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Volume 64, No. 3 May/June 2018

· May 1, 2018 ·

Mechanical Music Mechanical Music
Journal of the Musical Box Society International
Devoted to All Automatic Musical Instruments

Volume 64, No. 3 May/June 2018

496 First Street, California 93463 ¥ Ron & Julie Palladino
Open Seven Days a Week 10-6 ¥ 805-452-5700
www.renantiques.com ¥ info@renantiques.com
RENAISSANCE ANTIQUE S
Visit the charming European Village of Solvang, half an hour
above Santa Barbara in CaliforniaÕs Central Coast Wine Country
S
Below Right: Rare 18k Gold
French 1/4-hr repeating Musical
Pocket Watch signed Ls Duchene
& Fils w/ key wind sur
plateau movement,
56mm diam, circa
1810. $12,500.
gg
ABove: Swiss Interchangeable Cylinder Music Box by Paillard
playing 24 tunes on three 13Ó cylinders with exceptional tonal
quality and arrangements, in beautifully inlaid rosewoood case
with matching table, 36Ó high by 39Ó wide by 20Ó deep. $11,950.
Right: Polyphon Music Box Clock
playing a 15-1/2Ó disc in the base, in
carved oak case with weight-driven
time and strike movement that auto
matically activates the music box on
the hour or at will, 102Ó high by 27Ó
wide by 13-1/2Ó deep, $17,500.
spring barrels, five engraved bells and mandoline attachment.
Original tune sheet, in rosewood case with mandoline inlays.
28Ó wide by 11Ó
high x 14-1/2Ó
deep, $3,750.
left: Large Swiss hand carved walnut
mantel clock with hunter and his dog
in a forest, high quality six-tune
10-1/2Ó cylinder music box in the
base, 29Ó high, 30Ówide, $21,500.
ABove: Coin-Operated Gypsy Fortune Teller
496 First Street, California 93463 ¥ Ron & Julie Palladino
Open Seven Days a Week 10-6 ¥ 805-452-5700
www.renantiques.com ¥ info@renantiques.com
RENAISSANCE ANTIQUE S
Visit the charming European Village of Solvang, half an hour
above Santa Barbara in CaliforniaÕs Central Coast Wine Country
S
Below Right: Rare 18k Gold
French 1/4-hr repeating Musical
Pocket Watch signed Ls Duchene
& Fils w/ key wind sur
plateau movement,
56mm diam, circa
1810. $12,500.
gg
ABove: Swiss Interchangeable Cylinder Music Box by Paillard
playing 24 tunes on three 13Ó cylinders with exceptional tonal
quality and arrangements, in beautifully inlaid rosewoood case
with matching table, 36Ó high by 39Ó wide by 20Ó deep. $11,950.
Right: Polyphon Music Box Clock
playing a 15-1/2Ó disc in the base, in
carved oak case with weight-driven
time and strike movement that auto
matically activates the music box on
the hour or at will, 102Ó high by 27Ó
wide by 13-1/2Ó deep, $17,500.
spring barrels, five engraved bells and mandoline attachment.
Original tune sheet, in rosewood case with mandoline inlays.
28Ó wide by 11Ó
high x 14-1/2Ó
deep, $3,750.
left: Large Swiss hand carved walnut
mantel clock with hunter and his dog
in a forest, high quality six-tune
10-1/2Ó cylinder music box in the
base, 29Ó high, 30Ówide, $21,500.
ABove: Coin-Operated Gypsy Fortune Teller
Automaton in mahogany floor-standing case.
When activated the fortune teller points
to the cards, her head follows her hand, her

Below left: RARe Longue Marche

Cylinder Music Box playing eight

bosom heaves and she breaths deeply before

tunes for over one hour on a winding.

dispensing your fortune card. Measuring 72Ó

The 13Ó cylinder movement with four

high by 31Ó wide by 31Ó deep. $27,500.

¥

¥

Editor/Publisher

Russell Kasselman

(253) 228-1634

editor@mbsi.org

MBSI Editorial Office:

Iron Dog Media

130 Coral Court

Pismo Beach, CA 93449

editor@mbsi.org

Publications Chair

Bob Caletti

All manuscripts will be subject to editorial
review. Articles submitted for publication may
be edited or rejected at the discretion of the
Publications Committee and the Editorial
Staff. The article will not be published with
significant changes without the authorÕs
approval. All articles are considered to be the
authorÕs personal opinion. The author may be
asked to substantiate his/her statements.

Mechanical Music (ISSN 1045-795X) is published by
the Musical Box Society International, 130 Coral Court,
Pismo Beach, CA 93449 six times per year. A Directory
of Members, Museums and Dealers is published
biennially. Domestic subscription rate, $60. Periodicals
postage paid at San Luis Obispo, CA and additional
mailing offices.

Copyright 2018. The Musical Box Society International,
all rights reserved. Mechanical Music
cannot be copied, reproduced or transmitted in
whole or in part in any form whatsoever without
written consent of the Editor and the Executive
Committee.

MEMBERS: SEND ADDRESS CORRECTIONS TO:
MBSI, PO Box 10196,
Springfield, MO 65808-0196
Or, make corrections on the website at www.mbsi.org.

POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO

MBSI, PO Box 10196,
Springfield, MO 65808-0196

Mechanical Music

Journal of the Musical Box Society International

Devoted to All Automatic Musical Instruments

Volume 64, No. 3 May/June 2018

MBSI NEWS

5 PresidentÕs Message
6 Endowment Committee
Report
8 EditorÕs Notes
10 Mid-Year Trustee Meeting
Minutes
16 MBSI Renews Instrument
Loan with MIM

FEATURES

18 Nickel Notes
35 Interesting Tidbits
40 The Organino
42 An Introduction to

Mechanical Music

CHAPTER
REPORTS

45 Golden Gate
48 Southern California

On the Cover
A small portion of Lelland
FletcherÕs collection, which he
shared with the Southern California
Chapter at a recent meeting. For
more, see Page 48.
28 – The Barrel Organ and
the Disabled Veteran

Robert Penna reveals the reason
there were so many barrel organ
players after the Civil War.

May/June 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 3

The World of Mechanical Music The World of Mechanical Music
Copy this page, and give it to a potential new member. Spread the word about MBSI.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

Last name First Name Initial

Last Name First Name Initial

Address

City

State / Zip

Postal Code / Country

Phone

Fax

E-mail

Sponsor (optional)

A
A
fascinating hobby! It combines all the appeals of
art, history, craftsmanship, and music all into one.
Automatic music doesnÕt just sit there; it is ever
willing to perform for those who care to hear it. Play an
automatic music machine in a room full of people and all
else will stop as the machine enraptures the audience with
the sparkling melodies of yesteryear!

A ÒMusic BoxÓ is any sort of automatic music instrument
that plays music via the plucking of teeth on a tuned steel
comb through various mechanisms; musical automata;
orchestrions; player and reproducing pianos and organs;
phonographs; and self-playing stringed, wind, and percussion
instruments of any kind.

The Musical Box Society International, chartered by the
New York State Board of Regents, is a nonprofit society
dedicated to the enjoyment, study, and preservation of
automatic musical instruments. Founded in 1949, it now
has members around the world, and supports various

Check or Money Order Payable to: MBSI Treasurer (US Funds Only)
Mail to: New Member Registration – MBSI
PO Box 10196
Springfield, MO 65808-0196

Visa/MasterCard

Exp. Date CCV

Signature

Membership Dues

US members (per household)……………………………………….$60

Student Membership…………………………………………………….$20

(online journal access only)

Canada…………………………………………………………………………$70

Other International………………………………………………………$75

(Add $20 for International air mail.)

Join online: www.mbsi.org/join-mbsi

Member Benefits

Six magazines annually Ñ Mechanical Music plus the
Directory of Members, Museums, and Dealers (published
every two years). Membership also entitles you to participate
in the Annual Meeting and to join regional chapters.
New members receive a welcome letter, a Goods & Supplies
Order Form, Directory of Members, Museums, and
Dealers, and a list of the regional chapters.

educational projects.

Regional chapters and an Annual Meeting held each year
in different cities within the United States enable members
to visit collections, exchange ideas, and attend educational
workshops.

Members receive the scholarly journal, Mechanical
Music, which also contains advertising space for members
who wish to buy, sell, and restore mechanical musical
instruments and related items; the Directory of Members,
Museums, and Dealers.

The only requirements for membership are an interest in
automatic music machines and the desire to share information
about them. And youÕll take pride in knowing you
are contributing to the preservation of these marvelous
examples of bygone craftsmanship.

More Information:

Phone/Fax: (417) 886-8839

Email: jbeeman.mbsi@att.net

4 MECHANICAL MUSIC May/June 2018

By Clay Witt

MBSI President

This message is being written
shortly after my return from our Mid-
Year Trustees meeting in Phoenix, AZ,
in March. The meeting was, I believe,
a success. We got some good work
done, as you can see from the minutes
published on pages 10-14 in this edition
of Mechanical Music.

The real star of this experience was
the setting for our meeting. It was held
at the Musical Instruments Museum in
Phoenix, in conjunction with a meeting
of our Southern California Chapter.
MBSI has had an association with
the MIM almost since the museumÕs
beginnings. We provided a modest
monetary contribution at that time.
Thus, our name appears on the large
wall plaque seen in the accompanying
pictures. We have had instruments
from our collection on display in their
Mechanical Music gallery for several
years. Hundreds of people are introduced
to mechanical music in that
gallery every week. The instrument
loan agreement was just extended,
as Trustee Wayne Finger notes in his
article in this issue on pages 16-17.

I donÕt think it is hyperbole to say
that the MIM is just spectacular. There
are about 4,000 musical instruments
from the simplest to the most complex
from all around the world on display in
the public galleries. Some were used
by celebrities we would all recognize.
Some are sophisticated, but many
are humble instruments people have
made out of whatever was at hand
wherever they were just to have music
in their lives over the years. They are
displayed in a very professional way
in a number of galleries devoted to
different parts of the world; Europe,
Africa, Asia, North America, Canada,
Latin America, etc. Visitors are
provided with a headset to wear and
when they walk up to display tableaus
they begin to hear music being played
on the instruments by the people who
used them. Many instrument displays

MBSI Vice President Tom Kuehn (left) and MBSI President Clay Witt point out the
societyÕs name on the Musical Instrument MuseumÕs wall of major contributors

A close up of the societyÕs name on display on the MIMÕs wall.

also have accompanying video kiosks
showing the instruments in use. I
would urge you to put a visit to MIM
on your Òbucket listÓ and set aside at
least two days to do it justice.

I suspect many of our members
do not realize it, but one of the more
important things we do is loan instruments
to museums like the MIM and
similar institutions to display. This
is an important public service and
it is a way to spread the word about
mechanical music. This is one way

to keep the passion for our beloved
hobby alive. New people cannot come
to know and love mechanical music
unless they are exposed to it.

This gives me a segue into another
topic. Did you know that MBSI has an
Endowment Fund? Its stated purpose
is: Òto financially assist MBSI projects
and/or programs which will have a
lasting impact on the preservation and/
or presentation of automatic musical

PRESIDENT | See Page 6

Endowment Committee Report Endowment Committee Report
What is the MBSI Endowment Fund?

By Ed Kozak

The Trustees of The Musical Box
Society International (MBSI) established
an endowment fund to be used
exclusively for the benefit of special
projects or programs approved by the
MBSI Board of Trustees.

No part of this fund is to be distributed
for the general operation of
MBSI. The Trustees may distribute
money from the fund in the form of
grants or loans to MBSI chapters for
projects and/or programs which will
have a lasting impact on the preservation
and/or presentation of automatic
musical instruments; projects and/or
programs of historical or scholarly
merit; and other projects and/or

PRESIDENT | From Page 5

instruments; projects and/or programs
of particular historical or scholarly
merit; and other projects and/or programs
as approved by the MBSI Board
of Trustees.Ó One example is the large
public exhibit that MBSI mounted at
the Orlando Science Center several
years ago. Small projects that get

programs as approved by the MBSI
Board of Trustees.

The Endowment Fund is held separate
and apart from other MBSI funds.
Up to 67 percent of the accrued interest
earned on the fundÕs principal can
be distributed for projects or programs
but the remaining 33 percent interest
and the original principal amount of
the fund cannot be spent, thus ensuring
continued growth of the fund.

Loans of available accumulated
income must be secured, with a promissory
note drafted that establishes a
reasonable interest rate and payment
schedule.

Applicable programs or projects can
be submitted to the Board of Trustees
for consideration.

mechanical music before the public
can be good too, like the recent efforts
of an individual society member who
took some instruments to demonstrate
for a school class. Projects can be
large or mall or anywhere inbetween.
You often see good examples here in
Mechanical Music in reports from our
Special Exhibits Committee.

If your chapter has ideas for projects

The Musical Box Society International
is a 501(c)(3) non-profit
organization, which means all donations
to the Endowment Fund are
tax deductible. Gifts of any size are
welcome. Outright gifts in the form of
cash, appreciated real estate or securities,
automatic musical instruments
or other real property, art objects,
bequests, life insurance, and individual
retirement accounts are just some
of the many ways in which you may
contribute. A gift of long term appreciated
property could have beneficial
tax implications for the donor, possibly
more tax advantageous than cash.

When renewing your membership
please consider making a contribution
to the Endowment Fund.

that need a bit of funding, all you need
to do is write up a proposal telling us
a little about what you have in mind
and the funding you need and send it to
Ed Kozak, our Endowment Committee
chair.

The committee will evaluate the
project and send its recommendations
to our trustees, who are very open to
good projects.

A Lasting Legacy In order for anything
once alive to have
meaning, its effect
must remain alive in
eternity in some way

Ð Ernest Becker, Philosopher
Throughout its history, MBSI has fostered an interest in and
preservation of automatic musical instruments. Your gift to the The Musical Box Society International
Endowment Fund will support programs that will help future is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

All donations to the Endowment

generations appreciate these achievements of manÕs creative

Fund are tax deductible.
genius. Visit www.mbsi.org to learn more.

A gift of any size is welcome.

6 MECHANICAL MUSIC May/June 2018

.
.
..
¨.
(INTERNATIONAL)
ORGANIZED IN 1949
DEVOTED TO ALL MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
.
.
..
¨.
(INTERNATIONAL)
ORGANIZED IN 1949
DEVOTED TO ALL MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Musical Box Society International
P.O. Box 10196
Springeld, MO 65808-0196
Phone/Fax: (417) 886-8839
Musical Box Society International
P.O. Box 10196
Springeld, MO 65808-0196
Phone/Fax: (417) 886-8839
MBSI MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
EACH ONE/REACH ONE NEW MEMBER
MBSI is pleased to offer new members a $15 discount off their rst year of membership dues. You
are considered a new member if you have not been a member in the past three years. This discount
is also available on our website, www.mbsi.org.
Current MBSI members who sponsor a new member will receive a $5 discount off their next yearÕs
MBSI membership renewal for each sponsorship. Attach a copy of the discount voucher below to a
copy of the membership application form from Page 4 of this issue of Mechanical Music. Place your
name as ÒsponsorÓ on the application form.
Please make copies of these forms as needed and send the completed forms with checks to the MBSI
administrator at the address listed below.
Dues Voucher Ð$15
New U.S. members may join MBSI for one year at $45 (instead
of $60); Canadians $55 (instead of $70; and, other International
members at $60 (instead of $75). This certicate must accom-
pany payment and a copy of the completed membership
application from page 4 of this issue of Mechanical Music.
New Member Name(s):
Expires: 01/01/2019
Authorized by MBSI Administrator
NEW MEMBER
GIFT CERTIFICATE
New members are those who have never been members
of MBSI or those who have not been members for three
years prior to submission of this voucher.
New members are those who have never
been members of MBSI or those who
have not been members for three years
prior to submission of this certicate.
Gift Membership Name
Sponsor
Address, City, State, ZIP
Phone Email
Please mail this form together with your check made payable to ÒMBSIÓ to the MBSI Administrator at the address listed
above. Memberships are $45 for U.S. residents, $55 for Canadian residents, and $60 for International residents.
SPECIAL OFFER: Purchase one or more rst-year MBSI gift
memberships at $45 each U.S., $55 Canadian, or $60 other Interna-
tional and you will receive $5 off your next year’s MBSI membership
renewal for each ÒNew MemberÓ gift.
.
.
..
¨.
(INTERNATIONAL)
ORGANIZED IN 1949
DEVOTED TO ALL MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
.
.
..
¨.
(INTERNATIONAL)
ORGANIZED IN 1949
DEVOTED TO ALL MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Musical Box Society International
P.O. Box 10196
Springeld, MO 65808-0196
Phone/Fax: (417) 886-8839
Musical Box Society International
P.O. Box 10196
Springeld, MO 65808-0196
Phone/Fax: (417) 886-8839
MBSI MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
EACH ONE/REACH ONE NEW MEMBER
MBSI is pleased to offer new members a $15 discount off their rst year of membership dues. You
are considered a new member if you have not been a member in the past three years. This discount
is also available on our website, www.mbsi.org.
Current MBSI members who sponsor a new member will receive a $5 discount off their next yearÕs
MBSI membership renewal for each sponsorship. Attach a copy of the discount voucher below to a
copy of the membership application form from Page 4 of this issue of Mechanical Music. Place your
name as ÒsponsorÓ on the application form.
Please make copies of these forms as needed and send the completed forms with checks to the MBSI
administrator at the address listed below.
Dues Voucher Ð$15
New U.S. members may join MBSI for one year at $45 (instead
of $60); Canadians $55 (instead of $70; and, other International
members at $60 (instead of $75). This certicate must accom-
pany payment and a copy of the completed membership
application from page 4 of this issue of Mechanical Music.
New Member Name(s):
Expires: 01/01/2019
Authorized by MBSI Administrator
NEW MEMBER
GIFT CERTIFICATE
New members are those who have never been members
of MBSI or those who have not been members for three
years prior to submission of this voucher.
New members are those who have never
been members of MBSI or those who
have not been members for three years
prior to submission of this certicate.
Gift Membership Name
Sponsor
Address, City, State, ZIP
Phone Email
Please mail this form together with your check made payable to ÒMBSIÓ to the MBSI Administrator at the address listed
above. Memberships are $45 for U.S. residents, $55 for Canadian residents, and $60 for International residents.
SPECIAL OFFER: Purchase one or more rst-year MBSI gift
memberships at $45 each U.S., $55 Canadian, or $60 other Interna-
tional and you will receive $5 off your next year’s MBSI membership
renewal for each ÒNew MemberÓ gift.

EditorÕs Notes EditorÕs Notes
By Russell Kasselman

MBSI Editor/Publisher

I enjoy talking with members
around the country about the instruments
they are selling, the mechanical
music theyÕve recently seen or heard
or an upcoming event. ItÕs refreshing
to be part of an organization made up
of such intelligent, committed people
pursuing their passion and looking for
ways to preserve this hobby and share
it with a younger generation.

As this issue goes to the printer, IÕm
glad to report that MBSI is now part of
another program that gives something
back to the world, a cleaner environment.
Each time MBSI prints an issue
of this magazine, an organization
called PrintReLeaf will plant trees
to replace the paper we consumed
getting these pages to you.

Last issue, we printed a total of
66,437 pieces of paper and PrintRe-
Leaf calculated that to replace it, they
would need to plant 7.97 trees. Of
course, you canÕt plant 0.97th of a tree,

but our fraction of a tree gets added to
the fractions of other companies doing
this same thing and ultimately enough
trees are planted to cover our paper
usage. This, to me, is a great way to
guarantee that we have a sustainable,
long-term supply of paper to keep
printing with. ItÕs also a great way for
our organization to give back to this
world in a positive manner.

You can find the PrintReLeaf logo
on Page 3 of this issue. Occasionally,
IÕll provide periodic updates on the
number of trees we have planted.

The program costs the society only
$90 a year, or $15 per issue to participate
in, which seems to me a pretty
good value.

So, just let me say to all of you,
good job being part of an organization
that does so much to make this world
sound better, look better, smell better
and generally remain a great place to
live. Keep it up, and donÕt forget to
send in your stories of how mechanical
music makes your world a better
place to be.

MAILING ADDRESS
MBSI Editorial/Advertising
130 Coral Court
Pismo Beach, CA 93449
EMAIL ADDRESS
editor@mbsi.org
PHONE
(253) 228-1634

Welcome new members!
February 2018

Terri Coppens & Chris Deneau
Chesterfield, MI

Kent Williams & Romona Williams
Kenosha, WI

Gene & Monica Mock
Waterford, VA

Gary & Marva Rasmussen
Mason, Ohio

Alan & Kirsten Recce
Carlsbad, CA

Randy Donley
Union, IL

March 2018

Linda & Douglas Weidner
Allentown, PA
Kristi & Albert Loverde
Sandy Springs, GA
Cecil Dover
Los angeles, CA
Andrew Coleman
Los Angeles, CA

Kurt Morrison
Tacoma, WA
Sponsor: William Wineburgh

Timothy Johnson
Knoxville, TN
William & Janet Bird
Elyria, OH
Dale Koehn
North Fort Myers, Florida
Timothy Pitts & Kathleen Winkler
Houston, TX
Robert & Vivian Schmitt
Maricopa, AZ
James Harrington
Minneapolis, MN

Have a suggestion?

Send it in via email to editor@mbsi.org or drop us a note to the MBSI Editorial Offices at 130 Coral Court, Pismo Beach, CA 93449.

8 MECHANICAL MUSIC May/June 2018

Save the Date

The 2018 MBSI
Annual Meeting
is coming
Aug. 28 – Sept. 1

MAKE PLANS NOW TO JOIN US IN

Meeting Sponsored by the Mid-America Chapter
DETROIT
MI

2018 Mid-Year Trustee Meeting Minutes

MBSI officers and trustees at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, AZ. Back row, left to right: Trustee Wayne Finger, Vice
President Tom Kuehn, President Clay Witt, Recording Secretary David Corkrum, Trustee John Bryant. Front row, left to right:

Trustee Sally Craig, Trustee Mary Ann Myers, Immediate Past President Judy Caletti.

Phoenix, AZ Ð Mar. 16, 2018

These minutes will be official when
approved and voted on during the
annual trusteeÕs meeting in 2018.

The meeting was convened at 9:07

a.m. Present: Clay Witt, President presiding;
Judy Caletti, Tom Kuehn, Sally
Craig, John Bryant, Wayne Finger, and
Mary Ellen Myers. (seven present of
nine, a quorum). Also present: David
Corkrum, recording secretary.
1. The minutes of the Aug. 29, 2017
Trustees meeting, held in Whippany,
NJ, were published in Volume 63, issue
#6 of Mechanical Music. There were
no corrections, additions or deletions.
Trustee Finger moved, seconded by
Trustee Caletti, to approve the minutes.
The motion passed.
2. President Witt presented old
business which is the support of
the English language version of the
book, ÒMusical Boxes of Prague and
Vienna.Ó In a previous meeting the
board had pledged the sum of $1,000
as a contribution to the project. The
Musical Box Society of Great Britain
(MBSGB) had pledged 500£ (pounds).
The publisher returned with a total
cost of 9,000Û (euros) of which 4,000Û
would be paid by them to cover the
cost of translation. President Witt
also discussed this with the president
of the Automatic Musical Instrument
CollectorsÕ Association (AMICA) who
indicated that he would talk to his
board about this. There has been no
further response from AMICA.
President Witt asked whether
MBSI should increase the amount of
its pledge. There was considerable

discussion about this possible
increase.

Mary Pollock and Ed Cooley joined
the meeting via teleconference.

There is $6,932 in the Heintz Publication
fund. Trustee Keuhn moved,
seconded by Trustee Finger, to
increase the pledge amount to 2,000Û.
Trustee Craig moved, seconded by
Trustee Myers to amend the motion to
make the pledge amount $2,000. The
motion to amend passed.

The original motion, as amended,
to increase the pledge amount to
$2,000 for the English translation of
the book, ÒMusical Boxes of Prague
and ViennaÓ with a further provision
that the donation be acknowledged
in the translated version. The motion
passed.

10 MECHANICAL MUSIC May/June 2018

3. The recording secretary presented
the current board actions for review.
4. Trustee Kuehn presented the vice
presidentÕs report. The vice president
oversees the awards process. The Marketing
and Nominating committees did
not submit nominations for the Roehl
or Mirijanian awards respectively. The
PresidentÕs Award is still ongoing.
There were two nominations for the
TrusteesÕ Award, one nomination for
the Bowers Publication Award from
the Publications Committee and three
nominations for the Unsung Hero
Award. The vice presidentÕs report
was received.
5. President Witt presented the
administratorÕs report. The current
membership as of Feb. 28, 2018 is
1,289. Memberships as of Dec. 31, 2017
were 1,191. For the 2017 calendar year,
there were 110 new memberships, 54
of which came from the website (49
percent).
Because of the voucher program,
MBSI gained 13 new memberships
in 2017. New member lists are sent
each month to the chapter chairs,
trustees, and Membership Committee
coordinators and to the Membership
Committee chair. The gift/sponsor
program was initiated in July 2008,
resulting in 123 new members through
Dec. 31, 2017. Each sponsor receives
a ÒThank YouÓ post card and is added
to the $5 discount program. Also,
questionnaires were sent to those
members who are on the 90-days-past-
due non-renewal list. The report was
received.

6. Trustee Cooley presented the
Audit Committee report.
There was discussion about goods
and services. No inventory was taken
last year, and this yearÕs report gave
a vague indication of the amounts
in some instances. This must be
improved.

The committee was tasked with
comparing the amount of money
received from membership dues to the
estimated revenue received in 2017.
The actual 2017 membership revenue
was $81,013. The estimated 2017
membership revenue was $72,039.

The difference was $8,974 or 11 percent.
It is doubtful that these numbers
would ever be the same due to when
members pay their dues. Recommendations
were made by the committee
that would help to improve next yearÕs
comparison. Trustee Finger moved,
seconded by Trustee Craig, to adopt
the recommendations by the Audit
Committee (items one through three)
and include their requirements in the
appropriate sections of the Policies
and Procedures (P&P) to be presented
for approval at the fall meeting. The
motion passed.

Rob Pollock joined the meeting via
teleconference.

7. Marketing Committee Chair Rob
Pollock presented his report.
Program One: Auction Certificates.
As of 2016, there were 11 new members
with only three renewing for the
following years. This may lead us to
reconsider the effectiveness of this
program.

Program Two: Dealer/Restorer Certificates.
Nine dealers/restorers were
selected from across the U.S. A total
of 115 certificates were issued and
only two were redeemed.

Program Three: Advertisements
for museums. Five advertisements of
varying size have been prepared and
are available in electronic form,

The committee recommends a continuation
of the three programs with a
full reconsideration at the next annual
meeting.

Trustee Myers asked whether it was
possible to produce a brochure that
would be placed in hotels advertising
the American Treasure Tour (ATT)
museum. She also asked whether the
numbers of visitors to the museum
could be obtained. Chair Pollock
stated that this could be done, but he
would have to obtain approval from
the board for the brochure and would
have to contact the managers of ATT
for the visitor information.

Trustee Craig stated that ATT did
have, at one time, advertising about
MBSI on their brochure. This is no
longer being done. Perhaps they
could be approached to allow MBSI to
advertise on their brochure and MBSI

would do the same for ATT. Trustee
Craig suggested that the Publications,
Marketing and Museum committees
collaborate on this idea of producing
an advertising brochure which incorporates
advertising for ATT or any
other museum where our instruments
are displayed.

The marketing report was received.

8. Membership Committee Chair
Rob Pollock presented his report. The
membership level increased slightly
from 2016 and 2017 counts. The number
varies by about 5 percent up and
down throughout the year. About 60
percent of our lost members was due
to non-renewal.
Since last September, the committee
has posted nine articles, linking to
10 different mechanical music videos
and advertised chapter and national
meetings events on social media.
The new Student Membership level
was published on the MBSI website
and will appear in future journals.
A chapter leadership workshop was
held in September and the package
was requested by and shared with
our sister organizations in the UK and
France.

The Membership Committee has
accepted the Marketing CommitteeÕs
recommendation to completely overhaul
our welcome package and chapter
welcome procedures. The committee
recommends that our existing member
benefits should be increased by making
the Regina Certificate program free to
our members (one free certificate per
membership).

Trustee Finger moved, seconded
by Trustee Craig to provide one free
Regina Certificate for each membership.
The motion passed.

President Witt will contact the
administrator, the editor and the party
responsible for the certificate. The
membership report was received.

9. Meetings Committee Chair Tom
Kuehn presented his report. The
Annual Meeting schedule is as follows:
¥ 2018-Mid America Chapter
¥ 2019-National Capital Chapter
¥ 2020-Golden Gate Chapter (joint
meeting with AMICA)
May/June 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 11

¥ 2021-Southeast Chapter (tentative
joint meeting with AMICA)
¥ 2022-Lake Michigan Chapter
(tentative)
Chair Kuehn reported that the
review and update of the Meetings
Manual is in progress. The goal is to
have four hard copy manuals along
with a web version and ensure that
each manual is returned at the end of
an annual meeting.

The 2020 joint meeting is hopefully
the first of a long-term initiative to
partner with sister societies in planning
and conducting annual meetings.
A bi-society subcommittee has been
formed and includes three members
each from AMICA and MBSI. It is
believed that this collaboration will
benefit both societies.

The video recording of workshops
requires a different approach in planning
and recording these sessions.
Buzz Rosa has some equipment which
is owned by MBSI. Additional equipment
may need to be purchased. Chair
Kuehn has talked with Rich Poppe and
he has agreed to work with Buzz Rosa
and one or two others to draft a plan
with the intent of implementing it at
the Detroit annual meeting.

Secretary Corkrum requested
that there be an addition to the P&P
regarding the trustees meeting. The
request is that the meeting table be
either round, oval or rectangular and
be able to seat 12 persons. President
Witt felt that this should go in the
meetings manual and Chair Kuehn has
noted this for the manual. The report
is received.

