Pastime-Osborne Theatre

Location unknown
The Bronx, N.Y.
           
Wurlitzer Organ Company
North Tonawanda, N.Y. – Opus 1416 (1925)
Electro-pneumatic action
Style B
2 Manuals, 4 Ranks, 3 Tuned Percussions, 17 Traps, Curved Console



This organ was originally installed in the Pastime-Osborne Theatre in the Bronx on August 12, 1926. Due to financial problems at that theatre, it was repossessed by the organ company, and set up as a demonstrator organ at the 42nd Street showrooms of the Wurlitzer company, where it was subsequently sold to the Fordham Skating Rink. It was installed there on September 19, 1935. On January 15, 1939, Dr. Quimby de Hart of Hawthorne, N.J., purchased the organ and installed it into his private residence. The organ was later damaged by a flood and abandoned by de Hart. On November 11, 1976, the organ was purchased by organist N. Francis Cimmino, of Wayne, N.J., who restored it, enlarged it to 6 ranks and installed it in his home. Several years later when Mr. Cimmino decided to relocate to Florida, he put the instrument up for sale. On February 15, 1979, the organ was purchased from Mr. Cimmino by Mr. Harold Benz (now the instrument's 5th owner), of Morris Plains, N.J. Mr. Benz, along with his son, installed the organ into the basement of their home. After Mr. Benz's son left home, the instrument again fell into disuse, and was again put up for sale. In September 1987, the organ was sold to the Roxy Theatre in Northampton, Penn.
           
Pedal – 32 notes
16
  Bourdon
  Pedal 2nd Touch
8
  Trumpet
  Bass Drum
8
  Flute
  Kettle Drum
8
  Cello
  Cymbal

   

   
Accompaniment (Manual I) –- 61 notes
16
  Contra Viole (TC)     Snare Drum
16
  Bourdon     Tambourine
8
  Trumpet     Castanets
8
  Salicional     Chinese Block
8
  Flute      
8
  Vox Humana     Accompaniment 2nd Touch
4
  Salicet
8
  Trumpet
4
  Flute      

   

   
Solo (Manual II) – 61 notes
16
  Contra Viole (TC)
2 2/3
  Twelfth
16
  Bourdon
2
  Piccolo
16
  Vox Humana     Cathedral Chimes
8
  Trumpet     Xylophone
8
  Salicional     Glockenspiel
8
  Flute      
8
  Vox Humana     Solo 2nd Touch
4
  Salicet
8
  Trumpet
4
  Flute     Xylophone
4
  Vox Humana      

   

   
Adjustable Combinations
   
Accompaniment Pistons 1-2-3 (thumb)
Solo Pistons 1-2-3 (thumb)
           
General
    One Balanced Expression Pedal      
    One General Tremulant      
    One Vox Humana Tremulant      
           
Effects (operated by pistons)
   
Sleigh Bells Bird Fire Gong (reiterating)
Triangle Train Steamboat Whistle
Horse Hoofs Auto Horn Siren
Surf Effect Fire Gong Tom-Tom
     
Door Bell (push button)    
           
Sources:
      Junchen, David L., compiled and edited by Jeff Weiler. The Wurlitzer Pipe Organ – An Illustrated History. Indianapolis: The American Theatre Organ Society, 2005.
      Kaufmann, Preston J. Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ, Vol. 3. Pasadena: Showcase Publications, 1995.
     Roxy Theatre (Northampton, Penn.) website: http://www.roxytheaternorthampton.com