Back to gallerylistMELODEON - LAP ORGAN - ca. 1845
This 3 1/3 octave instrument was made and sold by Dearborn & Bartlett in Concord, New Hampshire in the 1840's. The advertising broadside pasted to the inside of the original wooden case indicates that they purchased the stock and interests in the manufacture of melodions from Charles Austin.
Case measurements: 21"x12"x7".
The Rocking Melodeon, or Lap organ, or Elbow organ was developed in the early 19th century and is credited to James A Bazin who emigrated from the island of Jersey and settled in Canton, Mass. His design was based on the French accordion. He began production around 1825. Abraham Prescott produced similar instruments in New Hampshire. Dearborn and Bartlett were sellers of a variety of musical instruments in Concord, N.H. before going into the lap organ business. The instrument later carried the name of only Daniel B. Bartlett. Bartlett had reportedly worked for Prescott before starting his own business in Concord.
The name of the manufacturer in the instrument:
The instrument in front:
The instrument from the right:
The instrument in its original case, complete with advertisement:
