Philippe Rouille wrote to me:

> Many thanks for your detailed answer to my request about the Geo. P.
> Bent Co.  I'll try and go to that museum to take photographs of the
> piano and mechanism, and let you informed.
>
> As for the one which is for sale in your country, I am afraid the
> musee des Arts Forains doesnt buy for the moment.  They borrow from
> collectors or other museums.  But thanks anyway for the information.

Philippe,  Thanks for the good wishes.  And the same I do wish you.
I checked out the Crown-for-sale.  The instrument carries the
inscription:

              "CROWN"
          George P. Bent
          Chicago /London
        "ORCHESTRAL GRAND"
  converted into an electric piano
 by Harper Electric Piano Company Ltd.

It's a Crown model, but the electric player mechanism is not the
Combinola, but a device by Harper.  However: maybe Harper also produced
or sold the Combinola device?

Since Harper was of London, and Brent did have a London branch (but I
doubt if he was producing there), I think that the instrument was
imported in England from the Chicago factory, and afterwards, in
London, was extended with the player mechanisme by Harper.

The piano part is in a reasonable condition.  The player part has not
worked for at least 15 years, the bellows are in good shape.  The owner
is asking US$ 1500 for the player piano.  There also are about 45
Kuhl & Klatt rolls.  He asks US$25 for each roll.

End of this story, I presume.

By the way, the owner has become of age, and is (slowly) selling his
collection.  In a separate message I do give a list of the things he is
wanting to sell now.

Bye, Jan