Alaska (Strand) Theatre - 3/23 Skinner
The Alaska organ (Skinner opus #217) was installed in 1914 at a cost of $9,150. As was customary with many organs at the time, there was a three rank Echo division.
Seattle, Washington
Organ installation timeframe: 1914-1931
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Jesse Crawford played at the Alaska in the early days of silent movies. Fred Feringer played the organ in the early 1920's when the theatre was renamed the Strand.
The instrument was eventually moved in 1931 to St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Bellingham, Washington. It was installed without tonal changes or additions. In 1969, Balcom & Vaughan was contracted to rebuild and enlarge the organ. A new two-manual console replaced the original Skinner, and several new ranks were added. The Choir chest was sold to Richard Warburton for use in his home organ in Skykomish WA. The original three-manual console eventually made its way to Tom Kaasa of Seattle.
In 1992, Marceau & Associates of Portland, OR. were awarded a contract for a new instrument incorporating most of the remaining components.
<-- Ad from the Seattle Post Intelligencer, c.1925. Fine Clothes starting Lewis Stone and Percy Marmont
The original three-manual drawknob console and other parts were later owned by Jack & Mary Lou Becvar. They had planned to connect the console in tandem with their 3/18 Wurlitzer residence organ. In 1998, the console was purchased by Francis Riley of Seattle.
Stoplist and notes from Jim Stettner, copied from the console in June 1993 when it was owned by Tom Kaasa.
8 Diapason
73
8 Doppel Flute
73
8 Erzahler
73
8 Dulciana
73
Great 16
Great 4
Swell (Enclosed)
16 Bourdon
73
8 Diapason
73
8 Gedackt
73
8 Viol Celeste
73
4 Flute
73
8 Cornopean
73
8 Orchestral Oboe
73
Tremolo
Swell 16
[Swell Unison] On/Off
Swell 4
8 Geigen Principal
73
8 Concert Flute
73
4 Flute
73
22/3 Nazard
61
8 Clarinet
73
Tremolo
Harp
Choir 16
[Choir Unison] On/Off
Choir 4
Echo (Enclosed)
8 Fern Flute
73
8 Unda Maris
73
8 Vox Humana
73
Tremolo
Chimes (20)
Pedal
16 Diapason
32
16 Bourdon
32
16 Dulciana
(Ch) 12
8 Flute 12
Swell to Pedal
[8]
Great to Pedal
[8]
Choir to Pedal
[8]
Echo to Pedal
[8]
Swell to Great 16,[8],4
Choir to Great
16,[8],4
Swell to Choir
[8],4
Echo [on Choir] On/Off
Echo [on Swell]
On/Off
Pistons
General
1 - 4
Swell
1 - 4
Great
1 - 3
Choir
1 - 3
Oct. Off
[cancel]
Toe Studs
Pedal
1 - 4
Ped. to Comb. [Swell]
On/Off
Ped to Comb. [Great]
On/Off
Ped. to Comb. [Choir]
On/Off
Foot Levers (labeled; l - r)
Coup. On hitch-down
Ped. Off
hitch-down
Gr. Off
hitch-down
Gr. to Ped.
reversible
Sforz.
hitch-down
Sw. Reeds Off
hitch-down
Ch. Reeds Off
hitch-down
Pedal Movements
Echo Expression
(bal.)
Choir Expression
(bal.)
Swell Expression
(bal.)
Crescendo
(bal.)
Voices: 22 or 23 (?)
Stops: 26; inc. chimes & harp
Ranks: 22 or 23 (?)
Pipes: Unverified
In a Console Magazine article (V3 No.9 Sept 1965) entitled, "Seattle: Cradle of the American Theatre Pipe Organ," the Alaska organ is listed as being 23 ranks, 27 stops, and 1,310 pipes. A book entitled E.M. Skinner / Aeolian-Skinner Opus List compiled by Allen Kinzey and Sand Lawn and published by the Organ Historical Society lists the organ as being 22 registers, 24 stops, 22 ranks, and 1296 pipes. Without surveying the ranks and chests, there is no way of knowing the exact truth. The pipe counts given in the preceding specification are based on other documented and existing examples of the builder's work.
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