A failure of mechanisation: a modern handle-operated church organ cannot be turned off, so is removed from the church in the course of the service. Etching by George Cruikshank, 1843.
- Cruikshank, George, 1792-1878.
- Date:
- [1843]
- Reference:
- 3304949i
- Pictures
About this work
Description
The church of Wheatham, Hertfordshire, is persuaded by one of its congregation, a City financier, to replace its old organ with a new modern self-playing organ, playing a limited number of hymns and psalms with a hand-operated cylinder, thus saving the salary of the organist. In the course of a service, when the vicar is about to start his sermon, the organ keeps on playing and cannot be turned off, as the stop-handle is broken. The organ, still playing, is removed from the church in the middle of the service, and the church subsequently reverts to a traditional organ played by an organist
Publication/Creation
[London] : [Richard Bentley], [1843]
Physical description
1 print : etching
Contributors
Lettering
The self-playing organ. Drawn and etched by G. Cruikshank.
Reference
Wellcome Collection 3304949i
Type/Technique
Languages
Where to find it
3304948i-3304949i
Location Status Access Closed stores