Reed Organ Dater

Although it's nearly impossible to detrermine exactly when a particular reed organ was manufactured,
serial numbers were assigned in a sequential manner; allowing one to date instruments to within a couple
of years of their manufacture. Numbers for an Estey can be found in various locations,
including on an internal sticker or stamped into the wooden exterior at the back of the organ.
The table below gives a list of dates and serial numbers that are known to be reliable.
See also E.A. Boadway's listing

 
1850 400
1855 2400
1860 5600
May 1864 8700
1865 9500
1867 14000
1870 24000
May 1871 25036
1872 35000
1874 48000
1876 62000
1878 79000
1880 100000
Feb 1881 106640
1882 122000
1884 146000
1885 152172
1886 170000
1888 194000
May 1888 197979
1890 221000
1892 250000
1893 281410
1894 284000
1896 298000
1898 310000
1900 322000
1902 334000
1904 345000
1905 350000
1906 355000
1908 365000
1910 375000
1912 385000
1915 400000
1920 425000
1925 449000
1930 469000
1935 483000
1940 493000
1945 496000
1950 499000
1951 500000
1955 506000

Back


Copyright 2004-2010 Matrix Associates