Regarding reproduction instruments with 'original' names (the thread
started by Mark Yaffe).  There certainly is nothing intrinsically wrong
in making replicas or reproductions of old machines (or of any other
antique).  They serve many a useful purpose including letting many
people enjoy what previously was the pleasure of only a few.

But, when a perfect replica is made and it is _not_ marked as such in an
indelible way, then it has a good chance at some time or other of being
sold as an original.  Probably not by the maker, maybe not by the
original owner, but sooner or later down the line by someone.  That's
called fraud and it happens every day in the field of fine art; it
therefore can and does happen in the field of mechanical music.  That's
what I think is in back of Mark Yaffe's remarks.

It seems to me that Mark's point is well taken and that those who make
careful, well thought-out and accurate reproductions ought to be equally
careful about insuring that their work can be recognized down the road
as an achievement which is both valuable and enjoyable but not original.

Frank Metzger