73-Key Decap – ‘Pascal’

72-key Decap 'Pascal'

73-key Decap ‘Pascal’ playing: Oh! Mr Porter – Le Brunn

In the years around 1950 the firm of Gebr Decap in Antwerp built a very successful series of 72 key dance organs. Some 40 years later, these remained in great demand from collectors, so the firm, which was still in business produced, a further batch of these organs to an identical design, of which ‘Pascal’ is one. Dance organs, which were popular in Belgium and the southern part of the Netherlands, were originally intended for use in cafes and dance halls where they would provide music for entertainment and dancing. The visible percussion, accordion and saxophone on the facade provided much visual interest in addition the musical effect. Nevertheless, behind the façade, the musical sound is produced entirely by pipework, as in the case of a fairground organ. For many years ‘Pascal’ was in the ownership of the Wolsleger family who would take it out to Tilburg city centre. When offered for sale, after many years of use, Ted Reed took the opportunity to acquire it and bring it to the Museum.

Decap 'Pascal'

Photograph courtesy of Pascal Wolslegel. Information courtesy of Peter Craig.