Pipe Organ Database

a project of the organ historical society

Austin Organ Co. (Opus 1416, 1926)

Location:

Sesquicentennial Exposition
Broad Street and Packer Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19148 US
Grand Auditorium and Ballroom
Organ ID: 11964

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Status and Condition:

  • This instrument's location type is: Exhibitions, Fairs, other commercial exhibits
  • The organ has been relocated.
  • The organ's condition is good, used occasionally.
We received the most recent update for this instrument's status from Paul R. Marchesano on February 09, 2022.

Technical Details:

  • Chests: Austin Universal Air
  • 162 ranks. 10,731 pipes. 6 divisions. 4 manuals. 190 stops.
All:
  • Chest Type(s): Austin Universal Air chests
  • Position: Pipes exposed (in whole or in part) at the front of the room.
We received the most recent update for this division from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.
Main:
  • Built by Austin Organ Co.
  • Manuals: 4
  • Divisions: 6
  • Stops: 190
  • Position: Console in fixed position, center.
  • Manual Compass: 61
  • Pedal Compass: 32
  • Key Action: Electrical connection from key to chest.
  • Stop Action: Electric connection between stop control and chest.
  • Console Style: Traditional style with roll top.
  • Stop Controls: Stop keys above top manual.
  • Combination Action: 'Hold and Set' pneumatic/mechanical system.
  • Swell Control Type: Balanced swell shoes/pedals, AGO standard placement.
  • Pedalboard Type: Concave radiating pedalboard meeting AGO Standards.
  • Has Crescendo Pedal
  • Has Tutti Reversible Thumb Pistons
  • Has Tutti Reversible Toe Pistons
  • Has Combination Action Thumb Pistons
  • Has Combination Action Toe Pistons
  • Has Coupler Reversible Thumb Pistons
  • Has Coupler Reversible Toe Pistons
We received the most recent update for this console from Paul R. Marchesano on November 09, 2021.
Database Manager on March 09, 2005:

Installed in the Grand Auditorium Building on the Sesquicentennial Fair Grounds, which seated 20,000.

We received the most recent update for this note from Paul R. Marchesano on February 09, 2022.
Database Manager on March 09, 2005:

Adjustable Swell shoe coupling.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Database Manager on March 09, 2005:

Organ was purchased from Saul Freeman, Auctioneer upon dissolution fo the Sesquicentennial Exposition by Cyrus H. K. Curtis and donated to the University of Pennsylvania.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Database Manager on December 21, 2004:

Information identifying this instrument from the Austin Organs, Inc. web site, accessed December 20, 2004: http://www.austinorgans.com/organ-research.htm.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Write-up from THE DIAPASON March 1926: Open In New Tab Stoplist and commentary
We received the most recent update for this document from Jeff Scofield on January 11, 2023.

Instrument Images:

Console and C. Walter Wallace, Organist: Image courtesy of the Library of Congress. Taken on 1926-08-24

Console in Auditorium Building at the Sesquicentennial, unidentified organist: Photograph from an archival source: Sesquicentennial Archives, submitted by Paul R. Marchesano. Taken approx. 1926

Sesquicentennial ground map; Auditorium is No. 5 at the main entrance: Photograph by Paul R Marchesano. Taken on 1926-05-31

One of the 32' Violone pipes being carried into the Auditorium building at the Sesquicentennial Exposition: Photograph from an archival source: Paul R Marchesano, submitted by Paul R. Marchesano. Taken approx. 1926

Console: Photograph from an archival source: THE DIAPASON July 1926 p.12, submitted by Jeff Scofield.

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