I would like to make clear that my comments regarding donations to
charity and schools were not meant to imply that all collection
transfers are a bad idea.  One rare exception is the former collection
of Mr. Murtogh Guinness, whose massive and truly amazing collection of
music boxes is now in the care of the Morris Museum in New Jersey.

This is a different situation entirely from those I mentioned earlier.
Jere Ryder and staff take superb care of Mr. Guinness' collection,
maintaining and repairing where necessary and providing excellent care
and respect for the instruments.  Furthermore, the collection is on
display, open to the public, and beautifully situated and often
demonstrated to the delight of visitors, which exposes many people to
mechanical music who otherwise might not be.  New seeds of interest
are sown.

But the wonderful Morris Museum situation is the exception.  The
majority of donated music boxes tend to suffer and eventually be sold
off due to lack of support, maintenance funds or anyone caring at all.

So, again, my advice is don't leave anything that you treasure and
love, to any organization who does not, will not, cannot share your
appreciation for the instruments, or have any means or interest in
caring for and _displaying_ the items for others to enjoy.  Far better,
to gift such items to someone else who shares your appreciation, a
fellow or sister collector, or an established mechanical music society
or museum.

Reg Smith