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Rocking Melodeon

Caleb Packard American
ca. 1843
Not on view
The "rocking" melodeon or organ received this moniker because it had to be pumped up and down (the keyboard therefore rocking) in order to pump the bellows to sound the reeds.

Technical description: Rectangular case of rosewood veneer above a diagonally-divided double bellows; removable top panel with paper label on front portion, keyboard along rear edge; compass G-g2, ivory naturals, ebony accidentals; brass free reeds beneath front portion of removable face panel, each reed with an incised roman numeral (I through VIII, repeated); reeds blown rather than sounded by suction; U-shaped reed holders set with ends pointing up; lower bellows leather separated from wooden frame, revealing the inside of the leather lined with newspaper dated June 5, 1843

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Rocking Melodeon
  • Maker: Caleb Packard (American, Brockton, Massachusetts 1818–1906 Brockton)
  • Date: ca. 1843
  • Geography: Bridgewater, Massachusetts, United States
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: Wood, various materials
  • Dimensions: Length 52.5 cm, Width 24.7 cm, Depth 13.0 cm, 3-octave span (G to g2) 46.5 cm
  • Classification: Aerophone-Free Reed-harmonium
  • Credit Line: The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
  • Object Number: 89.4.1522
  • Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments

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