Cloister Church, Vreta, Sweden

 

Vreta, Sweden, Kloster Kyrka. This was one of the most confounding puzzles I have encountered on this postcard project. I had a tough time figuring out the town, the church, and instrument, pretty much every element. But I think I finally have gotten most of the details nailed down. The church shown is the Vreta Kloster Kyrka. The card also tells us that we have an “interior” view of the church. There is a Wiki for the facility. Based on questionable translations from Google the organ has work done most recently in the 1940’s; it would seem that it is currently not playable. My card is black-and-white and un-used. It has a price indication. There are also printing and publication details.

St Michan's, Belfast Ireland

 

The organ in St Michan's Ireland was built in the middle of the last century by Evans and Barr. It stands within a case build earlier (1732) by Cuvillie. According to Wiki there are three manuals. The myth goes that GF Handel practiced here in advance of the first performance of the oratorio Messiah.  My card is unused, though there is some staining on the reverse from what may be glue residue. It is black-and-white. The card identifies the construction year as 1724, and mentions that, "Handel is said to have played on the organ." This article would seem to be relevant and interesting, but I did not want to pay to access it. 

Porvoo, Finland (Cathedral)

Porvoo is a small city in Finland with about 50,000 inhabitants. It was founded by the 14th century. In Swedish the town is known as Borku. I have not been able to find any information about the organ in the cathedral. Just a video (organ with tuba) and some photographs. But no technical information about the instrument. My card is black and white, unused. The reverse includes the town name and " Tuomiokirkko" and "Domkyrkan" which both look like variations of church/cathedral. Also on the card is "Porvoom Kirjakauppa Borga Bokhandel, which may  be publication information. 

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

Unknown Easter

I have absolutely no information about this card! I'm not even sure if I got it myself, or if it was a gift at some point. There is no identifying text on the front and none either on the back. The only bit of information is that it was produced by Artur. The image shows an Easter scene at the front of a church. Behind a railing there is a communion table covered by a white cloth, so it appears things are prepped to celebrate the sacrament. One notes lilies throughout the chancel area, two large chairs and the lower casework and facade of the organ. There seems to be a small mirror below the central pipes which would allow the organist to keep an eye on activity in the chancel area and nave. There is a hymnboard at right and an upright piano. There seems to be some stenciling near the top of the walls almost at ceiling height. A sign on the wall at left is illegible. The facade pipes have been painted/stenciled, though the sepia-toned card doesn't reveal the color scheme. A complete mystery!

Salt Lake City, UT, USA: Mormon Tabernacle (2)

The organ in the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City must be one of the most frequently depicted instruments in the world! The is my second (at least) post on the instrument (the first). This card is interesting for its orientation and proximity. In the present view one can see what may be shutters on the side of the instrument, which would control volume from the pipes within. In this image one can also see a rather gaudy star and "UTAH" sign above the organ, with what seem to be electric light bulbs. This iteration of the organ is relatively early, as the case is narrow. However we can see a very full chorus of singers. The reverse of the card tells us it was published by the Int(ernational) Art and Nov(elty) Co. Leipzig, New York and Salt Lake City. We're told further it was printed in Germany. The card's description emphasizes the choir depicted and its exploits, with no mention of the organ. My color card is unused, though a hand-written "W" suggests the beginning of a usage.

New Haven, CT, USA: Yale University

The Newberry Memorial Organ at Yale University has a rich history. The Newberry family gave money for a Hutchings organ in Woolsey Hall in 1903. It was reworked by Steere already in 1915 and again in 1928 by Skinner. With 197 ranks the instrument remains much as it was with the Skinner work. My mint card is in color. The reverse states it was made in Germany, but there is no printer information.

Volunteer Organist

I'm pretty sure this was a gift from my wife, who enjoys finding kitsch-y examples for my collection. This card shows an organ and organist at left, with "adoring" listeners seated nearby. The right side of the card shows members of a congregation likewise listening to the organist's musical offering. The substance of the card is a stanza from a poem. The designation "2" in the title suggestions there are other cards that make a small set related to church music. Indeed the reverse mentions, "Songs" Series No 5004/02 which no doubt means something to the publisher. The card was made by Samforth and Co of Holmfirth England and New York, and was printed in England. No date is given.  A copyright notice on the front states the words are used by permission of Paxton of London. My copy is in color and is un-used. The organ appears to be a three-manual instrument with richly colored facade pipes. It's impossible to know if it is a real instrument or an imagined one for the purposes of the card only.

