Unusual Artifacts: A Positive Organ, 1627

Positive Organ
Germany, 1627
This and all related images from:
The Victoria & Albert Museum

The term “Positive Organ” refers to an organ smaller than those typically used for church music. These were mostly employed in domestic settings, set on a table. One person would operate the keys while another pumped the bellows at the back of the instrument.

This one with its carved, painted and gilt pine case features keys made of birch. The organ pipes are constructed of stiffened, layered paper.

It’s believed that this instrument once belonged to Johann Georg, I Duke of Saxony (1585-1656), whose portrait adorns the piece. Strapwork strolls complete the elegant look. The organ was made in Dresden Germany in 1627 by Gottfried Fritzsche (1578-1638).

Object of the Day: Another Trade Card for Pianos

This is one of several Victorian trade cards that I have from this same thuggish supplier of pianos and organs. We’ve already looked at one other. These are all in the very 1880s fashion of monochromatic images on metallic ink which often depict chubby tots engaged in sporting activities, and, very often, in the process of being gravely injured.

Let’s take a look at this work of blue on a gold background. Called “Bucked,” it is dated to 1881. What’s happening here? Well, it’s a typical, bright, sunny, gilt-sky day. You know…just the sort of thing you’d see anywhere in the world in 1881. Everything seems normal. A child with a large posterior is riding a bicycle. He (or possibly she) is, for some reason, dressed like a page with a wee, stylish pillbox hat. Princess Diana would have worn it in 1981. He’s hit a rock with is front tire and is being propelled over the handle bars. No doubt, he wall fall into the thorny shrubbery which lines the fence. His injuries will be too severe for 1881 medicine. His physician will prescribe him sarsaparilla—taken orally as well as rubbed on his wounds. Death is unavoidable. Buy some pianos.

The reverse bears the same heavy-handed, slightly ominous copy with which this card’s brother has been printed. “Maybe you buy some pianos. Maybe this whole thing goes away. Maybe you add an organ. Maybe the kid doesn’t need to die. You get me?”

We are selling PIANOS and ORGANS 

At just Ten Dollars advance on the Whole- 

sale Prices. 

-<<<<<---- span="">>---->.-.<---- span=""><---->>>>>-

WE WISH IT POSITIVELY UNDER- 

STOOD THAT WE KEEP NO AGENTS. 

-------------------------

We sell an ORGAN for 50 Dollars as good 

as any other Dealer that employs Agents 

can Sell at 75 Dollars. 

-------------------------------

WE SELL A BETTER PIANO FOR $250 THAN 

AGENTS AND DEALERS WHO EMPLOY THEM, 

CAN SELL FOR $350. 

WE HAVE CONTRACTED TO SELL 3,000 PIANOS 

AND ORGANS IN ONE YEAR. AND WILL SELL 

To ALL at Wholesale Prices. 

-------------------------- 

Look to your interest and send for our 

WHOLESALE PRICE LIST before pur- 

chasing. 

NEW YORK MUSIC COMPANY 

524 GENESEE AVENUE 

          EAST SAGINAW , MICH. 

                                DEPEW. Manager.

Object of the Day: A Trade Card for Pianos and Organs

Click Image to Enlarge

In my growing collection of antique ephemera, I have several trade cards which are printed in monochromatic ink on a metallic ink background. The metallic backgrounds create a sense of motion in these scenes which usually involve children involved in sporting pursuits. For example, this American card printed in blue and silver shows a young man attempting the high vault. Sadly, his pole has snapped in half. I’m sure death is nigh.

So, this must be an advertisement for medicine or some sort of invigorating sarsaparilla. Yes? No. It’s an advertisement for pianos. Once again, this was a stock card which was selected by the business owner because he or she knew it would be the sort of thing which would be collectible and would end up bringing news of their concern into people’s homes.

Let’s take a look at the reverse.

It’s printed upside down. I don’t think that was intentional. It’s also oddly aggressive for a piano ad.

It reads: 

We are selling PIANOS and ORGANS 

At just Ten Dollars advance on the Whole- 

sale Prices. 

-<<<<<---- span="">>---->.-.<---- span=""><---->>>>>-

WE WISH IT POSITIVELY UNDER- 

STOOD THAT WE KEEP NO AGENTS. 

-------------------------

We sell an ORGAN for 50 Dollars as good 

as any other Dealer that employs Agents 

can Sell at 75 Dollars. 

-------------------------------

WE SELL A BETTER PIANO FOR $250 THAN 

AGENTS AND DEALERS WHO EMPLOY THEM, 

CAN SELL FOR $350. 

WE HAVE CONTRACTED TO SELL 3,000 PIANOS 

AND ORGANS IN ONE YEAR. AND WILL SELL 

To ALL at Wholesale Prices. 

-------------------------- 

Look to your interest and send for our 

WHOLESALE PRICE LIST before pur- 

chasing. 

NEW YORK MUSIC COMPANY 

524 GENESEE AVENUE 

          EAST SAGINAW , MICH. 

                                DEPEW. Manager.

Object of the Day, Museum Edition: A Positive Organ, 1627

Positive Organ
Germany, 1627
This and all related images from:
The Victoria & Albert Museum

The term “Positive Organ” refers to an organ smaller than those typically used for church music. These were mostly employed in domestic settings, set on a table. One person would operate the keys while another pumped the bellows at the back of the instrument.

