Boyd Ltd London Ships Organ

Dee · Post by **Dee** » 23 Jun 2008, 17:00

Hi i have a Boyd Ltd London Ships Organ, could anybody tell me how much it might be worth? I think its antique.

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 23 Jun 2008, 21:18

I have no idea what a "ship's organ" is, I have very little to do with organs, but if it is just an ordinary harmonium, then much the same applies as with Victorian pianos: To quote my Home page, it's fair to say that although I am fascinated by Victorian pianos, they rarely fetch as much as ninety pounds at local auctions here in the UK, unless they have been professionally restored, indeed many fetch less than twenty pounds. Our Piano History Centre has one that was donated, one that cost nine pounds, and one that cost thirty. As far as I remember, the first reference we have to Boyd being Ltd. was 1912, so I suspect that it is not strictly an antique.

Dee · Post by **Dee** » 03 Jul 2008, 13:36

I am told its a ships organ, ie an organ that was used on ships, but maybe that dosent make it anything special?
It has pedals that have to be pumped continuously as you play the keys, is this what you mean by harmonium?

Thanks for the info

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 03 Jul 2008, 20:42

Ships can have any kind of instrument they want. Harmoniums and American organs work by pumping air with the pedals. Could you email some photos to me?