Hi, I have been a subscriber for over a month and I would like to
introduce myself and let you have details of a new musical museum in
the south of England.

My name is Malcolm Cole, I have owned player pianos for the last
thirty years.  During that time I have owned several different pianos,
currently two Steinways: an O pedal-operated grand Themodist, and a
K upright Duo-Art pedal-electric.

My other main interests are American steam locomotives, Lionel electric
trains.  I own an extensive collection of items between 1945 & 1956 --
the Golden Years!  I also run a Norton Commando motorcycle, having owned
several other types since 1963.

The new museum is the

  Rye Treasury of Mechanical Music
  20 Cinque Ports Street,
  Rye,
  East Sussex
  Telephone 01797223345

The museum has been put together by Mike Boyd -- a well-known restorer
and owner of a pair of original Aeolian roll cutting machines -- and
Mick Doswell, a long-time collector of mechanical instruments.  The
museum is housed on two floors: the ground floor houses the collection,
and the top floor is a truss-beamed recital room capable of holding
150 people.

The collection contains examples of barrel organs, cylinder and disc
music boxes, hand-cranked reed organettes, Orchestrelle reed organs,
street and pub barrel pianos, cafe pianos, player pianos, three types
of reproducing pianos, and a large Mortier dance organ.

Rye itself is a delightful, small 18th Century town, with a great
collection of restored buildings.  An added attraction is that within
ten miles is the wonderful narrow-guage Romney Hithe and Dymchurch steam
railway, and the Kent and East Sussex restored light railway, standard
guage, with great Victorian locomotives and stock.

Best Wishes,

Malcolm Cole

 [ "All aboard MMD," Malcolm !  I think we have lots of live steam fans
 [ here; it seems to go nicely with the age of mechanical music.
 [ -- Robbie