Clementi Barrel Organ
I thought I had try putting something up on the forum so thought I would show my la-*test*-('") aquisition. It is a Clementi Barrel organ c1820-30??which has a Drum, Triangle, Diapason, Principal, Twelfth and Fifteenth. I recently collected it from London where it had been stored safely in the cellar but unfortunately a toilet cistern had overflowed and been dripping in the organ for a considerable amount of time until it was discovered and rescued. My intention it to fully restore the organ there being one barrel that can be saved easily. The other three barrels are very bad and maybe I will eventually try to recreate them. If anyone knows of another similar instrument I would love to hear from them or see pictures of one as the front panel of dummy pipes is missing from the organ and it has possibly had its case altered at a later date. Stuart

Hi. Congratulations on your purchase. I cant help you with the pictures, although I could give you info on 2 gavioli barrell organs, although that wouldnt help you much. To upload photos you go to tiny pic (www.tinypic.com) and upload your photo, and then put the IMG code in the post Heres out 1870 75 Key Gavioli Barrell Organs

Hi Stuart; These English cylinder organs with drum, triangle, etc. aren't terrifically rare; I've seen several of them pictured in collections, for sale in catalogs, etc. This is good! Chances are good that one of the Mechanical Music museums in the UK has a very similar instrument to yours that they could let you inspect. Have you tried going around to those yet? I remember that Arthur Ord-Hume's book, "Barrel Organ", has a nice chapter in the back detailing how to restore and regulate, etc. a cylinder organ similar to yours. Also, there is a gentleman by the name of Craig Smith in the U.S. who has restored a number of cylinder organs of different types and is apparently respected in the field. Perhaps you could try contacting him for assistance.

Clementi Barrel organ
First of all thank you Jake Preston for helping me with the up loading of pictures. Second Mr Barrett yes I have to get round to finding a similar instrument by the same maker. I recently restored an Astor Barrel organ for the company I work for www.goetzegwynn.co.uk but they do vary slightly and I would like to find one of the same manufacture. Clementi was sucesser to Longman and Broderip so it may be that their instruments were not too dissimilar. I undertake all the companies barrel organ resatorations my mane interest being in mechanical organs as my father owns the Ex Day's 89Key Gavioli. I will maybe write an article one day about the restoration. The restored Astor http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=1a75njzEA3k

Wow! Can't wait till the restoration process is compleated.

your welcome. we think our gavi is ment to have some percusion. as there was origionally a bandmaster and bellringers. There is also some percussion keys on the barrell

Wow you are truly lucky to have such beautiful organs in your Grandparnet's collection. Truly I think that organ is the oldest traveling fairground organ in your entire country.

I agree, It is a real privialage to be in a situation of that I am. and I realy do appreciate it, I think the organ could be the oldest travelling. But im not the person to ask :)