion will enable this wonderful American treasure to used for at least another century or more.

1855 Prescott Brothers Seraphine Pump Organ Repurposed Into A Burl Walnut Writing Desk

 

I was fortunate enough recently to purchase an inoperative circa 1855 Prescott Brothers Seraphine (e.g. similar to Melodeon) pump organ that I was able to repurpose into an awesome burl walnut writing desk.  The base unit frame appeared to be all original including the paper sticker on the back board that states the instruction for setting up the organ and is dated with a patent of 1849.  Once I removed the ivory & ebony keyboard, I discovered a handwritten signature (pencil) on the reed board that was signed by “L.Y. French, August 28, 1855”.  How cool is that.  I was able to incorporate the original ivory & ebony keys into the converted desk.  I also created a couple of “cubby storage bins” into the design that is large enough to store pens and other small desk items.

I am fairly certain the base sides was constructed with oak and burl walnut veneer that had developed an awesome patina over the past 160+ years.  I revived the finish and protected the wood through multiple applications of hand buffed coats of Formby’s Tung Oil.  For the desktop, I was able to repurpose the top cover using the inside part of the cover and cutting it to size to fit as a desktop.  I also made a couple of notches into the back hidden corners of the desktop that will allow electrical cords to be passed through the desk to the outside.  I have to say the desktop turned out amazing with a glass like gloss finish that really makes the grain of the wood pop.

Overall, this is one awesome piece.  Just wished we had the room to keep it for ourselves, but like my other repurposed organ desks I will likely list this one Etsy.com in the coming days with proceeds going to trusted charities.  If anyone is interested in this piece, please contact me, as the legs to unscrew off this unit and shipping it might be an option.

 

c.1892 Estey Pump Organ Repurposed Into a Walnut Writing Desk

 

Above pics show the transformation of this circa 1892-1894 Estey Organ Company (Brattleboro, VT) walnut pump organ into a beautiful solid walnut writing desk.  I was able to preserve the original keyboard keys, organ pull stops and foot pedals which I then incorporated back into the desk showing its originality and uniqueness of this one of a kind writing desk.  I made the desktop from another antique table I had acquired earlier which blended well with the walnut desk.  Additionally, I added a hidden LED light strip into the top shelf which adds a nice overall light glow to the desktop and keyboard keys.  My customer for this piece was very pleased with the results and it looks great in their home.

c.1890s Farrand Oak Organ Writing Desk

 

This was a very interesting transformation of an old c.1890s Farrand Organ Company pump organ into another beautiful solid oak writing desk.  At first sight, I was considering just painting over this piece, as you can see from the “before pic” above the finish was almost black from the 120+ years of darkened varnish.  After removing some of this old varnish, the oak grain began to come through and I knew that I had to follow through with the restoration and transformation of this wonderful American made piece of furniture.  I had and oak desktop about the same age and patina finish that I was able to use for the organ desktop that turned out gorgeous and was a perfect match to the organ.  I was able to retain the keyboard keys, organ stops and foot pedals which I incorporated into the organ desk.  I added an LED light strip to this unit which helped to highlight the keyboard keys and desktop. The customer for this desk was extremely happy with it, as it matched perfectly with her home decor. 

c.1900 Burdett Organ Co. Pump Organ Repurposed Into A Solid Walnut Writing Desk

Created this beautiful solid walnut writing desk from a c.1900 Burdett Organ Company (Chicago, IL) pump organ.  This fully functioning writing desk is solidly constructed.  I was able to retain the original keyboard keys, organ pull stops, and the foot pedals that adds to the authenticity and historical value of this American made treasure.  I hand rubbed/polished many layers of natural tung oil into all exterior surfaces of the desk.  Additionally, I was discovered how to add hidden LED light strips into the inside of the top shelf which results in a wonderful glow of light onto the keys, pull stops and desktop.  This organ desk is still for sale for $395.  Please contact me for details if interested.

 

c.1900 Beethoven Golden Tone Walnut Organ Writing Desk

c.1900 Beethoven Golden Tone walnut pump organ that I transformed (upcycled) into a beautiful fully functioning writing desk.  I was able to incorporate the organ keyboard pull stop and food pedals.  As this was one of my first organs to convert, I didn’t know how to incorporate the keyboard keys at that time, but did give them to the customer so perhaps they have found a way to incorporate them into the desk by now.  The wood tone/patina on this 100+ old desk turned beautiful.  I built the desktop from an antique drop side table from around the same time era.

c.1909 W.W. Putnam Organ Co. Walnut Writing Desk

This was one of my first antique pump organ transformations made from this c.1909 W.W. Putnam Organ Company (Staunton, VA).  It was a beautiful solid walnut piece with a wonderful carved hutch top that sat on top of the base desk. I used an antique dropside walnut table to make the desktop and was able to find a way to retain the original keyboard keys, organ pull stops and the foot pedals into the overall design of this fully functional writing desk. The customer was very pleased with the final product that looked great in her home alongside her other antique pieces of furniture.  She told me that she remembered watching her grandmother play on a pump organ when she was a small child and it brought back good memories.

c.1902 Moller Organ Company Walnut Writing Desk

Beautiful old 1902 Moller Organ Company (Hagerstown, MD) pump organ that I transformed into this wonderful solid walnut writing desk.  As shown in the pictures above, this desk also has a wonderful Eastlake style walnut hutch top that goes with it.  I added a hidden walnut slide out tray that allows for a keyboard to be ergonomically used and has plenty of room for monitor(s) to be used on the desktop.  A wonderful fully functioning desk that is being used daily for a small business.

c.1860 Richard Hornbacker Melodeon Pump Organ Repurposed Into A Writing Desk

This circa 1860 Richard Hownbacker Melodeon Pump Organ has been my most memorable transformation pump organ to writing desk projects thus far.  As the ‘before & after’ picture depicts this was a beautiful rosewood inoperative pump organ cabinet when I purchased it.  I was able to carefully disassemble the pump organ in order to retain the original ivory & ebony keyboard keys which I was able to incorporate back into the converted organ writing desk.  I moved the rosewood keyboard shelving to the rear of the desk to maximize the desk space while retaining the original scroll cut rosewood sheet music holder.  Lastly, I then began to restore & refinish this 150+ year old  piece of furniture with its hand carved solid rosewood curved legs.  This turned out to be an amazing stunning one-of-a-kind fully functional writing desk and will likely be around for another 100+ years.