George Astor c1800s Barrel organ for sale.
The organ is by George Astor, of 79 Cornhill Road London and is dated to between 1798 and 1814.It was owned by Captain Samuel James Horton, who brought it out from England, who later presented it to the Methodist Chapel in Ross in the 1850’s.
The organ has been restored carefully using traditional techniques and methods. Mahogany, Baltic pine, sheep skin and animal glue etc.
- It has three ranks of pipes, an 8’ Stopped Diapason in wood, a 4’Principal and a 2’ Fifteenth both cone tuned.
- There are three barrels holding a total of thirty tunes, God save the King, Rule Britannia etc. and the rest are songs, dances, jigs, and reels.
- There is also a Drum stop and a Triangle not currently connected.
It is tuned to an appropriate unequal temperament.
The organ and restoration has been extensively documented. It is listed in Pipe Organs of Tasmania (revised) by B.A. Clark and J.M.S.Johnson. An extensive article written by Marc Nobel documenting the restoration and history of the instrument is available at the Organ Historical Trust of Australia website.