Louis Huivenaar
Certified Appraiser/Valuer and Restorer of Reed Organs and Harmoniums
| Before I start a reed organ restoration, I always try to find out what the original
construction of the instrument was. For this purpose I use photo's of similar instruments,
old catalogs, and also by thorough investigation of the instrument itself.
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| When restoring historical instruments, I always try to use the same materials as
originally used by the manufacturer. In my opinion a restoration must be done by using
historical materials, or material that fits with the materials originally used as much as possible.
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| When working with reed organs, I am always impressed by the beautiful techniques and
methods used by the manufacturer. It is impressive, when you realize under which
circumstances and with which limited resources the instruments are made. When you realize this, you only can have a great respect for the instruments they have made..
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Here is a photo-report on the restoration of a harmonium. It is an English pressure harmonium, an Evans from 1865. When I saw the instrument the first time, the bellows were leaky, the internals needed repair, and even some parts were missing. And a loth of more problems!! The complete instrument has been dismantled and cleaned. Next I made the missing parts from the same material they were originally made of. When all the parts were complete and in working order, the instrument was rebuilt again. Now the instrument is used again by the Centrum New Choir Music in Amsterdam, and is a beautiful piece of furniture again.
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The pieces of the case are cleaned and repaired. |
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The pedals and the bellows are repaired. The bellows are repaired by using new linen and leather, using the original colors. |
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The result: a reborn instrument. |
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Federation of Appraisers (US) Valuers (UK), Brokers and Auctioneers in Movable Goods Members certification # R 18252 |
Louis Huivenaar
tel: +31 (0) 313 412133
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