Registering your reed organ with the Reed Organ Society on-line Database will be one of the most useful things you can do to advance knowledge and research about reed organs. Below is a downloadable form for doing this, along with the contact information for the Reed Organ Society Database Manager. You can print off and mail the form, or download and email it as an attachment. There is also a form on-line at <reedsoc.org>, the Reed Organ Society's website.

When I visit a reed organ, I fill out the registration form as completely as possible. I also take pictures (digital), since pictures add substantially to a registration's usefulness. One picture should be front-on with the keydesk cover open, and the knee levers unfolded so that they (both) show. A second picture should be taken from a three-quarter angle, showing the end-view of the organ (including an oblique view of the front). If the organ has a finished back, there should be a picture of that as well. Finally, I take pictures of any special features, decorations, details. I send all of these to the database manager, who can decide which ones to put on the site.

It is important to distinguish between the action serial number and the case serial number, as they are often different (when both are found). An action serial number is usually found inside the back of the organ, stamped on the soundboard, or on a paper label pasted to the soundboard. The number may be found on labels pasted elsewhere. The case serial number is often stamped into the wood on the outside of the back. Less often, it is found stamped on the case wood inside the back. In some organs, the back is hinged and opens more or less easily; in others, you may have to remove screws to take off the upper half of the back.

Note whether the reed organ had a high top, even if it is now missing: evidence for it will be found in screw holes, mounting blocks, or discoloration of the finish.

I keep a paper file of all the registrations I have done, as I usually collect more information than typically fits on the database. These are helpful to me as I do other registrations of instruments by the same maker.

The Reed Organ Society Database Manager will send you a certificate of registration, to be kept with the reed organ. I usually cut out the small certificate, have it laminated, and tack it inside the back of the organ.

If you have questions about the information required for your registration, I will be glad to help free of charge.

REED ORGAN REGISTRATION FORM REED ORGAN SOCIETY, INC.

PLEASE FILL IN THE INFORMATION BELOW AS COMPLETELY AS POSSIBLE

Owner's Name ( ) or person reporting ( ) ________________________________________

Address_________________________________________________________Zip______

Telephone Number (___)_______-__________________ Date __________ 20_________

Is this organ in a public building (Y/N)_____

If yes, where?_____________________________________________________________

Photo enclosed (Y/N)_____

Is the organ in playable condition? (Y/N)_____

Make (Brand) of Reed Organ_________________________________________________

City of Maker___________________________________________________________________

Model or Style____________ Serial No. ________ Case Wood_______________________

Serial Number found on action ( ) elsewhere ( ) in a book ( )

(Booktitle) _____________________page____Comments? _________________________

Other remarks?____________________________________________________________

Year or Date Made_______________ Pitch: __________ Compass: F_____ or C______

Date indication found in organ ( ) :______________________________________

or year or date found elsewhere: ________________________________________

Stops break between Bass & Treble (Y/N)_____ if so, break at keys #____ &#____

Case Style:                                                            Wind:                                                          Pedal:
(   ) Lyre-leg Melodeon                                          ( ) Suction                                                 ( ) Flat
(   ) "Piano" style Melodeon                                   ( ) Pressure                                               ( ) Concave
(   ) Baby                                                                  ( ) Pumped by Foot                                 ( ) Radiating
(   ) Flat-top                                                              ( ) Handle
(   ) Folding                                                             ( ) Blower
(   ) Chapel (finished back)
(   ) Piano Case
(   ) Harmonium
(   ) Parlor (with or without top)                              Number of keys:
(   ) Lap                                                                    ( ) 1 manual: ______ keys
(   ) Rollplayer                                                          ( ) 2 or 3 mp:
(   ) Two or three manual                                             Great: _____ keys
(   ) with Pedal                                                              Swell: _____ keys
(   ) Other:___________________                          Pedal: _____ keys

PLEASE LIST STOP NAMES AND PITCHES, LEFT TO RIGHT:

If a stopface is missing, leave a blank.
Nr.
If 1 manual: If 2 or 3 MP: Great Swell
1

Pedal: Choir/Solo:

Thank you for registering your reed organ. Any unusual features should be described. You'll receive a Registration Label, which can be affixed to the instrument. Your organ will be included in an historical account of extant reed organs. If you have a large collection, we can arrange to assist you. Your address and telephone number will NOT be included in computer-accessible files.
---------------------------------------------------- cut here ---------------------------------------------------
Return electronic form to don_swett@comcast.net or:
Don Swett, 595 S Alton Way Apt 3D, Denver, CO 80247, USA

REED ORGAN REGISTRATION FORM REED ORGAN SOCIETY, INC.

PLEASE LIST STOP NAMES AND PITCHES, LEFT TO RIGHT:

Mudfog Reed Organ

Saving reed organs for a musical future, one at a time