Gavioli Organ

This fine instrument, with its richly carved facade, 350 organ pipes, bass drum, snare drum, two bellringers, xylophone and cymbals all operating by folding cardboard music.

It was made by the firm Gavioli. Founded in 1806 in Italy, moved to Paris in 1845, they were until their demise in 1910, the most famous and prolific fair organ builders. They also produced organs at Waldkich, Germany and it is from here that this organ originated in the early 1900’s. It is referred to by collectors today as a “Black Forest Gavioli”.

89 Key Gavioli organ in the Carousel

The 89 key was a popular size with the European and English Showmen, at about the price of a London house, they were highly regarded.
This machine, an even rarer No. 2, was more expensive due to the extra pipework but the result was a more mellow organ. Presumably because of the expense, only six were manufactured and two remain. Only this organ is using its original mechanical bellows.

The organ’s history is rich and fascinating. The inside of the reservoir is lined with Gavioli ledger sheets of 1854 and the signature of the organ builder renovating the organ in 1906 is throughout. The fairgrounds were dusty and the organs worked long hours with little or no skilled maintenance, so it was normal for a major overhaul every ten years.

We have not been able to establish early history but we know that Mr Johan Kunkels of Roermond, Holland purchased the organ from Mr Pierre Verbeeck, organ builder, Belgium in the early 1920’s and he was still travelling with the organ in a ride called the Auto Bahn in the 1930’s. At approximately the same time, Mr Carl Frei Snr who had worked for Gavioli and was well known for his marvellous talents in voicing pipes and arranging music was responsible for alterations and additions. By all accounts, this resulted in one of the finest machines to travel Europe.

The organ survived the Second World War and passed into the ownership of Emet Dauphine, a well-known showman of Utrecht, Holland. Mr Dauphine used the organ at different times in a new ride called the Sky Rocket and the now aging Auto Bahn. It was from here that Mr Ted Hopkins of Luna Park, Sydney fame purchased the Auto Bahn ride and organ in 1950. It was placed in the carousel at the entrance, overlooking the harbour from where the Happiest Music on Earth greeted patrons enterng for a day of fun.

By 1980, the organ was lying derelict under the Coney Island Slides. From here the organ was acquired by Mr Ken Beech of Burleigh Heads, Queensland, who set about the mammoth task of restoration. By 1987 this had been completed and the organ had passed into the ownership of Mr Norm Douglas of Albury. In 1994 we were fortunate enough to acquire the organ.

After further research and restoration, it is now presented for your enjoyment in its finest condition since the early 1900’s.

Listen to the Gavioli Playing "Lily the Pink"

Listen to the Gavioli Playing "Colonel Bogey"

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