I just brought home the same instrument, serial number 3696, and am now shopping around for a qualified person to restore it for me. Mine is in similar condition as yours was.
I've been following another restorer and organist for several years (Jantzi) and RU-vid just showed me this today. Love these old organs and the few dedicated people who preserve and appreciate them. I had one badly in need of repair, but couldn't find a way to move it and eventually my ex dismantled and disposed of it. Breaks my heart.
i LOVE the sound of the Chicago Cottage Reed organs....I have one thats been restored back in mid 80s my someone in Texas. Its mint condition that I got on Craisglsist and I plove it...play it every day...I have a 2nd Chicago Cottage but its needing tons of work.....but I'm hoping to have it restored so I'll have a backup. If you're interested in restoring it for me....depending on price and transportation...I'd love to talk about this.
You might post an inquiry on the FaceBook group "Reed Organ Tech" -- be sure to mention your location and a few photos of the organ with the keyboard cover open (showing the stops). Unless the organ is particularly interesting or rare, it may not pay to have someone restore it. Restoration can take 2-4 months of someone's time plus $600 to $1000 in materials.
Wow! I need to learn about these I have loved my mothers organ since I was small. Now at 58 my mom at 83 it will be mine one day. How much does it cost to redo the inside? It has been inside our home since 1964. The cabinet is beautiful but the bellows have holes so does not move air very well.
The material cost can be around $500-$1000. However, it may take several months of work to restore to original condition which may cost anywhere from $2500 to $4000. I do it as a hobby because I love these old instruments.
I'm retired, so I can work on them the better part of each day. This is a very simple instrument -- 2 rows of reeds, no couplers, simple linkages to the mutes.
