The headline read: "The happiest store in town soon to be empty."
The news article referred to Doyle Lane's Player Piano and Museum.

I first met Doyle in 1971 shortly after I moved from New York City to
beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia.  Having lived in Coney Island
for 26 years, I was well-addicted to carousels and band organs, so you
can imagine how overjoyed I was when I discovered Doyle Lane's museum.

Each weekend I would frequent his museum with a "ton of quarters" just
so I could listen to the many mechanical musical instruments that Doyle
had on display.  My favorites were always the nickelodeons that Doyle
had on display, as well as at least five that he had in ice cream
parlors around the city of Vancouver.

I can recall how happy Doyle was when he convinced a local amusement
park to sell him a Wurlitzer 146 Band organ which was in complete
disrepair.  I believe that he paid only $700.00 and, after moving it
to his work shop, he was able to restore it to its former glory and
subsequently sell it for many times what he had paid.

I can also recall how for many years Doyle tried to obtain a Weber
Maesto Orchestrion, which he considered to be the Rolls Royce of
orchestrions.  When one became available, he didn't hesitate for one
moment to purchase it.

Another outstanding instrument in his collection was the Welte
Brisgovia Orchestrion, originally built as a special order for James
Ward Packard, founder of the Packard Auto Company.  These were some of
the outstanding instruments to be found in his museum.  At this time,
Doyle sold a record entitled "Those Magnificent Music Machines" on
which was recorded many of his instruments.  I was fortunate to have
bought a copy of this record.

In addition to collecting these instruments, in 1975 Doyle purchased
all the remaining Wurlitzer roll perforating machinery and master rolls
along with numerous Wurlitzer parts from T.R.T. Manufacturing.  In his
catalogue, Doyle advertised any style Wurlitzer roll for the amazing
low price of $12.50 each.

Because of the difficulties of carrying on a mail-order business across
the USA-Canada border, as well as his difficulty in finding a larger
building to accommodate his ever-growing collection, Doyle decided in
1977 to leave Canada for Hillsborough, North Carolina, where he would
open his new museum to be contained within the Daniel Boone Complex.

In July of 1978, after having made many friends and loyal customers,
not only in the Vancouver area but also around the world, Doyle Lane
set out on his long journey with his wife Priscilla and two daughters
to begin a business in the U.S.A.

As a final note, I was lucky enough to have known Doyle Lane.  He was
always willing to impart his knowledge concerning the restoration of
his instruments.  In addition, he hosted numerous meetings of the
Musical Box Society, where members came from as far away as Portland,
Oregon.

Just before Doyle left Vancouver, I was able to convince him to sell me
one of his original Seeburg style "A" nickelodeons, which to this day
I enjoy immensely.  Over the years, I have kept in contact with Doyle
who was able to answer questions when I needed to restore my nickelodeon.
So it was with sadness that I read about Doyle's passing, and I send my
deepest condolences to his family at this difficult time.

George Karpel
Burnaby, British Columbia