Within the past 45+ years that I have been involved with this
delightful hobby/avocation/support community/investment opportunity
et al, I have seen encouraging growth and ominous shrinkage.  Both
coincided with Harvey Roehl and his Vestal Press.  He nourished us
with a fine array of books and reprints that fostered growth.  When
he passed on and his Vestal Press evaporated, our hunger for new
information, unsatisfied, led to gradual ominous shrinkage.

In recent months, we are seeing a very much appreciated revival of
interest in new books.  Many thanks to Kevin McElhone and MBSGB for
publishing a new book on disc music boxes.  More recently, our elder
statesman, Dave Bowers, has authored a new book: "Violin-Playing
Machines," with technical assistance by Art Reblitz.  It is being
published by AMICA.  I did the layout for this book and can vouch for
its impressive content, containing much new information emerging out
of Dave's and Art's continuing research.

Stories of the Hupfeld Phonoliszt-Violina and Mills Violano-Virtuoso
are told in fascinating detail, from the earliest days of invention
down to their enjoyment and appreciation in collections today.

No effort or expense has been spared in creating a book enjoyable to
read, comprehensive in its coverage, and an ideal guide to two of the
most important instruments in automatic music.  Partially funded by
five private grants, this unprecedented study will be printed on high
quality paper, finely bound, and is profusely illustrated in color
(and in black and white for historical images), including the
instruments in their original locations.  Because of the grants, net
cost for this pre-production offer is much less than you would pay
otherwise!

The book is being offered at a pre-publication special offer of $19.95
(USD) plus postage until end May 2012.  Thereafter, it will be priced
at $34.95 (USD) plus postage.  If you email a note expressing interest
in reserving a copy, we will advise when the book is ready, and invoice
you for just $19.95 plus shipping, expected to be in spring 2012, very
soon.  The book, at 160 pages, is in final edit at this time.  This is
a limited-time offer.

Whether you own or intend to own one of these instruments, or simply
enjoy reading about them, here is a book you will really enjoy.  Send
an email to Terry Smythe, smythe@shaw.ca.geentroep [delete ".geentroep"
to reply].  State "Please reserve a book (or x books) for me!" and
include your mailing address.  For a brief sampling of this book, see

  http://terrysmythe.ca/Bower_Book_Sample.pdf 

Hopefully, others will be inspired to consider authoring additional
books about other aspects of this most fascinating hobby.  More piled
and deeper are needed.  Squirt me an email to let us know of your
interests.

Regards,

Terry Smythe - AMICA
55 Rowand Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3J 2N6
http://www.amica.org/ 

 [                The Violin-Playing Machines
 [                 Hupfeld Phonoliszt-Violina
 [                   Mills Violano-Virtuoso
 [          A Study and Appreciation by Q. David Bowers
 [      Foreword and Technical Editing by Arthur A. Reblitz
 [ Publ. by Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors' Association
 [
 [ -- Robbie