Six of a set of originally eight wooden rectangular stopped organ pipes representing tones of Ut3 to Ut4. Si3 and Ut4 are missing from the set. Each pipe has a round wooden foot at one end. Each pipe was originally stopped with a removable rectangular wooden stopper with a round knob; however, some of the stoppers are missing or wedged in place. The interior side and edges of each stopper is covered in fine beige felt-like fabric in order to create a seal.
2016.ph.721.1 gives the tone Ut3.
.2 gives the tone Re3.
.3 gives the tone Mi3.
.4 gives the tone Fa3.
.5 gives the tone Sol3.
.6 gives the tone La3.
Some of the pipes have velcro affixed to one side. One of the pipes has a piece of velcro stuck inside the stopper.
Accession Number: 2016.ph.721.1-6
Alternative Name:
Primary Materials: Wood, Lip, Foot=Mahogony, Body=Pine
Stamped with “RUDOLPH KOENIG À PARIS”
Each pipe is marked by the mouthpiece with the handwritten number “113a” referring to Koenig’s 1873 catalogue.
2016.ph.721.3 is marked “Mi3” above the lip, .4 is marked “Fa3” and .5 is marked “Sol3”.
Dimensions (cm): Length=34.5cm – 25cm
According to David Pantalony’s “Altered Sensations” (New York: Springer, 2009) “The stopper could be adjusted in order to change the pitch of the pipe and bring the pipes into or out of harmony with each other.” (pg 256)
The wood of the pipes is in good condition. There is some wear and cracking around the mouthpieces. Some of the stoppers are missing and some have been wedged into place. One of the knobs on the stoppers has snapped and the broken-off piece is missing.
Some of the pipes have velcro affixed to one side or inside their stoppers, dating from their use as part of an interactive display.
Associated Instruments:
Manufacturer: Rudolph Koenig
Date of Manufacture: ca. 1878
These pipes are part of a collection of acoustic teaching apparatus purchased from Rudolph Koenig by University of Toronto professor of physics James Loudon. These pipes were part of Loudon’s initial 1878 purchase, and form part of a comprehensive selection of organ pipes “representing a… demonstration of every possible organ pipe effect.” (Pantalony, Altered Sensations. New York: Springer, 2009. Pg 119-122). These were likely used by students for investigations of acoustical properties at the university’s physics department teaching laboratory.
These pipes were collected from the Department of Physics, after a number had been used for some years as part of an interactive display.
These pipes were originally accessioned separately.
See also: David Pantalony’s book “Altered Sensations” (New York: Springer, 2009) pg 256-257, where the pipes are described in the Catalogue Raisonne under #114 (referring to Koenig’s 1889 catalogue).
Historical Notes:
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