Holdich’s book of watercolours

BIOS has recently purchased a document for the British Organ Archive. It is an album of ephemera relating to the work and life of George Maydwell Holdich (1816-1896), including specifications, watercolours and letters, etc. The watercolours are finely executed, showing interesting detail. They cover the period 1838 to 1845. It is not clear exactly what the book was used for, but it seems most likely that Holdich used it as part of his sales pitch, showing potential customers the nature of his work. As the paintings do not continue beyond 1845, he evidently continued to use the volume as a repository for various documents and publications relating to his instruments. 

The associated documents include:

• Specifications, illustrations or programmes for inaugural concerts of Holdich organs.
• A newspaper clipping [from The Leader] dated 23rd August 1851, describing the organs at the Great Exhibition, including the one by Holdich.
• Handwritten descriptions of the organs at St Paul’s Cathedral, London, Great St Andrew’s, Cambridge, St James’ Palace, London, and Haarlem, the latter with a discussion of the role of the 32ft.
• Holdich’s Circulars, some letters, prints, business cards and information concerning the provenance of the book. 

A fuller account of this acquisition is included in the most recent edition of the BIOS Reporter.