Carhart & Needham was an important New York firm.  Melodeons of this era survive in fair numbers (though often not in playable condition) due to the lovely rosewood veneer, simple styling, and generally small space requirements.  A flat top is a great place to display family photographs, though that use may not contribute to the instrument's musical use.

As received at the shop, this instrument does not play.  It lacks push rods for the bellows and swell treadles, and will not hold wind.  The major case challenge is the legs, which attach to the case by wooden threaded rods.  These will have to be bored out and new threaded inserts created.  Inside, the swell mechanism is in pieces; the pallets are dried out, and there is much cleaning and adjusting to be done.

The goal is to restore the instrument to playability while keeping as close to its original construction as possible.  As with all Mudfog Reed Organ projects, this instrument will be carefully documented in notes and digital photographs during the restoration.