Thoughts on the future of mechanical music:  I think it might be wise
to consider the past history of the antiques trade when speculating on
the future of mechanical musical instruments.  I think it's a reason
for optimism, but there will be some pain in the process.

Consider the Model T Ford.  These have been loved and restored for
about sixty years now, and there seems to be enough to satisfy
collectors and be displayed at every old car show.  But in the late
1920's and early 1930's, they were discarded in droves.  I read a story
by a fellow whose first job was to drive Model T's (each filled with
just enough gasoline to make the journey) from a railroad yard to a
scrap yard.  He did this for quite a while, and it would have made
today's restorers (and me, I might add) feel horrible.

The muzzle-loading flintlock rifles and muskets of the 1800's were
first converted to percussion ignition and then, when modern breech
loaders and repeaters were introduced, discarded for scrap.  But
there seem to be enough to make them available to collectors, albeit
at a price.

Very much the same story applies to antique radios and phonographs,
old barns and houses, old clocks and watches, old coins and jewelry.
All were scrapped or melted down in bulk quantities, yet they haven't
been forgotten and can still be found.  And they all have enthusiastic
partisans.

Old steam locomotives survived the introduction of the diesel -- there
are one or two under restoration at the Hocking Valley Scenic Railroad
near us in Nelsonville, Ohio, and there are plenty more in similar
operations in the US and the rest of the world.  (You won't see so
many in operation in the US for a while -- inspection laws have been
tightened due to some accidents: those boilers can be way dangerous!)

There even seem to be enough old square-rigged sailing ships to go
around, if the assemblage in New York City in 1976 is any indication.

And so, even though we have to witness the consignment of many old
player pianos to the dump, I think we can be reasonably sure that there
will be those who still love the things in 200 years or so.

Cheer up.

Mark Kinsler
Lancaster, Ohio USA
http://home.earthlink.net/~mkinsler1