Provenance of wooden pipes from organ

[sbroesche]

Hi,
My father-in-law was a church architect who is now deceased. I have inherited a set of beautiful wooden organ pipes that he had displayed on a wall in his home. I would like to know where these pipes came from if possible. There are 11 pipes of various sizes (large to small) and "stamped" markings on each pipe. The markings are STD 2440 on several and FLBAM 2440 and BDM 2440 on others. I am not a musician so know nothing about organs (other than enjoying the music). Can anyone suggest how I might find out more about these pipes? Thanks. Suzann

[Contratrombone64]

Hi sbroesche

Would be helpful if you provided photos of them and attached so we can look, if it's possible.

[rmaryman]

Hi,
My father-in-law was a church architect who is now deceased. I have inherited a set of beautiful wooden organ pipes that he had displayed on a wall in his home. I would like to know where these pipes came from if possible. There are 11 pipes of various sizes (large to small) and "stamped" markings on each pipe. The markings are STD 2440 on several and FLBAM 2440 and BDM 2440 on others. I am not a musician so know nothing about organs (other than enjoying the music). Can anyone suggest how I might find out more about these pipes? Thanks. Suzann

Well, for starters, a couple of "educated" assumptions. STD would usually indicate "Stopped Diapason", and BDN (rather than BDM) would be the abbreviation of Bourdon. Sometimes you will see the stamp B'D'N...M.P.Moller stamped pipes like this in the 1920's in a purple-ish color of ink under the orange shellac finish on the pipes. Also, FL DAM (Flute D'Amour).
These were all very typical flute type stops, usually with wooden stoppers in the tops of the pipes.
Next...2440 is >probably< the opus number of the organ (think of it as the organ's serial number). Just for fun I did a search on MOller opus 2440, located in Emporia Kansas, circa 1917. I can't say for SURE without seeing the pipes (pictures of them) that they are Moller pipes or that this is the organ wfrom which they cam. You may need to do some detective work in yourr f-i-l's history to find a possible geographic connection. For what it's worth, several companies have built sufficient numbers of pipe organs to have this opus number, but only a few have that high of a number that would be represented in OLD organ pipes. As another poster suggested, photos would be helpful.
Rick M
Staunton VA
Organbuilder, Tuning and Maintenance, rebuilding

[Contratrombone64]

Rick

G'day - it's always good to see an organ builder posting here, you are rare beasts. I wish I were an organ builder myself, but I'm too old now and my hands are not designed for woodwork ....

[wljmrbill]

Marymam: Interesting post on the organ in Emporia,Kansas. I went to college at what was in 1963 Emporia State Teachers College and there is also (was) A presbyterian college there. I played at what was then Saint Andrews Episcopal church and they had a smaller Moller Organ I believe it was. I believe one of the practice organs at Emporia state was also a Moller. Maybe some of this might help.Actually there are a number of Moller organs in Kansas . I was rasied in Kansas, (Hutchinson).

[Contratrombone64]

Bill - "I don't think we're in Kansas anymore ..."

[wljmrbill]

me either..got the Hell out of there after college...hot, hot, dry, windy in summer and cold cold in winter...But there are pretty areas toward Missouri,Arkansas area.