Expert All-Range at Harewood House

[Loudbass]

So exciting that another of these great beasts has turned up! Thank you so much for posting this Chunny.
My Senior also lacks the additional support bracket, so I guess that makes it a later machine? It’s very satisfying that we are still finding things out about our wonderful Experts and EMGs.

[Steve]

My Senior also lacks the additional support bracket, so I guess that makes it a later machine?

No, it doesn't. If you read the thread you'll understand that some early machines, including mine, also don't have the bracket. In fact, those with the bracket aren't seen as often as those without. The bracket is a bit of an oddity.

[BassetHoundTrio]

Amazing to see this rarity - I do hope it will be properly restored.

[kiwiatlarge]

Apologies for reviving an old thread. I just wanted to share that my mum grew up on Harewood Estate in the 1930s. My grandad was a gamekeeper for the estate. On special occasions the children would be invited into the manor to hear music recitals. Mum played the organ in the parish church and became a music teacher. It's very possible she heard this very machine being played when it was new. Thanks for letting me share this story. This place was special for my mum and is for me. I hope these pictures help you imagine what those days may have been like just before WWII.

[JerryVan]

Kiwi,

That's very nice. Thank you for posting this.

[JerryVan]

Does anyone know if anything has been done to revive this machine?

[chunnybh]

Thanks for the pics, they add a touch of reality.

Does anyone know if anything has been done to revive this machine?

I offered my services for free and also offered to find someone locally to help restore this great machine, with zero enthusiasm shown by the people in charge. My last few emails have been ignored.
I think they are basically just lazy and trying to restore this would mean more work for them.
"What do you mean we can have regular recitals .....wouldn't that mean even more work for me?"
But I'm sure there is someone locally who would do that for free...
"Yeah!, but I would have to do all that organizing and promotion and worse still, deal with even more people"

[JerryVan]

Thanks for the pics, they add a touch of reality.

Does anyone know if anything has been done to revive this machine?

I offered my services for free and also offered to find someone locally to help restore this great machine, with zero enthusiasm shown by the people in charge. My last few emails have been ignored.
I think they are basically just lazy and trying to restore this would mean more work for them.
"What do you mean we can have regular recitals .....wouldn't that mean even more work for me?"
But I'm sure there is someone locally who would do that for free...
"Yeah!, but I would have to do all that organizing and promotion and worse still, deal with even more people"

And so, it patiently waits for better days...

[Lah Ca]

Thanks for the pics, they add a touch of reality.

Does anyone know if anything has been done to revive this machine?

I offered my services for free and also offered to find someone locally to help restore this great machine, with zero enthusiasm shown by the people in charge. My last few emails have been ignored.
I think they are basically just lazy and trying to restore this would mean more work for them.
"What do you mean we can have regular recitals .....wouldn't that mean even more work for me?"
But I'm sure there is someone locally who would do that for free...
"Yeah!, but I would have to do all that organizing and promotion and worse still, deal with even more people"

Having dealt with a museum over the last couple of years with regards to a large bequest of various artifacts from my mother's estate, I can definitely say that there is a conservative museum mindset in which conservation of an artifact as is trumps any restoration to a functional state. The possible exception to this generalization is with paintings, but even here restoration is only driven by a need for conservation. Intervene only to prevent further deterioration.

Also in this museum mindset, the use of artifacts is generally forbidden, unless they are common, disposable, and replaceable.

There was a chair from my mother's estate. Earlier in the morning of its delivery to the museum, my brother had been sitting in it. The curator to whom I was delivering the chair was staring at it admiringly. Knowing that she had long held an unrequited and continuing crush on my brother, I smiled and said, "Why don't you try it out? My brother's bottom was planted in it only an hour or so ago."

She looked tempted, but said, "Oh no. It's an artifact now."

[Oedipus]

Some years ago I helped repair the Mark X EMG at Knole, which had belonged to Edward Sackville West. I am assured by the National Trust that it is played regularly, though I cannot see how they could organise 'recitals' given that it is in a small room approached by a very narrow spiral staircase, with a limit on the number of people allowed up there at any one time!