I hope I'm not bothering you with this request, but I am at my wit's
end.  Brief background: I have been buying and selling vinyl LPs as
a business for 20+ years.  I am always interested in the obscure and
unusual.  Some time ago I came across a beautiful picture disc, made
in Germany, with the "Orgues & Pianos", and the name "Gavioli",
pressed into the record.

It comes with a very well done reproduction of a late 19th century
catalog, on heavy glossy stock paper.  It is in French, heavily
illustrated (drawings and photographs); 48 pages (24 sheets).  My
French is rather rusty, but it appears there are several pages covering
the history of the company; several more describing the manufacturing
process of the "Orgues Mechaniques": with the bulk containing priced
ads with photos.  There are no dates.

The LP contains 12 tracks, unnamed, all examples of this mechanical
music.  There is a statement pressed into the dead wax around the
spindle hole in German to the effect that the material (and,
presumably, the LP) is copyrighted.

My question to you is simply: Do you know anything about this?  It is
rare, but not unheard of, that I cannot find _any_ information about
a record in my possession.  Anyway, I came across your site and decided
to try you.  I can send photos if they would be of any help.  Again,
sorry for the intrusion, and thanks in advance if you feel that you can
help me.

Best regards,
Preston Peek
Raleigh, North Carolina

 [ The anonymous disc sounds like a private "vanity" production.  It's
 [ a shame the songs are not named; they were well-known popular tunes
 [ when the instruments were new.  -- Robbie