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A R Ruth & Sohn
Fairground Organ
The organ was built in 1890 at Waldkirch Germany. It was built as a pinned barrel organ and converted to play 65 key standard book music in the 1920’s. For more than 50 years it travelled extensively in Belgium and Holland owned by a family of Belgian Showmen providing music on their roundabout.
Having survived two world wars the organ was damaged in a fire, whether the ride was destroyed is not known. Following the fire the organ was acquired by a preservationist who carried out a certain amount of restoration work and presumably fitted a new front. The organ was bought by Arthur Prinsen a well known Dutch Organ Builder who completely re built and restored the organ in his works in Brasschat Antwerp Belgium. On completion the organ was displayed in his private collection. The organ was bought by Peter Wyatt and transported to England. Peter Wyatt had a new front made in the style of Ruth Organs and three German figures were added.
The Organ was mounted in a 1974 Leyland FG 550 and it is still in use today and will appear at the Auckley Show Saturday 14th August 2010
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