BS: free to good home, harmonium - gone now

Subject: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: Morticia
Date: 25 Oct 03 - 08:42 AM

Anyone want a free harmonium? House-broken, doesn't eat much, behaves well in company. Apparently it used to belong to Bonnie Shaljean (sp?).Anyway, if you have a way to collect it ( south of England)and promise to be kind to it, it's yours.

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Oct 03 - 09:27 AM

Wow! What I'd give to live in south of England right now!**bg**

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: Alice
Date: 25 Oct 03 - 07:41 PM

I'll pay the shipping if you can tell me how much it would be.

Alice

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: Alice
Date: 26 Oct 03 - 09:15 AM

Is it an Indian style lap harmonium, or one of those big old harmoniums with foot pedals?

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: Morticia
Date: 26 Oct 03 - 01:24 PM

it's a huge, great, floor standing jobbie.....cost a fortune to get it across to you,I would think....

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Oct 03 - 06:56 PM

Oh rats! Like the one Llanfair got, right?

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: CraigS
Date: 26 Oct 03 - 07:19 PM

There's a Harmonium museum somewhere - Rochdale comes to mind. I shall enquire. Who made it?

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: CraigS
Date: 26 Oct 03 - 07:26 PM

Victorian Reed Organ and Harmonium Museum
Victoria Hall
Victoria Road
Saltaire
Shipley,
W.Yorks
BD18 4PS

01274 585601

If they don't want it, they should know of a good home for it.

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 26 Oct 03 - 07:31 PM

How in the hell did you end up with a bloody harmonium?

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 26 Oct 03 - 08:50 PM

Harmoniums (most are really American Organs; the sound is much the same but the bellows work differently) have rather the same status as pianos used to have before the era of the Piano Smashing Competitions; there are a lot of the things kicking about, mostly in quite poor condition, and there isn't much demand. You can pay through the nose for an "antique", or, with patience, pick up something cheap through newspaper ads and the like. Getting rid of them isn't always easy, and a museum would usually only be interested in something pretty unusual.

If it used to belong to Bonnie Shaljean, it may be a Hillier? I have no idea if they're worth anything, but the one I'm thinking of would be quite elegant compared to the tank-like Guelph I've got (which was Canadian-made; a lot of American Organs were imported from Ontario). Might have a walnut case? Idle curiosity, I'm afraid; I barely have room for mine and have built a stack of bookshelves onto it.

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: jonm
Date: 27 Oct 03 - 03:07 AM

Hi there

You're right. A working harmonium in good condition is worth practically nothing - would cost more to hire a van to transport it. Exotic woods or particularly significant makes can be worth more, whether they play or not, so the guy who repaired the in-laws' one said.

Assuming you haven't yet got rid...

Is this instrument in tune and in reasonable condition?

Can you measure it in all three dimensions and give me a rough idea of its weight (e.g. can an average bloke lift one end?)

Is there anything else I might need to know (like, it's up fourteen floors of spiral staircase)?

My better half would love one!

Jonm

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 27 Oct 03 - 03:21 AM

Come on Morty.....WE need to know how you got a Harmonium!!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: Morticia
Date: 27 Oct 03 - 07:52 AM

I don't have a harmonium but a friend of mine does and offered it to me...sadly I have no room for it and offered to try here for a new owner.

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: jimmyt
Date: 27 Oct 03 - 03:57 PM

Morty, this isn't a pet word you call Allan is it? I was afraid you were putting him on the auction block already!! We yanks are a little rich to put up with til you get used to us, so just hang in there! He is from Virginia, so is probably not paper trained yet, but he will learn! grin

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: GUEST,rock chick
Date: 27 Oct 03 - 04:41 PM

Well blow me down , there i am in the South of England, PM me with details, i promise to be good to it. ;o))

rc

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 27 Oct 03 - 06:16 PM

[Been away from my puter for a few days] What's it look like? The ones I used to play on gigs with Packie (who collected so many of them that I sometimes used to call him "Packrat") were all portable folding ones, though we had some smallish floor-standing harmoniums(harmonia?) too which WERE actual harmoniums, one from a church in Yorkshire; but they weren't that big. Another, an organ (also from Yorkshire) was quite ornate and very prettily carved. I also co-owned (pre-Packie) a gigantic American cottage organ with a bunch of stops on it which got "loaned" to friends then living in Portobello Road and never retrieved (maybe it ate them). I'll try to supply further info if I have more details.

