I just returned from the Murphy auction in Louisville and thought that
people might be interested in a report.  First of all, it was a good,
fun time with many well known MBSI/AMICA members there.  The Midwest
Chapter of MBSI held their meeting there and we all had a good time.

The pieces in the auction were, for the most part, in fair to poor
condition.  There was evidence of substantial mildew and water damage
and many of the cases were quite banged up.  Just about all of the
pieces needed restoration.  There were a few gems there such as the
Maneville child's organ.  Also, the 125 Band Organ seemed to be in good
shape.

Unlike the Miles auction, this one was well run and very professional.
Here's the prices of the various pieces.  When I talk about original-
ity, I am just repeating the "buzz" since I don't consider myself an
expert on a lot of these pieces.

  Arburo Jazz Orchestra, not playing--$17K
  Mortier book operated Orchestrion--not playing, front supposedly is
    not original--$51K
  Decap book operated Jazz Orchestra,  machine was in parts in
    various boxes--$1500
  Western Electric Selectra Nickelodeon, Model B--$7500
  Wurlitzer Orchestrion, Model LX--$36K
  Cremona Orchestral K, case in poor condition, evidence of water
    damage--$40K
  Wurlitzer 125 military band organ-$28K
  Wurlitzer 153 Carousel organ with lights, some question about the
    originality of the facade, about half the pipes were working--
    $26K
  Seeburg KT--$11K
  Coinola C-2 Orchestrion--$10K
  Maneville wooden child's organ, rare, missing crank and carrying
    strap--$1500 (Nuts...I missed it and
    should have bid higher!)
  Olympia 20" Upright Music box...looked in good condition--$15K
  Seeburg KT Special--$20K
  Wurlitzer 1015 jukebox--$5400
  Mills Double Violano--mildew, parts laying around, generally in
    poorer shape than the single--$53K
  Western Electric Mascot A-roll cabinet style Nickelodeon--$5K
  Seeburg G with unusual bird whistle, looked in pretty good shape--
    $46K
  Link style C Nickelodeon--pretty good shape but needing a bit of
    an overhaul--$9500
  Stinson band organ, which supposedly wasn't really a Stinson but
    had been built up from Bruder parts with some help from
    Stinson.  Very loud and the auctioneers seemed to play it
    incessantly to keep things stirred up.  The bass notes had trouble
    keeping up.
  Wurlitzer 105, a true basket case with pipes and chests missing,
    a badly damaged case and various gears and wheels thrown into
    a box--$6500
  Wurlitzer Nickelodeon Style I--$3500
  Seeburg Pipe Organ Orchestra Style V Photoplayer, modified--$5K
  72 Key Dutch Street Organ, had lots of books, not playing, rumored
     to be a Mortier (or possibly a Limonaire), probably highly
    modified, three figures missing, needed a lot of work to restore
    I suspect--$22K
  Nelson-Wiggin Piano Style 8 Nickelodeon--$7500
  North Tonawanda Military Band Organ in pretty rough shape--$2500
  Mills Violano Virtuoso, heavy mildew problems, rough case--$22K
  Automatic Music Co. Nickelodeon with waterfall front--$3K
  Chickering AMPICO-$1200
  Herschell-Spillman hand carved wooden carousel horses--$1300 & $2100
  Chordephon hand-crank mechanical zither--$3500 (I may have this
    one wrong)
  Replica Wurlitzer PianOrchestra, 10' 10" high--$10K

Whew!  Hope I didn't take up too much space here.  Some of the MMD
experts may have some observations as to the relative pricing.  I hope
you find this info helpful!

Gerry Bay