The MMD, other mechanical music organizations, and several collectors
have been contacted in the last few days by a certain Netherlands
resident, Freddy Guikema (guikema@planet.nl), for information about a
33-key Ruth that was offered for sale on eBay.  That offering has been
taken down, and appears to be fraudulent.

As best can be made out from Freddy's English, he was high bidder and
feels swindled.  The organ pictured is one of about twenty that were
imported into the U.S. by Berni, and it has been identified from the
pictures posted as being in the collection of Lane Thomas, Manhattan,
Kan.

Freddy Guikema is wondering how the numerous pictures of the organ,
taken from various angles, and the display of several crates of book
music could have been acquired by the person who posted the eBay
offering.

Can anyone explain this to Freddy, who is in some pain?

Matthew Caulfield,
Irondequoit, NY