Today, I had a day off. We headed off, just going to one estate sale and then to breakfast and then to buy some wood to make a quilting frame. Several hours later we made it home with the truck loaded. At the estate sale we bought an organ and a large basket which we filled with all sorts of other goodies. We decided that it looked like it might rain so arranged to stop back on the way home for the organ. We went to breakfast and decided we couldn't carry the organ and the wood so didn't go to Home Depot. We passed several other yard sales on the way back to the estate sale. One was really okay so we bought quite a lot there. Back at the estate sale we loaded the organ, bought a primitive table, a bench and a few more other odds and ends. It took four people to load the organ into the truck bed. dr and I unloaded it and pulled it to the house on our garden wagon. They sure come in useful at times. Since we forgot to go to the grocery store in our dash around town we went over to Cordes Lakes, stopped at the store and then went to Subway for lunch(a late lunch). Coming home we stopped at the library. At some time during the day we stopped at the post office and the bank. dr sorted through the stuff and loaded the truck for the flea market tomorrow. I guess you would like to see some pictures? Rupert Raccoon was free. His ear was chipped and the woman didn't want him. She had a beautiful yard and some beautiful cannas. Then, two views of the large basket. dr says I can keep it but, where will I put it. Now, with the organ, I don't have room to walk in the living room. I put the bench at the corner of the house. Of course, I had to try it out. dr says picture this table by the back door with a washbasin and a bar of soap. Now, here is a picture of the organ which resides in the living room which is why there is no space for anything else. Bears will be moving out, soon. That's all the pictures I had time to take. But, we will not be eating at the dining room table tonight or on trays in the living room. Maybe standing up in the kitchen? dooley
Dooley you always seem to come back from your trips with some fantastic stuff!!! :-D I love the basket. I have three similar ones (small, medium and large) which I lined with plastic so that I could use them as summer planters. Not this year though as it's been waaaay too wet. Can either you or DR play the organ or are you going to be selling it on?
I'm not musical at all but dr can play a bit. Eventually we will sell it. After enjoying it for ourselves and of course Chance LOVES it. (not) She was facinated watching dr work the pedals. I was afraid she was going to get her nose stuck in them. dooley
Great finds Dooley. We haven't been to garage sales in a few years because of the heat and most around here are filled with clothes and baby things and are no fun at all. I almost bought a basket just like that at the thrift store a couple of weeks ago. I love benches like that, I have a long one out front and the primitive table will look perfect with a wash basin and soap on it.
I went looking on the internet for J. Estey organs and found a museum site that told us where to look for a serial number. Some are pressed into the wood and some were on paper stickers. I thought if it was a paper sticker it would be long gone. But, it was there. Writing was faint & dusty but with my trusty flashlight I was able to make out the serial number and the year and month of manufacture. It was made in Dec. l872. I can't tell if it's had repairs. If so, they were very good. The keys have chips and so do the stops but they are not in bad shape. It does work and the sound is good. dooley
Congratulations on you finds, Dooley! Absolutely lovely organ, and I quite understand why you want to keep the basket. Was the bench comfy?
