I have been collecting mechanical musical instruments for over 30 years
and have been dealing in them for a 'living' since 1998.  Things have
slowed down a lot here in the UK in the past five years, particularly
in the past six months, to the point where I am wondering if a complete
collapse of the market for anything other than the really rarest items
will take place really soon.  I am selling organ rolls today for the
same price I was paying for them 30 years ago, and musical box discs
and much else for less than they were five years ago.

Yes, there was a 3-tune overture musical box in a local auction near
where I live (wrongly described), with an estimate of a few hundred
UK pounds, which went for over 30,000 UK pounds with all premiums added
to the hammer price -- but the winner and under-bidder were serious
collectors of this particular type of box and money was no object.

This has happened in the UK four times in the last twelve months but is
the exception rather than the rule.  In fact, most of the UK auction
houses do not have specialist mechanical music sales any more.

I e-mailed a number of USA dealers in January 2014 and a few of them
said they had not sold an instrument for up to six months.  It is not
quite that bad over here, as I am selling instruments for between half
and a quarter the prices that they fetch in USA, but I suspect that may
soon be the case.

Many people mention the world recession or downturn as an excuse but
there are plenty of people who do have money to buy new cars, move
house, etc.

Whilst I realise that a lot of collectors are getting old and many are
down-sizing, I would be interested to hear what others think on this
subject.  I also notice that new collectors, few as they are, do not
seem to know very many of the old tunes from personal experience but
are happy with any tunes to demonstrate on their instrument.

I do not want to start a 'stampede' but I wonder if now is the time to
sell before your heirs are stuck with your entire collection?  On the
other hand, if prices continue to drop I just might be able to afford
to buy one or two rare pieces for myself!  I would welcome any comments
readers may have.

Kevin McElhone
Northampton, UK