Listing for a friend - Listed is a 1860\'s Treat & Linsley Melodeon. It was manufactured in New Haven, Connecticut and made of solid mahogany.

It was purchased by the current owner in 1961 for his wife, who was a local public school music teacher. After purchasing, he took it to a local pipe organ repairman, who repaired the bellows, but then set it up that it may be played by using a vacuum sweeper as the air supply. The bellows still supply sound, but the pedals have been disconnected from the cloth straps that operated the original bellows. It does not appear to have been refinished, other than the air supply conversion.

Some of the keys do stick (especially either side of Middle \"C\"), but all keys produce a proper note. The single control on either side of the works.... the one on the left removes the base octave, and the right side changes the tone. The knee lever changes the volume by raising/lowering the vent below the keyboard.

This would make a great project for someone to restore! In researching the Melodeon, I found that the bellows created a vacuum to pull the air through the reeds, rather than blowing the air through. It is said to produce a much more mellow sound, rather than the standard small organ that might be used to accompany a singer in the mid to late 1800s. It is said to provide more pleasantlistening.

I have also seen some of these that have been converted to a writing desk. Could be an interesting piece of furniture to work with.

Obviously, the shipping would probably be difficult and exorbitant. However, I would be willing to work something out with the buyer to deliver it in my truck within150 miles of Peoria, Illinois. (such as buyer purchasing the gas for thepotential 300mile roundtrip).

Thank you for taking time to look at this listing! If you have any questions, I will attempt to answer. Just contact me through the mail service.

I do reserve the right to cancel this sale before the listing is upsince it is also available locally.