Reed Organ
Please reference the following URL: https://collection.maas.museum/object/344526#&gid=1&pid=1 I have this exact organ and there is a full description on the pages following the picture. It has the bronze medallion on it and the description fits exactly. The organ has been refinished - which I am sure deflates the value some. There is a very small tear in the bellows but it still plays...just takes a little more pumping than ordinary.
I do not have any information on the history of the instrument. It was found by a friend in an old barn and she refinished it and gave it to me.
Other
Yes
Thank you for submitting your item for appraisal. This appears to be a harmonium by Alexandre Père et Fils, circa 1860s, possibly walnut and rosewood veneered. Most such harmoniums by this manufacturer sell in the price range listed above, with one exception at auction in Berkshire, UK three years ago when a comparable harmonium sold for approx. 4000 USD. This might have been a battle between two buyers for inexplicable reasons, not representing the current market value for such instruments in general.
This instrument was not shown on the World Exposition. All the instruments in the following years have the same metal plaque, it was used for advertising / buyer confidence etc. The estimate is based on auction results, supply and demand. I don´t do the prices, I just describe the current market situation.
This instrument has a bronze medallion that says "Exposition Universelle, Paris France, 1855 and has Alexandre Pere & Fils on it also. I would think that this would add appreciably to the value since that would have been the 2nd World's Fair. I would think that an instrument valued at only up to $500 would not be shown in a museum collection.