Hello all,  I have just committed myself to provide a good home for
an abused and neglected late 1906 Electrova Style 66 coin piano, and
I have some thoughts on the recent thread about people who pay too much
at auctions.

I really wish that I could have had the luxury of paying way, way too
much for this piano at an auction.  I would have known there is at
least one other fool in the room.  However, I paid the man what he
would take for it, knowing that other, no doubt more knowledgeable
people, had probably walked away laughing and shaking their head at his
asking price.

Some day, after countless hours of labor and lots more money, I suppose
it might be worth what I paid for it.  Until then, I'll take some
satisfaction knowing that at least it's not deteriorating in a damp
barn, overvalued, forgotten, rusting and rotting away.  (Sorry, I just
had to rationalize this to someone, I feel much better now.)

If anyone has any experience with these machines, I would love to
talk with you.  This Electrova is similar to the one in the Bowers
book on page 397, but has been converted to '0' rolls with what looks
like a Cremona frame; a turbine replaces the flute pipe bellows, no art
glass or lights, a lot of percussion added, etc.  It would be great to
have some idea (photos even, please?) of the original configuration,
so I can start the restoration.  Thanks.

Norman Narmore
Atlanta GA