26 C O N T E X T 1 0 5 : J U LY 2 0 0 8 example of a particular style, whether musically, in mechanism or in case design? Case Perhaps the easiest feature to assess, given awareness of historical styles. Almost any case before 1850 is of historic value. Acoustics Organs are initially voiced for a specific acoustic environment. Changes in location within the building, or in building acoustics (by carpeting, for example) may have a detrimental effect on the sound of the instrument. Some of the components of an organ which may have particular historic value are: Console The console gets more physical wear than any other part of the instrument, so few survive from before 1860. Those that do are correspondingly important. Most consoles have real ivory stop-knobs and key surfaces which should be preserved. The fitting of electrical accessories and associated wiring should be discouraged, as should playing controls of anachronistic design. Soundboards The so-called soundboards of an organ are actually boxes that contain the valves controlling the wind supply to each pipe. As the compass of English organs changed after 1840, pre-1840 soundboards are particularly rare. Modern heating can lead to low winter humidity which causes old soundboards to split. Pipes Even distinguished architects have sometimes failed to realise that there are many more pipes than those visible in the case. A modest instrument may well have over a thousand pipes. Interior pipes do not easily corrode, so historic pipes often turn up inside much later instruments. Few pipes are unrepairable even if seriously damaged. Late 19th century innovations have given some pipes of this period a special importance. Relocation If an historic organ is in a redundant building or at risk in its present location, it is essential to find a new home before dismantling. No one will buy an organ that cannot be seen and heard. Secondhand organs are usually advertised on the IBO website (www.ibo.co.uk). Left: St Bartholomew, Armley, Leeds. Edmund Schulze/Walker and Athron, 1879.The restoration was grantaided by English Heritage. (Photo: John Norman) Right St George’s Hall, Liverpool. HenryWillis/ CR Cockerell, 1855.This instrument is not protected by the ecclesiastical exemption. (Photo: John Norman) John Norman is chairman of the British Institute of Organ Studies. Basic information on individual instruments is available on the National Pipe Organ Register (www.npor.emma. cam.ac.uk). Accredited professional advisers can be contacted via the Association of Independent Organ Advisers (www. aioa.org.uk) St Peter-le-Moors, Bolton. Thomas Hill, 1882. Note theVictorian stencilled pipe decoration. (Photo: John Norman)
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