Marc J. Sachnoff writes:

> Because the Welte Licensee player grand isn't the best representative
> of German and American reproducing piano achievements, I have
> considered donating a reproducing upright like a Duo-Art or Ampico
> to add to their collection, but the shipping would be prohibitive!

If the Bush & Lane Welte were cared for properly, it would be a fine
representative.  I did not want to appear negative, but everything
indicated that there was an air of experimentation and assumption
involved which went in the opposite direction of restoring the piano
to a functional, normal condition.  In view of the investment in
the facility and in the items purchased for the collection, it was
shocking, and I was among several who voiced even stronger opinion.

I would like to say that I heard the Welte cottage orchestrion in
the lobby.  It was very nice to see across the way, but the entire
mechanism had been removed and there was only a shell with large
photographs of the pipes taped up behind the glass to maintain
appearance.

If there is a question of obtaining some fine instruments for the
museum, an American collector has recently passed on in Tokyo who had
an excellent Mason and Hamlin Ampico and a small but fine collection
of instruments which would cost a fortune to ship away from Japan, but
would be perfect for the museum.

These instruments are available for a fraction of the money that has
been frittered away on some of the other instruments in the collection
to much less effect.  Vic Searle can put you in touch.  This is a very
small window of opportunity, and advantage should be taken before it
disappears.

All the best,
Karl Petersen
Washington, Illinois