While this thread is somewhat fresh, I would like to repeat a request
that I have posted on MMD in the past.

As some of you are aware, I am working on the life-long task of
attempting to compile the complete rollography of all the rolls that
were ever made for the Violano.  The work is progressing nicely, albeit
slowly.  True to the 80/20 rule, the last 20% is taking 80% of the
time.

If anyone in this group has copies of original roll catalogs for the
Violano that they would be willing to share with me for this project,
I would be eternally grateful.  I have copies of some editions, so
please check with me first before going to the trouble and expense
of making copies to make sure that the edition you have is not one
I already possess.  I will reimburse any expenses that are incurred.

On a related subject to the collecting and dispersing thread, I would
like to make an observation which is the other extreme of the dispersion
concern.  As some of the collections in this hobby get bigger and
bigger, with many of the one-of-a-kind machines, rolls and documents in
them, there is a huge risk of a single calamity (fire, flood, tornado)
wiping out a significant piece of mechanical music history.

The dispersion that happens today is a way of protecting and preserving
these treasures for the long haul.  In addition, venues like eBay bring
items out of hiding that might otherwise get lost forever.

Dispersion is a natural process that should not be discouraged, and
helps to moderate the price of participating in this hobby by not
eliminating the supply side of the economic equation.

Jack Breen
Southboro, MA