The example going to auction in Lichfield with Richard Winterton on May 21 was delivered to the UK on October 16, 1936, and installed in the new 2468-seater Granada Cinema in East Ham, London.
It has more recently been played by most of Britain’s top organists to the enjoyment of audiences in a bespoke 20-seat mini-theatre built to house it at the vendor’s bungalow in Cannock, Staffordshire. He had restored the organ after acquiring it in 2000.
Thought to be one of around 20 operational theatre Wurlitzers in the UK today, it is described as ‘in perfect working order’. This Wurlitzer has eight ranks of pipes, xylophone, glockenspiel, vibraphone and percussion effects such as bass drum, snare drum and cymbals.
It is also replete with the usual sound effects associated with cinema organs such as bird whistle, train whistle and fire gong.
Estimate £5000-7000.
