ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
From: Chris Wesson, Oct. 2000
Robin Richmond's reasons for purchasing the console were recounted by
himself during an 'Old Timers' edition of The Organist Entertains broadcast
in February 1971.
He stated that he was driving down the Bayswater Road one day and found
himself behind a van containing a lot of old organ pipes. He followed the
van to a scrap merchant's yard and discovered that the pipes were the
remains of the Tivoli WurliTzer.
He returned with the scrap merchant back to the Tivoli where all that
remained of the organ was the console which he bought 'for old times sake'.
He later sold it 'to some people near Exeter who had an organ but no
console' and went on to say that the console 'is still playing'.
The latter comment was more hopeful than accurate. The intention was that
it should be paired with the ex-Gaumont Exeter organ, 2-6. It is thought
that this never happened and the owner of the Exeter organ actually paired
it with the ex-Regent Ipswich console which was also a 2-6.
The Tivoli console was stored for a while and has been used for spares on
various installations. I am told that the remains, for many of the parts
are now missing, are in very poor condition.
From: Donald MacKenzie, Nov. 2000
Tivoli Strand, London. After Robin Richmond saved the console, this came my
way and was used for the Dr. Phibes films, Cadbury's 'Boost' advert (where it rose
from the actor's jacket pocket), and for the R.I.B.A., Portland Place, Christmas
Party - Art Deco. theme. It has since gone into retirment.