10. Museum Chair Sally Craig
presented her report. The Roy Beltz
collection of MBSI table favors is on
display at ATT as are the post cards
from the Ralph Heintz collection.
The donation from last year is also
on display except for some smaller
pieces. Many of these pieces are good
candidates for new loans to museums.
All instruments from the Lockwood
Mathews Mansion museum (LMMM)
have been returned. LMMM would like
to revisit a new loan from MBSI once
they have their new curator. This item
remains open.
Chair Craig stated that the museums
where MBSI instruments are on display
include, Lake County Historical
Society, the Packard Museum and the
Case Barlow museum, all in Ohio and
the ATT museum in Pennsylvania.

Chair Craig requested the following
increases in the budget; transportation
to increase to $4,000; and restoration
to increase to $5,000. These requests
will be presented when the treasurer
makes his report. Chair Craig stated
that the committee is always looking
for more members to join, especially
those who are in areas where MBSI
collections are on display.

The Guitarophone is still awaiting
restoration.

The report was received.

11. Trustee Caletti presented the
Nominating Committee report of chair
Dan Wilson. The slate of nominations
for 2018 MBSI officers and trustees,
pending approval are as follows:
¥ Vice President: Tom Kuehn to
serve a second year of a two-year
term.
¥ Trustees: John Bryant to serve a
second four-year term.
¥ Treasurer: Ed Kozak to serve
another one-year term.
¥ Recording Secretary: David
Corkrum to serve another
one-year term.
All nominees have confirmed that
they are willing to accept these positions.
Per the bylaws, Clay Witt will
automatically serve a second four-year
term as trustee and Judy Caletti will
continue as trustee until 2019.

Chair Wilson stated that the committee
is not functioning as stated in
the bylaws. He recommends committee
members come from four of the
chapters. The members would serve
a two-year term with two members
appointed in even years and two in
odd years. The two trustees serving
would compliment the representative
members. A rotational schedule was
included with his report but is too
long to be printed here. President Witt
moved, seconded by Trustee Finger
to approve the committeeÕs recommendation
for future make-up of the

committee, in compliance with the
bylaws and to include the Japanese
chapter in the rotation. The motion
passed.

Secretary Corkrum stated that he
would not accept any further appointment
as of the 2020 annual meeting.

12. Trustee Caletti presented the
Publication Committee report from
chair Bob Caletti. MBSI continues to
sell the books, ÒThe Music Box MakersÓ
and the ÒGolden AnniversaryÓ at
annual meetings. The MBSI inventory
includes 327 ÒThe Music Box MakersÓ
books, 16 ÒGolden AnniversaryÓ
books, several lapel pins and 100
MBSI seals.
Chair Caletti has asked each of the
Publications Committee members
to write two articles per year and
encourages all other society members
to write articles for the journal. Even if
you donÕt think you can write one but
have some ideas, send it to the editor,
because he can help you make it a very
interesting article, chair Caletti said.

The printer for the journal has a new
program which MBSI will participate
in. It is called PrintReLeaf. Its aim is
to replant enough trees to cover our
future printing needs. The cost is $90
per year and our first print run is free.
PrintReLeaf will plant eight trees in
North Dakota for every print run and
MBSI will include the PrintReLeaf
logo in its publication stating MBSI is
a certified participant.

Because of the large number of
ÒThe Music Box MakerÓ books left in
inventory, Chair Caletti made a recommendation
to distribute the books
to chapters, museums, auction houses
and even members at the Detroit
annual meeting. Museums and auction
houses could sell the books and keep
the profit. Chapters could sell the
books also. In this manner, it is hoped
that the inventory will be depleted.

Trustee Finger moved, seconded by
Trustee Kuehn to have the Publication
Committee dispose of this book in an
economical manner using their best
judgment. The motion passed.

13. Trustee Caletti presented the
Web Subcommittee report from chair
Rick Swaney. The student membership
12 MECHANICAL MUSIC May/June 2018

option has been added to the website.
Student members will receive the
journal in electronic format.

The index of journal articles has
been added to the archives section of
the website up through 2015. It will
be brought up-to-date before the 2018
annual meeting. Also, the instrument
gallery has doubled in size due to
recent additions, but more is needed
especially to showcase tabletop
instruments.

The website can be slow to respond
to users requesting journal information.
Since the server we use is shared
by other websites, the committee
has decided to move the website to
Dreamhost. The cost is $230 over
our current cost but would allow our
users a faster response time.

The website had 43,328 views in
2017, averaging 600 views per month.
The committee has also created a
Facebook group named Musical Box
Society Forum. It is open to everyone.
The forum will be reviewed for any
unwanted content, which will be
removed. We encourage our members
to use this forum, much like what they
do with MMD.

The report was received.

14. Trustee Caletti presented editor
Russell KasselmanÕs report. Advertising
revenue remains steady although
lower than desired. Efforts are in
effect to reach out to insurance agencies,
moving companies and other
industries tangential to music boxes.
Print costs remain low and MBSI is
receiving the best pricing available in
the market.
Content submitted for publication
continues to be outstanding in terms
of quality. Contributors who have not
published before seem consistently
happy with their experience and often
start looking for additional pieces to
write about. The search for new writers
is always ongoing. Also, updates
about committee activities and chapter
reports are also well received.

The report was received.

15. Trustee Myers presented the Special
Exhibits report from chair Wayne
Myers. The committee continues to
be active, especially in the southeast.
The Southeast and Piedmont chapters
have had events in conjunction with
the Circus ÒShow FolksÓ of Sarasota,
FL, demonstrations at the Orlando
Science Center, and Music Box Making
for Grandchildren held at The
Villages, FL summer camp.

Chapters are encouraged to report
about displays or demonstrations held
in their area to the Special Exhibits
Committee.

The report was received.

16. President Witt reported that
the MIM has requested ÒThe Marvels
of Mechanical MusicÓ DVDs from us.
The Publication Committee stated
that these can be reproduced at a cost
of $5 per disc. President Witt moved,
seconded by Trustee Myers, to have 50
copies of the ÒMarvels of Mechanical
MusicÓ DVD reproduced at a cost not
to exceed $300. The motion passed.
MBSI Treasurer Ed Kozak joined the
meeting by teleconference.

17. Finance Committee Chair Ed
Kozak presented the finance report.
The financial report received at the
end of the year indicated that total
fund balances increased by $6,128.
MBSI fund balance is $714,443. There
was a dues revenue decline of $4,697.
Convention net income was $1,580.
Publishing revenue was $18,217 and
expense was $65,090. Accounting,
tax preparation and administrative
expense totaled $28,771.
It was determined that the cost in
excess of par value on investments
purchased was not being amortized,
as an adjustment of yield on the investments.
An adjustment took place on
June 30 with appropriate monthly
adjustments to follow going forward.
Also, a more accurate definition of
cash equivalents is now being used.
Line items will now show cash and
cash equivalents, operating investments
and restricted investments. The
format of the financial statements has
now been updated to include a table
of contents with expanded notes to
the financial statements and supplementary
information.

Two non-endowment certificates of
deposit (CD) matured in 2017. Funds

that were placed in money market
accounts were reinvested into CDs
that continued to follow the societyÕs
investment laddering philosophy. One
CD with a maturity date of 2036 was
sold because it did not follow this philosophy.
A loss of $3,600 was incurred.

Non-endowment CDs and money
market deposits totaled $450,378 and
$69,918 respectively as of the end of
the year. After the 2017 annual meeting,
minor adjustments were made to
the 2018 budget.

An investment proposal from the
societyÕs broker called for the purchase
of a high dividend value equity
fund to become a part of the societyÕs
portfolio. The finance committee
considered the proposal but did not
accept it.

Temporarily restricted assets total
$154,985. The total of restricted cash
assets and the ÒcontingencyÓ amount
to $199,985. The amount of interest
available from the Endowment Fund
now stands at $30,200.

President Witt presented some
adjustments to the budget for the
Museum Committee. Treasurer Kozak
noted these adjustments and will
forward a revised budget to the board.
President Witt moved, seconded by
Trustee Bryant to approve the amendments
to the budget. The motion
passed.

18. President Witt presented an
amendment to clarify the meaning
of the first sentence of subsection c
of Article XIV, Standing Committees,
Section 12. The amendment would add
the word ÒchapterÓ before the word
ÒchairÓ in the phrase Òtwo currently
serving trustees and the chair.Ó The
sentence, as amended, would read:
The members of the committee shall
include a committee chair, the immediate
past-president of the society,
two currently serving trustees and the
chapter chair, or a chapter-designated
alternate, from four separate chapters.
President Witt moved, seconded by
Trustee Craig, to adopt the amendment.
The motion passed.

19. President Witt presented a proposal
to consolidate and update our
database of instruments owned by the
May/June 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 13

society. This database would be kept
on our main server.

Trustee Finger moved, seconded
by Trustee Kuehn to consolidate and
update our database of instruments
at a cost of not more than $2,500. The
motion passed.

20. President Witt stated that he and
Trustee Craig talked with the curator
of the MIM about extending the
contract with the MIM for two years.
President Witt moved, seconded by
Trustee Kuehn to extend the contract
with MIM for an additional two years.
The motion passed.
21. President Witt reported that a
joint MBSI/AMICA cooperation project
committee has been formed with three
members from each society. Their goal
is to explore ways in which the two
organizations can better cooperate
with each other. This would include, for
example, helping with the coordination
of future joint meetings and to ensure
that separate meetings do not occur in
the same areas sequentially.

22. President Witt reported that a
section of the P&P is misplaced and
needs to be moved to its proper place.
Section IV, Treasurer, paragraph 4,
subsection F reads: ÒA physical inventory
of sales inventory items such
as books, seals, pins, etc. should be
made by the Publications Committee
in early January of each year and
submitted to the Audit Committee.
(Trustees 3/04/94, Trustees Revised
3/28/14, Trustees 8/29/17)Ó

This section will be moved and
become Section XIX, Publications,
subsection I. Trustee Caletti moved,
seconded by Trustee Craig to move
this section to the publications section
of the P&P. The motion passed.

23. Trustee Caletti moved, seconded
by Trustee Myers, to adjourn the
meeting. The motion passed. Meeting
adjourned at 2:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
David W. Corkrum
Recording Secretary
March 30, 2018

The Music Box Makers, The History of the Music Box in Ste. Croix

Jean-Claude PiguetÕs compilation of two separate works chronicles the development of the musical
box industry in the Saint-Croix region of Switzerland. Beginning in the early 1800s before mass
communication and electricity were common and continuing through to the age of assembly lines,
this fascinating story describes the erratic fortunes of the people who were involved, their companies,
and the social and economic climate they endured. An outstanding and important work,
originally in French, now in English. Original Price: $77.50

SPECIAL: $10 PPD U.S.A.

The Golden Anniversary Book

A pictorial and editorial walk through 50 years of
MBSI. This is a 240 page hardcover treasure of
over 800 photos and 58,000 words. It is a must for
every member, new and old, of MBSI.
Original Price: $35.00

SPECIAL: $10 PPD U.S.A.

MBSI Pins

Proudly wearing your MBSI Pin shows your
membership in the society and will encourage
conversation about mechanical music.

$5 PPD U.S.A.

Order Online at
www.mbsi.org
Or send your order to: Administrator, P.O.
Box 10196, Springeld, MO 65808-0196
All prices here include U.S. Media Mail postage. Make
checks payable to MBSI, or Musical Box Society
International
Additional shipping charges for 1st class U.S. or airmail
foreign shipments are shown on the checkout page.
For other shipping options or quantity pricing, please
email info2008@mbsi.org.
Prices subject to change.
WE WANT YOUR STORY!

Every mechanical musical instrument has a tale to tell. Share the history of people
who owned your instrument before you, or the story of its restoration, or just what
makes it an interesting piece. Send stories via email to editor@mbsi.org or
mail your story to Iron Dog Media, 130 Coral Court, Pismo Beach, CA 93449

14 MECHANICAL MUSIC May/June 2018

PLAN AHEAD

ACT NOW

Reserve your advertising space now
for the 2018-2019 Mechanical Music
Directory of Members, Museums and
Dealers.

Placing your advertisement in an
MBSI directory means your companyÕs
name and contact information will be
a permanent part of this collectorÕs
reference book for the next two
years. Plus, your ad earns you a placeon the MBSI website where people
searching for your services can find
and click directly through to reach you
via email or phone.

Mailed directly to more than 1,300
member households, and given out toeach new member that joins the
society, it means your ad could be
seen several hundred times in the
next two years.

Call (253) 228-1634 or emaileditor@mbsi.org to reserve your
advertising space now.

MECHANICAL
MUSIC
DIRECTORY
MEMBERS,
MUSEUMS,
& DEALERS
2016 Ð 2017
ADVERTISING DIMENSIONS & COSTS

Dimensions Cost

Make an impact! Full Page 7.25Ó x 9.75Ó $290

Get a full page Half Page 7.25Ó x 4.5Ó $160
ad that costs you Quarter Page 3.5Ó x 4.5Ó $90

less than $12.25 Eighth Page 3.5Ó x 2.125Ó $50
per month

Non-members pay a 10% surcharge on the above rates

May/June 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 15

MBSI Renews Instrument Loan with MIM

By Wayne Finger

Our MBSI dues accomplish more
than just publishing this magazine
every two months. A portion of our
dues preserves, restores and displays

our historically significant and beautiful
instruments.

During the recent trustees meeting in
Phoenix, AZ, our president, Clay Witt,
along with the chair of our Museum
Committee, Sally Craig, successfully

negotiated a two-year extension of
the display of our instruments at the
Musical Instrument Museum (MIM).
The MIM is the No. 1 attraction in
Phoenix and is the most up to date,
state-of-the-art museum of its kind.

Families travel through the Mechanical Music GalleryÓ on their museum visit, becoming enthralled with the instruments

16 MECHANICAL MUSIC May/June 2018

Its climate-controlled facility and
white-glove preservationists provide
outstanding care for our instruments
while displaying them to thousands of
people each day. A plaque stating ÒOn
loan from the Musical Box Society
InternationalÓ is displayed with each
of the societyÕs instruments. The society
is further honored by having its
name engraved on the Distinguished
Benefactors plaque in the main
lobby of the museum. The MIM was
founded by Robert J. Ulrich, former
CEO and chairman emeritus of Target
Corporation.

MBSIÕs instruments on display at the
MIM are in a prime location Ð right next
to the Artist Gallery. The Artist Gallery
includes instruments and artifacts
such as Johnny CashÕs guitar, Elvis
Presley memorabilia, Pablo CasalsÕ
cello and the piano John Lennon used
to compose ÒImagine.Ó Across the
hall is the Conservation Laboratory.
Consequently, numerous families
walk right into the Mechanical Music
Gallery on their museum visit and
become enthralled with seeing and
hearing so many mechanical musical
instruments. They see and hear our
Calliope, Dutch Street Organ, Railroad
Station Cylinder Music Box, Cuff
Music Box and 12 other MBSI instruments.
MBSIÕs ÒMask SellerÓ automata
catches everyoneÕs eye with its colorful
and whimsical character and its
five animated masks. Even a face on
the bottom of its shoe is animated!
Just before noon and 3 p.m. on most
days, the following announcement is
heard throughout the museum, ÒPlease
join us in 15 minutes in the Mechanical
Music Gallery for a demonstration of
the Apollonia Orchestrion.Ó The Apollonia
is a large Decap Dance organ. I
saw several families get excited and
rush to the gallery. By the time the
presentation started, there were more
than 100 people crowded around to
hear an explanation of the instrument
and then watch as it played three rock
and roll tunes. Children danced to the
music. The Apollonia is one of several
instruments in the Mechanical Music
Gallery owned by the museum. It is
a 27-foot-wide organ built in Belgium
in 1926 by Theofiel Mortier, S.A., and
remanufactured by the Decap brothers

The displays at MIM are thoughtful and professionally made. They explain the devel-
opment and history of the instrument

Large crowds gather to hear the Decap Organ play

in 1950. Along with the 680 wooden
and metal organ pipes, the instrument
also incorporates two accordions, two
saxophones, a xylophone, a drum set,
and other percussion instruments that
play mechanically.

The MIM is unique. I judge it to be
the best of its kind in the United States.
They display the societyÕs instruments
beautifully. Their display highlighting
interchangeable cylinder music boxes
features a video showing how to
install a cylinder. It displays the extra
cylinders in sight at eye level. MBSIÕs
long-term relationship with the MIM
and our ability to negotiate continued

instrument displays is a tribute to
the value and quality of the societyÕs
instruments and our restoration/preservation
of them.

Individually, many MBSI members
do not have the floor space or financial
resources to restore, display
and demonstrate these instruments.
Together as a society, we accomplish
great things. Whether you are an instrument
donor or support the societyÕs
work through your annual dues, you
should feel especially proud of being
a contributing part of the preservation,
restoration, display and performance of
such marvelous historical instruments.

May/June 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 17

Nickel Notes

The Krughoff Collection

By Matthew Jaro

Jim Krughoff

There are three major collections of
mechanical music in the U.S. Upper
Midwest. Robert and Sharon GilsonÕs
collection is in Wisconsin. In the
Chicago area, there is the collection
of Jasper and Marian Sanfilippo, and
then the Jim and Sherrie Krughoff
collection. I am sad to report that Jim
Krughoff passed away on Feb. 20th,
2018. Jim was one of those people that
you always remembered after meeting
him and a person everyone seemed
to always like and respect. The hospitality
of Jim and Sherrie was truly
extraordinary. Jim had a great sense of
humor and an infectious enthusiasm
and he will be surely missed.

In this issue of Nickel Notes IÕll
provide details of a visit I made to Jim
and SherrieÕs home in Downers Grove,
IL, as a way of honoring JimÕs memory.
Whenever there was an MBSI or Automatic
Musical Instrument CollectorsÕ
Association (AMICA) convention
in the Chicago area, the Krughoff

Sherrie Krughoff

collection was always on the tour. In
fact, the three collections mentioned
earlier were the reason so many
mechanical music conventions ended
up being held in the area.

In addition to having a wonderful
collection, Jim was the nicest person
you could ever meet. I have traveled
with the Krughoffs on two Bumbling
Bruder Tours and they were always
great people to spend time with. The
Bumbling Bruder Tours are travel
events organized by Ron and Mary Jo
Bopp to visit important mechanical
music sites in Europe and the tours
always coincide with the Waldkirch
Organ Festival held every three years
in June.

The Krughoffs once collected early
cast iron slot machines and Corvette
cars. They had one of the largest and
most important collections of both,
but they decided to liquidate these
collections because the slot machines
didnÕt do much and they couldnÕt put

mileage on the valuable cars without
reducing the value of the collection.
Jim had once seen a player piano at
a ShakeyÕs Pizza Parlor and knew a
deep interest had been born. Jim first
acquired a Seeburg KT Special, then
went home and told Sherrie he had
bought a nickelodeon and it would
be delivered the next day. Sherrie
asked ÒWhatÕs a nickelodeon?Ó Jim
explained, ÒIt is a wooden box that has
musical instruments inside.Ó She said
it sounded like a Òpiece of junkÓ and
she wouldnÕt want one in their home.
Upon seeing and hearing it, however,
she fell in love with mechanical music
and since then the couple has shared
an obsession with the hobby.

Around the same time they bought
their first nickelodeon, they also
discovered the MBSI (1983) and met
other area collectors. While visiting
Dave Ramey to see an available
machine, Dave remarked that since
they liked mechanical music and

18 MECHANICAL MUSIC May/June 2018

The De Grote Steenput Concert Fairground Organ mounted on a trailer so that it could travel to organ rallies and provide enjoyment
for many people.

had collected slot machines, they
must know Jasper Sanfilippo. Jim
and Sherrie asked, ÒWhatÕs a Jasper
Sanfilippo?Ó Jim and Sherrie soon
acquired a Regina changer, some cylinder
boxes, a Seeburg H and finally a
Weber Unika, restored by Dave Ramey.
While Jim and Sherrie both liked the
American machines, their visits to the
Sanfilippo and Gilson collections and
their purchase of the Unika, marked a
transition to European machines that
could play more sophisticated music.
The Krughoffs joined AMICA in 1986.

The Krughoffs were in the real
estate development business and built
more than 3,000 homes in the Chicago
suburban area. Jim and SherrieÕs son,
Dan, his wife, Nikole, and their two
grandchildren, Gavin and Gillian, live
next door and assist with hosting
musical events. Dan has a major role
in the operation of the family music
collection. They are members of both
AMICA and MBSI.

In 2009 and 2013 Jim and Sherrie
were presented the AMICA
International Award. Also in 2013,
they received the Roehl Ambassador
Award at the MBSI convention in Chicago.
The Roehl Ambassador Award
is given to Òan individual, group, or
couple for promoting interest in and
appreciation of automatic musical
instruments.Ó Additionally, Jim and
Sherrie Krughoff founded the Lake
Michigan Chapter of the MBSI.

For those who have not been to Jim
and SherrieÕs home, I would like to
give you a look at some of the instruments
in their remarkable collection.

De Grote Steenput Concert
Fairground Organ

The Steenput Frres Company of
Puurs, Belgium, built this wonderful
organ in 1928. ItÕs a 97-key instrument
with 786 pipes and 14 automatic registers.
In 1963, the large Steenput was
purchased and preserved by Herman

A shot of the detailed carving and paint-
ing found on the figurines adorning the
front of the Steenput organ.

May/June 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 19

Wind who also obtained a large library
of music from Carl Frei. The organ
was rebuilt by the Perlee Company in
Amsterdam. This was the only organ
described as phenomenal by the
mechanical organ preservation group
in Holland.

In 1992, the organ became available
and was recommended to the
Krughoffs by Tim Trager. They purchased
the instrument after hearing
Tom MeijerÕs superb arrangement
of LisztÕs Hungarian Rhapsody No.
2 performed on the organ via an old
78 rpm recording. Johnny Verbeeck
and his staff completely restored the
organ in 1993. The Krughoffs bought
an extensive library of music from
the only other Steenput concert organ
(destroyed in a World War II bombing
raid).

One exciting note Ð The Steenput
organ was on the list of the National
Treasures of Holland and could not
be exported from Holland. However,
the law restricting the export did not
go into effect until a month after the
Krughoffs received the shipment.

The Krughoffs had the Steenput
mounted on a trailer and would take
it to various organ rallies pulled by a
Ford F-350 dual-rear-wheel truck. It
made its American public debut at the
MBSI Mid-Am Organ Rally in Musca-
tine, IA, during the Mississippi River
flooding in July 1993, only hours after
being delivered to the Krughoffs from
its restoration in Belgium. Johnny
and Jeffrey Verbeeck accompanied
the Krughoffs and their organ on
this journey. (Some readers might
remember the impromptu meeting of
the ÒSteenput Concert Organ ClubÓ at
that rally). It was certainly AmericaÕs
largest traveling concert fairground
organ. There are two wonderful CD
recordings of the organ, one with
light classical overtures (including the
Hungarian Rhapsody) and the other
with favorite popular selections.

The machine is now permanently on
display in KrughoffÕs music building.

The Ruth 38er Keyless Concert
Fairground Organ

The Ruth & Sohn model 38 (96
keyless) organ was built in Waldkirch,
Germany, for a showman from Berlin

Jim purchased the Ruth & Sohn model 38 because of its authenticity and original
condition. The restoration aimed to preserve as much of this originality as possible.

named Hattenhorst. The following
is an extract from Andrew PilmerÕs
website (acpilmer.com):

An inscription in the bellows is
dated February 26, 1907. This organ
is reputed to be the last with which
Adolf Ruth I was personally involved,
for he died shortly afterwards, on

March 21 of the same year.

On HattenhorstÕs retirement, the
organ passed to his son-in-law, Otto
Viol, who was based in Erfurt, East
Germany. Having somehow survived
the ravages of the Second World War,
the instrument was acquired by
Berlin showman Ludwig Rausch
in 1949. Eventually, his son Dieter

20 MECHANICAL MUSIC May/June 2018

This organ now has 2,675.5 meters of music, or more than 11 hours, that can be played to keep audiences entertained.

became the organÕs owner, and he collection. Perhaps the scarcity of States), wind chest, glockenspiel
often used it at fairs alongside his organ builders in the communist and primary action; in all many
Dodgem track. Restrictions enforced state and a general lack of money hundreds of hours of work. A careful
by the East German authorities there had spared the instrument tuning at the correct pitch and to the
limited what he was able to do with from later enlargement or Ôimprove-original temperament completed the
the organ, but Rausch did succeed mentÕ. Anxious not to spoil the job.
in acquiring some new music for it integrity of the instrument, the task During this time, the faade and
from Carl Frei, and was also able to of restoration was entrusted to AC figures remained in the United States
have the faade re-decorated. Pilmer Automatic Music Ltd. and as the decorative work of the 1980s
After the Berlin Wall fell in 1990, the organ was duly shipped to York, is still in very good condition. The
the organ gradually became known to England, where the work was carried organÕs return to Chicago in July
a number of collectors in Europe and out over the next couple of years. 2006 coincided with the AMICA con-
the U.S., but it was Jim who eventu-Under the direction of Russell vention when it was premired in its
ally succeeded in acquiring it in June Wattam, workshop manager, every restored state. Its majestic, dignified
2002. It was shipped to the United component of the instrument received sound, optimally balanced between
States in its original showmanÕs attention. The open flue pipework the silvery upper work of the mixture
display trailer and set up at his home had particularly suffered from and the deep, full, rounded trumpets
near Chicago. Its travels were not at unsympathetic handling in the past and trombones is an example of
an end, however, for it was discovered and much care was bestowed on the very best in German fair organ
on further inspection that only a com-returning it to its original state. The building.
prehensive restoration could bring wind pressure had been increased Jim Krughoff, realizing the poten-
the instrument back to its intended at some time, and this was returned tial of the extensive library of music
playing standard. to its correct level. The work also available for the Ruth 38 scale, also
The absolutely original condition involved the complete overhaul, repair ordered around 1,300 meters of new
of the organ had been a major factor and re-leathering of the large bellows books, which were produced from the
in JimÕs decision to add it to his (ÔpumpÕ to our readers in the United original patterns of the Ruth firm

May/June 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 21

(acquired by Voigt Orgelbau, Frankfurt
am Main, Germany in 1936), as
well as the patterns of Carl Frei and
Gustav Bruder, now in the possession
of Keller & Kern, of Saverdun,
France. Gustav Bruder produced
some exceptional arrangements for
this scale after World War II.

Amongst this music are some of
the finest arrangements of operatic
overtures and fantasias, concert
waltzes, characteristic pieces, selections
from operettas, marches etc.
ever made for fairground organs. A
particularly challenging piece is
TchaikowskyÕs Cappriccio Italien,
the well-known symphonic tone
poem, in a masterful arrangement
by Gustav Bruder. Such repertoire
elevates the fairground organ to that
of a convincing interpreter of serious
music. These books were cut on a
traditional foot-operated punching
machine while the restoration of the
organ progressed.

After the restoration Jim and
Sherrie ordered an additional 1375.5
meters of music, making a total of
2,675.5 meters, or a total of 11.5 hours
of music for the Ruth!

On one of the Bumbling Bruder
tours, I heard the Cappriccio Italien
played on a Ruth 38. It was the Gustav
Bruder arrangement. I was so excited

Ð I had to drag Jim to the train station
to hear it. Imagine how I felt when I
visited JimÕs at the AMICA convention
and heard the same arrangement on
his own Ruth 38. It was positively electrifying
Ð especially so with a brand
new restoration by very skilled craftsmen.
IÕll never forget the experience.
Of all the mechanical music machines,
the Ruth 38 would have to be at the
very top of my list. Andrew PilmerÕs
website has a sample of music you
can hear.
The Hupfeld Phonoliszt-Violina
machines

Jim and Sherrie acquired a Model B
Phonoliszt from a Butterfield and Butterfield
auction in San Francisco, CA,
in 1987. According to Art Reblitz in
his ÒGolden Age of Automatic Musical
InstrumentsÓ book (a MUST for every
collector), the machine was in the

A challenge was issued to create an instrument with six violins. The challenge was
accepted, and met and the result is now in the Krughoff collection.

Smallwood collection, the Eakins Gay
90s Village, HornÕs Cars of Yesterday
(Sarasota, FL) and MangelÕs American
Museum of Public Recreation (Coney
Island, NY) in the late 1920s. It was
retailed by Ernst Bšcker in New York
City. The Krughoffs had it restored in
1989 by Dave Ramey. They later sold it
to J Douglas Cusick.

The Krughoffs also acquired a Model
A Phonoliszt, which was restored by
Siegfried Wendel in 1993. The story
was that it was taken out of Eastern
Europe by gypsies.

Tim Trager asked Siegfried if he
could construct a machine with six
violins (instead of the usual three).
Though they no longer existed, six-violin
machines had appeared in the
literature, so Siegfried Wendel experimented
with playing two machines
with two rolls at the same time to see
how multiple violins sounded. Jim
had agreed to buy one if it could be
made. So, Siegfried and his son Jens
designed a bigger pneumatic system
and built the machine. The result is
currently in JimÕs music room.

The Wurlitzer 4/33 Theatre
Pipe Organ

The beautiful theatre organ, known
as the Ò7th Street OrganÓ came from
the Organ Stop Pizza Restaurant in
Phoenix, AZ. The restaurant currently

has a location in Mesa, AZ, with
another organ. According to their
website:

In 1984, Bill Brown decided to
retire from the restaurant business.
The Phoenix Organ Stop was sold
to a real estate developer, who sold
the pipe organ and demolished the
building in favor of an office complex.
Incidentally, that instrument was
sold to a couple in Downers Grove, IL,
for installation in their home!

The couple, of course, is none other
than Jim and Sherrie Krughoff! The
incredibly talented David L. Junchen
was hired to move the organ and install
it. It took Dave and two organ technicians
approximately nine months to
do this. There were two semi-trailers
full of parts. The organ console originally
came from the Missouri Theatre
in St. Louis, MO. According to the
blog ÒCinema TreasuresÓ in a string of
commentary:

The first console of the Missouri
died in a fire due to a careless smoker.
The 2nd console along with a new
expanded unification relay took its
place and made the organ noteworthy.
In 1954 the console was purchased
by Harvey Heck who made it part
of the GraumanÕs Egyptian Theatre

22 MECHANICAL MUSIC May/June 2018

This organ console once graced the stage at the Missouri Theatre in St. Louis, MO. It
was installed in GrummanÕs Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, CA, and also spent time
as part of a pizza restaurant in Phoenix, AZ. It is now part of the Krughoff collection.