Denver, CO (USA): Trinity Methodist

My un-used card of the sanctuary at Trinity Methodist in Denver,  CO is unused. It was produced by Mile High Photo Company, Denver. No date is given. Based solely on conjecture andd perceived condition of the card I would guess it's from the middle of the last century. Text on the card says the sanctuary can seat 1300 people and that the Roosevelt organ from the late 1800's has 4290 pipes, making it one of the nation's "most outstanding."


The church's website doesn't seem to mention the organ, but images on the site seem to indicate the current instrument is the one shown in the image. The Roosevelt organ seems to be the 3rd that has served the church, preceded by an instrument of 1886 by Charles Anderson and an Odell instrument completed before 1910. The Roosevelt instrument is Opus 380 from 1888. It's not clear to me where the organ was before coming to Trinity-Denver. It has been worked on many times over the years, most recently in 2012 by Morel and Associates.

Valparaiso, IN (USA): University Chapel

Few instruments are more iconic than that found in the Chapel at Valparaiso University in Indiana, USA. The chapel was built 1956-1959 and is itself a striking work of architecture. It's only fitting that the organ be similar. The nave ceiling is 58 feet; the chancel height is 98 feet, capped by stunning stained glass. The chapel can seat about 2000 person depending on the configuration of the flexible seating. Schlicker installed the organ concurrent with the completion of the building. There were 71 ranks over three manuals and pedals in 1959. Dobson worked on the instrument in 1996. There are now 102 ranks over four manuals and pedal. The organ's page on the university website includes the stoplist.

My unused card is in color. There are some extraneous pencil markings on the reverse. It was published by Harvey's Studio of Lebanon, IN, the image having been taken by Mr. Harvey himself. The chapel was known as "Memorial Chapel" from its completion until 1969 when it was re-named the Chapel of the Resurrection. The card uses the former name, which indicates it is from the earlier period in the chapel's history.

Tennent, NJ (USA): Old Tennent Church

 

The Old Tennent Church, or as it's currently known, Old Tennent Presbyterian Church was founded in 1692. Church history marks this as the year the congregation formed and purchased land. A second plot was purchased in 1731 and it was upon this site that the present building was situated. The 1730 date on the card seems to correspond with this later building undertaking, rather than the actual establishment of the congregation. Apparently The Rev. Mr Tennent, second pastor, experienced some sort of religious ecstasy and fell into a trance (according to information on the reverse of the card). He was pastor for this congregation for 43 years and was buried beneath the building. The present website does not mention either of these bits of information. My unused card shows the front of the church with its raised pulpit and organ beside. The building is two storied, and one can see pillars supporting the wrap-around second level of seating in the card. The present building was built in 1751 and restored 1985-1988.  

The Organ Historical Society's database lists two instruments associated with the Tennent Presbyterian Church. The earliest is a Moeller instrument (Opus 86) of one manual from the 1880's. A second installed in 1934, Moeller Opus 6275 of 8 ranks. This is probably the instrument shown in the image below. The organ on my postcard above seems to have a single manual, so it may be the earlier instrument from the 1880's.

Angers, France: Cathedral

My black and white card of the Angers Cathedral organ is unused. On the reverse is found C* des arts Photomechaniques Strasbourg-Schiltigheim" where *=an illegible character. There is no date anywhere.

Organs in Angers Cathedral have a long and colorful history. In 1869 Aristide Cavaille-Coll proposed what amounted to a new instrument, including perhaps pipework from previous instruments. It was finished in 1873 and inaugurated by Alexander Guilmant. It is this instrument which survives to this day after work at various times.  Debierre did work in 1901 and 1937. Beuchet-Debiere did more work after the war 1957-1959. At that time 19 new stops were added though the original pipework remained. This site is dedicated solely to the Angers instrument and includes a handful of fascinating images.

Troyes (FR): Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul

A church building has been on the site of Troyes Cathedral since the 5th century. Begun in the 1200's it took a couple hundred years to complete the cathedral: chancel, nave, stained glass, pulpitum, towers. The modern history of the organ dates from 1731-1736 when Jacques Cochu installed an instrument in the gallery. The French Revolution led to creative methods of preservation. The instrument survived the Romantic era unchanged, but not the neo-Classic "wave." Work by Danion-Gonzalez between 1964 and 1969 radically altered the sound of the instrument. The most recent though less substantial work seems to have been completed in 2004. The case was declared a national treasure in 1974, which helps explain the consistent representation of it in many photographs. Without knowing for sure, I suspect my card dates from the early 1900's perhaps around the time Jacquot-Jeanpierre did work on the instrument. My unused card is in black and white with red lettering on the front. Though it's hard to read, it seems that Granddidier of Troyes produced the card.