This one with its carved, painted and gilt pine case features keys made of birch. The organ pipes are constructed of stiffened, layered paper.

It’s believed that this instrument once belonged to Johann Georg, I Duke of Saxony (1585-1656), whose portrait adorns the piece. Strapwork strolls complete the elegant look. The organ was made in Dresden Germany in 1627 by Gottfried Fritzsche (1578-1638).

Unusual Artifacts: A Positive Organ, 1627

Positive Organ
Germany, 1627
This and all related images from:
The Victoria & Albert Museum

The term “Positive Organ” refers to an organ smaller than those typically used for church music. These were mostly employed in domestic settings, set on a table. One person would operate the keys while another pumped the bellows at the back of the instrument.

This one with its carved, painted and gilt pine case features keys made of birch. The organ pipes are constructed of stiffened, layered paper.

It’s believed that this instrument once belonged to Johann Georg, I Duke of Saxony (1585-1656), whose portrait adorns the piece. Strapwork strolls complete the elegant look. The organ was made in Dresden Germany in 1627 by Gottfried Fritzsche (1578-1638).

Object of the Day: Another Trade Card for Pianos

This is one of several Victorian trade cards that I have from this same thuggish supplier of pianos and organs. We’ve already looked at one other. These are all in the very 1880s fashion of monochromatic images on metallic ink which often depict chubby tots engaged in sporting activities, and, very often, in the process of being gravely injured.

Let’s take a look at this work of blue on a gold background. Called “Bucked,” it is dated to 1881. What’s happening here? Well, it’s a typical, bright, sunny, gilt-sky day. You know…just the sort of thing you’d see anywhere in the world in 1881. Everything seems normal. A child with a large posterior is riding a bicycle. He (or possibly she) is, for some reason, dressed like a page with a wee, stylish pillbox hat. Princess Diana would have worn it in 1981. He’s hit a rock with is front tire and is being propelled over the handle bars. No doubt, he wall fall into the thorny shrubbery which lines the fence. His injuries will be too severe for 1881 medicine. His physician will prescribe him sarsaparilla—taken orally as well as rubbed on his wounds. Death is unavoidable. Buy some pianos.

The reverse bears the same heavy-handed, slightly ominous copy with which this card’s brother has been printed. “Maybe you buy some pianos. Maybe this whole thing goes away. Maybe you add an organ. Maybe the kid doesn’t need to die. You get me?”

We are selling PIANOS and ORGANS 

At just Ten Dollars advance on the Whole- 

sale Prices. 

-<<<<<---->---->.-.<----<---->>>>>-

WE WISH IT POSITIVELY UNDER- 

STOOD THAT WE KEEP NO AGENTS. 

-------------------------

We sell an ORGAN for 50 Dollars as good 

as any other Dealer that employs Agents 

can Sell at 75 Dollars. 

-------------------------------

WE SELL A BETTER PIANO FOR $250 THAN 

AGENTS AND DEALERS WHO EMPLOY THEM, 

CAN SELL FOR $350. 

WE HAVE CONTRACTED TO SELL 3,000 PIANOS 

AND ORGANS IN ONE YEAR. AND WILL SELL 

To ALL at Wholesale Prices. 

-------------------------- 

Look to your interest and send for our 

WHOLESALE PRICE LIST before pur- 

chasing. 

NEW YORK MUSIC COMPANY 

524 GENESEE AVENUE 

          EAST SAGINAW , MICH. 

                                DEPEW. Manager.

Object of the Day: A Trade Card for Pianos and Organs

Click Image to Enlarge

In my growing collection of antique ephemera, I have several trade cards which are printed in monochromatic ink on a metallic ink background. The metallic backgrounds create a sense of motion in these scenes which usually involve children involved in sporting pursuits. For example, this American card printed in blue and silver shows a young man attempting the high vault. Sadly, his pole has snapped in half. I’m sure death is nigh.

So, this must be an advertisement for medicine or some sort of invigorating sarsaparilla. Yes? No. It’s an advertisement for pianos. Once again, this was a stock card which was selected by the business owner because he or she knew it would be the sort of thing which would be collectible and would end up bringing news of their concern into people’s homes.

Let’s take a look at the reverse.

It’s printed upside down. I don’t think that was intentional. It’s also oddly aggressive for a piano ad.

It reads: 

We are selling PIANOS and ORGANS 

At just Ten Dollars advance on the Whole- 

sale Prices. 

-<<<<<---->---->.-.<----<---->>>>>-

WE WISH IT POSITIVELY UNDER- 

STOOD THAT WE KEEP NO AGENTS. 

-------------------------

We sell an ORGAN for 50 Dollars as good 

as any other Dealer that employs Agents 

can Sell at 75 Dollars. 

-------------------------------

WE SELL A BETTER PIANO FOR $250 THAN 

AGENTS AND DEALERS WHO EMPLOY THEM, 

CAN SELL FOR $350. 

WE HAVE CONTRACTED TO SELL 3,000 PIANOS 

AND ORGANS IN ONE YEAR. AND WILL SELL 

To ALL at Wholesale Prices. 

-------------------------- 

Look to your interest and send for our 

WHOLESALE PRICE LIST before pur- 

chasing. 

NEW YORK MUSIC COMPANY 

524 GENESEE AVENUE 

          EAST SAGINAW , MICH. 

                                DEPEW. Manager.