Supplied new to England in 1907, Limonaire Frères organ No. 3948 was originally built as a 35-key example (catalogue designation No. 255 – ‘Art Nouveau’). Factory ledgers indicate the instrument was supplied to the Hammersley family; by this time, however, the constituent members had either already retired, or were in the employ of other showmen. It is speculated that the organ was actually acquired by dealer Arthur Righini using his wife’s maiden name (Alexandra Hammersley, daughter of James Henry Hammersley – m. 1887). Righini, by this time, had ostracised himself from many of the Parisian organ houses.

The last association that Limonaire had with this instrument was in 1908 with the supply of three music books, the last of which being ‘God Save the King’. It is likely that after this date new perforated music was supplied by Chiappa Ltd, London.

During the 1920s Chiappa’s converted the organ to play from standardised 46-key music and it was supplied to Harvey & Saunders to travel London and the home counties in their juvenile roundabout – most notably Amersham Charter Fair! Ted Reed purchased the organ and ride in 1986, before selling the latter. The organ retains its familiar showland decoration.

With special thanks to Stephen Smith and Musée de la Musique Mécanique – Les Gets.