PS: If it's the latter, I once had a hilarious Phantom-Of-The-Opera-style photo of me playing it, wearing a very Gothic black velvet dress. It's a scream. But I lost it. Fortunately.

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: Morticia
Date: 28 Oct 03 - 08:10 AM

Bonnie, the harmonium in question now lives with Ann Lennox-Martin's daughter Elayna...... is it the one that went walkabout in the Portobello Road and if so, do you want it back?

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 28 Oct 03 - 08:29 AM

Gosh, no!!!! I have nowhere to put it and would only have to post a note in Mudcat asking if anyone wanted a free harmonium...

I think this must be the same instrument (the monster, actually an organ as Malcolm says) because the people who lived in Portobello Road are friends of Annie's. I'll be delighted for it to go to a good home, and am happy also to report that Laynie has a fine new baby boy which is probably the reason there's now no spare space.

Whoever gets it, please post a note here - not for any ulterior reason but just to know where it ended up. Play it in good health -

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 28 Oct 03 - 08:42 AM

Actually, team, I've just thought of somthing - can't believe it didn't connect with the brain cell(s) sooner: I'd better ask the person I co-owned this instrument with (we shared a house and paid a fiver each for it) if she wants it. Can everyone hang on until I check with her?

I'll post a message as soon as I hear from her. But if she doesn't, I'll just add for PR's sake that it has a lovely big huge sound when you pull the stops out and engage the couplers. It's a nice animal and really should have some folks to love and play it. As they say, I'll get back to you -

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: Morticia
Date: 28 Oct 03 - 12:01 PM

Bonnie, I am said infant's God(dess)mother and he is indeed fine...I'll direct Elayna to this thread so she knows to hang fire a while....thanks for all the interest from everyone though.

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 29 Oct 03 - 07:27 AM

Swap you for half a dozen melodeons and a piano accordion (electric)?

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: Watson
Date: 29 Oct 03 - 08:29 AM

Morticia, if Elayna says her mother has found someone who wants a harmonium - take no notice of her.
We were with Anne last night and said quietly but within her hearing, 'I wonder where we could find a harmonium.' Without stopping to wonder why we should bring up that subject, or indeed what on earth we'd want to do with the instrument, she was on the case straight away, offering it to us and even saying she'd bring it back for us.
I think she'll see the joke - but on the other hand, if it arrives on our doorstep before I've had the chance to explain...

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: Morticia
Date: 29 Oct 03 - 12:15 PM

Bad Watson! See if you get any sympathy from me if the joke backfires *G*.

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: Watson
Date: 29 Oct 03 - 12:29 PM

Sorry!

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 29 Oct 03 - 07:30 PM

The last time I came across a harmonium, I was in "Crusaders" as a teenager! I'd love it, but we already have a full-size piano, 4 guitars, 2 bodhrans, button accordion, piano accordion and various other assorted percussion in the house: also we live in Scotland, so nowhere near you, Morticia!

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 31 Oct 03 - 01:45 PM

Sorry to be so long getting back to everybody, but I've now made contact with my friend who says - much as she loves the idea of having it - the actuality is too difficult, especially as she'll be moving again within the year. She and I, as its former parents, both feel that if someone will give it a good home, it goes with our blessings. So the beast is in need of a new lair. Memory tells me (but you know how unreliable memory can be) that, although it's fairly big, it doesn't weigh as much as it looks like it should.

So, Morticia, back over to you. Let us all know who gets it!

