Pipe Organ Database

a project of the organ historical society

Wanamaker Organ Shop (1911)

Originally Los Angeles Art Organ Co. (Opus 35, 1903-04)
Exhibited in the 1996, 2016 OHS convention(s)

Location:

John Wanamaker Store / Macy's Center City
1300 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107 US
The Grand Court
Organ ID: 131

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Status and Condition:

  • This instrument's location type is: Retail Stores: Department stores, Music stores, etc.
  • The organ is currently being renovated or restored.
  • The organ's condition is good, in regular use.
We received the most recent update for this instrument's status from Jim Stettner on May 06, 2023.

Technical Details:

  • Chests: Electro-pneumatic (EP)
  • 464 ranks. 28,750 pipes. 10 divisions. 6 manuals. 471 stops.
All:
  • Chest Type(s): Electro-pneumatic (EP) chests
  • Position: In center chambers at the front of the room. Facade pipes or case front visible.
We received the most recent update for this division from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.
Main:
  • Manuals: 6
  • Divisions: 10
  • Stops: 471
  • Position: Console in fixed position, left.
  • Manual Compass: 61
  • Pedal Compass: 32
  • Key Action: Electrical connection from key to chest.
  • Stop Action: Tubular-pneumatic connection between stop control and chest.
  • Console Style: Non-traditional style, as consoles by Holtkamp, Schlicker, et al.
  • Stop Controls: Tilting/rocking tablets on angled jambs.
  • Combination Action: Computerized/Digital system.
  • Swell Control Type: Balanced swell shoes/pedals.
  • Pedalboard Type: Concave radiating pedalboard.
  • Has Crescendo Pedal
  • Has Tutti Reversible Thumb Pistons
  • Has Tutti Reversible Toe Pistons
  • Has Combination Action Thumb Pistons
  • Has a Piston Sequencer
We received the most recent update for this console from YouFoundSharpe on April 14, 2023.
YouFoundSharpe on March 18, 2023:

Stentor organ was to have additional stops including stops on 50-100 inches of wind, but was never realized.

We received the most recent update for this note from YouFoundSharpe on March 18, 2023.
Database Manager on May 07, 2018:
We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.
Database Manager on August 15, 2011:

Updated through online information from Paul Marchesano. -- 8' Centennial Tuba (61 pipes, 25" w.p.), unenclosed, installed 2010. Playable from the Stentor Division manual. Console is connected to Peterson solid state combination action. Original vacuum pneumatic and magnets still move the stop tablets. Most of the organ runs on original electric relays.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Database Manager on December 28, 2007:

Updated through on-line information from Ray Biswanger. -- Original instrument designed by George Ashdown Audsley. Additions by the Wanamaker Organ Shop

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Database Manager on July 03, 2007:

Updated through on-line information from Nikola Sizgorich.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Database Manager on April 02, 2006:

Updated through on-line information from Angela G. Saunders, DMA. -- The orchestral division is currently inoperable, awaiting restoration. Extensive renovations to the store are being carried out this summer, as part of the transition to Macy's. I do not know how much of this work involves the organ.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Database Manager on March 30, 2006:

Updated through on-line information from Angela Saunders. -- As of this writing, the instrument has undergone considerable repair in the last 5 years. Most of it is now playable, although more work requires to be done with the Swell and Choir divisions. The console has been rebuilt using Peterson solid state switching.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Database Manager on October 30, 2004:

Status Note: There 1994.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Database Manager on October 30, 2004:

"Organ began as Los Angeles Art Organ for Kansas City Convention Hall. Installed at 1904 World's Fair, St. Louis, MO. Stored, then enlarged to 6m, 451 stops by Wanamaker staff for Grand Court of Wanamaker's. Building purchased by Macy's then Hecht's."

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Source not recorded: Open In New Tab http://wanamakerorgan.com/stoplist.php (Contra Fagotto and Swell Nasard not installed, only planned and not listed on the current stoplist)
We received the most recent update for this stoplist from YouFoundSharpe on July 21, 2023.
The Great Organ: Open In New Tab One-page descriptive brochure with facade sketch
We received the most recent update for this document from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.

Commentary by George W. Till: Open In New Tab Commentary by George W. Till about the purchase of the organ
Document created on 1938-03-01
We received the most recent update for this document from Jeff Scofield on April 13, 2022.

Instrument Images:

Console: Photograph by Len Levasseur. Taken on 2015-02-19

Console: Photograph by Len Levasseur. Taken on 2015-02-19

Console: Photograph by Len Levasseur. Taken on 2015-02-19

Console: Photograph by Len Levasseur. Taken on 2015-02-19

Console: Photograph by Len Levasseur. Taken on 2015-02-19

Store Interior and Organ Case: Photograph by Len Levasseur. Taken on 2015-02-19

Eagle and Organ Case: Photograph by Len Levasseur. Taken on 2015-02-19

Store Interior, Console, and Organ Case: Photograph by Len Levasseur. Taken on 2015-02-19

Organ Case: Photograph by Len Levasseur. Taken on 2015-02-19

Top of Organ Case: Photograph by Len Levasseur. Taken on 2015-02-19

Organ Case: Photograph by Wayne Johnson. Taken on 2016-07-16

Console: Photograph by Martin Doering via https://die-orgelseite.de, submitted by Jeff Scofield. Taken on 2015-06-22

Swell shoes: Photograph by Martin Doering via https://die-orgelseite.de, submitted by Jeff Scofield. Taken on 2015-06-22

Inside the console: Photograph by Martin Doering via https://die-orgelseite.de, submitted by Jeff Scofield. Taken on 2015-06-22

Organ and console: Photograph by Martin Doering via https://die-orgelseite.de, submitted by Jeff Scofield. Taken on 2015-06-22

Console: Photograph by Joseph Routon, submitted by Jeff Scofield. Taken on 2019-03-16

Console: Photograph by Joseph Routon, submitted by Jeff Scofield. Taken on 2019-03-16

Organ chambers: Photograph by Joseph Routon, submitted by Jeff Scofield. Taken on 2019-03-16

Keith Chapman at the console: Photograph by Jeff Scofield. Taken on 1984-06-07

Building exterior: Photograph from an archival source: Vintage postcard, submitted by Jim Stettner. Taken approx. ca. 1911

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