Hello -- At an Internet auction at eBay.de I saw a pianola by
"Hamilton, Chicago" allegedly built "around 1890".  From the pictures,
the instrument seems in good shape, but I have a few questions:

 * 1890 seems quite early for a player piano, if I read my Bowers'
Encyclopedia correctly.

 * What would be a fair price for such a piano, or, rather, a fair
additional price compared to a non-player piano of the same quality
(which I don't know, therefore the question about the difference)?

Admittedly, buying an American player piano in Germany is like
"bringing owls to Athens" (can you say that in English?), as an
MMD-ler told me!

Regards and thanks

Harald M. Mueller

 [ Editor's comments:
 [
 [ That's cute!  The old English expression, also heard here in North
 [ America, is "like carrying coals to Newcastle!"  Does anyone know
 [ a similar expression that is home-grown in Canada or USA?  How
 [ about in Down Under?
 [
 [ See http://cgi.ebay.de/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=394843295
 [ The description says: "Selling absolutely lovely piece (worth ca.
 [ DM 16,000) Pianola Hamilton/Chicago built ca. 1890.  Black shellac
 [ with golden inlay [?!], candlesticks of brass.  With original bench
 [ and approximately 100 music rolls (from classical music to tangos,
 [ etc.) ... The instrument is used everyday and is in a good condition!
 [ No shipping.  Only self-collection.  Minimum bid 6900 DM."
 [
 [ The 'golden' label on the key cover says "Manualo".  Isn't this
 [ the nice responsive player mechanism supplied in Baldwin pianos?
 [
 [ Oanda Currency Converter at http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic
 [ says "6,900 German Mark = 3,201.58 US Dollar".  I think that both
 [ the age and the estimated worth are unrealistic, but $3200 for
 [ a working Manualo player in Germany seems reasonable (and it looks
 [ like a beautiful convertible bench seat).  Maybe nobody will bid,
 [ Harald, and then you can apply your Bavarian bargaining skill!
 [
 [ -- Robbie