My warm thanks to Cecil Dover for his nice comments about the new
"Encyclopedia of Disc Music Boxes."  Very much appreciated!  I hasten
to add that in many ways it was a team effort.  Dozens of people in
America, indeed from around the world, shared information, and Terry
Smythe at AMICA supervised the production and publication.

AMICA has been a leader in spreading enthusiasm about automatic
musical instruments of all kinds.  I've been a member ever since it
started in the San Francisco Bay Area in the 1960s and have watched it
grow to its present dynamic being.  I am grateful that AMICA undertook
the publication of this book -- which I have contributed without
payment or royalty of any kind.

Coming up is the "Encyclopedia of American Organettes," now being laid
out by Terry Smythe and the AMICA crew.

For many years Art Reblitz and I have been working on the "Encyclopedia
of American Coin Pianos and Orchestrions," a study that will challenge
the 1,000 page level and will have just about everything anyone ever
wanted to know about instruments from the early Peerless models to
large Seeburg, Coinola, and Wurlitzer orchestrions, to violin players,
and more.  Terry Smythe will have more information in due course,
perhaps next year.

Being part of the field of mechanical musical instruments ever since
I bought my first -- an 11-inch Regina music box in June 1960 -- has
been en a joy, a delight, and a treasure of memories of great people
and events.

All good wishes, and thanks again to Cecil Dover.

Dave Bowers
Wolfeboro Falls, New Hampshire, USA