Wurlitzer that he owned. In 1972 it
became part of Bill BrownÕs Wurlitzer
in the first ÒOrgan Stop Pizza.Ó In
1987, the restaurant closed, the organ
was removed and was sold to Jim and
Sherrie Krughoff in Downers Grove,
IL. Dave Junchen restored it and it is
now part of the Krughoff Residence
Wurlitzer since Aug. 5, 1989 when
it was formally dedicated with three
concerts played by Walt Sorony.

More history on the organ

To be clear, Harvey Heck did not
own GraumanÕs Egyptian Theater, he
only purchased the Wurlizter organ
from that location in 1956. He had
the organ installed in his home in
Tarzana, CA, and then later added the
four-manual Wurlitzer console from
the Missouri Theatre in St. Louis, MI.
Harvey sold the organ, along with the

console, to Bill Brown who installed
it in his Organ Stop Pizza restaurant.
During its pizza parlor days, the organ
was a testing ground for determining
what were the best sounds for a public
venue restaurant theatre organ. Today,
the organ is still controlled by the
same console from the Missouri Theatre
(minus the layers of grease from
its pizza parlor days). Jim and Sherrie
expanded the organ to its current 4/33
configuration.

The Seeburg H Orchestrion

Jim and Sherrie acquired their
Seeburg H orchestrion in 1985 from
Bob Brown. Before that, it belonged
to Sam Robins (Play it Again SamÕs,
Chicago, IL). Before that, it belonged
to Steve Hecht (Chicago) and before
that, the salvage yard (Paris, IL). It was
restored by Dave Ramey around 1977.

The elaborate facade to the Philipps
Monstre Paganini Orchestrion is imposing
and has a stately beauty.

After enjoying it for several years, the
Seeburg H was sold to Glenn Thomas,
editor of The AMICA Bulletin.

There is an interesting story about
the acquisition of rolls for this particular
machine. Apparently, someone
familiar with mechanical music saw a
truck hauling rolls from a flood-damaged
theater. They turned out to be 60
untouched original Seeburg H rolls on
their way to the dump! Fortunately,
these were saved and are now also
safely in the Thomas collection.

The Philipps Monstre Paganini
Orchestrion

This is one of the most stunning
machines you will ever see. It was
restored from many original parts
and a gorgeous reproduction cabinet
was made by Siegfried Wendel
and his Mechanische Musikwerke
Manufaktur. ItÕs one of the largest
orchestrions ever made. Philipps said
it represents a string orchestra of 40 to
50 musicians. Siegfried discovered the
machine in Budapest and describes
his adventures in his book, Datenspeicher-
Musikinstrumente (Data Storage
Musical Instruments). On his visit to
Budapest, Siegfried says:

The place was filled to the ceiling.

May/June 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 23

Instead of walking on the floor we
had to climb over suitcases, valises,
trunks and old furniture. ÒWhere is the
Paganini Kino machine?Ó ÒWe have to
climb on this trunk to your right and
then on the armoire.Ó Behind this, we
saw the Paganini. We saw, among the
bric-ˆ-brac, the only instrument of its
kind that likely survived in the world.
ÒIs it complete?Ó ÒYes, and it works!Ó
It was evident that the instrument was
not likely in a working state but its
survival was certainly a miracle.

The Hupfeld Pan Orchestra
Model I

The Pan Orchestra was originally
retailed by Duwaer and Naessens,
Amsterdam (1920), then in the 1940s
it was purchased by Lou Bennet, then
Jim DeRoin (1950s), then Otto Carlsen,
then Haning and White, then Harold
Freiheit, then David Bowers (1986)
and finally the Krughoffs in 1987. It
was restored by Reblitz Restorations
in 1989. When the Krughoffs bought
the machine, it was being stored on
Harold FreiheitÕs porch where it had
been sitting for several years. The
Pan has a full reproducing piano, a
10-roll changer, and many multiplexed
functions, making things even more
complex.

A Tour of the Krughoff Collection

The extent of the collection is staggering,
and some instruments are the
only known examples. A full list of the
instruments (and their restorers) is
shown on Page 22. Some are no longer
in the collection as Jim was trying to
downsize before he died, but the list
represents the instruments that were
on display when I visited:

All of these machines were beautifully
displayed and everything worked
wonderfully. In short, visiting Jim and
Sherrie Krughoff was an exhilarating
experience.

I gratefully acknowledge the help of
Art Reblitz in compiling this article.

Jim was certainly an important presence
in the mechanical music world
and his loss is devastating.

The Hupfeld Pan Orchestra Model I was first sold in Amsterdam, then made its way
to the Krughoffs via several other owners, even surviving several years on a front
porch.

Please feel free to email Matt Jaro at Reprinted with permission of the
mjaro@verizon.net if you would like author and The Automatic Musical
any information about style ÒAÓ, ÒGÓ, Instrument CollectorsÕ Association
Ò4XÓ, ÒHÓ or ÒOÓ rolls. Also, comments (AMICA). Originally printed in the
and suggestions for this column will be March/April 2014 issue of The AMICA
appreciated. Bulletin.

24 MECHANICAL MUSIC May/June 2018

The interior of the Hupfeld is a tightly-packed masterwork of Art Reblitz, of Reblitz Restorations, brought the Hupfeld to its
engineering. current fantastic condition.

Dave Ramey in front of the Welte Style IV orchestrion.

The finished Welte Style IV in gorgeous playing condition.

An ornate Mason and Hamlin Ampico A model reproducing
piano features carved figurines and intricate patterns on
nearly every surface.

May/June 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 25

The Krughoff machines

¥ Ruth 38 Concert Fairground Organ (Andrew Pilmer
and Russell Wattam)
¥ Steenput Concert Fairground Organ (Johnny
Verbeeck)
¥ Mason & Hamlin Italian Carved AMPICO A Piano
(Bob Taylor)
¥ Wurlitzer CX Orchestrion with bells (Jerry Biasella)
¥ Philipps/Wurlitzer PianOrchestra Style 33 (Tim
Westman) obtained from the RKO prop department
¥ Philipps Monstre Paganini Orchestrion (Siegfried and
Jens Wendel)
¥ Welte Briscovia C Luxus Orchestrion (Hayes
McClaran.
¥ Early style Weber Maesto (Dave Ramey)
¥ Hupfeld Violina-Orchestra (reproduction by Siegfried
and Jens Wendel)
¥ Hupfeld Model A Phonoliszt-Violina (Siegfried Wendel
and Jens Wendel)
¥ Bursens Arburo Dance organ (Johnny Verbeeck)
¥ De Cap Robot Band (Andrew Pilmer and Russell
Wattam)
¥ Weber Grandezza with moving scene (Dave Ramey)
¥ Seeburg H Orchestrion (Dave Ramey)
¥ Le Ludion Organ 32-note Baladin Organ (Eve and
Philippe Crasse)
¥ Verbeeck 40-key small Dutch Street Organ (Johnny
Verbeeck)
¥ Bruder Aerophon roll-operated Fairground Organ. It
has a pinned cylinder that plays bass drum and snare
drum during rewind
¥ Holl German barrel organ (Hohl)
¥ Bacigalupo Trumpet Organ (reproduction by Kurt
Niemuth)
¥ Welte Multitone (Motion Picture and Cabaret Midget
Orchestra). Same as a Coinola X with four extra foot
pedals and extra control buttons on the keyboard for
hand use to play the instruments in the machine. The
Welte version was probably something special that
Welte had ordered from Coinola to be able to offer a
photo-player in the Welte lineup. Only two are known
to exist. (Dave Ramey)
¥ Mills Bow Front Violano Virtuoso (Dave Ramey)
¥ Wurlitzer 4/33 Theatre Organ (David L. Junchen)
¥ Hupfeld Pan Model I (Art Reblitz)
¥ Welte Style 4 Concert Orchestrion (Siegfried Wendel
and Durward Center)
¥ Hupfeld Peasant Band Orchestrion. From 1897
catalog. (Pipes play from metal disks)
¥ Double Phonoliszt-Violina (reproduction by Siegfried
Wendel and Jens Wendel)
¥ Hupfeld II/25 Helios Orchestrion (Hayes McClaran)
¥ Popper Felix Orchestrion (Hayes McClaran)
¥ Hupfeld Symphonie Jazz Orchestrion Model 19 (Ron
Cappel)
¥ Weber Unika with moving scene (Dave Ramey)
An early Weber Maesto restored by Dave Ramey, Sr.

¥ Oehrlein Flute Player (Franz Oehrlein)
¥ Oehrlein Organ Grinder (Franz Oehrlein)
¥ Cremona J Orchestrion (Dave Ramey)
¥ Mason & Hamlin Hepplewhite AMPICO B Piano (Jim
Blanchard and Bob Taylor)
¥ Steinway Model AY Duo-Art with original Concertola
changer
¥ Ramey Banjo-Orchestra (Dave Ramey)
¥ Lochmann Disk Music Box with bells
¥ Regina Corona Style 35 Disk Changer Music Box with
clock
¥ Reginaphone Rookwood Style 140 (15. inch disk
music box with phonograph)
¥ Le Ludion Musical Secretary Desk
¥ Various Cylinder Music Boxes
¥ Nicole Frres Variation Box with 194 teeth, 6 octaves
fully chromatic except for lowest four notes.
¥ Monopol Gnome Automat (Style 71)
¥ Symphonion Gambrinus Style 25GS
26 MECHANICAL MUSIC May/June 2018

The Duo-Art Concertola in perfect playing condition.

The Welte Brisocvia C Luxus restored by Hayes McClaran.

The Krughoff collection also includes an excellent example of The Popper Felix with its spinning wonderlight is always a hit
a De Cap Robot Band orchestrion. with visitors who enjoy the colored light show.

May/June 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 27

The barrel organand the disabled
Civil War veteran

Two organ grinders ply their trade on the
streets of New York in the 1890s.

by Robert F. Penna, Ph.D.

Growing up in Union City, NJ, in the 1950s,
I remember a disabled World War II veteran
lying on a blanket in the cityÕs old shopping
section on Bergenline Avenue. He sat
there selling pencils for five cents each.
Having traveled extensively since the early
1970s, my wife, Angela, and I sometimes
find similar maimed survivors from wars
now past, begging or selling some simple
items in front of religious institutions, in
markets or tourist areas. In reflecting on
these experiences, I began to wonder what
happened when huge numbers of young
men suddenly returned from the front
lines in the 1860s, many missing one or
more limbs, especially during an age when
prosthetic limbs were crude at best?

28 MECHANICAL MUSIC May/June 2018

A drawing of an organ grinder with a wooden leg and his trained monkey entertaining children outside their home. The drawing

is dated 1873.

Such was the case during and shortly
after the American Civil War. Although
the exact number is not known, many
respected research sources report
that approximately 30,000 amputations
were performed on Union

Photo Credits:
Facing page: The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of
Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, The
New York Public Library. ÒOrgan grinder.Ó The New York
Public Library Digital Collections. 1896. http://qa.digitalcollections.
nypl.org/items/510d47d9-a8db-a3d9-e040e00a18064a99
and http://qa.digitalcollections.nypl.org/
items/510d47d9-a8d2-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99

This page: Art and Picture Collection, The New York Public
Library. ÒThe organ-grinder.Ó The New York Public
Library Digital Collections. 1873-06-07. http://qa.digitalcollections.
nypl.org/items/510d47e3-395f-a3d9-e040e00a18064a99

soldiers during the war. These same
sources agree that a similar number of
operations was likely done on Confederate
soldiers, but there is no formal
documentation remaining to provide
concrete proof. Why, you might
ask, were so many limbs removed?
Mainly it had to do with the fact that
there were vast numbers of men
severely wounded in battle, and it was
impossible for the limited number of
surgeons to undertake more delicate
and time-consuming procedures such
as building splints or removing only
part of the bone or flesh damaged by
bullets. Add to that a lack of operating
rooms and other battlefield challenges
of the time, and it was a situation
where drastic surgery was the best
option for most patients. An amputation
would often be performed to
prevent deadly complications such as

gangrene.1

Those veterans who survived an
amputation faced their next challenge
as they returned to civilian life in an
era where most employment required
physical labor, and options for legless
or armless men were extremely
limited.

Many amputee veterans seeking to
earn a living opted for a profession
pioneered by veterans of earlier European
conflicts, in particular the Seven
Years War (1756-1763) where disabled
warriors were taught to play barrel
organs on their return from battle.
This was especially encouraged in the
German-speaking regions of Europe.
Empress Maria Theresa of Austria
was the first to authorize permits to
crank a Leierkasten (barrel organ) in
public. Licenses often went to invalids
of the Seven Years War to help them

May/June 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 29

An advertisement for cigarettes shows
a drawing of an organ grinder with a
monkey in mock military uniform from
London. Civil War veterans looked to
Europe for ways to earn a living and may
have seen this as a possible solution.

Photo Credit: George Arents Collection, The New York Public
Library. ÒThe Organ GrinderÓ The New York Public Library
Digital Collections. http://qa.digitalcollections.nypl.org/
items/7cfd6dbb-a9ac-1aa2-e040-e00a180667bd

make enough to eat and live. In 1810,
Prussia copied Austria and issued
permits as well.2 This practice continued
in Germany until after World
War I. Joseph RothÕs ÒRebellion: A
NovelÓ describes a German World War
I amputee vet who becomes a street
organ grinder and then

ends up losing his license
and which leads to him
experiencing many more
misfortunes.3

According to Terry
Bender, who wrote an
article titled ÒA Short History
of Organ Grinders,Ó
European organ grinders
were often despised or
even feared. The authorities
in 17th and 18th century
Europe were often afraid
of itinerant musicians
because they carried
information and news
from place to place, and
they sometimes stirred
up trouble. It was one
reason organ grinders
had to obtain licenses in
order to play. Other times,
the licenses were simply
granted to disabled soldiers
in lieu of pensions or
medical care.4

Barrel organs, also
known as hand organs or
Ògrind organs,Ó were first
imported to the United
States during the mid
19th century by European
immigrants. German
instrument builder Franz
Rudolph Wurlitzer set up

shop in Cincinnati, OH, in
1856 and helped establish a domestic
barrel organ trade based in the northern
states.5

Drawn to the instrumentÕs portability
and the ease of operating
its simple hand crank mechanism,
Italian, Irish, and German immigrants
continued the old-world practice of
playing the barrel organ as urban
street performers. These buskers,
or those who entertained in public
places for donations,6 were already
known in cities throughout the north
prior to the outbreak of the Civil War

in 1861. This ready audience made the
barrel organs especially attractive to
disabled veterans. The organs could
be carried on the chest thanks to a
shoulder strap and supported by a
stand which meant they acted almost
like a crutch for men who had lost a
leg. The carved ornamental frontages
charmed passers-by, who would marvel
at the instrument while the crank
turner took a rest.7 Antique hand
organs decorated with symbols of
America are often traced to disabled
northern veterans of the Civil War.

Michael Accinno, in ÒThe Oxford
Handbook of Music and Disability
Studies,Ó explains how some amputees
operated an instrument colloquially
referred to as a Òhand organÓ without
the use of a hand. In these cases a
young boy would often accompany
the veteran supplying youthful arms
and hands to turn the crank of the
instrument while the veteran talked
with the public and collected coins.
These able-bodied young assistants
helped transport the barrel organs,
and sometimes the disabled men too.
The young boys might also wear a
blue uniform that matched those worn
by the veterans.8

According to Accinno, the number
of disabled veteran organ buskers
peaked during the 1870s. It is difficult
to establish an exact number of
amputee veteran performers, but in an
article in the New York Times (March
20, 1895), one writer estimated that
Òthousands of invalid and wounded
veterans purchased organsÓ after the
war. Newspapers and periodicals
in California, the Midwest, and the
Eastern seaboard expressed alarm in
documenting the presence of injured
soldiers performing in public spaces.9

Writing in the New York Herald, one
reporter captured much of the shock
that crowds felt at witnessing the
sight and sound of disabled Civil War
veteran buskers:

As we pass at the various corners of
the streets the organ grinders, who are
disabled soldiers, we cannot but think
that some other provision should be
made for these armless or legless men,
who have suffered for the perpetuity
of the nation. That those who fought

30 MECHANICAL MUSIC May/June 2018

This drawing from 1854 depicts a barrel organ grinder with monkey accompanied by a tambourine and triangle. Note the man
in the background covering his ears while the children in the foreground dance and sing along.

and lost their limbs for their defense
of our homes should be compelled
to stand and beg for pennies at our
street corners is a disgrace (Jul. 21,
1871).Ó 10

A change in attitude against all organ
grinders began to appear by the mid
1870s as Italian organ grinders who
predominated in the antebellum period
but started to see their income decline
after the war with the influx of disabled
soldiers started to pretend to be former
servicemen to earn more money. The

Photo Credit: Art and Picture Collection, The New York
Public Library. ÒThe five senses.–No II. Hearing.Ó The New
York Public Library Digital Collections. 1854-10. http://qa-
.digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e3-3962-a3d9e040-
e00a18064a99

public soon had a hard time trusting
the stories of the buskers and all performers
then saw negative reactions to
their presence begin to rise.

One observer in AppletonÕs Journal
(New York) noted, ÒThe maimed
soldiers of the last war É excite more
sympathy than the able-bodied Italians,
and often earn twice as much moneyÓ
(Jan. 24, 1874). The influx of veterans
into the once immigrant-dominated
profession was so pronounced that
when a reporter for the New York Sun
asked a proprietor of barrel organs
in 1874 about his clientele, he could
readily reply that they were Ònearly
all Italians and old American soldiersÓ
(reprinted in Scientific American, Jul.
15,1874).11

Yet, it is likely that many of the
immigrants were actually disabled

veterans of the northÕs Army of the
Republic. According to Bladek, as
many as 200,000 German-Americans
and 150,000 Irish-Americans served in
the Union Army and Navy.12 Between
5,000 and 10,000 Italian-Americans
also served in the Union and the
Confederate armies.13 However, for
many of the writers of the times, an
immigrant organ grinder, whether an
amputee or not, was scorned while
American-born street performers
were not.

A prime example of this attitude is
represented in the 1868 book by John
Mc Cabe, ÒThe Secrets of the Great
City: A Work Descriptive of the Virtues
and the Vices, The Mysteries, Miseries,
and Crimes of New York City.Ó14 He
exudes nothing but scorn for immigrant
organ grinders actually calling

May/June 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 31

This depiction of an organ grinder from 1873 shows him as bearded and a bit disheveled. There is no air of celebration around
his music, which possibly reflects the growing dissatisfaction with the people plying the trade at that time.

their music Òthe most horrible discord,Ó
but his descriptions of Òsoldier
minstrelsÓ who use the same instruments
is very supportive. McCabe
strictly separates the veterans from
immigrant street musicians reasoning
that their service and bodily sacrifices
merit consideration as a special
category of performers. He narrates
the story of John Williams, a gallant
private in the Army of the Potomac
who lost both an arm and a leg during

the course of the war. McCabe notes
that Williams Òconsoled himself with
the hope that the people for whom
he had fought and suffered, would
not let him lack for some means of
employment.Ó As the hoped-for work
failed to materialize, Williams was
reduced to playing the barrel organ on
city streets, a profession that, owing
to it associations with immigrants,
is described as Òrepugnant to oneÕs
manhood.Ó15

If one researches further, evidence
of disabled immigrant veterans as
musicians can be found. An article
in the Washington Post reported the
story of an Irish immigrant who lost

Photo Credit: Art and Picture Collection, The New York
Public Library. ÒThe organ-grinder.Ó The New York Public
Library Digital Collections. 1873-12. http://qa.digitalcollections.
nypl.org/items/510d47e3-3432-a3d9-e040e00a18064a99

32 MECHANICAL MUSIC May/June 2018

In this street scene from 1896, an organ
grinder and his wife do not appear to be
attracting much attention as her cup is
empty and the street sweeper behind
them is clearly not interested in what
they are doing.

Photo Credit: The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of
Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, The
New York Public Library. ÒOrgan grinder.Ó The New York
Public Library Digital Collections. 1896. http://qa.digitalcollections.
nypl.org/items/510d47d9-a8ce-a3d9-e040e00a18064a99

his arm during the Richmond-Petersburg
campaign. Lacking family ties
in the United States, the man later
received a barrel organ that he claimed
was financed personally by the editor
of the La Crosse Democrat, Marcus
Pomeroy (Jan. 2, 1884).16

A particularly disturbing story of
a one-armed German veteran in Milwaukee
was recounted in a series of
outraged letters written by readers of
the Chicago Tribune. According to eyewitness
accounts, the veteran arrived
outside of the offices of the Wisconsin
State Register and started playing a
hand organ, only to have a pail of dirty
water dumped on him from the window
of the office by the newspaperÕs editor,
Jack Turner (Chicago Tribune, Jul. 11,
1872). A corroborating account by a
different witness indicates that Turner
continued to berate the man and may
have even kicked him down a flight of
stairs (Chicago Tribune, Jul. 15, 1872).
These accounts suggest that immigrant
veterans may have had particular difficulties
in navigating postwar benefit
and employment networks. 17

Identifying himself only as
ÒOtsdama,Ó an indignant veteran
organ grinder wrote to the editor
of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle in 1869
to protest against the onslaught

of critiques that had been leveled
against the performers by the newspaperÕs
readers in recent weeks. His
anonymous remarks, employing a
mixture of humor, sarcasm, guilt, and
wit to silence and shame his critics,
demonstrate the power of disabled
self-representation:

ÒAs a member in good standing
(on one leg) of that much abused
class of musical purveyors, I beg the
privilege of giving to the public a few
of the reasons which govern us in the
choice of this profession. While many
persons with musical cultivation
and education enjoy the opera and
so-called classical music. É the great
mass of common people are better
satisfied with simple airs, finding
little pleasure to elaborate and intricate
compositionsÉ. But what have
these censorious scribblers to say on
the score of their own patriotism? Do
they not consider that while they were
enjoying their ease at home, we who
are now maimed and crippled for
life, were fighting the battles of our
country? And when we are unfit for
active labor, we must do something
to support ourselves and those dependent
upon us, for a living. Give us
something else to do, we will gladly

do it. We have sometimes thought that
Uncle Sam might with great propriety
give us a place in his service, to do
such light work as is now performed
by stay-at-home politicians. As for
example, see the inner workings of
the Brooklyn Post office. Perhaps you
do not like our music. Possibly you
do not like our organ grinding. What
else shall we do? Perchance our music
annoys you.

ÒPay us our wages, and we will sit
by our music boxes in proper silence,
to please you. Is our music disagreeable?
We have heard that which was
more so, on the fields of Gettysburg
and the Wilderness. When you hear
our wheezing instruments, consider
it but the faint echo which we have
brought from the battle-fields which
saved our Republic, and look upon our
employment as the necessary resort
of the fragments of your countryÕs
defenders, and we hope these considerations
will make you less easily
annoyed and less irritable (Brooklyn
Daily Eagle, May 11, 1869).Ó 18

Some Americans hated the
rinky-tinkiness and repetition of the
street piano Ð ÒIt is a dull crowd the
organ grinder appeals to,Ó observed
the Reading, Pa., Times in July 1898.

May/June 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 33

In this street scene, we see a blind
man cranking an organ in the streets
in the early 1900s in New York City. By
this time, the job of organ grinder was
quickly fading from society.

Photo Credit: The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of
Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, The
New York Public Library. ÒStreet scene on East side, New
York CityÓ The New York Public Library Digital Collections.
1900 – 1937. http://qa.digitalcollections.nypl.org/
items/510d47d9-a99a-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99

In hamlets such as Allentown, PA, and often-treacly tunes, played on infinite years. The Civil War had been devas-
Brooklyn, NY, organ grinders were repeat, just set peopleÕs nerves on tating. The country had suffered as a
actually fined or arrested because edge.19 Not all Americans, however, whole. No part of it had been spared
they refused to stop playing. The city hated these players. Enough people the loss of life and injury. Disabled
of Somerville, MA, declared Òwar on loved the lilting, uplifting tunes, waft-veterans, standing or lying while play-
organ grinders,Ó the Fitchburg Sen-ing through the breezes and showed ing the attention-getting barrel organ,
tinel stated in September 1893. The their appreciation with tips that the eventually became a reminder of bad
performers Ñ machine operators, occupation of organ grinder persisted times. Perhaps the disappearance of
actually Ñ were sitting ducks. They for as long as it did. the organ grinders and their machines
were vulnerable, attention-drawing As the years passed, the nation had more to do with helping citizens
characters encumbered by the tools began to heal and Americans wanted forget the war than a dislike of the
of their trade. Perhaps the same to forget the hardships of the war music and the profession.

Sources:

1. ÒMaimed Men,Ó Life and Limb: The Toll of the American Civil
War, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Found at: https://
www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/lifeandlimb/maimedmen.html
Also, ÒSurgery in the Civil War,Ó http://www.pbs.org/mercy-
street/uncover-history/behind-lens/surgery-civil-war/
Also, ÒCivil War Battlefield Surgery, Ó https://ehistory.osu.edu/
exhibitions/cwsurgeon/cwsurgeon/amputations
2. Buchner, Alexander. 1959. Mechanical Musical Instruments.
Translated by Iris Urwin. London: Batchworth.
3. Roth, Joseph. Rebellion: A Novel. (original title: Die Rebellion):
a 1924 novel by the Austrian writer Joseph Roth. It tells the story
of a German war veteran who has become a street musician
after losing one leg. The novel was published in the newspaper
VorwŠrts from 27 July to 29 August 1924. A synopsis can be
found at: http://www.librarything.com/work/2098435
4. Bender, Terry. A Short History of Organ Grinders. 2010. Found
at: http://bendermelodies.com/org_grinder_history.htm
5. Bowers, Q. David. 1972. Encyclopedia of Automatic Musical
Instruments. Vestal, NY: Vestal Publishing.
6. Busker Ð Definition of. Mirriam-Webster Online. Found at:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/busker According
to Mirriam-Webster, the word originated in print in 1851.
7. Le Ludion, company that services, trades and manufacturers of
barrel organs, Toulouse, France. Found at: http://www.leludion.
com/pag_barbarie/barbarie_e.htm
8. Accinno, Michael. ÒDisabled Union Veterans and the Performance
of Martial Begging.Ó In The Oxford Handbook of Music
and Disability Studies, edited by Blake Howe, Stephanie
Jensen-Moulton, Neil Lerner, and Joseph Straus, 403Ð422. New
York: Oxford University Press, 2016.

9. Accinno (same as above)
10. Article in The New York Herald, July 21, 1871.
11. Accinno, Michael. 2010. ÒÔOrgan GrinderÕs SwingÕ: Representations
of Street Music in New York City, 1850Ð1937.Ó MA thesis,
University of Iowa. http://ir.uiowa.edu/etd/636
12. Bladek, John David. 2000. ÒImmigration.Ó In Encyclopedia of
the American Civil War: A Political, Social, and Military History,
vol. 2, edited by David S. Heidler and Jeanne T. Heidler,
1028Ð1029. Santa Barbara, CA
13. ÒItalian Americans in the Civil WarÓ found at: https://en.wikipe-
dia.org/wiki/Italian_Americans_in_the_Civil_War
14. McCabe, James D. [Edward Winslow Martin]. 1868. The Secrets
of the Great City: A Work Descriptive of the Virtues and the
Vices, The Mysteries, Miseries, and Crimes of New York City.
Philadelphia, PA: Jones Brothers.
15. Accinno (same as above)
16. Accinno (same as above)
17. Accinno (same as above)
18. Accinno (same as above)
19. ÒStrange Stories Surrounding Street Pianos,Ó NPR History
Department. July 8, 2015. Found at: http://www.npr.org/
sections/npr-history-dept/2015/07/08/420837852/strange-sto-
ries-surrounding-street-pianos?utm_source=facebook.
com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=
nprnews&utm_content=20150708
34 MECHANICAL MUSIC May/June 2018

Interesting Tidbits

MBSI member Walter Nuss sent in
the following batch of photos and recollections
from the 25th Anniversary
MBSI Annual Meeting that took place
in 1974 in Saddlebrook, NJ. Among the
highlights from these photos are shots
of J. Lawrence Cook, famed piano
roll producer for QRS Music Roll
Company listening to his rolls on a
7-foot Steinway Duo-Art Grand piano.
People gathered to hear the tunes
and get CookÕs autograph, and Nuss
said Cook appeared to be having a
wonderful time talking with everyone
who had enjoyed his rolls so much.
Nuss remembers Cook not having a
ride home to Mount Vernon, NY, that
night and volunteering to give the legendary
piano player a lift. A few wrong
turns took the duo on a tour around

almost all of New York City, says Nuss,
during which time Cook shared some
entertaining stories. Nuss says Cook
shared stories from his early start in
the music roll business at US Music
Roll Company and then his transition
to QRS. Nuss even includes a copy
of the letter sent from QRS to Cook
offering him a sum of $200 a month to
produce music rolls (Page 33).

More on Cook

Michael Meddings, on his website
www.doctorjazz.co.uk/page11.html,
provides an extensive history of
CookÕs life and work, including copies
of correspondence between Cook and
himself over the years. According to
Meddings, Cook was orphaned at age
4 after his father, a traveling minister,

died on the road. Raised by relatives
who introduced him to music, Cook
took some time to break into the
industry. He washed and unloaded
cars, and worked as a candy maker in
Illinois before getting freelance work
for the Bradford Song Roll Company,
Aeolian, Republic, and, as mentioned
before, the US Music Roll Company. In
one of the letters from Cook to Med-
dings, Cook estimates he produced
between 10,000 and 20,000 piano roll
masters in his lifetime.

Who are these folks?

Do you know any of the people in
the photos on pages 36-37 taken at the
25th Anniversary MBSI Annual Meeting?
Send an email to editor@mbsi.org
and help us put names to faces.

Remember these?

Photos from the 25th Anniversary MBSI Annual Meeting in 1974, Saddlebrook, NJ

Remember these?

Photos from the 25th Anniversary MBSI Annual Meeting in 1974, Saddlebrook, NJ

The Organino

Luuk GoldhoornÕs last article

Luuk was working on this article when
I visited him on the 27th of November 2017.
We discussed it but he was not happy about it
because he could not identify what the abbreviation
HARO stood for.

