The auction in Chartres (France) on May 29th, was a typical "middle
size" auction (215 lots).  No large organs this time.  Buyers were from
France of course, but also from various other countries, including
America (although the exchange rate stands at 1 euro = ca. $1.25 U.S.),
and ... Russia.

Add 15% premium to the hammer prices.

Mechanical music:

    The famous 1928 Automata book (2 vol.) by Chapuis and Gelis -- 1800
    euros.

    An Edelweiss disc musical box, with thirteen 20.5 cm. discs of
    religious tunes, coin operated -- 720 euros.

    Serinette, early 19th cent., in need of restoration -- 620 euros.

    Rare Thibouville parlor organ, 4 stops (one with reeds) and drum, in
    need of restoration -- 4600 euros.

    Parlor manivelle organ ca 1830/1840, by Ch. Benoit, Mirecourt,
    playing dance tunes, waltzes, etc., 3 stops, good playing condition,
    with 6 cylinders in original boxes -- 3600 euros only.

    Cylinder organ, 26 reeds, by Robino, Manchester, end of 19th cent.,
    good playing condition -- 4200 euros.

    Celestina organette, 20 notes, in good condition -- 2700 euros,
    certainly a good price.

    Several modern portable organs, from 20 to 42 keys -- from 1200 to
    8500 euros.

    Two spring driven barrel pianos, a small one by Magnan and a large
    one -- 2400 euros and 2100 euros respectively.

    Interchangeable Nicole cylinder box, with six cylinders (ca. 26
    cm.), on a table -- 8000 euros (arrived too late to be featured in
    the catalogue).

    Several other music boxes needing restoration and many small musical
    artifacts were sold at reasonable prices.

Fairground artifacts:

    Large (1.55 meters tall), beautiful statue of a woman, with
    animation of one arm, probably from a large organ -- 13,000 euros
    (on an estimate of 4500/6000).

Automata:

    Fine clown on a moon, by Roullet Decamps (height 64 cm.) -- 35,500
    euros.

    Oriental seated smoker, by Decamps -- 15,000 euros.

    Black musician playing a banjo, by Vichy -- 14,000 euros.

    Electrically operated laughing man, by Decamps (ca. 1925/30) -- 9200
    euros.

    Many other automata at various rather high prices.

Plus many lots of phonographs, gramophones, and coin-operated arcade
machines.

To view the auction catalogue, as well as catalogues of past auctions,
go to:

    http://mmd.foxtail.com/Auctions/

Results of the May 29th auction are posted on the MMD web site, thanks
to Joyce Brite and Jody Kravitz):

    http://mmd.foxtail.com/Auctions/Chartres0505/Chartres0505prix.html

Best regards,
Philippe Rouille
http://www.musicamecanica.org