Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul [Roman Catholic]
18th Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway (Logan Square)
Philadelphia, PA
Note: Not extant. Not playable. (in this location)
Images
c. 1858-1860 - Architect [Napolean Le Brun] blueprint of organ loft (Photograph from an archival source: Library Company of Philadelphia, submitted by Paul R. Marchesano/Paul R. Marchesano)
Unknown - Architect [Napolean Le Brun] blueprint of organ loft (Photograph from an archival source: Library Company of Philadelphia, submitted by Paul R. Marchesano/Paul R. Marchesano)
c. 1920 - There are no known photographs of the Standbridge organ case. The 1920 Austin installation in this case, a drawing by the rep. (Photograph from an archival source: Drawing by Herbert Brown, Austin Organs Representative, submitted by Paul R. Marchesano/Paul R. Marchesano)
Consoles
Main
- Organ type: Traditional Without Cover
- Console position: Keydesk Attached
- 4 manuals
- 50 stops
- 51 registers
- 5 divisions
- Key action Type: Mechanical (Details Unknown)
- Stop action Type: Mechanical
- Stop layout Type: Drawknobs in Vertical Rows on Flat Jambs
- Manual compass: 58 notes
- Pedal compass: 29 notes
- Pedal Type: Flat Straight
- Expression Type: Balanced Expression Shoes/Pedals (Details Unknown)
- Combination action: Fixed Mechanical
- Has hitchdown couplers
Notes
2005-06-07 - The organ is known from a pencil sketch of the case drawn by an Austin salesman or technician in 1920. The specification is unknown at this time, but there are corroborating reports that the organ was a four-manual and pedal with approximately 70 stops. -Database Manager
2005-09-11 - Stoplist and description of opening published in <i>Philadelphia Inquirer</i> November 18, 1868. -Database Manager
2005-09-11 - Three composition pedals [diapason & principal, positive organ, full organ]. Reversible or hitchdown for Pedal Double Open Diapason. -Database Manager
2005-09-11 - The organ details have been verified from a description of the opening of the organ on November 17, 1868, published the following day in the <i>Philadelphia Inquirer</i>. Previous reports of dates and size were incorrect. The case is described as measuring 31 ft. wide, 16 ft. deep, and 41 ft. high. Pipe counts were given for each division, and therefore it appears the Great Sesquialtera was typical (two) II ranks and the Great Mixture was IV-V ranks in composition. -Database Manager
2020-11-10 - Some small number of stops have remained in each rebuild of the organ in some form or other. The 32' Pedal Bourdon definitely remains in the current installation at the cathedral. -Paul R. Marchesano
2021-03-17 - The Standbridge organ contract was reported to be for $10,000. -Paul R. Marchesano
Stoplist
Copy of the Dedication Program in 1868 Source: Source not recorded Date not recorded
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Ss. Peter & Paul RC Cathedral
J.C.B. STANDBRIDGE, 1868 - Original Specifications
GREAT SWELL (Expressive)
16 Double Open Diapason 58 16 Bourdon 58
8 Open Diapason 58 8 Open Diapason 58
8 Violin 58 8 Kalophon [sic] 58
8 Melodia 53 8 Stop'd Diapason 58
8 Stop'd Diapason 58 4 Principal 58
8 Dolcissimo 58 4 Flute [wood; chimneys] 58
4 Principal 58 2-2/3 Twelfth 58
4 Octave Violin 58 2 Fifteenth 58
4 Traverse Flute 58 1-3/5 Seventeenth 58
2-2/3 Twelfth 58 II Sesquialtera [19-22] 116
2 Fifteenth 58 8 Trumpet 58
IV Sesquialtera 232 8 Oboe 58
III Mixture 168 8 Vox Humana 58
8 Trumpet 58 Tremulant
4 Octave Trumpet 58
SOLO
CHOIR 8 Stop'd Diapason 58
16 Bourdon 58 4 Harmonic Flute 58
8 Open Diapason 58 8 Trumpet 58
8 Stop'd Diapason 58 8 Orch'l Oboe and Corno
8 Viol d'Amour 58 di Bassetto 58
8 Dulciana 53 8 Clarionet and Bassoon 58
4 Principal 58
4 Chimney Flute 58
2-2/3 Twelfth 58 PEDAL
2 Fifteenth 58 16 Double Open Diapason 29
1-3/5 Seventeenth 58 16 Double Dulciana [wood] 29
II Sesquialtera [19-22] 116 8 Open Diapason 29
8 Clarionet 48 8 Violoncello 29
8 Bassoon 10 16 Trombone 29
Pedal Check
COUPLERS COMPOSITION PEDALS (for Great)
Pedals and Great No. 1 – Diapason and Principal
Pedals and Choir
No. 2 – Positive Organ
Great and Swell Unison
Great and Solo Unison No. 3 – Full Organ
Choir to Great Sub-Octaves
Swell to Choir Unison PEDAL MOVEMENTS
Swell Expression ???
ACTION: Mech. Key & Stop VOICES: 50 STOPS: 51 RANKS: 57 PIPES: 3,155
NOTES
The organ was free-standing and encased in the rear gallery. The casework was evidently
a center half-round tower with two side flats. The keydesk was recessed into the case.
On the Great, the 8' Melodia borrowed its bottom 5 notes from the 8' Stop'd Diapason.
Similarly on the Choir, the 8' Dulciana borrowed its bottom 5 notes from the 8' Viol
d'Amour. All other stops in the organ were full-compass. The Solo division had one
blank toeboard of 58 notes prepared for an addition.
The “Description of The Grand Organ” that accompanied the dedication program states,
“The Pneumatic Lever is applied to the Great Organ, which also takes down (when
required by the Coupler) the Choir Organ at Sub-Octaves, without adding anything to
the weight of the touch. The Swell Organ is also furnished with the Pneumatic Lever,
except the upper Octave. Both these actions are very quiet and as rapid in repeating
as possible.”
The organ was also furnished with two bellows. The one supplying the Great, Swell, and
Choir furnished 3-1/4” wind pressure. The one for the Pedal and Solo provided 4-1/4”
wind pressure.
Tickets to the dedication were sold at a cost of $1.00. A reserved pew location was
also available for $5.00.
Sources: Dedication Program and accompanying specification.
[Received from James R. Stettner 2014-08-18.]
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