Regarding Bob Oppenheim's questions about art-glass windows in the
coin-operated pianos from the 1900s to the Twenties, well, there were
several reasons.  Art glass in ordinary houses was quite common at the
time.  "Cottage windows," as they are called, still load many antique
shops.  Stained glass windows advertised brands of cigars and whiskey
in downtown shops.  Almost every good-sized city had one or more glass
studios turning out colored windows.  They were an ubiquitous form of
decoration and advertisement.

Also, a fancy window in a coin-operated instrument attracted attention.
A pianola tinkling away in a corner of the bar room, with a light
inside the case illuminating a country scene or "Drunken Monks," kept
the coins rolling in.  I myself have a very forlorn old Seeburg, with
the "Minstrel" window, crowding a corner of the living room, and I got
it on impulse just because of that window -- but by now I'd give it
away, just to make room and save time.  Such is the appeal of those
art-glass windows!

Walt Wentz

 [ The "Minstrel" window.  As a glassworker, I could easily replace
 [ that broken bit -- if I only had the time!
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/16/03/26/160326_090923_DSCN0197.JPG