Organette made by J. M. Draper of Blackburn
Bought at Laurence Fisher's 2025 Auction in Eastbourne for a princely £20.
The underside has a paper sheet (see below) with the maker's details and instructions on how to load the paper rolls. It reads:
By Royal Letter Patent. No 12,670 (twice)
Sole Patentee and Manufacturer. J. M. Draper, "English" Organette Works, Higher Audley Street
Blackburn.
Sole Patentee and Manufacturer.
My friend Anna Svenson agreed to restore this for me in exchange for me restoring a small Catrtel. I do love a good barter!
The underside has a paper sheet (see below) with the maker's details and instructions on how to load the paper rolls. It reads:
By Royal Letter Patent. No 12,670 (twice)
Sole Patentee and Manufacturer. J. M. Draper, "English" Organette Works, Higher Audley Street
Blackburn.
Sole Patentee and Manufacturer.
My friend Anna Svenson agreed to restore this for me in exchange for me restoring a small Catrtel. I do love a good barter!
After Restoration
Images as received.
Anna says:
I have re-covered the bellows and replaced the flap valves inside. I have also replaced the screw inside which operates the spill valve. As soon as the bellows lose air someone always comes along and sticks down the spill valve or disables it thinking that this will solve the problem!
I have cleaned the outside but have not polished the brass or put any finish on the wood but it looks as if someone has painted it with some sort of varnish or something at some time. I removed the reeds and cleaned all the muck, dust and dead insects off them. Someone has replaced one so two of them seem to be the same length but they have been tuned to play the right notes. (They all play the right notes but some of them may be sharp or flat according to my tuning instrument).
I have re-covered the bellows and replaced the flap valves inside. I have also replaced the screw inside which operates the spill valve. As soon as the bellows lose air someone always comes along and sticks down the spill valve or disables it thinking that this will solve the problem!
I have cleaned the outside but have not polished the brass or put any finish on the wood but it looks as if someone has painted it with some sort of varnish or something at some time. I removed the reeds and cleaned all the muck, dust and dead insects off them. Someone has replaced one so two of them seem to be the same length but they have been tuned to play the right notes. (They all play the right notes but some of them may be sharp or flat according to my tuning instrument).