In a message dated 00-06-19 05:22:26 EDT, you write:

> Dear Mr. Kravitz,  I was recently given a large 9"x9"x24" musical box
> which I know to be at least 95 years old.  The only identifying mark
> appears on the governor housing and is a circle containing a backward
> B,A,B with "wing-like" markings above and below the letters.
>
> Do you know of anyone in the NJ/NY/PA/MD/DE area who could give me
> an idea of whether this box is worthy of restoration?  It still plays
> but sounds as if it could use some vocal rehab.  :)
>
> I checked the National Musical Box Society and could find no name or
> address of the local chapter for NJ.  Can you help me find this out
> too?  I have a small collection and would be interested in joining.
> Thanks.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Frank X. Loeb, M.D.
> Absecon, NJ 08201

Dear Dr Loeb:  The East Coast Chapter of the Musical Box Society
International (MBSI) serves New Jersey, as well as all of New England,
New York and PA.  I am the current Chapter Chairman.  I'm curious to
know with whom you checked with at National that did not know this.

You would be most welcome to join our chapter.  You must first join
MBSI at the National level, then send $10 to the East Coast Chapter
Treasurer for Chapter dues.  I can give you all the details when you're
ready to join.  We hold three Chapter meetings, rotated around our
geographic area, as well as a summer picnic.  Most of the meetings
involve some educational workshops and visits to personal collections
of mechanical music.  An MBSI Membership Registration Form is available
via the 'Net at http://www.mbsi.org/ .

Now, to the musical box you mention.  BAB is the trademark of B. A.
Bremond of Geneva.  Baptiste-Antoine Bremond made very good quality
musical boxes in the late 1800's.  Depending on condition (i.e., how
much repair is needed) of the mechanism and the case, it is likely
worth restoring.  My knee-jerk reaction to the question is normally
"yes".

There is a chap in south Jersey who does restoration.  His name is
Al Meekins.  He has a web site at http://www.finest1.com/meekins/.
Another restorer not far from NJ is Chet Ramsay, in Coatesville, PA,
(610) 384-0514.

Below is a listing of restorers; most are not in your immediate
geographical area, but shipping the box for restoration should not be
a problem.  You should contact one or more of them to discuss your
musical box and get an idea of the cost to have it repaired/restored.

Musically yours,

Bill Wineburgh
http://members.aol.com/mboxmuseum/museum.html

 - - -

Music Box Restorers

  Dave & Carol Beck
  75 Waters Edge Lane
  Newnan, GA  30263
  (770) 253-1903
  CBeck93435@aol.com

  Christian & Kathleen Eric
  1825 Placentia Avenue
  Costa Mesa, CA  92627
  (714) 548-1542

  Nancy Fratti
  PO Box 210, Route 4
  Whitehall, NY  12887-0210
  (518) 282-9770
  musicbox@sover.net

  Al Meekins
  Collingswood, NJ
  (609) 858-6421
  ameek37754@aol.com

  Georg Paladics
  1840 Colonial Drive
  Green Cove, FL  32043
  (904) 284-2724

  John Paulo
  16 Ellen Street
  New Bedford, MA  02744
  (508) 992-6919

  Chet Ramsay
  2460 Strasburg Road
  Coatesville, PA  19320
  (610) 384-0514

  Steve & Jere Ryder
  Two Kent PlaceBlvd
  Summit, NJ  07901
  (908) 273-1513

  Reg Smith
  196 University Circle
  Athen, GA  30605
  (706) 543-1920
  rsmith@athens.net

  David Wells
  Box 280368
  Lakewood, CO  80228
  (303) 985-4481
  davidwells@earthlink.net

  Dan Wilson
  4804 Latimer Road
  Raleigh, NC  27609
  (919) 782-4331