THE HINE COLLECTION of MECHANICAL MUSIC

Dance, Fairground and Street Organs

Apart from advertised Open Days, this wonderful collection can be viewed by prior arrangement.

Mortier House, New Road, Shaftesbury    Tel: (01747) 852408

89 KEY GAVIOLI 'BLACK FOREST' FAIRORGAN

Built in 1901 at the Gavioli works in Waldkirch, Black Forest, Germany.  Originally used as a front to a travelling Bioscope show, it was restored by Carl Frie & Son, an organ builder in Waldkirch for many years.  It was seen by Edward Hine on a visit to Carl Frie in 1967, lying in bits and pieces.  He noted the beautifully carved organ front and carved figures, and decided to purchase it, never hearing it played until the organ arrived at Great Yeatmans six months later.  The organ scale is G4.  It was taken to rallies until 1990, then completely overhauled by Kevin Meayers, before being erected in the Collection.

46 KEY MARENGHI FAIRORGAN

Built in Paris, circa 1902, and sold to Webbers Amusements, Rhyl, for their "Chair O'Plane" ride, then known as 'La Petite'.  It had at least two other pre-war owners and was then laid up before being acquired by WJ (Bill) Barlow for his organ museum at Cleobury Mortimer and restored by Victor Chiappa in the early 1950's.  The proscenium front, wings and bandmaster are original, as are the painted panels.  On the death of Mr Barlow, in the early 1970's, it was sold to Lionel Creed of Malvern.  The organ - now known as the 'Golden Marenghi' - was purchased by Mr Gordon Hine in 1986 and travelled regularly to rallies housed in a specially adapted Volkswagen Luton van.

101 KEY MORTIER DANCE ORGAN

Built by the world renowned Belgian organ builder, Theofiel Mortier, in Antwerp, about the mid-1920's, it was ordered by a rich trader who kept it for his own pleasure.  He died in the early 30's and his family sold the organ to a showman who used it in a travelling dance tent.  After the war, the organ was restored by Oscar Gymonpries and his son Leonard of Ghent, Belgium.  It was brought to this country by Mr CH Hart of St Albans before being purchased by Mr Edward Hine in 1962.

46 KEY GAVIOLIPHONE

This organ was built in 1903 and represents an orchestra of ten musicians.  It is a trumpet organ as can be seen by the pipes suspended at the front.  It plays folding cardboard type music, several books having been cut in 1903 for the organ when new by Gavioli.  The organ was acquired fom M Deprez of Longuenesse, France, in the late autumn of 2002.  It is thought to be the only one of its kind in Britain and would probably have gone to America had it not been added to the Hine Collection.

101 KEY MORTIER ORCHESTRION ORGAN

Built in the early 30's, it is believed to have been one of the first orchestrions built by Theofiel Mortier; the architectural design is distinctive art-deco.  Reputedly used in a beer garden on the Rhine, this organ was also restored by Oscar Gymonpries and son, being purchased from them by Mr Edward Hine in 1963.

88 KEY 'ARBO' CAFE ORGAN

Built by Arthur Bursens in Antwerp, Belgium, in the mid-30's, it was rebuilt by him in the 40's and purchased by the late Jimmy Miller of Bristol.  Music is produced by the paper roll system.  As the organ is playing, the facade has coloured light changes, visible percussions instruments and accordion.

52 KEY WELLERSHAUS STREET ORGAN

Built in Germany in 1909 and believed to be originally used for a juvenile ride until World War II.  Post 1950, it was converted by a Dutch organ restorer in Rotterdam to a street organ.  Brought over from Holland by Mr Gordon Hine in 1977 when the organ was on a 3-wheel cart and turned by hand.  It has since been subject to several alterations and improvements, housed in a trailer and taken regularly to fetes and other events.