The following dayÕs it was found that it
was shorthand for the name of Hans Ršlz.
Hans Ršlz had musical instrument factories
in Klingenthal, Germany and Graslitz (now
Kraslice) in the Czech Republic. Luuk found
much information about him but was not
given the time to write an updated version.

Ð Niko Wiegman.
By Luuk Goldhoorn.

Suppose you had never seen a
musical box, and only knew that it
produced music with the help of tuned
steel combs and a cylinder with pins.
Now you are asked to make a cylinder.
Do you think you would choose brass
as the material? Brass is expensive,
why not use wood? It would be far
easier to hammer pins in a wooden
as compared to a brass cylinder, and
besides, self-playing large organs
had been using wooden cylinders for
centuries.

But Antoine Favre-Salomon, said
to be the inventor of the musical box,
felt wood was not the right material.
He was a watchmaker, after all, and
watchmakers donÕt use wood.

That attitude persisted until about
the 1930s when the first wooden cylinders
were placed into a musical box.
The heyday of cartel musical boxes
was long past when the idea to use a
wooden cylinder as part of a toy, called
a manivelle and intended for children,
came about. The mechanism was
housed in a tin box with dimensions of
10 centimeters wide by 6 centimeters
tall by 7 centimeters deep (Figure 1).

The firm that first brought these
manivelles onto the market was
named HARO. Their trademark was
a mouthorgan which was held high
by an arm. In the mouthorgan is
printed 881 Mein Stolz (Translated:

Figure 1: An Organino featuring a picture of three girls on the top.

Figure 2: A trademark stamp displaying only the word Organino, no maker name.

40 MECHANICAL MUSIC May/June 2018

My pride). The letters H and R are
depicted in the trademark as well as
ÒMade in GermanyÓ (Figures 2 and
3). Most probably the letters H R are
the initials of the maker but even with
these letters no traces of him nor his
firm could be found.

This new product was called an
Organino. It must have been some
sort of a success because I found two
almost identical examples. The difference
was the tin used for the housing
which in one case was bright while the
other had a dull character.

The printing on these boxes was
also different. On the dull one the
trademark was printed as well as
HARO and Organino. On the other one
HARO is missing. Also the inside is not
identical: the plate on which the teeth
are screwed on is painted brass in
only one of the instruments (Figure 4).

On the top of the box is a little picture
of three girls, the first one turning
the Organino which is kept around
her neck with a cord. Such a cord
seems never to have been on the real
instrument.

The handle that turns the cylinder
is not straight fastened to the rod, so
if you turn it backwards the cylinder
doesnÕt turn. I presume that during the
time it was used the handle came solid
to the rod and by turning it backwards
teeth were broken. In fact, in both
manivelles this had occurred. In one,
three teeth are broken and in the
other, two teeth are broken.

The bass teeth are weighted and as
to be expected, there are no dampers.
The teeth are so delicate that I
presume that they also were used in
the mouthorgans the firm was better
known for building. The music was
not the type normally marketed to
children. Home sweet home and Silent
night were pinned on the cylinders.

This attempt to change the brass cylinder
to a wooden one did not cause a
furor. Musical box makers didnÕt seem
to see the advantages, and maybe they
were right.

Figure 3: A trademark stamp with Organino and the HARO (manufacturerÕs) name.

Figure 4: Two Organino movements, both with wooden cylinders but one movement
is painted to look like brass and the other is left without any paint.

May/June 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 41

An introduction to Mechanical Music

Recently, the Association of Musical the wide-range of items that people in shared with MBSI and will
Box Collectors (AMBC) in the United musical box societies often collect. be published a few pages at a time in
Kingdom produced a wonderful book Written by Paul Bellamy and Juliet Mechanical Music, for the enjoyment
let introducing many different types of Fynes, with additional materials con of all our members, both new and long-
mechanical musical instruments and tributed by Ted Brown and design/ time veterans.
providing brief descriptions of each for photography work by Chris Fynes, For more information, visit the
people who might be unfamiliar with this booklet has been generously AMBC website at www. ambc.org.uk

An introduction to Mechanical Music

An introduction to Mechanical Music

Golden Gate Chapter

Chair: Richard Hughes
Reporter: Jenny Hoyt
Photographer: Jonathan Hoyt

Feb. 11, 2018 Ð San Francisco, CA

Members of the Golden Gate Chapter
gathered for their first meeting of
the year at the home of Philip Strauss.
The meeting was held on Feb. 11 and
was attended by approximately 20
members.

Phil lives in the Alamo Square Historic
District of San Francisco, CA,
a neighborhood characterized by its
rows of Victorian-style row houses,
including the famous ÒPainted LadiesÓ
that are often featured in movies and
other media pieces talking about San
Francisco. Truly, it was a remarkable
venue for our meeting! The home
was built in 1871 and is a gorgeous
example of Victorian Renaissance
Revival style architecture. The homeÕs
interior was lovingly remodeled, furnished
and accessorized exclusively
with pieces from 1871. The results of
such intentional design are inspiring

A view of the formal dining room with oil
lamps and serving station.

Meeting host Philip Strauss with what he calls the most extraordinary piece in his
collection, a console by Herter Brothers, a maker regarded for its production of
high-quality Renaissance Revival furniture.

Member Judy Caletti, right, leads the group in a discussion The Mason and Hamlin reproducing piano that graces the
during the business meeting. Chapter Chair Richard Hughes parlor.
is on the far left and David Corkrum is seated in the chair near
the center.

The homeÕs dazzling entry hall A glimpse of the stained-glass entry and enchanting gas
lamps which are found throughout the home.

46 MECHANICAL MUSIC May/June 2018

The Regina Music Box is conveniently located in the dining
room, so guests were able to enjoy it before and after the meal.

and a delight for visitors! The home features gas lighting
throughout, original period artwork, heavy and elaborate
furniture with intricate carving and marble tops, and a
beautiful stained-glass entry. Musical instruments in the
collection include a Regina Music Box (notably, a Model 1),
and a Mason and Hamlin reproducing piano.

The warmth and bold character of the home certainly
was a highlight of the meeting, but in addition guests
enjoyed drinks, delicious homemade dishes, and lively
conversation. A business meeting led by Chair Richard
Hughes concluded the afternoon event.

The Chapter would like to express its sincere thanks to
Phil Strauss for inviting us into his home, and for his warm
hospitality. A day with friends is lovely, but enjoying it in
such a special home made it genuinely exceptional.

May/June 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 47

Southern California Chapter

Chair: Robin Biggins
Reporter: Linda Birkitt
Photographer: Lowell Boehland

Feb. 24, 2018 Ð San Diego, CA

Lieutenant Lelland Fletcher (age

91) hosted the Feb. 24, 2018, meeting
of the Southern California Chapter in
his captivating home in San Diego, CA.
Fletcher looked very dapper and official
in his original U.S. Naval uniform
from 1942. Not only is FletcherÕs home
noted for its wall to wall clock and
mechanical music boxes, but also his
extensive collection of palms in both
his front and back yards.
Some 40 plus members attended
this meeting. The weather gods were
shining brightly the day of this event,
providing perfect San Diego temperatures
for the affair. The event began
at 1 p.m. Various desserts and finger
foods were provided by the members
to enhance the soiree, including
frosted brownies, chocolate almond
bunt cake, grapes, blueberries, blackberries,
chips and dip; poppy seed and
almond cake and cracker appetizers.
Fletcher provided drinks.

Fletcher was in his element explaining
his collection to small groups of
the membership. Fletcher notes that
he has found many of his treasures at
the San Diego Swap Meet. As Fletcher
demonstrated his collection, other
members took time to socialize.

Chapter Chair Robin Biggins called
the meeting to order at 2:45 p.m. for
the MBSI group. A number of guests
were introduced. There was no formal
report from the chapter treasurer, as
Bob Lloyd was unable to attend this
meeting. Diane Lloyd, however,
notified Robin that there was plenty of
money in the treasury.

A discussion was held regarding the
upcoming mid-year MBSI TrusteesÕ
meeting to be held at the MIM (Musical
Instrument Museum) in Phoenix,
AZ, March 16 and 17. This will be
a combined chapter and trusteesÕ

Lelland Fletcher, in his original U.S. Navy uniform from 1942, demonstrates a
Reginaphone for the audience.

LellandÕs collection of RCA ÒmasterÕs voiceÓ statues sit near an RCA Victor pho-
nograph. Nipper was the name of the dog used as a model for the RCA marketing
campaign shown in the background.

meeting. There was a show of hands to be held in South Dakota. The meet-
as to who planned to attend. ing was then adjourned.

AMICA Chapter President Diane Following the meeting, Fletcher
DeTar called on Frank Nix to promote demonstrated more of his treasures,
the upcoming AMICA annual meeting one of which was a newly tuned Mills

Lelland pauses to let one of his many clocks complete a performance.

The chapters gathered in LellandÕs backyard amid his collection of palm trees.

May/June 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 49

The photo on the left shows more of
LellandÕs clock collection while the picture
on the right features a Capital Cuff
music box and an Olympia disc box with
the same lid picture.

Violano. The tone was magnificent! A
massive skeleton clock on the wall
is always a showstopper and spoken
of extensively. Additionally, Fletcher
showcased his automata of a tree full
of mechanical birds with clock, his
wooden Morning Glory Horn with
an Edison wax roll, a golden carriage
with four horses and a clock, as well
as his golden Lyre clock, and his Mira
Music Box. FletcherÕs kitchen is overflowing
with clocks and various music
boxes.

On behalf of MBSI members, I want
to thank Fletcher for opening his
home to our membership. A grand
time was had by all.

Lelland demonstrates an ornate piece for members who attended.

Lelland listens to an early-model cylinder box with Frank Nix.

Each One
Reach One
New Member
50 MECHANICAL MUSIC May/June 2018

Clocks and music boxes cover nearly every surface in LellandÕs home.

Chapter Chair Robin Biggins (left) with Kathleen and Christian Chapter members take videos while Lelland demonstrates a
Eric enjoying the tour. cylinder box for the enjoyment of all.

WE WANT YOUR STORY!

Every mechanical musical instrument has a tale to tell. Share the history of people
who owned your instrument before you, or the story of its restoration, or just what
makes it an interesting piece. Send stories via email to editor@mbsi.org or
mail your story to Iron Dog Media, 130 Coral Court, Pismo Beach, CA 93449

May/June 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 51

In Memoriam In Memoriam
Jim Krughoff

By Marty Persky

Whatever Jim took an interest in, he
gave it his all. Very little could distract
the sportsman in Jim during duck hunting
season. As a builder and a pilot, he
developed a group of hangar-equipped
homes including his and SherrieÕs
within what is now Brookeridge Airpark.
His affection for the Chevrolet
Corvette yielded a collection of some
of the most desirable specimens in
existence. Jim also assembled one of
the foremost collections of early cast
iron slot machines.

Upon experiencing the world of
mechanical music, Jim and Sherrie
embarked on a steady campaign to
research and build a world-class collection.
In 1987, they dove into a full
restoration of a Style I Hupfeld Pan
Orchestra Ð one of the worldÕs most
sophisticated orchestrions Ð because
neither J.B. Nethercutt, Bob Gilson,
nor Jasper Sanfilippo were selling
theirs. It was not long before the music
collection displaced the airplane, most
of the Corvettes, and the cast iron slot
machines in their home. After building
an addition to hold a theatre organ,
they added a separate music building
across the road.

Jim and Sherrie fostered close
relationships with those restoring and
maintaining the instruments. Early on,
Jim built a complete wood and metal
workshop on the property facilitating
high precision repairs. When working
onsite or even just staying over for
a visit, the restorers were a part of
the Krughoff family. The names are a
WhoÕs Who list of restorers: Biasella,
Center, Crasse, Grunow, Junchen,
Kunzle, McClaran, Oehrlein, Pilmer,
Ramey Jr., Ramey Sr., Reblitz, Taylor,
Verbeeck, Wattam, Wendel, Wells,

Westman and Wrasse.

Acquisition and restoration did not
end the search as Jim sought to build
the most comprehensive music library
available for each instrument. In that
spirit, he supported many music recut
projects. His desire to share the music
was demonstrated by his production
of high quality CD recordings which
he distributed to all interested at no
charge.

The collection was open to enthusiasts
near and far whenever possible.
The local theater organ groups routinely
held concerts at their home.
Jim and Sherrie especially enjoyed
hosting meetings and tours of MBSI,
the Automatic Musical Instrument
CollectorsÕ Association (AMICA),
and the Carousel Organ Association
of America (COAA). Jim carefully
planned MBSI and AMICA convention
tours to accommodate two full bus-
loads of people so they could all listen
to a full morning of music, have lunch
and then hear more music. Jim was
fastidious in preparing the tour schedule.
Not only did his planning include
the order in which instruments were
played, it involved the introduction
to each and the description of the
rolls to be played. The timing of every
segment was scheduled down to the
minute. There would be no short cuts.
If the buses arrived late, they left late.

For years Jim and Sherrie brought
their trailer-mounted Steenput concert
organ to play for the public in
Milwaukee, WI, where they lived and
ate with the people of the Great Circus
Parade Festival.

Jim and Sherrie spearheaded the
formation of the Lake Michigan Chapter
of MBSI, which not only brought
new collectors but also many supportive
enthusiasts into the society.

Jim Krughoff by his Philipps Monstre
Paganini Orchestrion

To encourage new membership, they
personally subsidized first yearÕs
dues for many members. Jim will be
sorely missed by his many friends but
remembered as the instruments go on
playing.

52 MECHANICAL MUSIC May/June 2018

In Memoriam In Memoriam
Sy Epstein

By Paul Senger

I am sad to report the death of
Seymour G ÒSyÓ Epstein of Silver
Spring, MD, on Jan. 29, 2018 at the age
of 82. He and his wife Margie were
members of MBSI and the National
Capital Chapter for nearly 15 years
and enthusiastic contributors to our
chapter including support of the MBSI
Annual Meeting in 2011.

Sy always loved to collect, including
coins, stamps, baseball cards and especially
old games. He and Margie loved
to stop at antique stores looking for old
games. He was also a member of the
Game and Prize Club. Sy loved playing
tennis and bridge and going to baseball
games with his family and friends.

He was born in Trenton, NJ, and was
a very intelligent person. He attended
Lafayette College on an accelerated
Ford Foundation program thereby
skipping his final two years of high
school and graduating at age 19. He
then earned a masterÕs degree in metallurgy
from Iowa State University.
He had a prestigious work career.
He worked for Battelle Laboratories

Margie and Sy at the 2011 Annual Meeting

and Brookhaven National Laboratory
before joining the Aluminum Association
in 1969 as technical director. He
held that position until his retirement
in 2000 and then continued on as a
consultant until 2013 which afforded
him the opportunity to pursue his
passion for travel.

He was married to Margie, who

survives him, for 62 years. He is also
survived by sons, Bruce (Rachael) and
Jeff; daughter, Sharon Ross (Greg);
two grandchildren, Ericka and Neil;
and sister, Lois Morris.

A memorial service was held in
Rockville, MD on Feb. 18, 2018.

Our deepest sympathy goes out to
Margie and the family.

Our most sincere condolences

Constance ÒConnieÓ Wolf

Constance ÒConnieÓ Wolf, nee Hlavacek,
age 72, of Western Springs, IL.
She was a retired manager of a group
practice of physicians and beloved
daughter of the late Dr. Louis Hlavacek
and Elizabeth Hlavacek; dear
sister of the late Elizabeth Hartman;
aunt of Carl (Kristine) Hartman and
great aunt of Stephanie Hartman. Loving
wife of Wayne Wolf. Connie has
Masters Degrees from the University
of Illinois and Northwestern Kellogg

School of Management. Known for her
photographic skills she was a member
of several photography groups and
clubs. Longtime member of Svobodna
Obec, CSA Fraternal Life Woodrow
Wilson Lodge and a volunteer at the
Morton Arboretum.

Divona ÒDeeÓ Eltzroth

Hope Rider, of Wabash, IN, wrote
to inform the society of the passing of
Divona ÒDeeÓ Eltzroth, of Cleburne, TX,
on Feb. 7, 2018. Dee was married to Art

and Hope says they started collecting
after seeing a Stinson Concert Organ
during a band organ rally in Wabash.
Dee was also quite interested in family
geaneaology. She was preceded in
death by Art, but is survived by two
daughters, many grandchildren, three
sisters and one brother.

Lucy Meyer

The society has also learned that
Lucy Meyer of Lousiville, KY, has
passed away.

May/June 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 53

HALF PAGE
HORIZONTAL
7.25Ó x 4.5Ó
QUARTER
PAGE
3.5Ó x 4.5Ó
EIGHTH
PAGE
3.5Ó x 2.125Ó
Mechanical Music
Devoted to All Automatic Musical Instruments
Journal of the Musical Box Society International
Mechanical Music
Journal of the Musical Box Society International
Devoted to All Automatic Musical Instruments
Volume 63, No. 3 May/June 2017
Mechanical Music
Journal of the Musical Box Society International
Devoted to All Automatic Musical Instruments
Volume 63, No. 1 January/February 2017
DISPLAY ADVERTISING DIMENSIONS & PER ISSUE COSTS
Dimensions 1 issue 2-3 issues 4-6 issues
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Mechanical Music is mailed to more
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Box Society International six (6) times
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PRINTING & ARTWORK SPECIFICATIONS
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ALL ADS MUST
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The Musical Box Society International
accepts VISA, Mastercard and online
payments via PayPal.
Contact MBSI Publisher Russell Kasselman at (253) 228-1634 or editor@mbsi.org
CLASSIFIED ADS
¥ 47¢ per word
¥ ALL CAPS, italicized and
bold words: 60¢ each.
¥ Minimum Charge: $11.
¥ Limit: One ad in each
category
¥ Format: See ads for style
¥ Restrictions: Ads are strictly
limited to mechanical musical
instruments and related
items and services

strictly
musical
related
Lake Michigan Chapter
ÒLighting the Way in Mechanical MusicÓ
An Invitation to all MBSI Members
A Weekend Extravaganza
May 4, 5 & 6, 2018
Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Friday A Musical Pizza Party
5 PM – 9 PM
James Huffer & Chris Dysinger Home
A First Look after Renovation & Expansion
Skokie, IL
Saturday Courtyard Chicago Arlington Heights/North
10:30 AM Ð 11:15 AM George Glastris Presentation
ÒUntold TalesÓ
Lunch on your own
12:45 PM Ð 1:30 PM Mark Pichla Presentation
ÒTanzbar in the FleshÓ
Saturday Gala 2:30 PM Ð 9:30 PM
The Sanfilippo Estate
Barrington Hills, IL
Touring of the Collections
Art Reblitz ÒThe Chicago MakersÓ
Jelani Eddington on the Mighty Wurlitzer
Mini-Mart / Social Hour / Dinner
Fair Organ Concert / Carousel Rides
Sunday 12 PM Ð 5 PM
Monkey Organ Rally / Mechanical Music Fair
Herbert S. Mills Former Family Home & Park
Pleasant Home
Oak Park, IL
Lunch at 12 PM
Public arrives at 1 PM
Registration: All 3 Days $65, Saturday only $45
Contacts: Marty Persky persky@att.net 847 675 6144
James Huffer jhuffer941@aol.com 773 383 8750

Regina 15.Ó Changer Crest
Quality carving in Oak or Mahogany Ð unfinished, ready to stain – $1,100.
Price includes postage within the U.S.
Nancy Fratti Music Boxes
315-684-9977 – musicbox@frontiernet.net
BenÕs Player Piano Service
Repair and restoration of air powered mechanical music
devices of all description.
Player pianos
Reproduing pianos
Dance organs
Fairground organs
Nickelodeon pianos
Original historically
Correct techniques
And materials used
Throughout in the
Rebuilding process.
Benjamin R Gottfried
464 Dugan Road, Richfield Springs NY 13439
Bensplayerservice.com 315-858-2164
SAMPLE Restorations, LLC.
Joe Smith
Email: mbsi@irondogmedia.com to place your ad here!
This could be your ad right here!
56 MECHANICAL MUSIC May/June 2018

Chet Ramsay
Antiques

Complete Restoration
Services Available.

Specializing in Music Boxes

Ð

Ð
Bought ¥
Sold ¥
Repaired

¥
Outside Horn Phonographs
¥
Music Boxes
Come visit our Victorian
showroom and workshop

East Fallowfield Twp.
2460 Strasburg Road
Coatesville, PA 19320

2 miles south of Coatesville

610-384-0514

Showroom open by appointment

2017 MBSI Annual Meeting Table Favors

Representation of a Regina disc player with two tunes available: ÒWhistle a Happy
TuneÓ and ÒEnglish Country Garden.Ó When the key is wound, the tune plays and the
disc turns. $25 each, inclding shipping to the continental U.S. Shipping elsewhere is

subject actual shipping charges. Accepted forms of payment are PayPal, check,
and money order. Contact Bill Guimes at bill.guimes@gmail.com or call (908)
850-1986 and leave a message.Will make a nice addition to your table favor

collection. Will make an unusual holiday gift. Only 60 of each tune left!!

58 MECHANICAL MUSIC May/June 2018

Loesche Model 2 (Titania)
Peerless
Nickelodeon
Regina Style 35
Corona Automatic
Changer
Columbia Grafina
Console Phonograph
Mills Single
Violano
Victor Style V
Phonograph
Wurlitzer Style 50
Kiddie Band Organ
Wurlitzer
Pianino
National Piano
Seeburg KT
Special
Seeburg K
Nelson Wiggen
Nickelodeon
Seeburg KT
Special Mutoscope
Berry Wood
Auto Electric
Cabinet Grand
Please contact Dan at (949) 375 -2932 for pricing McAlister Collection
Loesche Model 2 (Titania)
Peerless
Nickelodeon
Regina Style 35
Corona Automatic
Changer
Columbia Grafina
Console Phonograph
Mills Single
Violano
Victor Style V
Phonograph
Wurlitzer Style 50
Kiddie Band Organ
Wurlitzer
Pianino
National Piano
Seeburg KT
Special
Seeburg K
Nelson Wiggen
Nickelodeon
Seeburg KT
Special Mutoscope
Berry Wood
Auto Electric
Cabinet Grand
Please contact Dan at (949) 375 -2932 for pricing McAlister Collection

PLAN AHEAD

ACT NOW

Reserve your advertising space now
for the 2018-2019 Mechanical Music
Directory of Members, Museums and
Dealers.

Placing your advertisement in an
MBSI directory means your companyÕs
name and contact information will be
a permanent part of this collectorÕs
reference book for the next two
years. Plus, your ad earns you a placeon the MBSI website where people
searching for your services can find
and click directly through to reach you
via email or phone.

Mailed directly to more than 1,300
member households, and given out toeach new member that joins the
society, it means your ad could be
seen several hundred times in the
next two years.

Call (253) 228-1634 or emaileditor@mbsi.org to reserve your
advertising space now.

MECHANICAL
MUSIC
DIRECTORY
MEMBERS,
MUSEUMS,
& DEALERS
2016 Ð 2017
ADVERTISING DIMENSIONS & COSTS

Dimensions Cost

Make an impact! Full Page 7.25Ó x 9.75Ó $290

Get a full page Half Page 7.25Ó x 4.5Ó $160
ad that costs you Quarter Page 3.5Ó x 4.5Ó $90

less than $12.25 Eighth Page 3.5Ó x 2.125Ó $50
per month

Non-members pay a 10% surcharge on the above rates

60 MECHANICAL MUSIC May/June 2018

My 50thAnniversary thAnniversary
Serving the wonderful world of music boxes!

To celebrate 50 years of meeting and helping some of the greatest people
in the world obtain or repair their treasures, I am giving away this
lovely crystal case 50 note Sankyomusic box!

For every music box purchase or order received throughout 2018,
I will put that customerÕs name on an Ôentry formÕ. On Thanksgiving
(in November) I will draw one name who will receive this gorgeous box
in time for the holidays!

I will also be giving a for 5% discounton all supply/disc orders
the rest of the year as my continuing Ôthank youÕ to my customers for
helping this happen!

Nancy Fratti Music Boxes

PO Box 400 Ð Canastota NY 13032 –315-684-9977

musicbox@frontiernet.net –www.nancyfrattimusicboxes.com

THE MART THE MART
CLASSIFIED ADS

¥ 47¢ per word
¥ ALL CAPS, italicized and bold
words: 60¢ each.
¥ Minimum Charge: $11 per ad.
¥ Limit: One ad in each category
¥ Format: See ads for style
¥ Restrictions: Ads are strictly
limited to mechanical musical
instruments and related items and
services
¥ MBSI memberÕs name must
appear in ad
¥ Non-members may advertise at the
rates listed plus a 10% surcharge
PLEASE NOTE:

The first two words (or more
at your choice) and the memberÕs
name will be printed in all caps/bold
and charged at 60¢ per word.

Mechanical Music

Mechanical Music is mailed to all
members at the beginning of every
odd month Ñ January, March, May,
July, September and November.

MBSI Advertising Statement

It is to be hereby understood
that the placing of advertisements
by members of the Society in this
publication does not constitute nor
shall be deemed to constitute any
endorsement or approval of the business
practices of advertisers. The
Musical Box Society International
accepts no liability in connection
with any business dealings between
members and such advertisers.

It is to be further understood that
members are to rely on their own
investigation and opinion regarding
the reputation and integrity of
advertisers in conducting such business
dealings with said advertisers.

FOR SALE
RESTORED MUSICAL BOXES Offering a
variety of antique musical boxes, discs,
orphan cylinders, reproducing piano rolls &
out of print books about mechanical music.
BILL WINEBURGH 973-927-0484 Web:
antiquemusicbox.us

THE GOLDEN AGE of AUTOMATIC MUSICAL
INSTRUMENTS By ART REBLITZ.
Award-winning classic that brings historical,
musical, and technical information to life
with hundreds of large, vivid color photos.
We guarantee youÕll find it to be one of the
most interesting, inspiring, informative books
you have in your libraryÐor your money back.
Everyone has been delighted, and some
readers have ordered several copies. Get
your copy today for $99 plus S/H. MECHANICAL
MUSIC PRESS-M, 70 Wild Ammonoosuc
Rd., Woodsville, NH 03785. (603) 747-2636.

http://www.mechanicalmusicpress.com

THIS ANTIQUE style 11 Regina Music box
boasts its original elegant solid wood oak
cabinetry and base with 12 discs. Asking
4K obo. Contact: ROGER KUTZLER, (570)
977-2543, kutz357@ptd.net Poconos,
Pennsylvania

FOR SALE 151/2 MUSIC BOX DOUBLE COMB,
COMBS ARE BRAND NEW. MECH HAS BEEN
PROFESSIONALLY GONE THROUGH. THE
BOX NEEDS TO BE RESTORED. ALL PARTS
HAVE BEEN MADE JUST NEEDS TO BE PUT
TOGETHER. THE WOOD IS MAHOGANY.
I WILL TRADE FOR A 121/4 Contact: JON
GULBRANDSON, (763) 923-5748, JON.
GULBRANDSON.58@GMAIL.COM 1824
SHOREWOOD LNMOUND, MN 55364 United
States

WANTED
WANTED: ART Case Steinway Duo-Art & Raf-
fin Organ. Contact MARTY PERSKY at (847)

Display Advertising Dimensions and Costs
Dimensions 1 issue 3 issues* 6 issues*
Back Cover 8.75Ó x 11.25Ó $600 $540 $510
Inside Covers 8.75Ó x 11.25Ó $450 $405 $383
Full Page 7.25Ó x 9.75Ó $290 $261 $246
Half Page 7.25Ó x 4.5Ó $160 $144 $136
Quarter Page 3.5Ó x 4.5Ó $90 $81 $77
Eighth Page 3.5Ó x 2.125Ó $50 $45 $43
Add a 10% surcharge to the prices shown above if you are not a member of MBSI.
*Display Discounts shown above are calculated as follows:
3 consecutive ads 10% Discount
6 consecutive ads 15% Discount

ALL ADS MUST BE PREPAID

We accept VISA/MC and Paypal.

ADVERTISING DEADLINES:

The 1st day of each even month:
Feb., Apr., Jun, Aug., Oct. and Dec.

Display ads may be submitted
camera-ready, as PDF files, or with
text and instructions. File submission
guidelines available on request.

Errors attributable to Mechanical
Music, and of a significant nature, will
be corrected in the following issue
without charge, upon notification.

Add a photo to your ad!

Photos are only $30 extra per issue.

Email editor@mbsi.org or

call (253) 228-1634 for more details.

SUBMIT ADS TO:

MBSI Ads
130 Coral Court
Pismo Beach, CA 93449
(253) 228-1634
Email: editor@mbsi.org

62 MECHANICAL MUSIC May/June 2018

675-6144 or email Marty@MechMusic.com. DAVID CORKRUM 5826 Roberts Ave, Oak

land, CA 94605-1156, 510-569-3110,
WANTED: REGINA 20-3/4 inch style 39 www.polyphonmusic.com
music box in good original condition. Also
interested in acquiring a Restored Mills violin. SAVE $Õs on REUGE & THORENS MUSIC
Contact: DON KROENLEIN, (217) 620-8650, BOX REPAIR & RESTORATION Ð MBSI
fbac@one-eleven.net MEMBERS RECEIVE WHOLESALE PRICING.

35 + Years experience servicing all makes
NEED SOMEONE to repair a Regina disc player & models of cylinder and disc music boxes,
within a reasonable drive of Collegeville, PA. bird boxes, bird cages, musical watches, Anri
Please email me. Contact: TARA FLYNN, musical figurines, et al. All work guaranteed.