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: The Shambles
Date: 31 Oct 03 - 03:42 PM

Last year - for a chap new to playing the bazouki and new to our session I put together a tape of many of the tunes we played and few more that I thought may interest him. Sadly I included 'Music For A Found Harmonium' as performed by Patrick Street.

I say sadly - as he fell in love with this tune and this was the only tune that he did learn from the tape. However, he does play this fast and rather tricky tune very well and we play it with him just about every week.

Martin is bit of a magpie and has many strange and wonderful instuments. As a bit of a joke - I did mention this thread to him last night and said that - I had 'found' a harmonum for him. He saw the joke but did say that he would be very pleased to give this one a good home and that he would be prepared to collect it....

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 31 Oct 03 - 06:09 PM

Does he want the 1/2 dozen melodeons and the piano accordion (electric) too??

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 07 Nov 03 - 12:35 PM

I'll have it.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 08 Nov 03 - 08:29 AM

Giok - just don't let Manitas know you've got them then.

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 08 Nov 03 - 09:21 AM

I meant the organ you silly boy!
*BG* Giok

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 08 Nov 03 - 10:45 AM

Damn.... doesn't anyone one 1/2 dozen melodeons?

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 08 Nov 03 - 12:06 PM

We could have a fair sized bonfire with 1/2 dozen Melodeons!!!!

Sadly I have no room for a Harmonium as I hope to have my piano wiht me at some point in the near future.

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: Morticia
Date: 08 Dec 03 - 05:12 PM

refresh.....I am only acting as the middlecat here....Pm me for the owner's e-mail if you are interested.....

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 09 Dec 03 - 09:35 AM

Giok said that he wanted it - why not PM him Morty.

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: maeve
Date: 14 Sep 07 - 06:42 PM

Alright. I need to know how this harmonium story ended up. Please, Giok, Morticia, someone, what's "The rest of the story?"

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: Morticia
Date: 14 Sep 07 - 06:45 PM

Duhh, think someone took it in the end but I moved away about then so not sure. Tell you what, Maeve, I'll check since it seems to matter to you *grin*

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: maeve
Date: 14 Sep 07 - 11:04 PM

Oooh, thanks, Morticia. It was just a fun little thread weaving in, out, around the barn and bark I am very curious how it all ended.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 15 Sep 07 - 05:31 AM

Well I bought a lovely harmonium off E-Bay, and it's a lovely piece of furniture, but I still can't play it !
G ¦¬]

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: Morticia
Date: 15 Sep 07 - 07:10 AM

I am sad to say that no-one wanted it and it was broken up and put on the fire. Breaks your heart, doesn't it? SOrry it was a sad ending, Maeve.

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: maeve
Date: 15 Sep 07 - 07:30 AM

Oh, dear. Well I'm glad Giok got one (keep trying, eh?) and I am glad and sad to hear the ending. Thanks, Morticia.

Maybe we need a permathread for finding homes for unwanted instruments. At least someone could use the wood from harmoniums and the like.

maeve, who always wants good old instruments.

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: GUEST,Michelle
Date: 18 Aug 10 - 07:42 PM

Hello - has this gone - i would love it. I teach yoga and do kitan chants and have been looking for a harmonium for a few months. Happy to pay. Please. Will have an excellent home and in a yoga studio
- Michelle. (yoga teacher) is it still available. Please can you email me at [e-mail]

Thank you

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: GUEST,Michelle
Date: 18 Aug 10 - 07:44 PM

Did i just ead this properly - put on the fire?? Are you serious. I cant find one for under 500 gbp and have been searching for a 2nd hand one for months

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home , harmonium (U.K)
From: maeve
Date: 18 Aug 10 - 08:28 PM

Hello, Guest Michelle- The bad news is that yes, that particular harmonium did end up on a fire. The good news is that it was three years ago. I hope you find one.

Welcome to Mudcat!

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: free to good home, harmonium - gone now
From: Anne Lister
Date: 19 Aug 10 - 07:11 PM

That is a great pity - I was the co-owner of that harmonium with Bonnie and would have had space for it if I'd realised it was heading for a fire instead of a home.   What a shame!