I have been reading the daily MMD with interest, as I always do.
Julian Burke pushed the right button and so I will comment on the
idea of advertising on MMD.

As Robbie pointed out, I buy regularly on eBay, everything from silly
toys to a marvelous overture box, and have sold a few pieces, most
recently a very fine interchangeable cylinder box.  I also was, until
recently, the webmaster of the MBSI page.

Whether we like it or not, the Internet has become a major player in
the opportunity to purchase mechanical music, and _more importantly,_
to learn _and teach_ about these marvelous machines.

I have found many items on eBay that none of the major and long term
collectors of musical toys and novelties have ever seen.  I am also
arrogant enough to often offer corrections to auction listings.  Once
in a while they are even appreciated.

As Julian and others have pointed out, it is difficult to find all the
goodies that may interest you; even I don't have that kind of time and 
I miss a prize now and then because it was titled poorly and someone
didn't call it to my attention.

One of the tremendous advantages of a group like this on is that some-
one in the group knows about nearly everything in the country (and
maybe the world) that is for sale, and of interest to the group.  And
they are generally happy to share the information.

Julian is certainly correct that mechanical music is _not_ available
in antique stores and malls, and the few items I saw (three to be
exact) were wildly over-priced.  It is far more difficult for new
collectors to find items for their collections.  In addition, if a
collector doesn't know an item exists, it is tough to get them
interested in buying.

eBay is helping to make people aware of mechanical music as a major
collectible.  Of course that puts more people in the market place, but
what I'm seeing is that it is leveling out the prices, not driving them
up or down.  It is also making people pay attention to description, and
so they are learning what questions to ask.  Good news for all of us!

Through all this rambling, I think when one of the contributing members
of MMD has an item of special interest to the group on eBay (or any
other auction site), a small note at the end of MMD would be appreci-
ated.  I would, however, say that that member should recognize the need
to financially support MMD -- that is a reciprocal arrangement.

Happy shopping!

Beatrice Robertson