Tellers Organ Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Musical instrument manufacturing |
| Founded | 1906 in Erie, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Founder | Henry Tellers, Ignatius Tellers, William Sommerhof |
| Defunct | 1973 |
| Fate | Manufacturing facility purchased by Lawrence Phelps; operations ceased in 1981 |
| Headquarters | Erie , United States |
Area served | United States, Puerto Rico |
| Products | Pipe organs, Electro-pipe combination organs |
Tellers Organ Company was a manufacturer specializing in pipe organs, located in Erie, Pennsylvania. Between 1906 and 1973, the firm crafted more than 1,100 organs distributed throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.
History
The enterprise was initiated by siblings Henry and Ignatius Tellers alongside William Sommerhof, following the Tellers brothers’ departure from Milwaukee's Schuelke Organ Company in 1892. After moving to Erie, they spent 14 years employed by the Felgemaker Organ Company, where they formed a partnership with Sommerhof.
In 1906, the three founders launched the Tellers Organ Company. In 1911, the company adopted the name Tellers-Sommerhof Organ Company. When Sommerhof sold his interest to A. E. Kent—who had previously worked at Felgemaker—in 1918, the firm was renamed Tellers-Kent Organ Company. That same year marked Felgemaker’s closure; consequently, Tellers-Kent assumed responsibility for Felgemaker’s outstanding contracts and maintenance obligations. Eventually, the business reverted to its original name, Tellers Organ Company.
The company was recognized for pioneering efforts in merging pipe organ craftsmanship with electronic organ technology. Among its innovations was the Conn-Tellers Electro-Pipe Combination Organ, and it also served as an authorized dealer for Rodgers Instruments.
In 1973, Lawrence Phelps purchased the Tellers manufacturing facility and established Lawrence Phelps & Associates. He continued organ production in Erie until operations ceased in 1981.
Locations Featuring Tellers Organs
- St. Alban's Episcopal Chapel, Salisbury, Maryland, installed in 1969
- St. John's United Church of Christ, Jonestown, Pennsylvania, installed in 1961
- Ninth Street Christian Church, Logansport, Indiana, installed in 1952
- St. Boniface Church, Rochester, New York, installed in 1961
- St. Paul Lutheran Church, Millington, Michigan, acquired in 1965
- St. Patrick Church, Jaffrey, New Hampshire, purchased and installed in 1930 (Opus 549; featuring 9 ranks and 2 manuals)
- Temple Society Of Concord, Syracuse, New York, Opus 993 installed in 1965
- Cathedral Church of Saint Luke, Orlando, Florida, an 88-rank electro-pneumatic organ installed before 1974 and restored in 1999
- Saint Leo Oratory, Columbus, Ohio, installed in 1927 with 2,700 pipes; restoration completed in 2009