(215) 570-5925, taralflynn@comcast.net WeÕre the only REUGE FACTORY AUTHORIZED
Parts & Repair Service Center for all of North
America. Contact: DON CAINE -The Music
Box Repair Center Unlimited, 24703 Pennsylvania
Ave., Lomita, CA 90717-1516. Phone:
SERVICES
REPRODUCTION POLYPHON discs; Catalogs (310) 534-1557 Email: MBRCU@AOL.COM.
available for 19 5/8Ó, 22 1/8Ó, and 24 1/2Ó. On the Web: www.musicboxrepaircenter.com

Order Extra Copies of the
2016-2017

Mechanical Music Directory

MECHANICAL
MUSIC
DIRECTORY
MEMBERS,
MUSEUMS,
& DEALERS
2016 2017
only $10
ppd

Contact
Jacque Beeman
(417) 886-8839

Pipes and valves
restored 6 years ago
Cabinet excellent.
Plays style 125 6Ó rolls
$24,000
Contact: Ralph Clayton
(609)226-2338
EHT, NJ 08234 USA
1913 NIAGRA MILITARY BAND ORGAN
JJ4ClaytonCo@gmail.com
RAGTIME CALLIOPE MODEL D42R

Had recent leak check
and repair. Runs and
operates well. Plays ÒA
style roll. Comes with 4
rolls, additional rolls
available. $3,900
Contact: Ralph Clayton
(609)226-2338
EHT, NJ 08234 USA

JJ4ClaytonCo@gmail.com

Advertise in The Mart

Have some spare parts or extra rolls taking up the space where you should be
installing your next acquisition? Ready to trade up, but need to sell one of your
current pieces first? Get the word out to other collectors by advertising in The
Mart, an effective advertising tool at an inexpensive price.

Fill out the form below and mail to MBSI at 130 Coral Court, Pismo Beach, CA
93449. Call (253) 228-1634 with questions.

Name Phone

Email

Text of ad

Display Advertisers

2 Renaissance Antiques
55 Lake Michigan Chapter
56 Bob Caletti Music Box
Restorations
56 BenÕs Player Piano Service
56 Nancy Fratti Music Boxes
57 East Coast Chapter, MBSI
58 Chet Ramsay Antiques
58 Cottone Auctions
58 Mid-America Chapter
57 McAlister Collection
60 StantonÕs Auctioneers & Realtors
61 Nancy Fratti Music Boxes
66 Marty Persky
67 Morphy Auctions
68 Auction Team Brekker

Our advertisers help make this publication
possible. Please visit them soon!

May/June 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 63

OFFICERS, TRUSTEES & COMMITTEES of the
MUSICAL BOX SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL¨

OFFICERS
President

Clay Witt
820 Del Rio Way Unit 303
Merritt Island, FL 32953
floridaclay@floridaclay.net

Vice President

Tom Kuehn
4 Williams Woods
Mahtomedi, MN 55115
kuehn001@umn.edu

Recording Secretary

David Corkrum
5826 Roberts Avenue
Oakland, CA 94605
musikwerke@att.net

Treasurer

Edward Kozak
3615 North Campbell Avenue
Chicago, IL 60618
kozak@seldenfox.com

TRUSTEES

John Bryant
Judy Caletti
Ed Cooley
Sally Craig
Wayne Finger
Tom Kuehn
Mary Ellen Myers
Mary Pollock
Clay Witt

BOARD ADVISER

Junichi Natori,
International Adviser

MBSI FUNDS

COMMITTEES
Audit Committee

Edward Cooley, Chair, Trustee
Mary Pollock, Trustee

G.Wayne Finger, Trustee
Endowment Committee

Edward Kozak, Treasurer, Chair
Mary Pollock, Trustee
B Bronson

Executive Committee

Clay Witt, Chair, President
Tom Kuehn, Vice President
Mary Pollock, Trustee
Judy Caletti, Immediate Past Pres.
John Bryant, Trustee

Finance Committee

Edward Kozak, Chair
Tom Kuehn, Vice President
Wayne Wolf, Vice Chair
B Bronson
Peter Both

Marketing Committee

Rob Pollock, Chair
John Bryant, Trustee
Wayne Finger, Trustee
Bob Smith

Meetings Committee

Tom Kuehn, Chair, Vice President
Mary Pollock, Trustee
Matt Jaro
Don Henry
Marty Persky
Rich Poppe

Membership Committee

Rob Pollock, Chair
Judy Caletti, Immediate Past Pres.
Tom Chase, Snowbelt
Mary Grace, Sunbelt
Linda Birkitt, Southern California
Florie Hirsch, National Capital
Julie Hughes, Golden Gate
Gerald Yorioka, Northwest IntÕl
Julie Morlock, Southeast
Dan Wilson, Piedmont

Museum Committee

Sally Craig, Chair, Trustee
John Bryant, Trustee
Ken Envall, Southern California
Julian Grace, Sunbelt
Wayne Myers, Southeast
Ray Parkinson, Northwest IntÕl
Bill Wineburgh, East Coast
Ron Yancy, East Coast

Museum Sub-Committees

Ohio Operations
Emery Prior

Nominating Committee

Dan Wilson, Chair
Mary Pollock, Trustee
Judy Caletti, Immediate Past Pres.
Carol Beck
Steve Boehck
Ray Dickey
Vernon Gantt

Publications Committee

Bob Caletti, Chair
Tom Kuehn, Trustee
Steve Boehck
Dave Corkrum
Christian Eric
Kathleen Eric
Terry Smythe

Publications
Sub-Committee

Website Committee
Rick Swaney, Chair
Wayne Finger, Trustee
Julian Grace
B Bronson
Don Henry
Knowles Little, Web Secretary

Special Exhibits Committee

Wayne Myers, Chair

John Bryant, Trustee

David Corkrum, Golden Gate

Robert Ebert, Mid-America

Jack Hostetler, Southeast

Judy Miller, Piedmont

Mary Ellen Myers, Southeast

Rick Swaney, Northwest IntÕl

Bill Wineburgh, East Coast

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES
Publications Back Issues:

Jacque Beeman

Regina Certificates:

Bob Yates

MBSI Pins and Seals:

Jacque Beeman

Librarian:

Jerry Maler

Historian:

Bob Yates

MBSI Editorial Office:

Iron Dog Media
130 Coral Court
Pismo Beach, CA 93449
editor@mbsi.org

Members can donate to these funds at any time.
Send donations to: General Fund (unrestricted)
MBSI Administrator, Endowment Fund (promotes the purposes of MBSI, restricted)
PO Box 10196, Ralph Heintz Publications Fund (special literary projects)
Springfield, MO 65808-0196. Museum Fund (supports museum operations)

All manuscripts will be subject to editorial review. Committee and the Editorial Staff. are considered to be the authorÕs personal opinion.
Articles submitted for publication may be edited The article will not be published with significant The author may be asked to substantiate his/her
or rejected at the discretion of the Publications changes without the authorÕs approval. All articles statements.

64 MECHANICAL MUSIC May/June 2018

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Date Event Location Sponsor
May 4-6, 2018 Lake Michigan Chapter Weekend Extravaganza (including the
Sanfilippo collection and the Herbert Mills Home)
Barrington Hills and
Oak Park, IL
Lake Michigan Chapter
May 6, 2018 Golden Gate Chapter joint meeting with AMICA Menlo Park, CA
May 27, 2018 22nd Annual C&O Canal Organ Grind and Music Box Demonstration
Potomac, MD Paul Senger
Jul. 21-22, 2018 Mid-America Band Organ Rally Dayton, OH Mike and Liz Barnhart
Aug. 28-Sept. 1, 2018 2018 MBSI Annual Meeting Detroit, MI Mid-America Chapter

Please send dates for the Calendar of Events to Russell Kasselman (editor@mbsi.org)

CONTACTS

Administrator Jacque Beeman handles back issues (if available) $6;
damaged or issues not received, address changes, MBSI Directory
listing changes, credit card charge questions, book orders, status of your
membership, membership renewal, membership application, and MBSI
Membership Brochures.
P.O. Box 10196
Springfield, MO 65808-0196
Phone/Fax (417) 886-8839
jbeeman.mbsi@att.net

CHAPTERS

East Coast

Chair: Bill Wineburgh
(973) 927-0484
Dues $10 to Geoffrey Wilson
804 Appleton Way
Whippany, NJ 07981

Golden Gate

Chair: Richard Hughes
(650) 593-1261
Dues $5 to Dave Corkrum
5826 Roberts Ave.
Oakland, CA 94605

Japanese International

Chair: Tomiju Endo x
+81-42-339-9099
Dues Japanese yen 4,000 to
Sadahiko Sakauchi
5-2-41 Nigawa-cho
Nishinomiya-shi
662-0811 Japan

Lake Michigan

Chair: Marty Nevel
(312) 613-8500
Dues $5 to James Huffer
7930 N. Kildare
Skokie, Illinois 60076

Mid-America

Chair: Dave Calendine
(810) 449-8037
Dues $10 to Harold Wade
4616 Boneta Road
Medina, OH 44256

National Capital

Chair: Matthew Jaro
(301) 482-2008
Dues $5 to Florie Hirsch
8917 Wooden Bridge Road
Potomac, MD 20854

Northwest International

Chair: Dale Tyvand
(425) 774-7230
Dues $7.50/person to Kathy Baer
8210 Comox Road
Blaine, WA 98230

Piedmont

Chair: Vernon Gantt
(919) 264-2222
vgjr123@yahoo.com
Dues $10 to Vernon Gantt
PO Box 20238
Raleigh, NC 27619

Traveling MBSI Display
Bill Endlein
21547 NW 154th Pl.
High Springs, FL 32643-4519
Phone (386) 454-8359
sembsi@yahoo.com

Regina Certificates: Cost $5.
B Bronson
Box 154
Dundee, MI 48131
Phone (734) 529-2087
art@d-pcomm.net

Advertising for Mechanical Music
Russell Kasselman
Iron Dog Media
130 Coral Court
Pismo Beach, CA 93449
Phone (253) 228-1634
editor@mbsi.org

CHAPTERS

Snowbelt

Chair: Tracy Tolzmann
(651) 674-5149
Dues $10 to Gary Goldsmith
17160 – 245th Avenue
Big Lake, MN 55309

Southeast

Chair: Judy Miller
(828) 513-7007
Dues $5 to Julie Morlock
780 Cherry Grove Road
Orange Park, FL 32073

Museum Donations
Sally Craig,
2720 Old Orchard Road
Lancaster, PA 17601
Phone (717) 295-9188
rosebud441@juno.com

MBSI website
Rick Swaney,
4302 209th Avenue NE
Sammamish, WA 98074
Phone (425) 836-3586
r_swaney@msn.com

Web Secretary
Knowles Little
9109 Scott Dr.
Rockville, MD 20850
Phone (301) 762-6253
kglittle@verizon.net

Southern California

Chair: Robin Biggins
(310) 377-1472
Dues $10 to Bob Lloyd
1201 Edgeview Drive
Cowan Hgts, CA 92705

Sunbelt

Chair: Ray Dickey
(713) 467-0349
Dues $10 to Mary Grace
13431 Grand Masterpiece
Houston, TX 77041

Copyright 2018 the Musical Box Society International, all rights reserved. Permission to reproduce by any means, in whole or in part, must be obtained in writing
from the MBSI Executive Committee and the Editor. Mechanical Music is published in the even months. ISSN 1045-795X

May/June 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 65

MARTY PERSKY

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT SPECIALIST
SERVING COLLECTORS WORLDWIDE

Instrument Brokering & Locating
Appraisals / Inspections / Free Consultation

Popper Felix Mortier 84 key CafŽ Wurlitzer MPO 33A Welte 4 Concert

Bow front Violano Weber Grandezza Violina Orchestra Weber Maesto

Holl 43-Key 2 Barrels Knabe AMPICO 5Õ8Ó Louis XV Wall Box Collection Niemuth 45-Key Bacigalupo
Wanted: Art Case Steinway Duo-Art & Raffin Organ.

Visit Mechmusic.com
for more information on these and other fine instruments.

Tel: 847-675-6144 Email: Marty@MechMusic.com

2000North ReadingRoad|Denver, PA 17517 |MorphyAuctions.com | 877-968-8880
NOW ACCEPTING CONSIGNMENTS FOR 2018
SOLD $1,020,000
SOLD $65,000 SOLD $57,500
SOLD $47,500
2000North ReadingRoad|Denver, PA 17517 |MorphyAuctions.com | 877-968-8880
NOW ACCEPTING CONSIGNMENTS FOR 2018
SOLD $1,020,000
SOLD $65,000 SOLD $57,500
SOLD $47,500

For more highlights and videos,
visit www.Breker.com or youtube.com/auctionteambreker
Fully-illustrated bilingual (Engl.-German) COLOUR Catalogue available against prepayment only:
Euro 28.Ð (Europe) or elsewhere Euro 37.Ð (approx. US$ 44.Ð / Overseas)
(Bank draft, cash or by Credit Card with CVV and expiry date: MasterCard/Visa/AmEx)
. Consignments for Future Auctions Always Welcome! .
Ð Leading the Field in Specialist Auctions Ð
P. O. Box 50 11 19, 50971 Koeln/Germany á Tel.: +49 / 2236 / 38 43 40 á Fax: +49 / 2236 / 38 43 430
Otto-Hahn-Str. 10, 50997 Koeln (Godorf)/Germany
e-mail: Auction@Breker.com á www.breker.com á Business Hours: Tue Ð Fri 9 am Ð 5 pm
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT OUR INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES:
U.S.A.: Andrew Truman, Tel. (207) 485 8343 * AndrewAuctionTeamBreker@gmail.com
Australia & New Zealand: P. Bardenheier, (NZ), Tel./Fax (+64) (0)9 817 72 68 * dbarden@orcon.net.nz
Japan: Murakami Taizou, Tel./Fax (06) 68 45 86 28 * murakami@ops.dti.ne.jp á China: Jiang Feng, Tel. 138 620 620 75 * jiangfengde@gmail.com
Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore: Alex Shih-Chieh Lin, (HK), Tel. (+852) 94 90 41 13 * alexsclin@gmail.com
England: Tel. (0)777 963 7317 * AuctionTeamBrekerUK@outlook.de á France: Pierre J. Bickart, Tel. (01) 43 33 86 71 * AuctionTeamKoln@aol.com
Russia: Polyguide Ltd. Moscow, Tel. (925) 740 66 03, Tel./Fax (985) 999 93 55 * ml.mediaservice@gmail.com
Very Rare Symphonion
ÒNon Plus UltraÓ Disc-Changing
Musical Box, c. 1900
Estimate: 55.000 Ð 80.000  /
48.950 Ð 71.200 £ / 68,200 Ð 99,200 US$
Bacigalupo
Barrel Organ
Estimate:
8.000 Ð 10.000  /
7.150 Ð 8.900 £ /
9,900 Ð 12,400 US$
Rare ÒLo•e Fuller ƒlectriqueÓ
Musical Automaton by Gaston
Decamps, c. 1914
Estimate: 4.000 Ð 6.000  /
3.550 Ð 5.350 £ / 4,950 Ð 7,400 US$
ÒAubade ˆ la LuneÓ
Automaton by Gustave
Vichy, c. 1890
Estimate: 18.000 Ð 20.000  /
16.000 Ð 17.800 £ /
22,300 Ð 24,800 US$
Éand many more!
Nicole Frres Musical Box with Bells and Chinoiserie Automata, c. 1885
Estimate: 7.000 Ð 9.000  / 6.250 Ð 8.000 £ / 8,700 Ð 11,150 US$
Musical Gold Snuff Box by Piquet et Capt, c. 1810
From the collection of Luuk Goldhoorn
Estimate: 6.000 Ð 8.000  / 5.350 Ð 7.100 £ / 7,450 Ð 9,900 US$
Silver-Gilt Musical Snuff Box by F. Nicole, c. 1820
From the collection of Luuk Goldhoorn
Estimate: 2.500 Ð 3.500  / 2.250 Ð 3.100 £ /
3,100 Ð 4,350 US$
Hunter Watch with Alarm
and Musical Automaton
by Reuge, c. 1975
Estimate: 2.000 Ð 3.000  /
1.800 Ð 2.650 £ /
2.500 Ð 3.700 US$
Early Fusee Musical
Clock Base, c. 1820
From the collection of
Luuk Goldhoorn
Estimate: 2.000 Ð 3.000  /
1.800 Ð 2.650 £ /
2,500 Ð 3,700 US$
Key-Wind Part-Overture
Musical Box
by Lecoultre, c. 1840
Estimate: 4.000 Ð 5.000  /
3.550 Ð 4.450 £ /
4,950 Ð 6,200 US$
Grand Format Variations
Musical Box by
Nicole Frres, c. 1865
Estimate: 12.000 Ð 18.000  /
10.700 Ð 16.000 £ /
14,900 Ð 22,300 US$
ÒStationÓ Musical Box Chalet
by Mermod Frres, c. 1900
Estimate: 17.000 Ð 22.000  /
15.150 Ð 19.600 £ / 21,100 Ð 27,300 US$
Libellion Musical Box for Cardboard Book
Music, c. 1900
Estimate: 7.000 Ð 9.000  / 6.250 Ð 8.000 £ /
8,700 Ð 11,150 US$
ÈFine Mechanical MusicÇ
May 25 + 26, 2018
146th Specialty Auction

Volume 64, No. 2 March/April 2018

· March 1, 2018 ·

Mechanical Music Mechanical Music
Journal of the Musical Box Society International
Devoted to All Automatic Musical Instruments

Volume 64, No. 2 March/April 2018

496 First Street, Solvang CA ¥ Ron & Julie Palladino
Open seven days a week 10-6 ¥ 805-452-5700
www.renantiques.com ¥ info@renantiques.com
Above: Exceptional German organ
clock in monumental flame mahogany
case with arched top, a carved lyre
appliquŽ and 12Ó porcelain dial.
Four interchangeable cylinders play
eight tunes each on 99 wooden pipes.
A handpainted oil landscape scene
is featured on each side of the hood.
Complete and original, the cabinet
beautifully restored, the organ
movement in need of attention.
Measuring 114Ó high by 35Ó wide
by 17Ó deep, circa 1840. Price just
drastically reduced to $9,000.
We will arrange packing and safe
transport anywhere in the world.
RENAISSANCE ANTIQUE S
below Right: 15-1/2Ó Disc
Music Box by Polyphon,
by 22Ó wide
by 20Ó deep,
$5,900.
¥
¥
¥
¥
ANTIQUESANTIQUESCLOCK REPAIR
Above: RARe Longue Marche Cylinder Music
Box playing eight tunes for over one hour on
a winding. The 13Ó cylinder movement with
four spring barrels, five engraved bells and
mandoline attachment. Original tune sheet,
in rosewood case with mandoline inlays. 28Ó
wide by 11Ó high by 14-1/2Ó deep, $3,750.
Right And below: Polyphon Music Box Clock
playing a 15-1/2Ó disc in the base, in carved
oak case with weight-driven time and strike
movement that automatically activates the
music box on the hour or at will, 102Ó high
by 27Ó wide by 13-1/2Ó deep, $17,500.

Editor/Publisher

Russell Kasselman
(253) 228-1634
editor@mbsi.org

MBSI Editorial Office:

Iron Dog Media
130 Coral Court
Pismo Beach, CA 93449
editor@mbsi.org

Publications Chair

Bob Caletti

All manuscripts will be subject to editorial
review. Articles submitted for publication may
be edited or rejected at the discretion of the
Publications Committee and the Editorial
Staff. The article will not be published with
significant changes without the authorÕs
approval. All articles are considered to be the
authorÕs personal opinion. The author may be
asked to substantiate his/her statements.

Mechanical Music (ISSN 1045-795X) is published by
the Musical Box Society International, 130 Coral Court,
Pismo Beach, CA 93449 six times per year. A Directory
of Members, Museums and Dealers is published
biennially. Domestic subscription rate, $60. Periodicals
postage paid at San Luis Obispo, CA and additional
mailing offices.

Copyright 2018. The Musical Box Society International,
all rights reserved. Mechanical Music
cannot be copied, reproduced or transmitted in
whole or in part in any form whatsoever without
written consent of the Editor and the Executive
Committee.

MEMBERS: SEND ADDRESS CORRECTIONS TO:
MBSI, PO Box 10196,
Springfield, MO 65808-0196
Or, make corrections on the website at www.mbsi.org.

POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO

MBSI, PO Box 10196,
Springfield, MO 65808-0196

Mechanical Music

Journal of the Musical Box Society International

Devoted to All Automatic Musical Instruments

Volume 64, No. 2
March/April 2018

MBSI NEWS

5 PresidentÕs Message
8 Website Report
9 EditorÕs Notes

10 Nickel Notes by Matt
Jaro

51 In Memoriam

CHAPTER
REPORTS

32 Southeast
37 Snowbelt
40 Southern California
43 Northwest International
46 National Capital
49 Mid-America

Each One
Reach One
New Member
On the Cover
The inside of a Hupfeld automatic
piano under construction in the
Hupfeld factory circa 1927-28. For
more, see Page 29.
16 – Making 300

How the 2017 Annual Meeting table
favor came to be.

March/April 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 3

The World of Mechanical Music The World of Mechanical Music
Copy this page, and give it to a potential new member. Spread the word about MBSI.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

Last name First Name Initial
Check or Money Order Payable to: MBSI Treasurer (US Funds Only)
Mail to: New Member Registration – MBSI
PO Box 10196
Springfield, MO 65808-0196
Last Name First Name Initial
Visa/MasterCard
Address
Exp. Date CCV
City
Signature
State / Zip Membership Dues
US members (per household)……………………………………….$60
Postal Code / Country
Phone
Canada…………………………………………………………………………$70
Other International ………………………………………………………$75
(Add $20 for International air mail.)
Join online: www.mbsi.org/join-mbsi
Fax
E-mail
Sponsor (optional)
Member Benefits
Six magazines annually Ñ Mechanical Music plus the
Directory of Members, Museums, and Dealers (published
every two years). Membership also entitles you to participate
in the Annual Meeting and to join regional chapters.
New members receive a welcome letter, a Goods & Supplies
Order Form, Directory of Members, Museums, and
Dealers, and a list of the regional chapters.

A
A
fascinating hobby! It combines all the appeals of
art, history, craftsmanship, and music all into one.
Automatic music doesnÕt just sit there; it is ever
willing to perform for those who care to hear it. Play an
automatic music machine in a room full of people and all
else will stop as the machine enraptures the audience with
the sparkling melodies of yesteryear!

A ÒMusic BoxÓ is any sort of automatic music instrument
that plays music via the plucking of teeth on a tuned steel
comb through various mechanisms; musical automata;
orchestrions; player and reproducing pianos and organs;
phonographs; and self-playing stringed, wind, and percussion
instruments of any kind.

The Musical Box Society International, chartered by the
New York State Board of Regents, is a nonprofit society
dedicated to the enjoyment, study, and preservation of
automatic musical instruments. Founded in 1949, it now
has members around the world, and supports various

educational projects.

Regional chapters and an Annual Meeting held each year
in different cities within the United States enable members
to visit collections, exchange ideas, and attend educational
workshops.

Members receive the scholarly journal, Mechanical
Music, which also contains advertising space for members
who wish to buy, sell, and restore mechanical musical
instruments and related items; the Directory of Members,
Museums, and Dealers.

The only requirements for membership are an interest in
automatic music machines and the desire to share information
about them. And youÕll take pride in knowing you
are contributing to the preservation of these marvelous
examples of bygone craftsmanship.

More Information:

Phone/Fax: (417) 886-8839

Email: jbeeman.mbsi@att.net

4 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2018

By Clay Witt

MBSI President

Arthur W. J. G. Ord-Hume, noted
British author of several fine books
on musical boxes, came up with two
insightful Laws of Collecting:

1. Space will expand to accommodate
an infinite number of
possessions, regardless of their
size.
2. Shortage of finance, however
dire, will never prevent the
acquisition of a desired object,
however improbable its cost.
I was thinking about these principles
as I began to write this edition of
the PresidentÕs Message for reasons
that will soon become apparent.

I am all too familiar with Rule 1. If
you visit my retirement condominium
you will know as soon as you enter
that my collecting genes are alive and
functioning all too efficiently. There
are antique music boxes, phonographs,
clocks, or radios occupying
just about every available space. I
have vague memories of how pleasant
my dining room table appeared before
it became just another location for
music boxes and phonographs. Most
of the several doors leading out onto
my large balcony are now blocked by
mechanical music machines of one
sort or another. Finding a space for yet
another has become more and more
challenging.

This takes us to my most recent
adventure. I have a number of disc
music boxes I enjoy, but they all play
discs of 15. inches or less. I have long
admired the sound of boxes taking
larger discs. Owning one of them
is on my bucket list. So, there I was
minding my own business in December
when what to my wondering
eyes did appear? No, not a miniature
sleigh and eight tiny reindeer, rather
it was a handsome circa 1896 Regina
Orchestral Model 5 coin-operated box
playing 27-inch discs on large double

combs. It seemed to call my name
and, despite its shady past hustling
nickels in a saloon in the west and the
fact it was missing its upper gallery,
it was love at first sight. Never mind
that the Model 5 is one of the tallest
regular music boxes Regina made (so
says The Encyclopedia of Disc Music
Boxes), and its width is not exactly
petite. I just knew that there had to

Clay Witt with his newest, door-blocking Regina Orchestral Model 5.

be some way to situate it in my living
room. The accompanying photograph
shows there was. Perhaps, though,
I best be thinking of how to unblock
some doors leading out to the balcony,
because if this keeps up I may find
myself living out there in the weather
when the interior is entirely filed with
machines and their accouterments.

As to the application of Rule 2, that

is not a matter to be discussed in
polite company. For would be buyers
I will say that it is an excellent time to
be building or improving your collection.
Prices have fallen dramatically
in the last decade. In many cases,
dreamed-of costly machines are now
within reach and the supply seems
to be good. This is not good news
for sellers, but it will, I think, help to
foster interest in mechanical music
among upcoming generations as the
hobby becomes more affordable. Let
those younger people you know with
an interest in mechanical music know
that now is a good time to begin a
collection.

On another topic, not long after
you receive this issue of Mechanical
Music your MBSI officers, trustees,
and some of our committee chairs
will be meeting in Phoenix, AZ, for the
2018 mid-year trusteesÕ meeting to go
about getting the SocietyÕs corporate
business matters attended to. The
meeting will be conducted jointly with

a meeting of the Southern California
chapter. The trustees will meet at the
Musical Instruments Museum (MIM)
in Phoenix the day before the chapter
meeting starts and post meeting
events will include an opportunity to
see a concert at the MIM and get a
behind the scenes tour of the MIM. As
you may know, MBSI was one of the
MIMÕs founding members.

Our thanks to the museum and to
Robin Biggins, chair of the Southern
California Chapter, and all his fellow
chapter members for putting this all
together. WonÕt you please also take
the time to thank our trustees and
officers for their dedication to getting
MBSIÕs work done when you have the
chance. They all work without compensation
and pay out of their own
pocket the not so insignificant costs
of attending trustee meetings around
the country.

Executive Committee Business

There are two Executive Committee

actions to report in this issue. A few
years ago, MBSI had a major exhibit
at the Lockwood Matthews Mansion
Museum in Norwalk, CT. The Society
still had some items left in the museum
after the exhibit closed. Our Museum
Committee concentrated on retrieving
these items before the museum closed
for the winter. The last one to be
recovered was a Weber reproducing
grand piano. Since there was no room
for the piano at American Treasure
Tour in Valley Forge, PA, where
most of our instruments are stored,
member Glenn Crater agreed to store
the piano at his home. The Executive
Committee approved $1,050 to pay for
the moving.

In January, the Executive Committee
approved my appointment of
Matt Jaro to fill a mid-term Meetings
Committee vacancy created when
Carol Beck stepped down. Thank you
to Matt for agreeing to serve and to
Carol for years of faithful service on
the committee.

SHOP THE MBSI MART ONLINE

The Music Box Makers, The History of the Music Box in Ste. Croix

Jean-Claude PiguetÕs compilation of two separate works chronicles the development of the musical
box industry in the Saint-Croix region of Switzerland. Beginning in the early 1800s before mass
communication and electricity were common and continuing through to the age of assembly lines,
this fascinating story describes the erratic fortunes of the people who were involved, their companies,
and the social and economic climate they endured. An outstanding and important work,
originally in French, now in English.
Original Price: $77.50

MBSI Pins

SPECIAL: $10 PPD U.S.A.

Proudly wearing your
MBSI Pin shows your

The Golden Anniversary Book

membership in the society

A pictorial and editorial walk through 50 years of

and will encourage

MBSI. This is a 240 page hardcover treasure of over

conversation about

800 photos and 58,000 words. It is a must for every

mechanical music.

member, new and old, of MBSI.
Original Price: $35.00 $5 PPD U.S.A.

SPECIAL: $10 PPD U.S.A.

Order Online at www.mbsi.org/mart.php

Or send your order to: Administrator, P.O. Box 10196, Springfield, MO 65808-0196

All prices here include U.S. Media Mail postage. Make checks payable to MBSI, or Musical Box Society International
Additional shipping charges for 1st class U.S. or airmail foreign shipments are shown on the checkout page.
For other shipping options or quantity pricing, please email info2008@mbsi.org.
Prices subject to change.

6 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2018

MBSI MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
EACH ONE/REACH ONE NEW MEMBER

MBSI is pleased to offer new members a $15 discount off their rst year of membership dues. You
are considered a new member if you have not been a member in the past three years. This discount
is also available on our website, www.mbsi.org.

Current MBSI members who sponsor a new member will receive a $5 discount off their next yearÕs
MBSI membership renewal for each sponsorship. Attach a copy of the discount voucher below to a
copy of the membership application form from Page 4 of this issue of Mechanical Music. Place your
name as ÒsponsorÓ on the application form.

Please make copies of these forms as needed and send the completed forms with checks to the MBSI
administrator at the address listed below.

.
.
..
¨.
(INTERNATIONAL)
ORGANIZED IN 1949
DEVOTED TO ALL MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
.
.
..
¨.
(INTERNATIONAL)
ORGANIZED IN 1949
DEVOTED TO ALL MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Musical Box Society International
P.O. Box 10196
Springeld, MO 65808-0196
Phone/Fax: (417) 886-8839
Musical Box Society International
P.O. Box 10196
Springeld, MO 65808-0196
Phone/Fax: (417) 886-8839
Dues Voucher Ð$15
New U.S. members may join MBSI for one year at $45 (instead
of $60); Canadians $55 (instead of $70; and, other International
members at $60 (instead of $75). This certicate must accom-
pany payment and a copy of the completed membership
application from page 4 of this issue of Mechanical Music.
New Member Name(s):
Expires: 01/01/2019
Authorized by MBSI Administrator
NEW MEMBER
GIFT CERTIFICATE
New members are those who have never been members
of MBSI or those who have not been members for three
years prior to submission of this voucher.
New members are those who have never
been members of MBSI or those who
have not been members for three years
prior to submission of this certicate.
SPECIAL OFFER: Purchase one or more rst-year MBSI gift
memberships at $45 each U.S., $55 Canadian, or $60 other International
and you will receive $5 off your next year’s MBSI membership
renewal for each ÒNew MemberÓ gift.
Gift Membership Name
Address, City, State, ZIP
Phone Email
Sponsor

Please mail this form together with your check made payable to ÒMBSIÓ to the MBSI Administrator at the address listed
above. Memberships are $45 for U.S. residents, $55 for Canadian residents, and $60 for International residents.

