Just received word that Jim Wells, long-time collector and dealer in
mechanical music, passed away last Saturday, 19 May 2001, at the age
of 83.

Jim was an early enthusiast and began collecting fairgrounds organs,
pianos and all manner of related objects in the 1950s.  He kept a large
warehouse in Virginia full of interesting things which he sold, traded
and restored.  A visitor could expect to see Gaviolis, Limonaires,
Mortiers, Seeburgs and dozens of other makes on display in various
states of repair.

Jim bought a large horde of fairground organs in Ohio from a neglected
storage building with a badly rotted roof.  Inside were a damp trove of
Bruders, Ruths, Fratis, Wurlitzers, etc.  Many of those rotted organs
are today restored and playing in various collections.

I remember, on one visit to Jim's warehouse, seeing a rusty pile of
machinery which I discovered were Encore Automatic Banjo parts.  Jim
sold most of his collection several years ago and divided his time
between Fairfax, Virginia and Florida.  Many of us can thank him for
saving a lot of great mechanical music machines and adding to our own
collections and enjoyment.

Philip Jamison
West Chester, Pennsylvania