ORGAN restorers are being offered the chance to pull out all the stops and save a piece of history for posterity.
St Teresa’s Hospice Superstore, St T’s, has been donated a rare harmonium dating back to the 1800s.
The musical instrument uses bellows which are pumped by the musician’s feet to offer an organ-like blast from the past.
Donated by local architect John Niven, the French oak instrument had been in a church on the green in West Auckland.
Made in Paris by celebrated manufacturer H Christophe & Etienne, pristine examples have been known to realise several thousand pounds at auction.
St Teresa’s Hospice eBay specialist Peter Bradshaw said: “Any restorer would simply love this instrument as a project. It comes with a variety of spares and being mechanical would be able to be restored to working order.
“The harmonium makes a breathier sound than a conventional organ and is certainly worth restoring. We are currently taking advice from local auction houses on its value in its current condition.”
Anyone interested should contact St T’s on (01325) 353606 or drop into the superstore on McMullen Road, Darlington.
