I try not to think about the market because I'm in no position to
buy or sell at this point.  To me, thinking about your collection as
a commodity to be traded seems kind of cold.  I wish I could find the
reference, but I recall Art Reblitz commenting on mechanical music as
an investment.  Basically he said that there are better investment
vehicles out there.

I didn't buy my instruments with the intention of making money on them
someday.  I would not do that with a set of golf clubs, model airplane
sailboat, or any other hobby item.  To me, my collection is here to
bring joy to me and those who visit my home.  I'm simply a custodian,
and a lucky one at that!

Why do I think the market is soft?  Two factors come to mind.  Neither
bodes well for the future monetary value of our collections:

1. Mechanical musical instruments take up a _lot_ of space.  Few people
can afford to keep more than one or two instruments.  Many people don't
have room for even a single baby grand piano in their homes.  Now if I
collected salt shakers...!

2. Fear of expensive or impossible repairs

#1 is an unfortunate truth that cannot be changed.  #2 is the bigger
factor.  I'm sure many people who can afford a new Asian grand piano
could afford a restored reproducing piano, but they'll opt for fitting
a new piano with a solenoid player.  So few people are qualified to
work on our instruments that it is possible that in another generation
or two the rebuilders could be extinct.

Sorry if that came off as cynical, but that's how I see it.  I didn't
get into this hobby to make money; I did it to make people's eyes light
up the way mine did when I first heard that Ampico play in Ted's shop
in Boonton, New Jersey.

Ed Chaban