Dear Fellow and Sister lovers of mechanical music,  The following is
merely _my_ opinion, and as such, is likely worth somewhere south of
2 cents to many of you, but I have witnessed the sad and apparently
inevitable results of many antique musical instrument donations and
have, as yet, never seen a single one of these situations turn out
in any way, shape or form as the well-meaning donor intended.

In fact, in most cases, the once treasured music box collection or
organs, pianos, organettes, have sat in non-climate controlled areas
for months or years, and eventually were auctioned off for whatever
they could get, and without the slightest regard to what the generous
benefactor had expected or intended.

Charities simply do not have any knowledge, interest or appreciation
for these wonderful old machines, nor do they have resources or any
intention of earmarking funds for conservation, let alone repairs or
restoration, however badly in need the items may be, and likely are.
As pointed out, many charity organizations do indeed have high overhead
and thus a sizable chunk of all donations received will be taken off
the top, leaving not so much to actually go to the intended recipients.

I have also observed several significant private collections being
donated or willed to colleges and universities, with the very same
pathetic fate to the instruments in those collections.  To be fair,
these institutions never asked for nor expected to receive a hoard of
heavy, old wooden cased mechanical devices of which they had little or
no knowledge or understanding of operation, display or care, and in
most instances, no recognition or appreciation of these instruments'
historical significance.  There were seen from the get-go as old junk
which might be converted into dollars for computers or football
uniforms, or whatever.

Realizing as I most certainly do, that there does come a time in all
collectors' lives when decisions must be made as to what we want to
become of our treasured items.  Some of us have family members who do
have an interest and want to inherit.  Others, with no family members
caring, or maybe they too only see dollar signs, may rightly desire to
leave what is dear to donate them to some organization or institution
where they would presumably be appreciated and cared for in perpetuity.
While a most noble ideal, the reality is that is very unlikely to be
the end result.

My opinion is that, if you love and cherish your antique music boxes
or other precious vintage mechanical musical instruments, you should
instead bequeath them to a younger, knowledgeable enthusiast or fellow
collector - someone you feel will truly appreciate and take good care
of the item(s).  After all, these machines were created to give joy
through the wonderful sounds of the music they made.

The thought of our treasured instruments being consigned to the care
(or lack thereof) of persons in charge of charities or schools who know
nothing of what they suddenly have received, and cannot or will not
ensure they will be maintained or even played at all, saddens me very
much.

So if you want to support a charity, or your favorite college or
university, give them money or donate your time, but -- in my opinion
-- it is a terrible mistake to give them your collection of vintage
mechanical musical instruments.  Find a fellow or sister collector you
know will appreciate and care for your items and entrust their future
into those hands and hearts.

After all, we are really all merely custodians of these wonderful old
instruments, and as such, we each have a responsibility to not only
preserve and protect them during our own lifetimes, but to try to take
steps to see that they may live on into future generations to be
enjoyed after we are gone.

Most sincerely,

Reg Smith - Sublime Harmonie Antique Music Box Restorations
Dahlonega, Georgia