Object Details
Description
This organ was made by Abraham Prescott in Concord, New Hampshire, around 1845-1855. It is a melodeon (lap organ) with a rectangular rosewood case, double bellows, single keyboard, with a compass of C - c3. This instrument is also known as an “elbow” organ, “rocking” melodeon, or lap organ. The swell knob plate is inscribed:
A. PRESCOTT
MANUFACTURER
CONCORD
N.H.
Abraham Prescott (1789-1858) was one of the most prolific of the bass viol makers. A self-taught instrument maker, he began his craft in Deerfield, New Hampshire, in 1809 and moved his business to Concord in 1831, where he continued to make violoncellos, bass viols, and double basses (and later reed organs and pianos) until about 1850. Prescott instruments are often fitted with machine-head tuning gears instead of more usual pegs.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Gift of Hugo Worch
date made
1845 - 1855
ID Number
MI.299856
catalog number
299856
accession number
61285
Object Name
organ (lap)
Physical Description
rosewood (overall material)
ivory (overall material)
ebony (overall material)
place made
United States: New Hampshire, Concord
See more items in
Culture and the Arts: Musical Instruments
Music & Musical Instruments
Organs
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_606049