Orchestral Organ, Carousel Organ, Alessendro Gasparini, 52-key Model From 1890, 19th

2 m25 in total length, 90 cm in depth by 1 m53 in height, offered in its original condition with around thirty perforated cardboard boxes... missing the reading box (key box), the automaton head as well as the pediment.. .... Alessandro GASPARINI, organ maker, emigrated with some friends from Northern Italy to Paris in 1865, but it was only after 1880 that he signed his name to his production. We found it in 1887 established at 205-207 bvd Voltaire, a very lively avenue on the Right Bank (at n° 50 had been built in 1854 "le Bataclan", a historic concert hall with 1500 seats and unfortunately also now famous for tragic events of November 13, 2015!).​ ​Around 1895, and now associated with his son-in-law H. FOUCHER, Gasparini moved to the eastern suburbs, on the outskirts of Vincennes, to build an impressive 4-story factory on rue de la Vega, a small street which opens directly onto bvd Daumesnil. .. where the factory of its competitor Limonaire was located! Our organ was probably made before the time of Foucher and also before the "approval" that Gasparini had passed with Gavioli and Marenghi in order to harmonize their competitiveness, because most of their models were unique, built according to the wishes client. But he already had in mind working on some “standards”. ​These 52-key organs became a reference! This design perfectly met the growing needs of children's ride owners: not too big, not too loud and ideal for public parks; but different percussion options were available on the sides. ​The "Orchestra Organs" were the only category of organs built by the Gasperini firm until 1902 when the "Concertophones" also appeared.