Steinway Theatre - Astoria (Queens), NY
Steinway Theatre

31-08 Steinway Street at Jamaica (now 31st) Avenue
Astoria, NY 11103


Organ Specifications:
► II//9 M.P. Möller, Op. 3450 (1922)
► II/15 J.H. & C.S. Odell, Op. 510 (1917)


The Steinway Theatre, located on Steinway Avenue (later Street) in Astoria, was named in honor of the Steinway piano factory at the north end of the same street. Designed by E. C. Horn & Sons and built ca.1914, the 900-seat Steinway Theatre was originally a venue for plays and vaudeville. After the much larger Astoria and Triboro Theatres were built on Steinway Street, the Steinway showed late-run double features for the rest of its theatrical life. The Steinway closed in the 1950s and was converted into retail space.
         
M. P. Möller, Inc.
Hagerstown, Md. – Opus 3450 (1922)
Electro-pneumatic action
2 manuals, 72 registers, 9 ranks


The second organ in the Steinway Theatre was built in 1922 by M.P. Möller of Hagerstown, Md. An Agreement of Lease (dated July 12, 1922) stated that Möller would install a two-manual organ in the Steinway Avenue Theatre for a consideration of $7,900, payable in twenty-four equal consecutive monthly installments. Möller would keep the organ in operating condition, attend to emergency calls and tune the organ at least four times per annum without charge to the theatre. Möller would install a Marimba Harp at any time within five years at the prevailing cost, not to exceed $1,000. A commission of $200 was paid to "J. Paro, Mgr." The organ was to be ready for use on or before September 15, 1922. The fate of this organ is unknown.
               
Great Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
   Tibia
2 2/3
 
Twelfth
  
8
   Tuba
2
   Piccolo
8
   Open Diapason
2
   Fifteenth
8
   Solo String *
 
Concert Xylophone
37 Bars
8
   Viola d'Orchestre
  Snare Drum
8
   Vox Celeste
  Tambourine
8
   French Horn
 
Tom Tom
 
8
   Tibia
 
Chinese Block
 
8
   Vox Humana
  Sleigh Bells [4 pitches]
4
   Flute
 
Orchestra Bells [25-49]
25 Bars
4
   Viole d'Orchestre
 
Glockenspiel [25-49]
25 Notes
           
* 8' VDO, 8' Vox Cel., & 4' VDO
 
   
 
   
Solo Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
   Tuba Profunda [TC]
4
   Octave [Dbl. Op. Diap.]  
16
   Tibia Clausa [10"]
4
   Flute  
16
   Double Open Diapason [TC]
4
   Viole d'Ochestra  
8
   Tuba Mirabilis
4
   Vox Celeste  
8
   Open Diapason
2 2/3
   Quint  
8
   Flute
2 2/3
   Twelfth  
8
   Viole d'Orchestra
2
   Piccolo  
8
   Vox Celeste
2
   Fifteenth  
8
   French Horn
  Chimes  
8
   Vox Humana
 
Marimba
provided for
4
   Clarion
 
Harp
provided for
               
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
32
   Resultant
8
   Vox Celeste
16
   Tibia Profunda
8
   French Horn
16
   Bourdon
8
   Flute
16
   Tuba
  Bass Drum [1-32]
8
   Diapason
  Cymbal [1-32]
8
   Viole d'Orchestra
   
               
Couplers
    Great to Pedal   Solo to Great Super
    Great to Pedal Super   Great Sub
    Solo to Pedal   Great Super
    Pedal Octave   Solo Sub
    Solo to Great   Solo Super
    Solo to Great Sub    
         
Tremulants
    For Tibias    
    For Whole Organ    
         
Adjustable Combination Pistons
    Pistons No. 1-2-3-4-5-6 affecting Great & Pedal Stops
    Pistons No. 1-2-3-4-5-6 affecting Solo & Pedal Stops
         
Toe Pistons
    Crash Cymbal   Thunder Sheet
    Song Birds (1) in Great Organ   Tympani Roll
    Six Pedal Combinations, from Manual & Pedal    
         
Pedal Movements
    Balanced Swell Pedal   Sforzando Pedal
    Crescendo Pedal    
         
Stop Analysis
   
Pipes
8
   Tuba
73
16
   Tibia Clausa
97
8
   Dbl. Open Diapason
73
8
   Open Diapason
73
8
  Viole d'Orchestra
97
8
  Vox Celeste
73
8
   French Horn
73
8
   Vox Humana
61
16
  Bourdon [Pedal]
    32
 
Total
652
         

J.H. & C.S. Odell
New York City – Opus 510 (1917)
Electro-magnetic action
2 manuals, 15 stops, 15 ranks


The first organ in the Steinway Theatre was built by J.H. & C.S. Odell of New York City, and has the distinction of being the only Odell organ installed in a theatre. Articles of Agreement (dated January 19, 1917) drawn up between Odell and the Steinway Avenue Theatre Co., show that Odell would deliver the organ and have it set up and ready for use on or before May 29, 1917. The total cost of the organ was $4,000.
               
First Division (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Major Diapason
61
8
  Doppel Flote [wood]
61
8
   Viol d'Orchestre
61
4
   Harmonic Flute
61
8
   Dolce
61
8
   Trumpet
61
 
   
 
   
Second Division (Manual II) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Open Diapason
61
4
   Rohr Flöte
61
8
   Muted Viol
61
8
   Orchestral Horn
61
8
   Viol Celeste [TC]
49
8
   Vox Humana
61
8
   Concert Flute [wood]
61
   
               
Pedal Organ – 30 notes
16
   Double Open Diapason
30
      
16
   Sub Bass
30
      
               
Couplers
    Great to Pedal   Swell to Great 16', 8', 4'
    Swell to Pedal   Great 16', 4'
    Pedal to Pedal Octaves   Swell 16', 4'
         
Piston Combinations (visible)
"Adjustable at organ bench to three positions "on", "off", "neutral", and electrically moving stop registers."
    Pistons No. 1-2-3-4 affecting Great & Pedal Organ Stops & all Great Organ couplers
    Pistons No. 1-2-3-4 affecting Swell & Pedal Organ Stops & all Swell Organ couplers
         
Full Organ Combinations (Pedal Pistons, non-Visable)
   
1. All Strings } With
2. All Flutes } appropriate
3. All Diapason & Reeds } couplers
4. Release }
"In operating Pedal Pistons all stop action is automatically cancelled, thereby allowing the performer to prepare in advance and while playing, any combination desired, which may be brought into operation at the desired moment by pressing Release Piston."
         
Pedal Movements
    Crescendo Pedal    
    Swell Electric Pedal on First Division    
    Swell Electric Pedal on Second Division    
    Great to Pedal Reversible    
         
Accessories
    First Division Tremulant   Electric Action Generator
    Second Division Tremulant   Electric Motor & Fan Blower
    Wind Indicator   Indicator Lights for Pedal Pistons
    Crescendo Indicator    

           
Sources:
     Cinema Treasures web site: http://www.cinematreasures.org
     Junchen, David L. Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ, Vol. II (pp. 442-444). Pasadena: Showcase Publications, 1985. Specifications of J.H. & C.S. Odell Organ, Op. 510 (1917).
     Trupiano, Larry. Agreement of Lease and Factory Specifications of M. P. Möller Organ, Op. 3450 (1922).

Photos:
     Cinema Treasures web site: exterior, undated.