Hi group,  Sam Harris made several good points in his response.  I'm not
sure the cart isn't before the horse here, however.  In many areas of
mechanical music, there is great demand, therefore high prices.

There currently is an idea (extremely misguided, in my opinion) that all
Nicole cylinder music boxes are superior to all other makes, and that
Regina disc players are better than all other disc players.  This is a
misconception that antique and mechanical music dealers frequently
foster.  It can work in the favor of the buyer who is more knowledgeable
than to believe the hype, and can take advantage of the great buys in
lesser known makers' boxes.

Which brings us back to education!  And one of the ways to acquire
education is to join one of the several organizations dedicated to
mechanical music.  I'm the membership chairman of the Musical Box Society
Intl., so obviously recommend this organization, and think the
educational and social benefits of membership would be advantage to any
mechanical music collector.

And there are many other fine organizations: AMICA, the Musical Box
Society of Great Britain, the German Mechanical Music Collectors, etc.
Check the MBSI web site links (www.mbsi.org) or the links on the MMD web
site for a complete list.  And if you don't belong to one of these
groups, join one.  If you belong to one, check out some of the others.
The publications of each organization have a great deal of educational
material each issue.

One of the great benefits of a group such as MMD is to broaden our scope
of knowledge.  But then, it becomes our responsibility to share knowledge
of mechanical music wherever possible.  One of the great concerns of many
people actively involved in the area of mechanical music is the rapid
dispersing of Museums into private collections.  There is another Museum
sale in England Oct. 15, and there have been many in the US in the past
few years.  When mechanical music is no longer available to the public in
Museums, no matter how poorly maintained, where will the public become
acquainted with these marvelous items?  Band Organ Rallies and public
displays by organizations are a weekend or short term affair, generally.
Not something where a family can plan to stop during a vacation.

Unfortunately, I do not see these Museums being replaced.  And I'm
certainly as guilty as the next of buying the instruments for my personal
collection.  But since this is true, it now becomes our responsibility to
share our collections.

Sam pointed out " I realize this puts the instruments at some risk, but
to tell you the truth I get just as much enjoyment watching other people
enjoy my collection as I do listening to it alone."  You bet!

This is certainly the case.  Unless you are a true hoarder, it is lots
more fun to share your collection with others, particularly people who
aren't aware that these things exist, than to listen alone.  The key word
here is "Listen." These items were never meant to be furniture.  They
were meant to play music.  And listening to music has throughout history
been a social event.

So why not continue the historical use.  Offer to provide entertainment
(and education) for some of the clubs and organizations in your own
community.  Cart a few instruments to as many meetings as you can get an
invitation for.  Sure, it takes effort.  But it is sure rewarding.  Don't
forget kid's groups too.  Watching kid's get excited about something
other that TV and Nintendo is worth the effort!

Soapbox for today!  Joyce started it!

Beatrice Robertson