Portland, Maine (USA): Kotzschmar Organ

 

The City Hall in Portland Maine was built in 1912, after a previous building burned. Shortly thereafter a local publisher donated funds to have an organ installed in a public auditorium which was part of the city hall building. Kotzschmar was the surname of a music teacher and organist highly esteemed by the  donor. The organ was built by the Austin firm. Renovation work was begun on the organ in 2012 and completed in 2014. A supporting society helps maintain the organ now and increase awareness of the unique nature of the instrument. That society also assists in procuring a "municipal organist." My card is in color and includes the caption, "9: The Herman Kotzschmar Memorial Organ, City Hall, Portland, Me." The "9" doubtless refers to the card's place in a sequence of cards. The is a number in the lower right corner, 7907, about which I know nothing. It seems to be part of the printing, not a handwriting annotation. My card is used, with a common 2c Washington stamp paying postage from Portland to Providence, RI. It was published by the Eastern News Company, Portland, ME. 

 

London, UK: St Paul's Cathedral

This image of the St Paul organ is vertically oriented. My first post on this organ featured a horizontal card. Aside from that we have essentially the same view: a straight-ahead shot from the crossing through the pulpit area into the choir and east end. The organ cases are visible on both sides. My mint card includes some descriptive text on the front. On the reverse it becomes apparent that this was a "birthday card," as there is a blessing and a Bible verse where a personal message might usually be placed. The card was produced by the Beagle firm, in London.

Charlotte, NC, USA: St Mark's Lutheran

The church was founded in 1859 according to the card, and the new sanctuary, pictured was built in 1960. The card also gives the name of the pastor. It was created by Dexter Press, NY. My mint condition card is in color. The church's website gives a pretty good description of the music program, but no information on the organ. The pipeorgandatabase reports that the instrument is a  3/30 Moeller installed the same year the building was built. The most recent information was added in 2009, so one hopes it is fairly accurate.

Möller   Op. 9396   1960   3/30

       GREAT                         CHOIR
   16' Quintaton 61               8' Nasongedackt 61
    8' Diapason 61                8' Erzähler 61
    8' Bourdon 61                 8' Erzähler Celeste 49
    4' Principal 61               4' Koppelflöte 61
2 2/3' Quint 61               2 2/3' Nasard 61
    2' Octavin 61                 2' Prinzipal 61
   IV  Fourniture 244         1 3/5' Tierce 61
       Tremulant                  8' Krummhorn 61
       Sub                           Tremulant
       Unison Off                    Sub
       Super                         Unison Off
       Chimes 21 (present Maas)      Super

       SWELL                         PEDAL
    8' Gedackt 61                16' Violone 32
    8' Viole de Gambe 61         16' Bourdon 32
    8' Viole Celeste 49          16' Quintaton GT
    4' Flute Harmonic 61          8' Violone 12
    2' Flautnio 12                8' Bourdon 12
  III  Mixture 183                8' Quintaton GT
   16' Bassoon 61  L/2            4' Violone 12
    8' Trompette 61               4' Bourdon 12
    8' Bassoon 12                 2' Nachthorn 32
    4' Bassoon 12                16' Bassoon SW
       Tremulant                  8' Bassoon SW
       Sub                        4' Bassoon SW
       Unison Off
       Super