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.

c.1940 Hallet & Davis ‘Piano Sideboard/Buffet’

I repurposed this awesome 1940 Hallet & Davis console spinet piano with its book matched burl walnut veneer console piano into a functioning sideboard/buffet display piece of furniture for a customer of mine who wanted to keep this family heirloom piece but had no more use for it as a piano. The piano was completely stripped of its musical mechanisms, but we were able to retain much of the original keyboard keys and foot pedals. Due to the customer’s space restraints for the new piece, we had to reduce the depth of the piano by cutting away some of the original keyboard support shelving. I added concealed remote control LED lighting strips under each shelf which resulted in awesome warm glowing light on each of the display shelves. It turned out awesome and will likely be in this family for decades to come.

 

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.

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.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.