Website News Report Website News Report
By Rick Swaney

Website Subcommittee Chair

The MBSI website (mbsi.org)
presents a wealth of information
to anyone interested in mechanical
music. This is especially true for Society
members, who have access to the
members-only sections. Something
the website doesnÕt provide is a means
for members to easily share their own
information and have discussions.

The MBSI Facebook page (face-
book.com/mbsi.org) was created
with member participation as one of
the goals. While ItÕs true that anyone
can post information to this page,
the posts are not always very visible.
Facebook pages for organizations are
designed to highlight the posts from
page administrators while posts from
members and visitors are smaller and
placed off to the side.

ThatÕs why IÕve created an MBSI
Facebook group: MBSI Forum (facebook.
com/groups/mbsiforum). A
Facebook group represents the members
more so than the organization.
Anyone can post to a group and all the
posts are displayed front and center.
My hope is that this will encourage
more members to participate both as
viewers and posters.

This forum is open to anyone with
a Facebook account, not just MBSI
members. Anyone can view the posts,
but to create a post in the forum you
must first join the group. This is easy
to do; just click on the Ò+Join GroupÓ
button below the image at the top of
the page. You will become a member
as soon as the group administrator
receives and processes your request.
That usually takes less than a day.

If you havenÕt joined Facebook,
thatÕs easy to do as well. There are any
number of web articles and videos
that explain the steps. Just do a search
using the phrase ÒHow to join Face-
bookÓ. It takes less than five minutes
to create an account.

To encourage you to visit the forum,
I have posted an MBSI quiz on it.

Complete the Facebook MBSI quiz to be entered in a drawing where you could win
these as a prize.

The quiz has 10 questions and all the
answers can be found somewhere on
the MBSI website. The quiz is only for
MBSI members because some of the
answers are in members-only sections
of the website. You can take the quiz
just for fun or the challenge, but you
also have an opportunity to win a prize.

If you email your answers to quiz@
mbsi.org by April 1, you will be entered
into a drawing for a prize. The prize
is the DVD Marvels of Mechanical
Music, plus the book, The Music Box
Makers: The History of Music Box in
Sainte-Croix, both published by MBSI.
The DVD is a documentary on the
history, preservation, and restoration
of mechanical music. On April 1 the

winner will be randomly selected from
those entries with the most correct
answers. Then the winnerÕs name and
the correct answers will be posted to
the forum. The winner will be notified
by email to arrange the prize delivery.

This forum can become a real value
to our group. Of course, itÕs up all up to
you. The forum wonÕt become an interesting
place until people start posting.
So please consider posting something
of interest: a photo or video of one
your instruments, something from
your chapter meeting, information
about an upcoming musical event, or
even a question to other members.
LetÕs see if we can make this a place
that youÕll want to visit frequently.

8 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2018

EditorÕs Notes EditorÕs Notes
By Russell Kasselman

MBSI Editor/Publisher

This issue was quite fun for me to
put together as we had some chapters
that havenÕt written in a while contribute
new reports. I got to catch up on
all the great events going on around
the country and now you will, as well.

The Snowbelt and Mid-America
chapters both checked in, one with
a year-in-review article and the other
with a description of their holiday
activities. It was good to see how
active these chapters have been and
I look forward to seeing more reports
from them in the coming issues. We
also have reports from the Southeast,
National Capital, Southern California,
and Northwest International chapters
for a total of six chapters giving
updates on activities where members
are getting together to socialize, see
great collections and share their love
of mechanical music. It almost makes
me wish I had a teleportation device to
get me around the country so I could

attend them all. For now, however, IÕll
just be grateful to see that our local
chapters are thriving.

I would encourage you to join your
local chapter if you havenÕt already so
you can get out there and meet others
like yourself. Check the calendar on
Page 65 for a list of upcoming events.

You also might want to start making
plans to travel to Detroit, MI, this fall
for what looks to be a fantastic experience
at the MBSI Annual Meeting.
Hosted this year by the Mid-America
Chapter, collection tours will include
the Stahl auto and mechanical music
museum, Henk and Irene NordermeerÕs
home, and Bronson Musikalle.
Organizers are hard at work nailing
down all the details, so check back
often for updates on how to make
your reservations for this great event.

As always, we continue to look for
new articles on restoration basics,
your latest treasure hunt, or items of
historical interest. DonÕt be shy! Send
in your stuff and become a published
author.

MAILING ADDRESS
MBSI Editorial/Advertising
130 Coral Court
Pismo Beach, CA 93449
EMAIL ADDRESS
editor@mbsi.org
PHONE
(253) 228-1634

Welcome new members!
Rod Starns & Chet Breitwieser James KieslerDecember 2017
Belleville, IL Lewiston, ID
Michael Cernak Sponsor, Steve Unland Owen Christiansen
Oak Lawn, IL Linda Alster Nashua, NH
Sponsor, Jerry Long The Villages, FL Steve & Cynthia KramerRay Zapata Greeley, CO
Haines City, FL January 2018 Sponsor, Ed Kraus
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March/April 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 9

Nickel Notes

By Matthew Jaro

This article presents the life and
work of H. Barton Off, Jr. Bart was
an excellent restorer and collector
of automatic musical instruments
specializing in nickelodeons. He had
a workshop and display area where
machines he had restored could be
heard and seen. His work was impeccable.
He held yearly Cinco de Mayo
parties where friends would spend the
day talking and listening to music.

Sadly, Bart passed away on Oct. 17,
2016. His collection is preserved by
David Ramey, Jr. who has established
a small museum in Marysville, OH, to
display the collection. Visits can be
arranged by appointment.

I remember wandering into rural
northeast Pennsylvania, where after
traveling along miles of bucolic
lanes we came to BartÕs property. We
entered an ordinary building to find a
fabulous collection of nickelodeons
and a great collection of rolls Ð just
the sort of things I like.

I have always maintained that it is
vital to display a collection so that
visitors can really enjoy the instruments
and appreciate the setting.
This was certainly the case with Bart.
I have also noted that there are few
collectors that REALLY like the music,
change rolls often and buy new rolls
frequently. This was also the case with
Bart. I think it is important to buy
rolls, because if there are no customers
then the roll recutters will be out
of business and the hobby will lose an
important resource. The rolls are also
inexpensive compared to the value of
the machines.

Beginnings

Every time I interview a collector I

H. Barton Off, Jr.
ask how they got started in mechanical
music. This is an important
question because it gives us insight
into how we might attract younger
members to our organization. Bart
got his first exposure to nickelodeons
when he was about 7 years old.
About three blocks from his house in
Philadelphia, PA, was a Dolly Madison
Ice Cream Parlor. In the summertime
when strawberries and peaches were
in season, Bart and his dad would
walk up to the ice cream parlor after
dinner and bring home a quart of ice
cream in a container. But while they
were there Ð guess what? Ð there was
a nickelodeon. Bart doesnÕt remember
exactly who the maker or what model
the machine was. He thinks it might
have been either a Cremona G or
a Seeburg F. What he remembered
clearly is that it was a tall piano with
pipes and his dad would always give
Bart a nickel to play a tune on that
nickelodeon. Then they had to run

like hell to get home before the ice
cream melted. I suggested they should
have heard the nickelodeon BEFORE
buying the ice cream. They did this
for about three years but then the ice
cream parlor closed and there was no
more nickelodeon.

BartÕs father and mother were both
involved in the antique business well
before Bart was born and continuing
into the early 1970s. Bart loved it when
his mom went down to the Salvation
Army looking for antiques, because
they had rows of player pianos on
display. This was the early 1950s. Bart
loved to go and tinker with machines.
He would find one that would play a
little bit and he loved to listen to it.
Later, on occasion, he would see one
and get excited all over again, but he
didnÕt really know how to go about
obtaining one.

Finally, in 1970 Bart decided that
he wanted his own player piano. By
that time, he had a nice collection of
battery-operated table radios with
associated literature. These were all
pre-1930 radios. Bart was living in
New Jersey and there was a bi-weekly
publication called The Want-Ad Press.
An ad appeared that said, ÒYoung medical
student desires modest collection
of pre-1930 table radios. Bart thought:
ÒMaybe I could sell some radios off
and figure out how to get a player
piano.Ó He called the number and it
happened to be Dr. Paul Ciancia who
was a young medical student then. Dr.
Ciancia currently has his own quite
wonderful collection of nickelodeons
and orchestrions. Anyway, Bart talked
about the radios and Paul knew about
every model they discussed. They
couldnÕt agree upon a price because

10 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2018

H. Barton Off, Jr. showing off the front
of his restored Seeburg F that came
from Tim TragerÕs ÒHouse that Keeps on
Giving.Ó
Paul was a medical student and Bart
was an engineering student Ð so neither
of them had a lot of money. Paul
asked Bart why he was selling the
radios and Bart said that he wanted
to buy a player piano. Paul laughed
and Bart said ÒWhatÕs so funny?Ó Then
Paul said ÒI rebuild player pianos and
this is how IÕm paying my way through
medical school.Ó Bart said he probably
couldnÕt afford something restored
but would settle for a piano in clean,
unrestored condition. Paul said he
would look around, but the price
would probably be $500-$600 Ð and
that was the end of the conversation.

After a few days, Bart reflected on
this situation and thought, Òhis price is
high and my price is high Ð maybe we
could just trade.Ó The following week
Bart called Paul and Paul said: ÒBart,
IÕve been trying to get a hold of you Ð
why donÕt we trade?Ó So, they traded

Bart shows off the back of the Seeburg F and, appropriately, his back as well!

and this started a lifelong journey
into mechanical music for Bart. Bart
traded a few nice radios and got a nice
Aeolian foot-pumper.

The Player Piano Business

With the help of Player Piano

Headquarters in Boonton, NJ, and
Larry GivensÕ book on the player
piano, Bart was off and running (no
pun intended). The major problem,
however, was that Bart lived on
the second floor in a one-bedroom
apartment. There was no way to get

March/April 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 11

Nickelodeon Alley in BartÕs shop/piano room where both instruments and music rolls enjoyed equal prominence.

the piano upstairs. Bart had to take
his front door off to get the piano into
his little 5-foot-by-7-foot entrance hall.
ThatÕs where the player piano was
rebuilt!

Bart was the only tenant (out of
1,200 people in the complex) that
gave his landlord a Christmas gift (a
bottle of Scotch) every year. One day,
his landlord said ÒWhy donÕt you move
that piano upstairs?Ó

Bart said, ÒI canÕt do that.Ó

The landlord replied ÒI can do it.Ó

So, the landlord showed up with a
big front-end loader. They unbolted
the railing on the second-floor patio,
lowered the rail to the ground with
ropes, put the player piano in the
bucket of his loader, and brought the
piano up to the second floor, where
they pulled it off of the bucket and
into BartÕs room. They did this seven
times! Bart started rebuilding player
pianos to help pay his way through
college. The landlord loved that he
was doing this. He would come over

to BartÕs and listen to the pianos.

Bart graduated, got married and
moved into a house, and things
started blossoming. Player Piano
Headquarters provided Bart with an
introduction to nickelodeons. Teddy
Spangenberg and Carl Thomsen
owned the company. Lee Munsick and
Frank Himpsl wrote notes about Player
Piano Headquarters in the Mechanical
Music Digest (search under ÒBoon-
tonÓ). In addition, Bart knew about the
Player Piano Company in Wichita,KS,
(Durrell Armstrong) and the American
Piano Supply Company in Clifton, NJ.
American Piano Supply would sell primarily
to dealers, but if you went there
on Saturday before lunch you could
buy anything you wanted over-the-
counter. They closed and eventually
Schaff took over their business.

Through Carl Thomsen, Bart bought
his first nickelodeon, a Coinola C.
This was an A roll machine with nice
three-dimensional glass. It didnÕt have
a xylophone in it, so Bart built one!

The insides of BartÕs Seeburg F. Bart
would often use up to 14 wire sizes
when restoring pianos to ensure the
best sound quality possible.

12 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2018

That was BartÕs first attempt at doing
anything like that and it came out
wonderfully. He installed the xylophone
and had this machine for more
than 20 years.

Career

Bart had a degree in mechanical
engineering and worked for Bell Laboratories
for most of his life. His first
house was in Morris Plains, NJ, near
to his work in Whippany, NJ, where
he worked on a number of missile
systems. After the missile projects,
Bart ended up in a group within Bell
Laboratories that did plant design and
construction. They would go to other
Bell Labs locations that needed modifications
to their facilities. They would
do the design, estimate the cost and
monitor the construction. This organization
grew until they were designing
entire research laboratory and manufacturing
facilities and building them.
These were, of course, long term
projects. The first such project
was in Denver, CO, and

Bart got relocated there
for a couple of years, then
it was back to New Jersey,
and then to Florida in the
early 1980s to do a large
manufacturing facility in
Orlando, FL. Then he was
up in the Boston, MA, area
for about a year.

When Bart was relocated
to Denver, the
relocation counselor
asked if Bart had any items
of unusual weight or bulk.
He answered, ÒYes, I have
10 pianos!Ó the counselor
just laughed and Bart said,
ÒReally! I have 10 pianos.Ó
The move in 1977 cost Bell
Laboratories $132,000 (no
wonder they are no longer
in business!). They kept
relocating Bart and kept
moving all the pianos!

Growing the Collection

The final move was to
BartÕs area in Pennsylvania.
This is when Bart
really started growing his
collection. He had a home

about 5 miles away and he also had
a shop there. The house was a lovely
farmhouse and when the state wanted
to widen the road, he would only have
3 feet from the road to his kitchen
window. He ended up getting the state
to condemn the property and to buy
the house. This left him with the land
having a shop and a garage which
would be very difficult to sell. He
finally subdivided the land for building
lots and sold them. He then moved
to his last property which had much
acreage and built a new shop with a
display area erected in 2002.

Bart thought that this last abode
was too small, and he would move
again. He was designing a new house,
but it was never meant to be. Bart
could tell wonderful stories, and every
machine in his collection had a great
story behind it.

BartÕs shop and display area comprise
3,000 square feet. In the piano
room, Bart had 17 coin-operated

pianos. It was full. There were pianos
out in his waiting room Ð waiting for
restoration. Bart just had to figure out
where they were going to go when
they were done! One of BartÕs last
restorations was what Joe Hilferty
affectionately calls a ÒKT Sp.Ó This is
because, as completed, it has a little
more instrumentation than a KT but
somewhat less instrumentation than
a KT Special. The machine started
out as a Seeburg KT. It has a triangle,
tambourine and castanets. Bart put in
a bass drum. He did this because in
that particular KT, the tambourine and
castanets play in unison so that there
is nothing to keep the beat (hence the
need for a bass drum). Additionally,
Bart ÒsupersizedÓ the xylophone to 25
notes (G to G) to match the scale of
the piano. Seeburg traditionally used
a 22-note xylophone (G to E) and Bart
stated that when you are playing those
red hot 4X and G blues rolls, the extra
three notes in the treble end make all
the difference in the world.
It should be noted here

that both the bass drum
with the beater assembly
and the supersized xylophone
were built by Dave
Ramey, Jr. Dave enjoys
the challenge of building
custom coin piano parts. I
am sure there was considerable
communication
between Bart and Dave
during the fabrication

process since both the
drum and the xylophone
appear as factory installed
originals!

I commented that often
the bass drum and the
snare drums on a KT
Special are overwhelming.
Bart mentioned that
he had many discussions
with Art Reblitz cursing
the restorations of Gs, Hs
and KT Specials that arenÕt
properly voiced. The

The Seeburg KT Sp Bart customized
with a supersized
xylophone and a bass drum.

March/April 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 13

The Seeburg F with its art glass panels
removed to show off the impeccable
restoration work.

drums have to be balanced Ð not just
with one another, but with the whole
piano. Also important is expression.
The rolls have the capability of providing
expression and Bart believed you
can really bring the expression out of
the piano by very careful work.

The Seeburg F

The Seeburg F is a very rare machine.
This one came from Tim Trager. Bart
asked Tim for a picture and three
hours later Bart made a commitment.
This instrument came from what Tim
calls ÒThe House That Keeps on Giving.Ó
As Tim and his partner removed
one layer of pianos from this house,
there would be another layer that they
never saw before. Then when all the
pianos were removed, they realized
how many rolls were there.

The piano was pretty strong structurally.
It had a lot of nicks, dings, etc.
in the veneer. The bottom 4 inches of

A detail shot of the Seeburg F center panel art glass that Bart reproduced using the
very thin line stained glass style that matched other Seeburg Fs.

the piano was once in extremely damp There was a big hole about 15 inches
or wet conditions and was pretty in the middle. Collectors that had
much rotted. Bart replaced 30 ivory these machines sent Bart pictures of
keys to maintain an ivory key bed. the glass. He had six examples of the
The glass was completely destroyed. Òsun burstÓ glass to examine. From

14 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2018

that, Bart made his master. He got
the last of the green glass that was
available. Bart calls this the Seeburg
lollipop glass, because all Seeburg
trees look like lollipops. Bart did all of
the stained glass himself, maintaining
the very thin line work that Seeburg
used. You could see what a wonderful
job he did by looking at the pictures.
The lanterns are reproductions that
Don Teach had made. Bart put the
green glass in the lanterns to match
the original emerald glass on top.

The F originally had 25 violin pipes.
Most Fs had 32 flute pipes. Bruce Newman
of Oregon made the additional
seven pipes, so now the machine has
32 violin pipes.

The Double Mills Violano

BartÕs collection features a beautiful
double Mills Violano (having two
violins instead of the usual one). Bart
knew about this machine for about 25
years from talking to Frank Zygmunt,
Sr. over the years. He had it in storage
for at least that amount of time. It
came from an ice cream parlor in the
metropolitan Minneapolis, MN, area
which closed around 1948. The heirs to
the ice cream parlor sold the Mills at a
public auction in 1952. Frank Zygmunt
purchased the machine later. It was a
very clean, low mileage, unmolested,
Mills Double.

Bart got a call from Tim Trager about
nine years ago. Tim said it came from
Frank Zygmunt, Sr. and immediately
Bart was interested since he knew
the machine. He purchased it and
immediately had to perform 80 yearsÕ
worth of maintenance on it Ð cleaning,
lubricating, and redoing the piano
action (since hammers would get hard
over time). The original strings are
still in the machine and they are bright
and shiny. It must have been kept in
really wonderful condition. The case
has some crazing. This is because the
original owners must have loved it to
death Ð they waxed it, and waxed it,
and waxed it! This closes the pores in
the wood and the finish gets all ÒalligatoredÓ
(or ÒcrazedÓ).

The machine is a gem because the
violins have never been molested,
never been refinished and never been
repaired. Remember that above all it

The double Mills Violano that originally played in an ice cream parlor.

is a violin machine and thatÕs whatÕs
important.

The ÒDancing GirlÓ Seeburg K

BartÕs collection has a beautiful
Seeburg K with a Dancing Girl stained
glass front. I noticed that the controls
for mandolin, etc. were on the side
instead of the front like my Seeburg

K. Bart said that this was an early
K (around 1917) with pipes. Bart
bought the machine from Wolfgang
Schweppe. It was missing the pipes,
the glass and the doors but the lid was
there. The sides were loose and had
to be strapped together to move it. It
had many coats of ugly green paint,
but there was enough of it there and
the price was good enough so Bart
dragged it home and turned it into
something really nice. Under the lid,
Bart could see that it was originally
a black oak Seeburg Ð which is really
unusual. It took Bart quite a while to
replicate the black oak where you
could see the grain through the finish.
He had a lot of work to do. Ultimately,
he had to replace the lid. Jerry Biasella
had a set of doors. Bart had to do all
the sound board work, the down-bearing,
etc. The machine was done in
1987. Originally, Bart put a set of flute
pipes in, and in 2011 he had a set of
piccolo pipes made by Bruce Newman
This Seeburg K has a black oak case,
which is quite unusual.

in Oregon.

The Western Electric Style X

This machine was bought in 1988
on eBay, from Sacramento, CA. Bart
looked on eBay, saw the machine and
noticed that the auction had ended.
The sellerÕs phone number was part
of the description, so Bart called. The
seller said that his secretary listed the
item improperly so he removed the

March/April 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 15

listing. are some things you should know. I
Bart asked, ÒDo you want to sell it?Ó bought it from a rebuilder who went
The seller said, ÒWell, yes, but there out of business, kind of skipped

BartÕs Western Electric Style X journeyed from California to Pennsylvania and now
resides in Ohio.

Inside the Western Electric Style X that Bart restored.

town and abandoned his shop. So, I
purchased this and another machine
at a sheriffÕs sale. It was pretty much
disassembled. So, I put all the parts
together that I thought would go with
it into big boxes, but somebody has to
put it together.Ó It amounted to two
cartons of stuff (each carton was one
cubic yard).

Bart said, ÒIÕm in Pennsylvania,
youÕre in California. You have two
cubic yard cartons each weighing
about 200 pounds. We got a big
expense there. How much do you
want for the machine?Ó He wanted
$6,500.

Bart said, ÒI canÕt give you $6,500 and
move all that stuff from California.Ó

The seller responded, ÒWould you
give me $5,500?Ó After protracted
negotiations, Bart paid $4,000 for the
machine and all the stuff and the seller
included the delivery.

When Bart opened up the two cubic
yard boxes, he found parts for the
Western Electric in there, but they
were mostly Durrell Armstrong buildyour-
own nickelodeon parts which
Bart sold on the day they arrived for
$1,000. The piano turned out to be so
clean that it only needed what Bart
calls Òa straight player piano restoration.Ó
He put new bass strings and a
new piano action in it.

I always wondered about the name
Western Electric. The famous Western
Electric was well known to be part
of the Bell Telephone System. The
nickelodeon company was a subsidiary
of Seeburg. I couldnÕt imagine
how Seeburg would be allowed
to use that name. It turns out that
the full name for the nickelodeon
company was the Western Electric
Piano Company because it was in the
west (Chicago). Therefore, itÕs the
Western Ð Electric Piano Company.
When the Seeburg-owned Western
Electric Piano Company suspended
operations in 1931 the Bell Western
Electric Company came to the auction
and bought the name for like $35 Ð just
to get it off the record.

The Coinola Midget
Orchestrion Style O

This machine has a xylophone, mandolin,
bass drum, snare drum, triangle,

16 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2018

This Coinola Midget Orchestrion Style
O once sat outside Frontierland in
Disneyland. Restoration of this machine
took more than 1,100 hours.

tambourine, wood block, and piano. It
was bought from Wolfgang Schweppe.
Before that, it was purchased from

A.C. Raney in 1953 by Walt Disney. It
was used in Disneyland when the park
opened. It sat outside in Frontierland
until 1962. The front panels of the
machine were veneered in 1/8-inch
thick tempered Masonite and covered
with body filler and finally wood
grained. The side panels were stripped
to wood and epoxied over and wood-
grained. There was a sheet metal lid on
it with a drip edge to keep the rain out.
The entire piano had to be rebuilt and
new doors had to be made. The entire
cabinet was re-veenered. It required
more than 1,100 hours of work.
The Seeburg C

In 1980, Bart got a Seeburg Style
C machine from Art Reblitz. It has a
piano and mandolin. ItÕs a very early
machine, built around 1910 or 1911.
It had the clear beveled glass in it
and Bart made the ÒSwan GlassÓ for
it, copying from an original C. It still
needs a total restoration.

The art-glass front of the Seeburg C features a swan floating on a lake.

This Link Style C was a mess on the inside when Bart got it. He had to remove the
green aquarium tubing and pouch leather and replace it with proper materials.

The Link Style 2

The Link Style 2 is basically a piano
and mandolin. Bart located an original
marimbaphone for a Link.

This plays one octave lower than
the Link xylophones that are the most
commonly found. This machine was
still in the waiting room when Bart
passed!

The Link Style C

This machine was BartÕs first purchase
ever on eBay. It has 28 open
flute pipes, which are voiced at 10
inches of pressure (almost like a band
organ if you pull the front off). The
exterior was gorgeous, but the interior
was a mess. Someone had used green
aquarium tubing, and the pneumatics

March/April 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 17

The Nelson-Wiggen Casino X (leftmost machine in this image) has a xylophone mounted horizontally on the underside of the lid.

were covered in pouch leather. This
machine came from the Milhaus collection.
Bart was the only bidder.

More Machines

A late Seeburg K machine (1921)
with violin pipes was purchased from
the collection of Dave Ramey, Sr. after
Dave died. There was a big demand for
this machine, but Bart got it because
he had asked first.

There is also a late Seeburg KT with
violin pipes from Tim Trager. The late
machines with violin pipes are pretty
rare. Also, this machine has a silver
fox finish which Bart really liked.

The Barber Shop

Another machine in BartÕs collection
is a Seeburg K that was restored
in 1966 by a man named Willis Snyder.
This machine was once in a Kutztown,

PA, barber shop owned by Clarence
Dysher, who committed suicide in
1972. The end of Clarence was also
the end of his barber shop. ClarenceÕs
home was right across the street
from the barber shop. So, his widow
brought the nickelodeon to the house
and thatÕs where it sat for years. One
day, Bart opened up the phone book,
and found Anna Dysher. Bart says that
he only lived 5 miles from her and
would like to come over to see the
Seeburg K. For years he said he had
been meaning to visit the barber shop
but never did. Anna Dysher enthusiastically
invited Bart to see the machine,
but one thing led to another, and
Bart never visited. Five years later,
however, Bart was going through his
stuff and he saw Anna DysherÕs phone
number. He called several times but
got no answer. This was in January of

2011.

Bart then asked a realtor friend in
Kutztown if he knew Anna. The realtor
said he knew her very well but she had
died the year before. The realtor said,
ÒHey, she has one of those things like
you have.Ó (This is the same realtor
that told Bart, ÒYour place is lousy
with themÓ).

Bart said, ÒYes, I know she had one
of those things like I have; thatÕs why
IÕm trying to locate her.Ó

The realtor said ÒWell you canÕt,
sheÕs dead.Ó

Bart asked the realtor if he knew
where the Seeburg K ended up. The
realtor said Anna and Clarence had no
heirs or sons or daughters, but a young
lad did take the widow in during the
last years of her life and cared for her.
Anna had left the home and everything
to him.

18 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2018

This Cremona G is one of the few with clear beveled glass.

Bart asked, ÒYou wouldnÕt know his
name, would you?Ó

The realtor said, ÒYepÓ and gave Bart
the fellowÕs name. Incredible! The fellow
lived 3 miles down the road from
Bart. Bart asked, ÒWhatÕs his phone
number?Ó

The realtor said, ÒDonÕt push me!Ó
Bart opened up the trusty phone
book and found the manÕs name and
number.

When Bart called, the fellow said,
ÒNo, no, itÕs not for sale, itÕs worth
$57,000, I had it appraised É Ò

Bart said, ÒThis conversation really
canÕt continue, but IÕd like to come
over and see it sometime.Ó

After two weeks the fellow called
Bart up and said, ÒI was really messing
with you when I said $57,000 and I
really would like to sell the machine.Ó

Bart asked if the fellow had any idea
of what he wanted for the machine.
The man said, ÒIÕd like to get $10,000
for it.Ó

Bart replied that he wasnÕt sure he
would pay him $10,000 for it, but that
he would like to come and take a look
at it. Bart expected to see a machine

that really needed restoration. What
Bart saw was a machine that didnÕt
have a nick or a scratch on it anywhere,
with the original finish, perfect glass
and that played reasonably well. The
fellow wanted to see BartÕs collection
before opening any negotiations, and
he was awestruck when he walked
into BartÕs display area. After the third
glass of wine, Bart made him an offer,
set the cash on the table right in front
of him and the man said that would
be Òfine.Ó Bart moved the machine
the next day. He even got the original
invoice from the restorer (Willis Snyder),
in 1966 for $571.50 including $15
sales tax and $15 cartage fee.

The Nelson-Wiggen Casino X

This machine was in Tim TragerÕs
office for years before he sold it to
Bart. The xylophone was restored but
all of the controls had rotted pouches.
So, Bart spent an afternoon and put
all new pouches in, and son-of-a-gun
it just took off! This machine is unique
in that it has the xylophone lying horizontally
on the underside of the lid.

Nelson-Wiggen was a spin-off

company of Seeburg. Two employees,
Oscar Nelson and Peter Wiggen,
quit Seeburg and started their own
company. They were the chief design
engineers for Seeburg. Bart noted that
it can be interesting to ask yourself,
when restoring a Nelson-Wiggen
machine, ÒWhy would they do something
like this?Ó He said Seeburg must
have been infuriated that Nelson
and Wiggen should not only leave
the company but then go into direct
competition with Seeburg in the coin
piano business. Bart said he could only
imagine the number of patent infringement
threats there must have been. He
said that if you look at Nelson-Wiggen
cabinet machines, everything below
the shelf has brass fasteners, brass
screws, brass nuts and bolts. Bart surmised
that there must have been some
verbiage somewhere in a contract that
allowed them to build a machine only
if it had brass fasteners. The spool
frame on a Nelson-Wiggen is noticeably
quite different from the Seeburg
mechanism.

Even with all these differences, the
sound of these machines is fabulous.
Bart said that the Seeburg K, KT, KT
Special, the Link 2, 2E and the Nel-
son-Wiggen cabinet pianos all used
exactly the same piano plate. Bart
had restored 20 of these cabinet style
machines. In the Seeburg, which has
the same plate and same stringing
scale, they only used four or five
different wire sizes. Link used five or
six. The Nelson-Wiggen used about
10 wire sizes. The nice brightness
of a Nelson-Wiggen machine comes
from better stringing of the piano.
Nelson-Wiggen took the time to use
10 different wire sizes rather than
the four or five. Bart used 14 sizes on
pianos he restored.

