Historical information

This organ in the Flagstaff Hill collection has a card under the hinged lid titled “The ‘Connoisseur’ Organ” and lists improvements, materials used in the components and directions for taking it apart; it is dated July 1883. Below this card is a printed label listing various Patents, dated; July 9th 1878 / Reissued December 10 1878 - plus September 10 1878 / April 15 1879 / October 28 1879.

“The Smith American Organ Company was originally established by S.D. Smith and H.W. Smith as early as 1852. First known as the Smith American Organ Company, the firm was located in Boston and built high end parlour organs and melodeons. In the early 1880s the firm began building pianos and the name of the firm was changed to "The Smith American Organ & Piano Company". In 1889, the firm acquired The Regal Piano Company from the New England Piano Company, and the firm was known as "The Smith American Piano Company" by the 1890s. The Smith American Piano Company built and controlled the Regal Piano Company line until 1903. Many of the instruments by Smith American were also labelled as 'The Palace Of Music'. It appears that the Smith American firm went out of business in the first part of the 20th Century.”

Significance

A significant item of musical memorabilia and regarded as a collectors item today.

Physical description

Reed organ (sometimes called a pump organ or melodeum). “Connoisseur “model, made by The Smith American Organ Company. Wooden piano-shaped musical instrument with carving and gold leaf decoration. Organ has keyboard, stops (16), shutters (10) above stop board, large foot pedals and a roll back keyboard cover. There is evidence of something being attached either side of the shutters (candle bracket?).

Inscriptions & markings

Attached inside hinged lid are Directions and Patent information of The Smith American Organ Company, Boston MASS. USA. Label is dated July 1883. Lettering in gold across front of organ “CONNOISSEUR”, “SMITH AMERICAN - - -“ and “ORGAN - - M - - ANY”