Hi folks,  Many of you remember the wonderful mechanical music
collection assembled by Jake and Elizabeth DeBence of Franklin PA.
This collection contained some of the most rare and best examples
of mechanical music available.  Unfortunately, Jake was better at
collecting than restoring.

When Jake DeBence died several years ago, the collection became a proud
public exhibit for the city of Franklin in their "DeBence Antique Music
World."  Thousands of visitors have traveled long distances to see this
wonderful collection, only to be very disappointed when instruments
played poorly or not at all.

The museum has a new manager who is determined to have all of the
instruments restored to playing condition.  However, the museum has a
very small budget and cannot afford to have the instruments restored at
current costs.  Ms. Lynn Zillmer is appealing to the rebuilders around
the world to come to Franklin, Pennsylvania, to restore these fine
instruments, including:

 1.  A Berry-Wood AOW (the only complete one in existence)
 2.  Link "AX"
 3.  Link "RX"
 4.  Cremona "A"
 5.  Seeburg "B"
 6.  North Tonawanda small band organ
 7.  A single Mills Violano
 8.  Aeolian Orchestrion
 9.  Cremona "J"
10.  Artizan Calliope
11.  Wurlitzer Calliola
12.  Wurlitzer Pianino
13.  Coinola
14.  Seeburg "K" and "KT"
15.  Three Wurlitzer Band Organs
16.  Three small orchestrions

All traveling and living expenses will be paid and the Museum will
acquire all the needed materials.  However, labor will have to be a
"labor of love" and rewards will have to be the thrill of seeing these
fine machines spring to life again.  Anyone willing to spend a day,
week or month in the Franklin PA area would be welcome.  Some of these
machines are the finest examples that were made and deserve to be
playing again.  They will never be for sale so we can all stop
drooling.

Please contact me (Rick Cooley) at cotps@aol.com as well as

  Ms. Lynn Zillmer
  DeBence Antique Music World
  1261 Liberty Street
  Franklin, PA   16323
  Phone and FAX:  (814) 432-5668
  e-mail: zillmer@pathway.net

Take this opportunity to work on some of the finest instrument
produced.  Your rewards will be "a job well done."

Thanks,

Rick Cooley

 [ How about presenting a one-week class, taught by two or three masters,
 [ which apprentice technicians may attend.  The master teachers can be
 [ paid, the students repair the museums instruments under the master's
 [ watchful eye, and everyone benefits !  -- Robbie