The Cremona G

The Cremona Style G machine
plays A rolls. Did you expect that they
would play G rolls? This is one of the
few known with the clear beveled
glass. It has unusual pink and blue
glass and 32 open flutes. The cabinet
of this machine is really extraordinary
in the high craftsman style. It is an
extremely difficult restoration to do
properly. BartÕs machine was awaiting

March/April 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 19

The Link 2E machine Bart purchased from a flower shop owner in Cleveland, OH.

restoration. He said it had been finished
once before and itÕs fortunate
that the prior owner didnÕt own sandpaper.
This machine also came from
the Òhouse that keeps on giving.Ó

The Link 2E

One time, Bart got a call from Mike
Gorski in Cleveland, OH. Mike mainly
collects arcade and slot machines. He
asked, ÒAre you still buying nickelodeons,
Bart?Ó

Bart responded with, ÒOccasionally,
when I can afford them.Ó

Mike said, ÒIs a Link a good one?Ó

By talking for a while, Bart determined
it was a Link 2E. Mike then said,
ÒHereÕs the guyÕs phone number, he
owns a flower shop in Cleveland.Ó So,
Bart gave the man a call and agreed
upon a price. It was a good price. Bart
thought he might have been too quick
to agree, because the man called back
and demanded another $1,000. The

The Nelson-Wiggen 4x that led Bart to
warn others to never purchase an item
from eBay if the pictures are fuzzy.

man said, ÒI quoted you too little.Ó
Bart agreed, and since it was still an
affordable price, he drove up to the
flower shop in Cleveland and picked
it up. Bart had to do a total restoration
on the machine, including the sound
board and the down-bearing. Some of
the roll frame pieces were broken, it
needed new xylophone beaters, and a
whole new pneumatic assembly was
installed. Bart said, ÒBut itÕs a joy. It
belongs here and I love it.Ó

The Nelson-Wiggen 4X

This machine was listed on eBay
being sold out of Denver, CO. Bart
could see from the photos that the
machine wasnÕt entirely correct, but
he did not tell to what extent things
were not right.

Later, he would warn others, ÒdonÕt
buy anything on eBay if it has fuzzy
pictures.Ó It ended up being the only
thing Bart purchased on eBay that he
refused to leave feedback for.

When it showed up, it was painted
blue, the sides were falling off, the
xylophone was incorrect, the drum
was incorrect, the motor was incorrect
and the cabinet was so bad that it
had to be entirely re-veneered.

Bart made a new lid. The shelves,
the doors and the front panel all had
to be re-veneered as well.

20 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2018

Cinco de Mayo

Annually Bart hosted a well-known
get-together which he called ÒCinco
de MayoÓ even though it didnÕt always
occur on May 5. Bart said the event
evolved quite naturally. He had been
involved in the mechanical music
hobby for more than 40 years, doing
restorations and collecting all that
time. There were so many people Bart
came to know in that time, (whether
they were collectors, restorers or
just down-right enthusiasts), that he
decided in 2002 to pull everybody
together for a party. He said he asked
people when the best time for them
would be, but they always would tell
him his dates were at the wrong time
of the year. Winter weather made
traveling difficult and the summertime
conflicted with peopleÕs vacations
plans. So, Bart said, ÒAll right, how
about the first weekend in May, before
the summer plans but after the bad
weather? ItÕs the perfect time to make
a break.Ó

Bart just wanted to get the collectors,
restorers and enthusiasts
together with no agenda at all. No
meeting, no people sitting on couches
eating crumpets, no old business, no
new business, nobody falling asleep.
Just nickelodeons. It was a smashing
success. The first year there was about
a dozen people. They would listen
to nickelodeon music, swap stories
and learn from one another. People
got to know each other. It worked
out so well he repeated it each year
including 2016, when he was already
ill. His scheduling formula was simple,
the party would happen on the first
closest weekend to May 5 that doesnÕt
interfere with MotherÕs Day weekend.

The get-together grew to about 22
people, which is basically all Bart
could accommodate in his shop/piano
room. Each year, Bart tried to invite a
couple of newbies. At about 6:30 p.m.
everybody would go out to a restaurant
to have a wonderful dinner.

Bart looked at the mechanical musical
instrument hobby as a big salad
bowl. You got tomatoes, onions, artichoke
hearts, and hard-boiled eggs all
in there. The collectors might be the
tomatoes; the restorers might be the
artichoke hearts, and the onions might

Top: A drunk monk art glass piece restored by Bart. Bottom: A piece called Land of
the Midnight Sun that would be installed in a Seeburg B.

Bart loved welcoming guests for his annual Cinco de Mayo parties where there were
no meetings and no crumpets, only music and fun with good people.

be enthusiasts. The tomatoes never
talk to the artichoke hearts and the
onions never talk to the hard-boiled
eggs. So, Bart put everybody together
in the salad bowl and it was a rip-roaring
success. Suffice it to say that
BartÕs main goal was just to increase
the communication between people
he knew. Bart wished he could just
reach out to others and open the flood
gates to everybody. He just didnÕt have
the space to do it. The Cinco de Mayo
get-together for the few folks that Bart
could invite is his contribution to the
hobby. It was his way of paying back

for all of the wonderful friends and
experiences he had in mechanical
music.

Please feel free to email Matt Jaro at
mjaro@verizon.net if you would like
any information about style ÒAÓ, ÒGÓ,
Ò4XÓ, ÒHÓ or ÒOÓ rolls. Also, comments
and suggestions for this column will be
appreciated.

Reprinted with permission of the
author and The Automatic Musical
Instrument CollectorsÕ Association
(AMICA). Originally printed in the May-
June 2012 issue of The AMICA Bulletin.

March/April 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 21

Making 300

The Story of How the MBSI 2017 Annual Table Favors Came to Be

by Bill Guimes

2017 Annual Meeting Chairman

It all started at our first planning
meeting held sometime in mid 2015.
As this was my first ever annual meeting,
and I was the meeting chairman
to boot, Bill Wineburgh graciously
stepped in and chaired the first planning
meeting. There were about 20
members in attendance. Bill was going
down the list of committees asking for
volunteers. So far, so good, until he
got to table favors.

Lots of glances back and forth. Bill
asked again for a volunteer to chair
the Table Favor Committee. As I have

some manufacturing experience, I
said IÕd chair the committee. A recurring
phrase I kept hearing over and
over was Ò…and donÕt worry. YouÕll
have plenty of help.Ó OK, I thought,
how bad could this be?

After the planning meeting, I discovered
that the Table Favor Committee
consisted of Bill and myself. We had
a meeting to discuss past table favors
and what would be appropriate for
our annual meeting theme, which
was Music Made In New Jersey. That
meant the table favor would be a

representation of a disc or possibly a
cylinder music box.

Searching the internet for wood
boxes and musical movements, I
discovered that while building a representation
of a cylinder box would
be unique, it would be almost mechanically
impossible if we were to keep to
our $15 per box budget. So, a disc box
it would be.

Again, turning to the internet for
some help, I found sources for the
boxes, musical movements, and other
wood and mechanical components.

22 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2018

As we had planned for 300 people to
attend the annual meeting, everything
needed to be ordered in batches of

300. This meant that between the
wood boxes, musical movements,
wood and hardware we would end up
with 1,200 individual pieces.
I ordered some sample boxes,
musical movements, wood and hardware
to start building prototypes. My
original plan was to have the music
play when the lid was opened. So,
I built one. It was a lot of trial and
error, but it worked. Using the same
measurements from the first one,
I built a second one. It worked, but
only after I spent almost 45 minutes
adjusting the on/off lever. This, I
decided, was not a practical design.
So, I built a simpler version which
allowed the tune to play with the lid
open or closed and it worked without
any extraordinary fiddling. I showed
it to the chapter members, and except
for the finish I applied, they said it
was acceptable. Now, we only had to
make 299 more!

The first and easiest thing to do
was to order the wood boxes, which
was simple enough. Then, it was time
to get the movements. I discovered
that the company I chose to order
the movements from, National
Artcraft, is a distributor for Sankyo
Music Movements. Comparing the
cost and size of all the movements
they offered, we ended up choosing
18-note movements. Something I had
not considered when starting this process,
is that certain tunes are subject
to copyright restrictions. On some of
the movements, Sankyo had already
negotiated copyright agreements,
so there was no extra charge, as the
copyright license fee was built into the
price. Where no copyright agreement
existed, Sankyo would have had to
apply for a license to distribute the
tune. This could have increased the
price to as much as $5 per movement
and potentially blown our budget. The
tunes we ended up selecting were
ÒWhistle a Happy TuneÓ and ÒEnglish
Country Garden.Ó

On my two prototype Regina music
boxes, the shaft that held the disc was
offset to the left to make room for the
comb and then centered front to back.

The spacer glued to the bottom of the movement, and (inside the box) the four
standoffs that will hold the movement cover at the correct distance from the top of
the box.

Knurling the ends of the accessory shafts to attach the discs.

March/April 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 23

All the components used to assemble the table favor. Back row from left to right: lid
stop, four standoffs, and locater for the movement. Front row: cover for the move-
ment, an assembled disc, and a disc with accessory shaft ready to be paired.

Spacers were used to hold the movement in the correct location inside the box
while the glue dried.

It meant that during our manufacturing
process for the rest of the table
favors I had to measure the distances
from the left and right of each box so
that I could cut and glue a piece of
wood to the bottom of the movement

Ð 300 times. The connection for the
winding key is at 90 degrees to the
cylinder and the connection for the
accessory shaft, the shaft that the disc
is attached to, is on the cylinder itself.
So, as assembled, the bottom of the
movement is set parallel to the back of
the box and the accessory shaft stands
vertical so that a disc can be attached
to it for playing.
Next step was to cover the movement.
This required a piece of 1/8-inch
thick balsa wood large enough to hide
the movement. I knew there had to
be a way to place the cover inside the
case so it would sit level, and also not
touch, the movement. That required
four pieces of strip wood long enough
to hold the cover above the movement,
but low enough to allow space for the
disc when the lid was closed. Cutting
the cover, and then the two strips that
held the cover in place meant I would
be turning 300 pieces of wood into
1,500 pieces, plus I also needed to
stain the movement covers to match
the color of the boxes.

Mounting the discs to the accessory
shaft was the most difficult part
of the process because the discs are
only about 1/32-inch thick and the
accessory shafts are a little less than
1/8-inch in diameter. First, I tried to
fasten the discs to the shafts just by
using Crazy Glue, or ACC. It turned
out that the surface area was much
too small for a strong bond. My next
thought was to drill a hole in the disc
and, using ACC, glue the shaft in the
hole. Still I found that there was not
enough surface area for a good bond.
This led me to my next idea which
was to drill a hole smaller than the
shaft and press and glue the shaft into
the disc. It worked better, but it was
still not going to be strong enough
to withstand repeated playing of the
disc.

To create more surface area on the
shaft, I decided that I could knurl,
or deform, the end of the accessory
shaft, then glue and press the shaft

24 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2018

The movement cover installed with disc mounted.

The winding key with extensions.

into the disc. Success at last! The only
problem now was how was I going
to knurl the end of all 300 accessory
shafts. Since I did not have access to a
lathe, I used a Vise-Grip to provide the
necessary deformation. I had to drill
a hole in the center of each disc, so I
made a drill jig where I could drill 10
discs at a time. At least that meant IÕd
have to drill only 100 times instead of
300 individual discs.

The next question was whether
the winding keys supplied with each
movement could reach the movement
to crank the spring, but, alas, they
were not long enough because the
bottom of the movement where the
winding key is inserted was located
more than an inch away from the side
of the box. I needed to use two winding
key extensions, glued together
with ACC, to get the required length.

In the meantime, Bill Wineburgh
prepared the boxes by sanding, staining,
and applying feet to the bottom of
each box so they would sit just a bit
up and away from whatever surface
they were set on. I drilled a hole
in the back of each of the boxes to
accommodate the winding key. At the
start of our production line, I drilled
holes in 120 boxes and gave them to
Bill for finishing. When he was done
with 60, he would give them back for

The rear of the box showing the tune sheet, winding key and lid holder piece.

assembly. When I was done putting
the 60 together, IÕd drill 60 more. We
kept this up until all 300 boxes were
complete.

Next came the lid lock. On the prototype,
I installed an arm to hold the
lid open while the disc was playing.
Doing that 300 times would have
taken far too long, so I thought up
some other ideas. First, I used a short
length of brass chain attached to the

box and the lid. It worked well, but,
there was no way the chain could be
installed quickly, so I let go of that
idea to avoid a time-crunch as the
deadline for the annual meeting was
fast approaching. My next idea was to
simply glue a small bit of wood to the
back of the box making sure it would
protrude far enough to hold the lid
open yet not be so obtrusive that it
would ruin the aesthetics of the box.

March/April 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 25

It worked, but it meant I had to cut 300
more pieces of wood and glue them on
each box. Luckily for me, it took only
about 30 seconds per box to glue them
on. Done.

Then there were the labels to be
applied. Glenn Crater and his wife
Barbara did the printing and preparation
of the disc overlays and labels.
There was the Regina label that was
applied to the lid underside, the disc
overlay, and the label that had the tune
name that was applied to the back.
The event sticker that was applied to
the bottom was created by Bill.

We finished about a month before
the annual meeting and, thankfully,
the table favors at that point only
needed a final inspection and cleaning.
Bill was able to get cardboard boxes
to pack the table favors in which was
great because we could use them as
mailing boxes as well. We scheduled
one final work session where we
cleaned, inspected and packed 300
table favors in about two-and-one-half
hours, lunch included.

I ended up doing all the mechanical
work at my shop because there
was the problem of finding a central
location where we could enlist other
chapter members to help with the construction
of the table favors. Bill did
the sanding and finishing at his shop
because there was the problem of dust
and noxious odors from the finishing
process. He did the staining when the
outside temperature was above 50
degrees. While the Morris Museum is
fairly centrally located relative to our
memberÕs homes, there was no place
available to store the table favors
between work sessions.

To anyone else who may become

The bottom of the box with the meeting sticker applied.

a table favor committee chair for an
annual meeting, let me offer some
words of advice. Keep everything as
simple as possible. Consider the skills
of the other members who wish to
help. Try not to overproduce. We only
have about 120 boxes, 60 of each tune,
left. Before you start, try to procure a
place where you can securely store the
project pieces between work sessions
as you certainly donÕt want to have to
start over if everything gets ruined by
poor storage.

Finally, here is a list of sources for
the components of our table favors.
The wood boxes came from Wood-
crafters. The musical movements
came from National Artcraft. The
discs came from P. J. Tool. National
Artcraft has a $19 minimum order. The
other companies have no minimum. I
sourced the balsa and other wood
from vendors on Ebay.

Good luck to you, and I look forward
to seeing the next creation at our next
annual meeting.

WE WANT YOUR STORY!

Every mechanical musical instrument has a tale to tell. Share the history of people
who owned your instrument before you, or the story of its restoration, or just what
makes it an interesting piece. Send stories via email to editor@mbsi.org or
mail your story to Iron Dog Media, 130 Coral Court, Pismo Beach, CA 93449

26 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2018

Save the Date

The 2018 MBSI
Annual Meeting
is coming
Aug. 28 – Sept. 1

MAKE PLANS NOW TO JOIN US IN

Meeting Sponsored by the Mid-America Chapter
DETROIT
MI

Morris Museum has a new executive director

The Morris Museum in Morristown,
NJ, has appointed Cleveland Johnson
as its new executive director. Johnson
is an Oxford-educated music historian
who has studied in Germany and India,
and is an expert on the pipe organ.

ÒI am confident his experience in
museum leadership, education, music,
the arts, and grant-making Ð coupled
with his engaging personality Ð will
serve our institution exceptionally
well for years to come,Ó said Gerri
Horn, chair of the board and a member
of the search committee that selected
Johnson.

For the last five years, Johnson
served as director of the National
Music Museum at the University of
South Dakota, overseeing a $1.5 million
budget, a 20-member staff and a
collection of 15,000 historic musical
instruments.

At the Morris Museum, he will be
responsible for a $2.5 million budget,
25 employees, a 300-seat theater (the
Bickford), and nearly 50,000 items
ranging from gems and minerals to
Native American, model trains and the
world renowned Murtogh D. Guinness
Collection of Mechanical Musical
Instruments and Automata.

Johnson said, ÒAfter my experience
at an institution that had a national
reach, but a small local base, IÕm looking
forward to the Morris Museum with
its deep local roots of over a century
and its devotion to the community. IÕm
enthusiastic to work with the Morris
Museum Board of Trustees and staff to
define how we can serve that community
even better in the years ahead.Ó

In addition to his work at the
National Music Museum, Johnson is
Professor Emeritus and past Dean of

AutomataCon 2018 is coming in May

AutomataCon is a convention of and
for artists, collectors, historians, and
enthusiasts of automatons and related
kinetic art. It is a three-day event being
held May 18-20, 2018, at the Morris
Museum in Morristown, NJ, home of
the Murtogh D. Guinness Collection of
Mechanical Musical Instruments and
Automata.

The goal of the convention is to
gather people from around the world
to share ideas, build relationships,
and grow interest in automata, new
and old. The convention will include
a variety of private and public events,
including social gatherings, museum
tours, panel discussions, live demonstrations,
workshops, presentations,
and an exhibition.

This yearÕs convention will be
somewhat larger in size and scope
than previous gatherings. The first
convention, hosted by the Morris
Museum in 2016, had 650 participants
of all ages attending from around
the globe. Event organizers hope to
double that number partly by showing
a special exhibition in the large main
gallery entitled ÒA Cache of Kinetic

Art: Curious Characters.Ó This display
features the creative energy and vitality
of kineticism as expressed through
the living form: figures, be they human,
animal or fantasy. This will be the first
in a four-year series at the museum,
devoted to this subject.

Attendees can choose to come
for the Friday evening reception,
SaturdayÕs presentations, SundayÕs
programs or the entire convention. All
activities take place at the museum.

Cleveland Johnson is the new executive
director of the Morris Museum.

the School of Music (DePauw University,
Greencastle, IN) and a former
executive director of the Thomas J.
Watson Fellowship at the Thomas J.
Watson Foundation (New York, NY).
Johnson holds a bachelorÕs degree in
music from the Oberlin College Conservatory
of Music and a doctorate in
philosophy from Oxford University.

There will be no home visits, bus trips
or organized meals. Gourmet lunch
trucks will be on site, and restaurants
are close by in downtown Morristown
or nearby Florham Park, NJ. Several
hotels are within two miles of the
museum, but guests may also opt to
stay in Manhattan and then make day
trips to attend the event. The museum
is a one-hour train ride away and
about the same distance by car. It is 20
minutes from Newark Liberty International
Airport (EWR).

Programs in the works include:
Cabaret Mechanical Theatre, 19th
Century French Automata, Clockwork
Tools and Techniques, Kinetic Artists
Panel, Magic Automata, Mechanical
Singing Birds; Robots of Human-form,
the Maker Movement, 3-D Printers
and Laser Cutters, and Paper and
Card-Related Automata. In addition,
award-winning art film documentary
producer Olympia Stone has kindly
offered two films for viewing, including
her new release ÒDouble Take

Ð The Art of Elizabeth King.Ó
For more details, or to pre-register,
visit www.AutomataCon.org.

28 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2018

Interesting Tidbits

The photos on this and the next two pages come from
an album purchased by Siegfried Wendel, founder of
the museum Siegfrieds Mechanisches Musikkabinett
RŸdesheim (https://goo.gl/nC4wDo), during his travels
through the former German Democratic Republic (East
Germany). SiegfriedÕs son, Jens Wendel, recently allowed
the photos from the books to be scanned and shared for

the enjoyment of all mechanical music lovers. Jens said
neither he nor his father had any idea how a book of photos
like this ended up in East Germany in the hands of a private
collector. A PDF of all the photos is available from Marc
WiduchÕs website at http://faszinationpianola.de/

To download the PDF directly, go to http://www.en.
faszinationpianola.de/downloads/1930_hupfeldbuch.pdf.

According to the dates on some of the photos in the album, these pictures appear to have been taken during 1927-28. This is
clearly a showroom where visitors could see and hear the various models of automatic pianos, orchestrions and the popular
Hupfeld Phonoliszt-Violina.

A group of factory workers beside their finished product. The telephone switchboard inside the Hupfeld factory.

March/April 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 29

Several models of Hupfeld orchestrions can be seen in various states of completion on the factory floor.

A meeting, perhaps a sales meeting or training session, is conducted in the factory among partially-finished instruments.

30 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2018

A Hupfeld Theatre Violina, designed to be less than 5 feet tall so that it could be used in the orchestra pits.

Julian Dyer and Paul Tuck both posted on Mechanical Music Digest (http:mmdigest.com) that the one-armed pianist in this
photo is the famous Paul Wittgenstein, who commissioned pieces for the left hand from a number of renowned composers.
Julian states that Wittgenstein had six rolls issued by Hupfeld. Julian states that he owns one of the rolls, and he has recorded
it and made it available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rw3r3UY73lk

March/April 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 31

Southeast Chapter

Chapter Chair: Judy Miller
Reporter: Mary Ellen Myers, for Margery
and Howard Sanford
Photographers: Clay Witt and Mary
Ellen Myers

Jan. 26-28, 2018 Ð Jacksonville, FL

The winter meeting weekend of
Southeast Chapter was filled with fun
surprises, the first of which took place
on Friday, the evening of registration.
Cotton Morlock presented a Òmagic
lantern showÓ of European destinations.
The Magic Lantern is a primitive
(circa early 1900) image projector,
using glass slide painted, printed or
photographically produced images.
Musical support was provided by Clay
WittÕs live phonographic music, setting
the background tone for each country
of the itinerary.

CottonÕs humorous dialog throughout
the show immensely enhanced
the audios and visuals. Keeping to
the same time frame, an episode of
ÒPerils of Pauline,Ó one of an early
silent movie series, was shown, with
amazing keyboard musical accompaniment
by Stephen Brittain. StephenÕs
expressive, emotionally charged
music required neither audio nor
subtitles to follow the movie. Music
did the talking!

By the way, this film series was done
in Jacksonville, FL, the original home
of the movie industry.

A short business meeting was conducted
by Chapter Chair Judy Miller
on Saturday morning.

New members and guests received
a hardy Southeast welcome. A total
of 61 people attended this meeting.
Treasurer Clay Witt indicated we
are in sound financial shape. He and
Vice Chapter Chair Jack Hostetler
reviewed upcoming chapter and
national events. Moe Goldy showed
and told about his new retirement
hobbies utilizing paper as a medium.
The meeting was followed by a mart.

Cotton with his magic (not CottonÕs) lantern. Clay Witt and Stephen Brittain prepar-
ing for the show.

Lunchtime directed most of us to
ClarkÕs Fish Camp, an experiential
eatery featuring exotic animals of all
kinds, stuffed, of course. It was great
food, and great company!

After dining, we had the pleasure of
visiting the beautiful home of George
and Wilma Fryer. Their impressive
collection is excelled only by their

gracious hospitality! Musical items
include a 1920s Chickering reproducing
grand piano, a 27-inch Orchestral
Regina folding top disc player, and a
Stella Grand (upright), to name just
a few. Also, they have a Symphonion
model 25R Wall Clock, a collection of
early Lionel and Ives standard gauge
trains and accessories, including

Chapter members waiting for lunch at ClarkÕs Fish Camp. ClarkÕs Fish Camp has a unique atmosphere.

George Fryer demonstrating the 27-inch Orchestral Regina folding-top disc player.

Some of the exotic animals at ClarkÕs Fish Camp. A gorgeous cylinder box in the Fryer collection.

railroad chandeliers and wall sconces
from 1880s railroad passenger
coaches, and a 1909 EMF touring car,
fully restored.

On Saturday evening everyone
kicked back to enjoy a tasty
dinner with the Morlocks at their
lovely home, followed by an evening
of visiting, chatting, getting to know
each other better, enjoying their many
musical items, and playing on the 1924
Brunswick Monarch pool table, to the
accompaniment of phonographs, a
Wurlitzer 1015 Jukebox and a Rockola
#30 Luxury Lightup countertop jukebox.
Many other mechanical music
instruments occupied strategic walls
and corners of their home.

Warren Officer opened his home and
workshop to us on Sunday morning.
He takes great pride in his restoration
skills. We experienced first-hand just

March/April 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 33

Judy Miller takes the driverÕs seat of GeorgeÕs 1909 EMF Warren Officer with Wilma Fryer and the 1920s Chickering

Touring car. reproducing grand piano that played a performance of Piano
Concerto No. 3, which was composed, arranged, and performed
by Rachmaninoff.

Warren Officer plays an orchestrion for guests. Bob and Clair Zaiser admire the FryerÕs railroad memorabilia.

Moe Goldy with his retirement hobby paper creations. One of Moe GoldyÕs new paper creations
he demonstrated to the group.

34 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2018

Cotton Morlock (back turned, center) plays some of his instruments
for guests. Members chat during social time at the Morlock home.

Ron Connolly, Diane Yates, Jamie Brewer, and Bob Yates Dwight Porter chats with David and Carol Beck at the Morlock
socializing at the MorlockÕs home. home.

Moe Goldy also demonstrated this mid20th
century whistler as part of his show A Beckwith O roll nickelodeon with seven instruments under restoration in Warren
and tell. OfficerÕs workshop.

March/April 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 35

Wayne Finger talks with other chapter members about Warren
OfficerÕs (standing right) newly-restored Seeburg L.

Warren OfficerÕs restored Seeburg L with doors open and

lights on.
A restoration project underway in Warren OfficerÕs workshop.

what is involved in restoration when we visited his workshop.
Recently restored is a gorgeous 1923 Seeburg L. In
current restoration is a Beckwith O roll nickelodeon with
seven instruments, and a 1929 Knabe 5-foot-4-inch piano
with Ampico B, and baby Ampico awaiting restoration.
In his living quarters are numerous restored instruments,
validating his enjoyment of his accomplishments.

The chapter would like to thank all the organizers and
everyone involved for making this weekend so special.
You all (all 61 of you) come back for the next meeting in
Peachtree Corners, GA. on the weekend of Apr. 20-22, 2018
for our Spring meeting. Organizers are David and Carol
Beck.

A Knabe 5-foot-4-inch piano in Warren OfficerÕs workshop.

WE WANT YOUR STORY!

Every mechanical musical instrument has a tale to tell. Share the history of people
who owned your instrument before you, or the story of its restoration, or just what
makes it an interesting piece. Send stories via email to editor@mbsi.org or
mail your story to Iron Dog Media, 130 Coral Court, Pismo Beach, CA 93449

36 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2018

Snowbelt Chapter 2017 Year In Review

Chapter Chair: Tracy Tolzmann
Reporters: Merrie and Tracy Tolzmann
Photographers: Merrie and Tracy
Tolzmann

The Snowbelt Chapter has been
absent from these pages with apologies,
but now offers this abridged
Òyear in reviewÓ of our activities for
2017.

Our first event of the year was held
May 20 at the Burnsville, MN, home of
Jock and Susan Holmen. Although the
HolmenÕs do not own any automatic
musical instruments, they are no less
involved in our organization. With
his Scandinavian heritage, Jock is an
expert wood carver whose business
card heralds him as Òthe Norwegian
Termite.Ó Jock has repaired many
carvings on instruments and carved
complete figures for numerous MBSI
clients. The SanFilippo collection is
one site that has benefited from JockÕs
woodworking expertise.

Members in attendance had an
opportunity to try their hands at
carving and the rudimentary skill was
not as difficult as expected. However,
it was clear that it would take many
hours of practice to come even close
to JockÕs level of experience. As we
paused for dinner, the crowd was
tickled to see that even the lemonadeÕs
garnish of sliced lemons were miniature
sculptures!

Members were invited to bring a

Jock Holmen demonstrates carving for an interested crowd.

Even the lemons were carved by ÒThe
Norwegian TermiteÓ Jock Holmen.

Show and tell (from left to right) Mike Merrick, Ralph Schultz, Gary Goldsmith, Carol
Schultz, and Merrie Tolzmann enjoy the show.

Our May meeting hosts, Susan and Jock Holmen. Ralph Schultz and his steam-operated Gem Roller Organ.

small show and tell item. The instruments
brought and demonstrated
included a Pell Monkey Organ, a QRS
Rollmonica, and a Thorens 4.-inch
Music Box. The show and tell inspired
member Alex Stolitza to start collecting
small musical boxes.

Snowbelters Tom Chase and Tom
Kuehn were featured in the Spring
2017 edition of Minnesota Alumni,
the quarterly magazine for University
of Minnesota graduates. The article
highlighted the restoration work the
two Toms are doing on coin-operated
pianos. Tom Chase is currently a
faculty member in the universityÕs
mechanical engineering department
and Tom Kuehn retired from the
department last spring after 33 years
of teaching.

While the article offers only a rudimentary
look at the hobby of restoring
mechanical musical instruments, it
reaches a wide readership who may
be enticed to our hobby and may
explore potential membership in our
organization. To see the complete
article, go to the magazineÕs website
and search for the Spring 2017 issue.
(The story begins on page 10.) See the
magazine at https://umnalumni.org/
MN-Mag-Issue-Archive.

Our congratulations were extended
to long-time Snowbelt member and
MBSI Trustee Tom Kuehn as he was
united in marriage to Hongyan He on
Jun. 10. The happy couple took up
residence at TomÕs Mahtomedi, MN,
home following a honeymoon trip to
Hawaii.

Hongyan He and Tom Kuehn, now Mr.
and Mrs. Kuehn

Our mid-summer gathering took
place on Aug. 13 at the Belle Plaine,
MN, home of Ralph and Carol Schultz.
The Schultz collection is no stranger
to our chapter and members throughout
the MBSI. From the first (and
one of the smallest) instruments in
the collection, a Gem Roller Organ
that Ralph operates via a small steam
engine Ð another of RalphÕs interests

Ð to the largest, the Prinsen book-operated
organ and the trailered Stinson 47
band organ, the appreciative audience
had many musical delights to behold.
Our congratulations were extended
once again to Tom Kuehn who was
elected vice president of the Musical
Box Society International at its
annual meeting in New Jersey. We
look forward to his reports on society
activities from a whole new angle.

