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Smith Organ & Joscelyne Organ (St James the Great Anglican Church)

Location 435 Inkerman Street,, ST KILDA EAST VIC 3183 - Property No B4862 File Number B4862 Level State

[1/1] B4862 Joscelyne Organ

Statement of Significance

Smith Organ Statement of Significance: This organ is thought to be among the oldest in use in a Melbourne church. It was built about 1850 by the old-established firm of John Smith, Bristol, as a chamber organ for domestic use. Its attractive mahogany case is of Georgian design with Gothick overtones and the side "towers" are supported by finely carved corbels. The early history of the instrument is unknown; it was installed in its present location in 1962 and came from St Matthew's Anglican Church, Cheltenham. The historic value of the organ is unfortunately lowered by some modifications which include the replacement of a central flat of 11 dummy pipes in the casework with lattice-work; the removal of the upper side panels and part of the cornice; the removal of the original reservoir and hand-blowing apparatus ; and the transposition of a Gamba stop to form a Twelfth. Some of these modifications can be reversed. Smith's original hand-lettered name label, placed behind glass, survives as do the drawstops, finely engraved in copperplate lettering. Smith Organ now in New South Wales.
Classified: 20/09/1984.
Joscelyne Organ Statement of Significance: This single-manual instrument was built circa 1865 by the noted Tasmanian cabinet-maker Samuel Joscelyne for use in his residence in Launceston, Tasmania and was installed at its present loction in 1988 after a number of earlier moves. The only example of a Tasmanian-built organ on the Australian mainland, the instrument incoporates an ornately carved cedar case, with classical cornice and cresting, gilt dummy facade pipes, and retains its original blowing lever, short-compass pedal board and three ranks of spotted metal pipes.
Classified: 06/04/1989