St-Omer Pas-de-Calais (FR): Notre-Dame Basilica

My card is in a striking shade of blue which is unusual in my experience. It shows part of the nave looking west toward the gallery and the organ there. There is no information about the card's publisher on my unused example. The organ of St-Omer is striking for its casework as much as for it's musical aspects. The Piette family of woodworkers spent several years at the beginning of the 18th century building the case. Thomas and Jean-Jacques Defontaines built the organ in 1717. The instrument served its purpose well while being worked on by various builders over the course of 140 years. By 1853 Aristide Cavaille-Coll submitted a proposal for a major reworking of the instrument which was received by the cathedral; that instrument was inaugurated in 1855. Further work was done in 1927, 1973 and 1985, though the instrument still contains pipework from both the 1717 instrument and that of 1855.

Geneva (SW): Cathedral of St Peter

At least three organs have stood in the west gallery of the St Peter cathedral in Geneva. I believe that my postcard shows the second. This helpful site gives a thorough history of the cathedral as well as the organs, in French and English. This site also gives information about the organ's history in the cathedral. Both describe the Tschanun organ as having a "Gothic facade" which is definitely what appears on the postcard. This instrument was installed in 1907 but within several years was having problems with its action. In the early 1960's upon examination it was decided that replacement of the mechanical systems would be nearly as expensive as installing a new instrument. So the decision was made to go in the direction of a new instrument for the west gallery. It was built by Metzler of Switzerland. My card was produced by O Sartori of Geneva. Metzler has a page on their site on the instrument.

 

Paris (FR): Notre-Dame

This card seems to focus on the statue, Our Lady of Paris (Notre-Dame de Paris), but the choir organ (orgue du cheour) is visible in the background. My card is unused, with serrated edges, in black and white. It was produced by Chantal of Paris. The statue is still in place in the cathedral, though the elaborate encasement has been removed. The organ facade is today much as depicted in the card. This site gives a specification for the instrument (but not the builder's name). The cathedral's website describes a bit of how the instrument is used in conjunction with the "grand organ" in the west gallery. But again the builder is not mentioned. This site in Canada gives a very thorough histroy of both the gallery organ and the chancel organ. The content is provided in French at the top of the page; you can read in English by scrolling down. The specification and more images are provided. The organ dates from 1968, standing within the casework from 1863.

In the picture below one can see the statue as it is today. The facade is barely visible in the background on the left. The bottom photo shows the choir organ more clearly.

 

Annapolis (MD), USA: Naval Academy Chapel

This card shows the interior of the Chapel at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. The oblique view shows the facade of part of the organ. When I was in graduate school in Washington, DC I visited here. My color card is in mint condition. It was produced by DE Traub of Maryland; it uses something called "plastichrome" by Colorpicture Publishers of Boston. The original organ was built by Hutchins of Boston in 1908. MP Moeller of Hagerstown, MD installed a larger instrument in 1940 to complement the enlarged chapel facility. Much additional work has been done over the years, though specifics are not included on the Academy's site. The instrument now includes digital voices in addition to pipe ranks, and a stunning array of what I was classify as theater-organ stops, including several percussion ranks. Text on the back of the card mentions the stained glass that is visible, but not the organ.

Boston (USA): Old South Church

Old South Church, founded in 1669, has a rich and complex history. There have been a succession of buildings over the years, and a series of musical instruments within. The present building dates from 1875. Current pictures of the interior of the church reveal instantly that considerable work has been done on the interior design. It's not possible to know exactly when the image for this postcard was taken. In the early 1980s several factors were at play in the musical life of the congregation. There was a desire to make the musical portions of worship more vital. An organ built by the Reuter firm was sold back to the builder and in turn adapted for a church in Florida. A civic auditorium in Minnesota was about the be demolished with the loss of EM Skinner Opus 308 within. The Old South Church purchased the Minnesota instrument and installed it in the front of the sanctuary. One can see from the 360-degree video of the church that a second organ resides in the rear gallery. Neither of these instruments seems to match the organ shown in the postcard. No doubt the information is available somewhere, but not readily to me at the moment. My card is in color, is un-used and was printed in Germany by the Reichner Brothers firm.

Carlisle Cathedral, UK

This card shows the choir area at Carlisle cathedral in the UK. The organ is on the rear wall in this photo. This organ dates from 1856 by Henry Willis, with work done in 1907, 1962 and 1995 when David Wells strove the return to the organ some of the Father Willis sounds. Without knowing the date of the card one cannot know during which period of the organ's history this image was created. the Cathedral site has a helpful introduction to the instrument. Be sure to read the embedded pdf for more details and to see the specification. The card was produced by Sankeys Photo Press in Barrow-in-Furness.