2021-03-01 - The Viner & Son ledger entry for this organ suggests it was a mechanical rebuild only, converting the action to tubular-pneumatic. While the original Roosevelt chests were ventil, and Viner had developed his own version of a ventil chests similar to the Hillgreen, Lane & Co. design, the notation this organ had "individual valves" only suggests ventil chests, and doesn't clarify whether Viner replaced the chests or simply converted the Roosevelt primaries from mechanical to tubular firing. Several details suggest Viner alterations which were not typical in Roosevelt work: enclosure of all the Great pipework with the Choir as well as a Great-Choir tremulant (suggesting a modification of the wind system), and a Great to Pedal Octaves coupler. There is also an adjustable combination action. When Viner moved, rebuilt, or altered an older organ, the original builder is not mentioned in the ledger entries. While the stoplist is written in ink, there is a second entry in pencil giving the scales in inches. In the entries where Viner notated scales, he otherwise used standard scale numbers. There is a final notation that the organ was "Rebuilt for Un. Presb. Bfflo around 1925" [University Presbyterian?]. In actuality, this organ was rebuilt and enlarged by the Austin Organ Co. as their No. 590 in 1915 incorporating almost the entirety of this stoplist. -Scot Huntington
Viner ledger page 145, American Organ Archives Source: Viner ledger notebook. 1901
Charles Viner & Son (Opus 153, 1901)
New action for Frank Roosevelt No. 472, 1891
First Presbyterian Church
Buffalo, New York
Compasses: 61/30
GREAT [Scales]
16' Open Diapason 4'C 3 3/4" (24 in facade)
8' Open Diapason 4'E 3 1/4" (13 in facade)
Enclosed with Choir
8' Viola da Gamba 3 1/2"
8' Doppel Flote 6 x 5
8' Gemshorn 3"
4' Octave 3 3/8"
4' Hohl Flote 3 5/8 x 3 1/4
2 2/3' Octave Quint 2 1/2
2' Super Octave 2"
V Mixture 3-4-5 Rks
8' Trumpet 5 3/8
4' Clarion 3 7/8"
SWELL [enclosed]
16' Bourdon, split knob 6 x 6 3/4" [Treble/Bass]
8' Open Diapason 6"
8' Salicional 3 7/8
8' Vox Celeste 1 7/8 [tenor-c]
8' Stopped Diapason 4 5/8 x 4
8' Aeoline 2 7/8
4' Flute Harmonic 2 3/8
4' Violina 2 3/8
2' Flageolet 1 3/4 x 1 3/8
8' Cornopean 5 3/4
8' Oboe & Bassoon 3 1/2
8' Vox Humana
CHOIR [enclosed]
16' Lieblich Gedeckt 6 7/8 x 5 7/8"
8' Geigen Principal 4 1/2
8' Melodia (12 St'd.) 5 1/2 x 4 7/8
8' Dolce 3 7/8
8' Quintadena 3 3/4
4' Fugara 2 1/2
4' Flute d'Amour 2 7/8 x 2 1/2
2' Piccolo Harmonic 2 1/4
8' Clarinet 2 1/8
PEDAL
16' Open Diapason OD 15 5/8 x 17 7/8"; ID 13 x 15"
8' C 9 3/8 x 10 3/4"
16' Violone
16' Bourdon OD 9 1/2 x 8
8' Violoncello 3 1/4
8' Gedeckt 4 1/2 x 3 1/8
16' Trombone 8"
COUPLERS left to right
8' Swell to Pedal
8' Choir to Pedal
8' Great to Pedal
4' Great to Pedal at Octaves
8' Swell to Great
4' Swell to Great
8' Choir to Great
8' Swell to Choir
4' Swell to Choir
____________________
Tremolo, Swell
Tremolo, Ch and Gt
Blowers Signal
Motor Starter
Bellows Indicator
Crescendo "
PEDAL MOVEMENTS
#1 Combination Gt + Ped adjustable
2 " " " "
3 " " " "
1 " Sw " "
2 " " " "
3 " " " "
1 " Ch " "
2 " " " "
Balanced Gt and Ch Expression
Balanced Swell Expression
Balanced Crescendo
Individual Valves
Tubular Action
Ventil Stop Action
Regrettably, it is not possible to display the information about the sponsor of this pipeorgandatabase entry or if there is a sponsor. Please see About Sponsors on Pipe Organ Database.