Object Record
Images
Metadata
Accession # |
2018.29.2.08 |
Item Name |
Music, Audio Tape Organ Tape, Cassette |
Description |
Eight audio cassette tapes each housed in a hinged plastic case; all but one include a paper insert printed with the song titles etc. The tapes consist of the following titles: (.01) "Hammond The Best of Yesterday Today and Tomorrow" (.02) "Golden Hammond" (.03) "Comin' Home to Hammond" (.04) "De Tiet Touring Street Organ" (.05) "Old Favourites / John Pearson and The Traveling Bell Wagon" (.06) "The Original Bolling Boogie" (.07) "Judy K Swingin' Rhythm & Rag" (.08) "Piano Music by Lois MacArthur / Popular Favorites / Songs of Inspiration" (Label on case reads: "To Frank and Dorothy / From Lois MacArthur" |
Date |
before 1998 |
Provenance |
The audio tapes were used with street organ 2018.29.1.05, built by Elora resident Frank Speers (1924-2010) in 1998. The street organ included a stereo system, in addition to an electric organ, on which the cassette tapes were played; the music broadcast through speakers hidden under the seat. The automobile and street organ were hand built by Frank Speers between 1995 and 1998 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his business, Speers Electric of Elora. They were used in local parades and at events such as the International Ploughing Match, the Milton Steam Show and the Listowel Steam Show. There is no model for the automobile and Frank made everyone aware that the car was not historical, but a completely hand-built tribute piece. "About 30 years ago, I found four wire-spoked buggy wheels at a buggy shop near Elmira, Ontario. I looked forward to the day when I would have time to construct some sort of parade vehicle. In December 1994, I started to design and construct a "Horseless Carriage" and named it "The Pacer 1895." On July 1st, 1995, its debut was made at the Canada Day Parade in Elora. Having found two more wheels of the same type in 1995, I set about to design and build the 1898 "Carnival Street Organ," completing it during the next three winters in 1998. I couldn't find wheels for the front, so decided to make them myself. The 48 imitation organ pipes were made from a variety of items - a bedstead, thin wall conduit, water pipe, a handle from a whipper snipper, and soffit aluminum sheeting. Two electronic keyboards, an amplifier and four speakers behind the pipes on each side provide the music played by Yours Truly in an amateurish way. The power is provided by a car battery located under the seat in the Pacer, which also powers the Pacer motor starter. The small trailer (originally towed behind the Pacer) bears the following features: The Pacer: an 8 H.P. Touring Roadster; New for 1895: Air Conditioning - SunRoof - Driver Side Wind Bag. As an added incentive to have Dorothy drive the Pacer and tow the Street Organ, I reluctantly crossed out (sort of) the last feature and added, "Mother-in-Law Seat." It has been an interesting project and we hope it remains roadworthy for many years. - Franklin and Dorothy Speers" Franklin W. Speers was born in Palmerston. He went to Radio College in Toronto and was employed by the National Record Council in Ottawa before moving to Elora and founding his company, Speers Electric, in 1945. He met his wife Dorothy at a church function in Ottawa and they were married 7 September 1946. Together they had seven children. Dorothy worked as the book keeper for the family business. |
Person \ Organization |
Speers Electric Limited Speers, Dorothy Speers, Frank |
Place |
Elora |
Subjects |
Music |