Dear MMDs,  The catalogue for Skinner's forthcoming auction of
Science & Technology and Mechanical Music is now available online at:
   http://www.skinnerinc.com 
At present, many of the lots are illustrated, and it is planned to post
photographs of the remaining items within the next week.

Highlights include a superb 20-3/4-inch Rookwood drum Regina, a Nicole
Freres key-wind three-overture musical box, a large Black Forest
musical box, a Piguet Meylan gold sur-plateau snuff box, and a
selection of automata, including two from the film "Sleuth".

The sale also features two historic phonograph collections, from Jay
Tartell and H. Bartholomew Cox, with several of the machines illustrated
in Tim Fabrizio's Talking Machine Compendium.  Of particular interest
are a hand-cranked Berliner and an 1878 Edison tinfoil phonograph.  Also
included are many early recordings, accessories and memorabilia from
the Edison and Victor companies.

The 1972 film "Sleuth", starring Michael Caine and Sir Laurence Olivier,
has been a recurring theme in the MMD bulletin over the years.  Although
the film featured only two (albeit iconic) actors, it boasted a large
cast of automata, the majority drawn from the collection of Grace
Thompson in Yorkshire in England.  Two of these automata are to be
included in the Skinner's auction on 23 August.  They are the Laughing
Sailor and the Indian Magician, both large electric pieces.

The sale is scheduled for 23 August at 357 Main St., Bolton,
Massachusetts.  The catalogue is available online at:
http://www.skinnerinc.com/  Enquiries should be addressed to Robert
Cheney, tel.: 1-978-779-6241 or email rcheney@skinnerinc.com.geentroep
[delete ".geentroep" to reply].

Best wishes,
Nick Hawkins