Pipe Organ Database

a project of the organ historical society

John C. B. Standbridge (1868)

Location:

SS. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Cathedral
18th Street and Logan Square
Philadelphia, PA 19103 US
Organ ID: 18194

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Status and Condition:

  • This instrument's location type is: Roman Catholic Churches
  • The organ is no longer a complete instrument; dispersed/parted out.
  • The organ's condition is unknown.
We received the most recent update for this instrument's status from Paul R. Marchesano on November 10, 2020.

Technical Details:

  • Chests: Slider
  • 57 ranks. 3,155 pipes. 5 divisions. 4 manuals. 50 stops. 51 registers.
All:
  • Chest Type(s): Slider chests
  • Position: In a gallery-level case at the rear of the room.
We received the most recent update for this division from Database Manager on June 16, 2018.
Main:
  • Manuals: 4
  • Divisions: 5
  • Stops: 50
  • Registers: 51
  • Position: Keydesk attached.
  • Manual Compass: 58
  • Pedal Compass: 29
  • Key Action: Mechanical connection from key to chest (tracker, sticker or mix).
  • Stop Action: Mechanical connection between stop control and chest.
  • Console Style: Traditional style without cover.
  • Stop Controls: Drawknobs in vertical rows on flat jambs.
  • Combination Action: Fixed mechanical system.
  • Swell Control Type: Balanced swell shoes/pedals.
  • Pedalboard Type: Flat straight pedalboard.
  • Has Hitchdown Couplers
We received the most recent update for this console from Paul R. Marchesano on February 20, 2021.
Paul R. Marchesano on March 17, 2021:

The Standbridge organ contract was reported to be for $10,000.

We received the most recent update for this note from Paul R. Marchesano on March 17, 2021.
Paul R. Marchesano on November 10, 2020:

Some small number of stops have remained in each rebuild of the organ in some form or other. The 32' Pedal Bourdon definitely remains in the current installation at the cathedral.

We received the most recent update for this note from Paul R. Marchesano on November 10, 2020.
Database Manager on September 11, 2005:

Stoplist and description of opening published in Philadelphia Inquirer November 18, 1868.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Database Manager on September 11, 2005:

Three composition pedals [diapason & principal, positive organ, full organ]. Reversible or hitchdown for Pedal Double Open Diapason.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Database Manager on September 11, 2005:

The organ details have been verified from a description of the opening of the organ on November 17, 1868, published the following day in the Philadelphia Inquirer. Previous reports of dates and size were incorrect. The case is described as measuring 31 ft. wide, 16 ft. deep, and 41 ft. high. Pipe counts were given for each division, and therefore it appears the Great Sesquialtera was typical (two) II ranks and the Great Mixture was IV-V ranks in composition.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Database Manager on June 07, 2005:

The organ is known from a pencil sketch of the case drawn by an Austin salesman or technician in 1920. The specification is unknown at this time, but there are corroborating reports that the organ was a four-manual and pedal with approximately 70 stops.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Source not recorded: Open In New Tab Copy of the Dedication Program in 1868
We received the most recent update for this stoplist from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
1920s sketch of organ floor plan/case footprint: Open In New Tab Archival document, courtesy of Paul Marchesano
Document created on 1925-01-01
We received the most recent update for this document from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.

1920s sketch of case/façade: Open In New Tab Archival document, courtesy of Paul Marchesano
Document created on 1925-01-01
We received the most recent update for this document from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.

The Grand Organ Built By John C.B. Standbridge & Sons for the Cathedral: Open In New Tab Dedication program and description of the new organ in the R.C. Cathedral, Philadelphia PA, 1868; accessed via http://cathedralphiladelphia.org
Document created on 1868-11-18
We received the most recent update for this document from Craig A. Otto on November 30, 2020.

Instrument Images:

There are no known photographs of the Standbridge organ case. The 1920 Austin installation in this case, a drawing by the rep.: Photograph from an archival source: Drawing by Herbert Brown, Austin Organs Representative, submitted by Paul R. Marchesano. Taken approx. c. 1920

Architect [Napolean Le Brun] blueprint of organ loft: Photograph from an archival source: Library Company of Philadelphia, submitted by Paul R. Marchesano.

Architect [Napolean Le Brun] blueprint of organ loft: Photograph from an archival source: Library Company of Philadelphia, submitted by Paul R. Marchesano. Taken approx. c. 1858-1860

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