I bought and removed the organ in 1962 with the help of Harry Radloff who now lives in Williamsville, NY. It was a Wurlitzer Style 260, 3-manual, 15 rank unit orchestra built in North Tonawanda in 1920. Harry and I removed the last part of the instrument as the theatre was being knocked down!
The organ was installed in my residence in Mentor, Ohio. In 1977, the organ was sold, moved, and installed in the residence of Ernie Boda of Stratford, CT.
The Brass Trumpet, which went to Temple Beth Congregation, was replaced with a Post Horn which was built by Roger Mumbrue of Bloomfield Hills, MI.
This organ was the first Wurlitzer to have Tibia Clausa and Quintadena stops. The organ was used by the Wurlitzer Co. as a demonstration instrument and was ofren played by the legendary organist, C. Sharpe Minor. One of the unusual things about this instrument was that the Tibia Clausa and the Tuba did not have a tremulant! Of course, the first thing I did when the organ was installed in my home was to add these two tremulants! The 32' Diaphone (12 pipes) could not be used in my home, and I watched them go down with a 600# wrecking ball! These huge pipes were a real match for the 600# ball!
The organ was completely rebuilt. The zypher skin pneumatics were redone with tan leather, except for the relays which were redone with zypher skin. In one weekend, all of the pipechests were releathered with the wonderful help of a great crew which included Harry Radloff, Dennis Unks (Erie PA), Rog Mumbrue, Bob Kagy (Mentor, OH), Jim Widdis (Detroit), and others.
The organ was played by many artists including Johnny Seng, Lee Erwin, Ashley Miller, and Leonard MacClain. It was used for ATOE gatherings, and was always available to anyone that loved Theater Organs. This Wurlitzer was a wonderful part of my life, as well as my family’s!
I bought and removed the organ in 1962 with the help of Harry Radloff who now lives in Williamsville, NY. It was a Wurlitzer Style 260, 3-manual, 15 rank unit orchestra built in North Tonawanda in 1920. Harry and I removed the last part of the instrument as the theatre was being knocked down!
The organ was installed in my residence in Mentor, Ohio. In 1977, the organ was sold, moved, and installed in the residence of Ernie Boda of Stratford, CT.
The Brass Trumpet, which went to Temple Beth Congregation, was replaced with a Post Horn which was built by Roger Mumbrue of Bloomfield Hills, MI.
This organ was the first Wurlitzer to have Tibia Clausa and Quintadena stops. The organ was used by the Wurlitzer Co. as a demonstration instrument and was ofren played by the legendary organist, C. Sharpe Minor. One of the unusual things about this instrument was that the Tibia Clausa and the Tuba did not have a tremulant! Of course, the first thing I did when the organ was installed in my home was to add these two tremulants! The 32' Diaphone (12 pipes) could not be used in my home, and I watched them go down with a 600# wrecking ball! These huge pipes were a real match for the 600# ball!
The organ was completely rebuilt. The zypher skin pneumatics were redone with tan leather, except for the relays which were redone with zypher skin. In one weekend, all of the pipechests were releathered with the wonderful help of a great crew which included Harry Radloff, Dennis Unks (Erie PA), Rog Mumbrue, Bob Kagy (Mentor, OH), Jim Widdis (Detroit), and others.
The organ was played by many artists including Johnny Seng, Lee Erwin, Ashley Miller, and Leonard MacClain. It was used for ATOE gatherings, and was always available to anyone that loved Theater Organs. This Wurlitzer was a wonderful part of my life, as well as my family’s!
Donald D. Borden
Landrum, SC