Dear MMDers,  On 3 November Skinner's will be holding an important
auction of mechanical music and automata at its Bolton Gallery.
Bolton is a small, classic New England town in apple orchard country,
conveniently located off Interstate 495 (exit 27) and just 50 minutes
from Boston's Logan Airport.

The sale begins at 12 noon and features 200 lots of mechanical music,
cylinder and disc musical boxes, automata, organs and phonographs,
followed by 250 lots of scientific instruments, clocks and barometers.
Highlights include:

Over 80 19th century automata, singing birds and mechanical pictures
from a private collection. Included are smokers, acrobats, magicians
and other important pieces by Gustave and Henry Vichy, Roullet &
Decamps, Leopold Lambert, Bontems, and Jean Phalibois.  Of particular
note are a Gustave Vichy "Japanese Mask-Seller" and a rare automaton
plus phonograph speaking-voice combination in the form of a Henry Vichy
Trumpeter with Lioret phonograph mechanism.

Amongst the many musical boxes are several early movements, including
three overture boxes by Nicole Freres, Lecoultre and Ducommun-Girod,
an exceptional chevron-comb tabatiere in 18th Century dolphin-footed
silver basket, and a French Empire clock with fusee musical movement,
as well as interchangeables, a Bremond full-organ box, and unusual
format disc boxes (including Miraphone, Reginaphone, 25-1/4 inch
Stella console).

Pneumatic instruments include barrel organs by Astor and Gavioli,
a marble barrel organ clock-base, and two roll-playing orchestrion
"restoration projects".

The preview takes place on 1st November, with a special evening preview
for MBSI members on Wednesday 2nd.  The printed catalogue will be
available from Skinner's Boston or Bolton offices, and published on the
web site at http://www.skinnerinc.com/  For a free brochure and DVD
or some of the highlights in action, please telephone 1-978-779-6241
or e-mail <science-tech@skinnerinc.com>.  New England is at its best at
this time of year, and Mechanical Music and Fall Foliage always make
a good combination.

Best wishes,
Nick Hawkins