MinnesotaÕs sometimes unpredictable
weather conditions found us
concluding our year with an early
holiday meeting, held on Nov. 19 at
Lawrence and Phyllis CrawfordÕs

Rich Poppe with two of SchultzÕs Prinsen
organs.

ÒCrystal Homewood StudioÓ in
Arlington, MN. Special accolades go
the CrawfordÕs as Lawrence was still
recovering from recent knee replacement
surgery that proved to be a bit
problematic early on. Fortunately,
he was pretty much back on his feet
in time for the meeting, and Ralph
Schultz lent a hand in demonstrating
the instruments.

The CrawfordÕs collection is primarily
made up of musical boxes from
LawrenceÕs late parents, F. Richard
and Esther Crawford, who were
founding members of the MBSI. The
collection is one of the last intact
collections from a founding member
and features instruments described

38 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2018

Ralph Schultz demonstrates a bell box for an attentive crowd. Carol and Ralph Schultz, hosts of our August event.

Lawrence and Phyllis Crawford, November hosts, at the con-
The CrawfordÕs ÒCrystal Homewood StudioÓ music room. sole of their Wurlitzer Theater Organ.

in a 1938 article by L. G. Jaccards installed in the Homewood Theatre concert featured seasonal tunes by
that had inspired Richard to start the in Minneapolis. Lawrence purchased numerous artists who had performed
collection. the organ 46 years ago and has built on the Crawford organ over the past

The largest Ð and loudest Ð instru-it into the magnificent instrument that several years.
ment in the collection is the 3/24 we heard that day. The instrument is Snowbelt wishes everyone a Happy
Wurlitzer Theater Pipe Organ, Opus truly an automatic one as it can be New Year and promises to be more

916. The organ began as a two-man-played using software tied into the up-to-date in sharing our chapter
ual, six-rank instrument originally computer-based relay system. Our activities!
WE WANT YOUR STORY!

Every mechanical musical instrument has a tale to tell. Share the history of people
who owned your instrument before you, or the story of its restoration, or just what
makes it an interesting piece. Send stories via email to editor@mbsi.org or
mail your story to Iron Dog Media, 130 Coral Court, Pismo Beach, CA 93449

March/April 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 39

Southern California Chapter

Chapter Chair: Robin Biggins

Reporter: Linda Birkitt
Photographer: Ed Cooley

Dec. 10, 2017 Ð Van Nuys, CA

As our get-together was in progress,
the Thomas Fire in Ventura, CA, was
raging. The fire was the largest wildfire
in recorded history in the state.
Fortunately for us, the joint meeting
between AMICA and MBSI was held,
partly, in a very different venue. The
event was held at Roger George Rentals
in Van Nuys, CA.

The owners of Roger George Rentals,
Thaine Morris and his wife, were
excellent hosts for this most novel
of Christmas gatherings. We were

Howard and Betty Green near one of the huge CNC machines in the Roger George
Rentals shop building.

treated to a tour of the facility, which
provides special physical effects for
the movie industry, theatrical performances,
TV shows, and theme parks.
If actors need to be ÒshotÓ during a
performance, Roger George Rentals
supplies the fake blood required,
producing very realistic results. If a
wind, or fog, or rain is required for
a performance, this company can
supply these special effects too. If
a scene calls for a realistic looking
fire, the MorrisÕ company can make
a fake blaze look very real on film or
on stage. In addition, if an actor must
break through a ÒglassÓ window, a

Guests take a tour of the special effects warehouse.

Thaine Miller demonstrates his Calliope. MBSI and AMICA members outside the Nix ÒMusik Haus.Ó

Guests gather in the NixÕs music room to enjoy tunes.

Host Frank Nix plays the Frati trumpet organ.

Frank opens the door on a Regina automatic changer.

special type of plastic glass made by the company is used.

Thaine is a licensed pyrotechnician and plies his craft as
needed. In the shop building area of the facility, there were
a variety of CNC (computer numerical control) machines
and laser cutting tools used for milling, grinding, cutting,
routing, and lathing the needed products. These machines
are used to create one-of-a-kind effects as might be

The facade of the R. Duwyn orchestrion makes a gorgeous
backdrop.

Guests enjoy the upstairs music collection at the Nix home.

The beautiful 80-key Mortier has had another four ranks of
pipes installed recently.

March/April 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 41

Christian Eric demonstrates machines in the Nix music room.

Guests enjoy a wonderful spread for lunch.

required for many purposes in the entertainment industry.
The company supplies both local and international clients.

After the tour, our group drove to the lovely home of
Frank Nix. Frank had prepared a bountiful buffet for our
groups. He then generously opened up his homes to the
members of MBSI and AMICA for an afternoon of upbeat
music. For an added bit of fun Frank had decorated all
the rooms appropriate to the Christmas season. The Welte
orchestrion and the Mills double violano were popular
instruments as demonstrated by the number of people who
congregated to listen to them play. Automaton monkeys
and miniature miners were a delight to the grandchildren
of Chris and Kathleen Eric who joined us for the afternoon.
FrankÕs upstairs display of disc and cylinder boxes was, as
always, a delight to experience.

The combined music aficionado groups are fortunate to
have Frank as such a gracious host, and we all thank him
for his hospitality.

There was no TreasurerÕs report as Bob Lloyd was not
present. There were no new members or guests reported
at this event.

More of the music boxes on display in the upstairs music
room.

Don Henry leads the AMICA business meeting.

Robin Biggins leads the business meeting for the MBSI chap-
ter members.

42 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2018

Northwest International Chapter

A view from the hotel of beautiful Cowichan Bay.

Chapter Chair: Dale Tyvand
Reporter: Rick Swaney
Photographers: Dale Tyvand and Rick
Swaney

Oct. 10-11, 2017 Ð Cowichan Bay, BC
Dec. 2, 2017 Ð Sammamish, WA

Due to the unpredictable weather,
the Northwest International Chapter
does not hold a meeting during the
winter months. So, I will take this
opportunity to catch up with reports
on our 2017 Fall meetings.

The first meeting was held in October
in Cowichan Bay on Vancouver
Island, Canada. It was hosted by residents
Lesley and David Evans. Most
of the non-islander attendees took a
ferry from the Tsawwassen Terminal
(just north of the Canadian border)
to reach the island. We found some
adjoining tables in the ferry restaurant
where we had a group lunch to help

Learning about Bald Eagles at The Raptors.

pass the two-hour transit time.

We independently made our ways to
the Ocean Front Suites in Cowichan,
then regrouped in the evening for
dinner at the hotel restaurant. David
and Lesley joined us for dinner, then

invited us to come to their home for
dessert and coffee.

The next morning, after a group
breakfast, we drove a short distance
to The Raptors, a center dedicated to
the conservation and management of

birds of prey. We had a guided tour of
the facility followed by a flying demonstration
by several birds, including an
eagle, falcon, and vulture. As advertised,
it was a very close encounter
with the birds.

Then it was back to EvanÕs home
for a satisfying luncheon prepared by
Lesley. Following lunch, Dale Tyvand
chaired our business meeting for just
over an hour. The current chapter
officers were unanimously reelected
for another term. David and Lesley
provided information about the Magic
Lantern International Conference to
be held in Victoria, BC, in April. The
NWI Chapter was invited to attend,
and we decided to hold our spring
meeting in conjunction with the
conference.

After the business meeting, David
guided us downstairs for a tour of
his and LesleyÕs collection. There are
three rooms downstairs packed full
of automatic music. The instruments
are from a museum that the Evans
ran in Revelstoke, BC, before they
decided to relocate to Cowichan Bay.
Most impressive is the collection of
19th-century barrel organs and pianos.
Another room houses many music
boxes and an Aeolian Orchestrelle
reed organ on which David played a
roll. The last room contains several
pianos and nickelodeons.

The final event of our fall meeting
was dinner at the nearby Pioneer
House Restaurant, a family restaurant
with a rustic, log cabin atmosphere.

The chapter members came together
again in early December for our
annual Christmas Cookie Exchange.
The venue was Rick SwaneyÕs home in
Sammamish, WA. Fourteen members
attended, each bringing a plate of
cookies or other holiday goodies to
share. Rick provided a lunch of soup,
pasta and green salads, and a choice
of several kinds of sandwiches. Lunch
was preceded by an hour of socializing
and consumption of a traditional
warm wassail.

After the luncheon we all sampled
the assortment of goodies that had
been brought. There was a sufficient
quantity that everyone could also take
goodies home for later snacking.

We donÕt conduct a business meeting

A very close encounter with a Turkey Vulture.

A group photo of the survivors of our Raptors tour.

Guests enjoying a tune from one of the EvanÕs Nickelodeons.

44 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2018

Conducting chapter business in the EvanÕs living room. Dinner at the Pioneer House Restaurant.

Irv Eacrett demonstrates an animated, musical fire truck
during show and tell.

as part of our cookie exchange meetings, but we did have
our usual show and tell session. Annie Tyvand showed the
progress she is making on a stained-glass art project. Irv
Eacrett showed a small musical fire truck that raises and
lowers its ladder as it rolls along. Rick took us through
the house to play his newest music boxes: one with bells
and a drum, and another with a reed organ. We also spent
a fair amount of time playing with an Amazon Echo. Its
breadth of knowledge was impressive, ranging from math
and science to geography to movies and music.

The meeting concluded with a few magic tricks from
RickÕs repertoire.

Wassail and conversion before the holiday luncheon.

RickÕs Violano gets a close inspection.

March/April 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 45

National Capital Chapter

Chapter Chair: Matt Jaro
Reporters: Donna and Gene Borrelli
Photographers: Gene Borrelli and Paul
Senger

Dec. 3, 2017 Ð Annapolis, MD

The National Capital Chapter held
its holiday meeting on Sunday, Dec. 3,
at the house of Cheryl and Dick Hack,
which is on the western shore of the
Chesapeake Bay in Annapolis, MD.
There were 73 people in attendance,
including 17 guests. Some came from
as far away as the United Kingdom,
Oregon, Illinois and New York. We
were treated to a catered luncheon
followed by a business meeting.

The business meeting centered
around plans for the 2019 MBSI Annual
Convention which will be hosted

Guest Dana Cohen and Cheryl listen to the Ramey Banjo-Orchestra.

New member Rick Shindle and Bob Barnette listen to the newly arrived Ramey Banjo-Orchestra.

John Rutoskey, James Huffer, Jerry Biasella, Dennis Elza, and James Huffer and Jerry Biasella answer questions from
Marty Persky visit in the music room with the Mortier organ in Fred Younkins about the Ruth Model 36 Organ Dick Hack is
the background. refurbishing.

Dick Hack plays the Hupfield Phonoliszt Violina for Dave
Calendine, Jerry Biasella, Russel Wattam and Bill Wineburgh.

Dick answers questions from Sy Epstein about the Phonoliszt.
Wyatt Markus, Margie Epstein, Fred Younkins, Kristin and
Francis Larsen and Karen Younkins (L to R) look on.

Tom Larsen and Dick Hack in front of the beautiful Bursens Marty Persky, Jerry Biasella and James Huffer visiting from
CafŽ Organ Chicago.

March/April 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 47

by the National Capital Chapter and
held Aug. 27ÐSept. 1. While we canÕt
disclose details, the table favor will be
something special!

Following the business meeting
Dick and Cheryl demonstrated
their collection to members. The
Hacks have an extensive collection
of mechanical music. It includes
a variety of nickelodeons, organs,
orchestrions, pianos, music boxes,
phonographs, jukeboxes, and movie
jukeboxes. Some of the larger pieces
are a Weber Unika, Hupfeld Phonoliszt
Violina, Seeburg G Orchestrion, Welte
Orchestrion, Wurlitzer CX Orchestrion
with added bells, Wurlitzer 153
Band Organ, Davrainville Clockwork
Barrel Organ, Regina Hexaphone
Phonograph, Decap 92 key Dance
Organ, Mortier Organ, Mills Violano
with Drum box, Mills Panoram movie
jukebox, Polyphon 15.-inch musical
tall clock, Wurlitzer Model B Harp
reproduction built by Dick, and Link
2E Nickelodeon. A recent acquisition
is a Banjo-Orchestra manufactured
by the D.C. Ramey Piano Company of
Chicago, IL. Also, a long-term project
of DickÕs is now functioning, a Ruth
model 36 German fairground organ
that plays book music.

We thank Cheryl and Dick for hosting
our Holiday Party for the seventh
straight year.

Ed Borrelli takes minutes as Matt Jaro conducts the fun business meeting. Donald
Durand and Glenn Thomas look on.

Dave Calendine, Sally Craig, Zach Wojtan and Wyatt Markus listen to the Wurlitzer
Model B Harp that Dick built years ago for CherylÕs birthday.

Members check in and visit before lunch in the large living room.

48 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2018

Mid-America Chapter

Chair: Rob Pollock
Reporter: Bob Ebert
Photographer: Bob Ebert

December-January Ð Elyria, OH

A 1890s mansion, known locally as
the Hickories and once the home of
industrialist Arthur Garford in Elyria,
OH, served as an ideal setting for
the Dec. 1, 2017-Jan. 13, 2018 music
box holiday display sponsored by
the Lorain County Historical Society.
Organized by MBSI members Marcia
and Bob Ebert, the display featured 11
music boxes. Eight of the 11 boxes at
the event came from the collections
of Mid-America Chapter members
Harold Wade, of Medina, OH; Jack and
Muriel Greenleaf of Avon Lake, OH;
and the Eberts of North Ridgeville, OH.
Also, historical society staff members
Bill and Janet Bird displayed two of
their boxes. A highlight of the event
was the formal unveiling of a 15.
inch Regina single comb box, recently
donated to the historical society,
which now is on permanent display
in the Hickories mansion. Visitors to
the music box holiday event saw and
heard demonstrations of four cylinder
boxes, two roller organs, and five disc
boxes.

Nearly 100 people toured the music
box holiday display while it was
operational. An additional 115 people
who were attending a holiday gala
at the mansion were also treated to
the delightful sounds of the music
boxes. Historical society docents
and volunteers served as guides who
demonstrated each of the music boxes
to the guests touring the mansion.
The music boxes were distributed
throughout the mansion in rooms that
seemed appropriate to the style of
music box displayed there.

Especially gratifying was the number
of non-members who, in response
to publicity in the local press, came
to see and hear the music boxes. As

Bob Ebert demonstrating the Regina from the Historical Society Collection to a
group touring the collection.

a result, in addition to the music mission of the Lorain County Histor-
boxes, those visiting the display were ical Society. Visitors to the display
exposed to the glamour and beauty were a cross section of ages and gen-
of the Hickories mansion and the der and included school-age children

who were especially intrigued by the
sounds and operation of mechanical
musical instruments.

This was the second time in five
years such an event has been held at
the Hickories mansion. Particularly
interesting is the number of people
in the community who, having visited
the display in 2012, asked on occasion
when another music box holiday
event would be held. We were pleased
to respond to that community interest
during the holiday season of 20172018.
Hopefully, the experience of
MBSI members working together with
the Lorain County Historical Society
on the music box holiday event will
encourage others to organize similar
displays of music boxes to bring the
joys and beauty of mechanical music
to other communities in the future.

The Regina disc box of the Historical SocietyÕs collection with Society President
Jackie Kokai (left) and Executive Director Kerri Broome (right).

A Gem Roller Organette loaned by Jack Greenleaf being
demonstrated by Marcia Ebert.

A Euterpephon disc box loaned by Harold Wade being demon-
strated by Marcia and Bob Ebert.

Janet and Bill Bird demonstrating
the Baker Troll cylinder music box
they lent to the exhibit.

50 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2018

In Memoriam In Memoriam
Luuk Goldhoorn

Sept. 12, 1929 Ð Dec. 12, 2017

By Beatrice Farmer

It is with deep sadness I must report
that one of the most outstanding and
prolific contributors to the knowledge
and history of musical boxes, Luuk
Goldhoorn, has died. He was 88 years
old.

Luuk lived his entire life in the
Netherlands, most of it in Utrecht. He
spent his working years with a major
insurance company.

Luuk was quite a private person, so I
was surprised to find a biography written
by him in 2004 on my computer. In
LuukÕs own words:

ÒCollecting has always been part of
my life. It started a very long time ago
with matchboxes, and it developed
through postage stamps, postal history
and culminated in my love for
musical boxes. But not all. Only the
small, and if possible the very early
ones have stolen my heart.

ÒI like to hunt for items for my
collection, but I like as much the
studying of original sources. And
as a normal Dutch education in the
1940s included knowledge of not only
English but also French and German,
I was able to study the archives from
the late Pierre Germain in Geneva,
and in Le Locle those of Alfred Chapuis.
In Germany, I tried to find more
about the history of the disc-playing
box manufacturers, but it turned
out be a very difficult task. The war
had destroyed many, many archives.
Browsing through libraries in various
European cities revealed quite
a number of hardly known articles
about my hobby.

Luuk Goldhoorn

ÒPointing myself to Prague and
Vienna taught me quite a lot about
the Austrian makers, and as a result
a book was published. The most
exciting experience was the acquaintance
of the granddaughter of Gustav
Rebicek. That led to more knowledge
of the people who made musical boxes
in that part of Europe.Ó

I had the privilege of traveling with
Luuk for five years, six months in
Europe and six months in the U.S. We
visited many of the major collections
on our travels from the Netherlands
to Switzerland and from Florida to
Vancouver, Canada. We were allowed
to play every musical box in the Baud
Museum. Luuk had a particularly good
relationship with the Museum Speelklok
in Utrecht. At one point, after we
had gazed into the glass cases for
some period of time, the late Jan Jaap
Haspels came into the room, handed
Luuk a large keyring, and told us to
help ourselves. He locked the door

as he left and we spent several hours,
playing everything in the room. Many
items hadnÕt been played in years. And
we visited several collections that
were unknown to most collectors.

In LÕAuberson, Switzerland, we accidentally
met the owner of the Cuendet
musical box workshop as we were
walking with Denis Margot. He invited
us to see his factory, where most things
were still in the same places as they
had been before Reuge had purchased
the company. I admired a high pile of
Òassembly boxesÓ Ð the boxes parts
were put into to take to workersÕ homes
for assembly. He asked if we would like
to have one and we, of course, replied
yes. He insisted on going through much
of the pile, looking for a box that had
writing on the inside. In the process,
he found a musical movement that
had been overlooked and insisted we
take them both. I had been videotaping
our visit and he was fascinated by the
movie. Luuk asked to pay for the boxes
and he said no Ð I think we almost
offended him.

Luuk and I traveled many miles
together in Europe and the U.S. as we
searched out collectors and museums
that had mechanical music collections.
It was great fun to enter a museum
and have the curator immediately
take us to the storeroom or workshop
to show us a recent acquisition or
unusual item. Luuk was well known
and respected wherever we went. He
spent a great deal of time in Austria
while he researched for his book, ÒDie
Osterreichische SpielwerkemanufakturÓ
and the director of the museum

GOLDHOORN | See Page 52

March/April 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 51

Remembering Luuk Goldhoorn

By Kathleen and Christian Eric

We donÕt remember when we first
met Luuk Goldhoorn, but it is likely
that he was brought to our music box
workshop and museum by Beatrice
Farmer, a fellow music box collector
who has similar tastes in early
mechanical music. As is often the
case, those who have similar interests
will inevitably find one another. Even
if you join a club that is dedicated to a
specific item, in this instance antique
music boxes, you will find that there
are mini-groups within the larger
membership. This is because we as
individuals, all gravitate toward specific
instruments and eras. In our case
Luuk, Beatrice, Christian and myself
all love the early, and often unusual,
music box movements. We are very
passionate about these early items and
found when we met Luuk that he felt
the same way. I might also mention
that he was a very opinionated fellow,
and as the other three members of
our little group have our own strong

GOLDHOORN | From Page 51

in Vienna was especially glad to see
him, since they had recently acquired
a very unusual musical clock. He gave
an interesting talk on Austrian Musical
Boxes at the MBSI Annual Meeting in
Baltimore, MD.

The following quote is from an
obituary item by Niko Wiegman, a
longtime friend of LuukÕs:

ÒHis interest was not how expensive
or large a musical box was,

but the story behind it was the most
important for him. It gave him great
pleasure to share that story with
other collectors, and we can find his
writing in many of the well-known
magazines.

ÒHe always wanted to see and check
the original source himself and that
took much travel and detective work.
I remember the first time I visited
him back in 1979, he had copied
everything the Dutch patent office and
national library had on the subject Ð
in my memory an enormous stack of

papers. Now all that can be found easily
on the Internet, but in those days
it was hard work behind microfilm
viewers and copying machines.Ó

Luuk was a very private person and
seldom invited anyone into his home.
He had a very specialized collection,
mostly very early and often unique
musical items. It was a great privilege
to know Luuk well, and to share many
excursions to see a particular musical
box or a massive collection. Rest in
Peace, my friend.

Condolences

Our condolences and deepest
sympathies go to the family and friends
of MBSI member Ricky Sherman who
recently passed away.

We have also received word that
Connie Ribe, wife of Bertil Ribe, died

opinions, our visit was quite lively.

Years passed, and we corresponded,
and eventually found ourselves being
called upon to edit some of LuukÕs
articles for Mechanical Music. As
Luuk was always quite definite about
what he intended to say when he was
discussing some unusual music box
item, it was often a challenge to translate
his interesting use of English, and
the often-confusing technical terms
that donÕt translate easily from Dutch
into English.

In the last years of our relationship,
he was always grateful for our helping
to put his words into ÒAmerican
English,Ó but he remained straightforward
in his opinion about what
he wanted to say and how it should
be said. He worked very hard on
these articles, and did some excellent
research that he enjoyed sharing with
all music box collectors.

These past few years we could tell
LuukÕs eyesight was becoming a problem
because the typeface in his emails
was becoming very large. He never

on Nov. 14, 2017, and was buried on
Dec. 1 in S¿ller¿d church-yard close
to her parents. Bertil says he and
Connie very much enjoyed the annual
meetings they attended in Florida,
Washington, Chicago and North Carolina.
Our condolences and deepest

discussed it, nor complained, but it
must have been difficult to research
then, and even more annoying to write
articles.

In one of our last communications
he was responding to me regarding
my hearing from a fellow collector
about the recent article he had written
and we edited. This collector told me
how interesting the article was to
her, and so I related this to Luuk. He
grumpily responded that he had written
many articles and never gotten
any responses! Harrumph. I am very
happy that, even if it was second hand
that he finally knew that his articles
were read and enjoyed by many of his
fellow collectors.

We are going to miss him. He was
one of a kind. Rest in peace Luuk, you
cranky, opinionated, often cantankerous,
but always interesting fellow.
There is a large void now in the world
of those who forged on in the difficult
work of researching antique music
boxes. We thank you for sharing your
hard work with all of us.

sympathies are extended to Bertil and
family, as well as friends of Connie.

Our condolences and deepest
sympathies also go to the family and
friends of MBSI member Dolly Seibert
who recently passed away.

52 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2018

HALF PAGE
HORIZONTAL
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Mechanical Music
Devoted to All Automatic Musical Instruments
Journal of the Musical Box Society International
Mechanical Music
Journal of the Musical Box Society International
Devoted to All Automatic Musical Instruments
Volume 63, No. 3 May/June 2017
Mechanical Music
Journal of the Musical Box Society International
Devoted to All Automatic Musical Instruments
Volume 63, No. 1 January/February 2017
DISPLAY ADVERTISING DIMENSIONS & PER ISSUE COSTS
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CLASSIFIED ADS
¥ 47¢ per word
¥ ALL CAPS, italicized and
bold words: 60¢ each.
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¥ Limit: One ad in each
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¥ Format: See ads for style
¥ Restrictions: Ads are strictly
limited to mechanical musical
instruments and related
items and services

Regina 15.Ó Changer Crest
Quality carving in Oak or Mahogany Ð unfinished, ready to stain – $1,100.
Price includes postage within the U.S.
Nancy Fratti Music Boxes
315-684-9977 – musicbox@frontiernet.net
BenÕs Player Piano Service
Repair and restoration of air powered mechanical music
devices of all description.
Player pianos
Reproduing pianos
Dance organs
Fairground organs
Nickelodeon pianos
Original historically
Correct techniques
And materials used
Throughout in the
Rebuilding process.
Benjamin R Gottfried
464 Dugan Road, Richfield Springs NY 13439
Bensplayerservice.com 315-858-2164
SAMPLE Restorations, LLC.
Joe Smith
Email: mbsi@irondogmedia.com to place your ad here!
This could be your ad right here!
54 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2018

Chet Ramsay
Antiques

Complete Restoration
Services Available.

Specializing in Music Boxes

Ð

Ð
Bought ¥
Sold ¥
Repaired

¥
Outside Horn Phonographs
¥
Music Boxes
Come visit our Victorian
showroom and workshop

East Fallowfield Twp.
2460 Strasburg Road
Coatesville, PA 19320

2 miles south of Coatesville

610-384-0514

Showroom open by appointment

2017 MBSI Annual Meeting Table Favors

Representation of a Regina disc player with two tunes available: ÒWhistle a Happy
TuneÓ and ÒEnglish Country Garden.Ó When the key is wound, the tune plays and the
disc turns. $25 each, inclding shipping to the continental U.S. Shipping elsewhere is

subject actual shipping charges. Accepted forms of payment are PayPal, check,
and money order. Contact Bill Guimes at bill.guimes@gmail.com or call (908)
850-1986 and leave a message.Will make a nice addition to your table favor

collection. Will make an unusual holiday gift. Only 60 of each tune left!!

56 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2018

Loesche Model 2 (Titania)
Peerless
Nickelodeon
Regina Style 35
Corona Automatic
Changer
Columbia Grafina
Console Phonograph
Mills Single
Violano
Victor Style V
Phonograph
Wurlitzer Style 50
Kiddie Band Organ
Wurlitzer
Pianino
National Piano
Seeburg KT
Special
Seeburg K
Nelson Wiggen
Nickelodeon
Seeburg KT
Special Mutoscope
Berry Wood
Auto Electric
Cabinet Grand
Please contact Dan at (949) 375 -2932 for pricing McAlister Collection
Loesche Model 2 (Titania)
Peerless
Nickelodeon
Regina Style 35
Corona Automatic
Changer
Columbia Grafina
Console Phonograph
Mills Single
Violano
Victor Style V
Phonograph
Wurlitzer Style 50
Kiddie Band Organ
Wurlitzer
Pianino
National Piano
Seeburg KT
Special
Seeburg K
Nelson Wiggen
Nickelodeon
Seeburg KT
Special Mutoscope
Berry Wood
Auto Electric
Cabinet Grand
Please contact Dan at (949) 375 -2932 for pricing McAlister Collection

Presented by A & S Antique Auction Co., LLC. – 900 E. Loop 340, Waco, Texas
Dan Hardesty

(1936-2015)

Over 700 items, to include pieces from the Estate of the late Dan Hardesty, (1936-2015), avid and
nationally known collector, formerly of Franklin, PA. As well as items from avid western, vintage Lawman Badge
and firearm collector George Jackson.

Mr. Hardesty is known to have collected many models and styles of antique Music Boxes and Horn Disc Players,
to include Regina, Stella, Victor, Columbia, Puritan in Bombay oak case, Edison Players including the Triumph
model with oak horn, plus other oak horn players, several ornate oak Music Cabinets, bow bottom Music Chairs.
Mr. HardestyÕs collection will also feature many fine antique clocks, including Double Dials, Calendar, Ansonia
Crystal Clocks, Statue Clocks, Grandfather Clocks and others.

Firearms to include: Fine factory engraved Henry Lever Action Rifle, many Winchester Lever Action Rifles, Colt
Dragoons, Army and Navy Revolvers. Collection of vintage Law Enforcement Badges, Artifacts from the Civil
War Era, beautiful Antique Furniture and Lighting.

OVER 700 ITEMS IN THIS INCREDIBLE 2-DAY SALE.

We will offer a 200-plus page, full color catalog, giving sale order, great photographs and descriptions. Catalogs are $25.00 and
includes priority shipping, and will be mailed first of March. You may bid In-House, Phone, Absentee or On-Line. See catalog for
further instructions and Bid Form. Call 254-799-6044 to order your catalog or mail your check to

A & S Auction Co., LLC, 900 E. Loop 340, Waco, Texas, 76705.

Several oak horn
players
Many music stands
Regina Coin – Op
Paper Mache
with moving
eyes and ear
Key wind with two singing
birds
Fine oak Puritan in oak
Bombay case
Large Clock Collection
Two size Regina music
boxes in carved cases
Handel Desk lamp

Auctioneer Scott Franks TXS 7222 aS&Auction W aco ,T exa s
L.L.C.
www.ASAuction.com – 254-799-6044
Early key wind
with moving eyes
One of many players
Monumental Black Forrest clock set
Large collection of incredible
carved furniture
Regina style 140
Auctioneer Scott Franks TXS 7222 aS&Auction W aco ,T exa s
L.L.C.
www.ASAuction.com – 254-799-6044
Early key wind
with moving eyes
One of many players
Monumental Black Forrest clock set
Large collection of incredible
carved furniture
Regina style 140

AUCTIONEERS & REALTORSSTANTONÕSStantonÕs Auctioneers, Appraisers,
& Realtors
144 S. Main, P.O. Box 146
Vermontville, MI 49096
Phone: (517) 726-0181
Fax: (517) 726-0060
E-mail: stantonsauctions@sbcglobal.net
Website: www.stantons-auctions.com
Steven E. Stanton
(517) 331-8150 cellular
(517) 852-0627 evening
E-mail Ð stevenEstanton@gmail.com
Michael C. Bleisch
(517) 231-0868 cellular
E-mail Ð mcbleisch@gmail.com
Thursday, Friday and Saturday, APRIL 26, 27, & 28, 2018
Thursday begins at 12:00 Noon with the Luncheon followed by the Auction starting at 1 P.M.
FridayÕs and SaturdayÕs Auctions start at 9:00 A.M.
PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF LOCATION & DATES
To be held on the BARRY COUNTY Fairgrounds, at 1350 N. M-37 Highway, Hastings, MichiganThe fairgrounds are 6 miles northwest of Hastings, or 27 miles southeast of Grand Rapids and theGerald R. Ford International Airport on M-37.
STANTONÕS AUCTION of
AUTOMATIC MUSICAL MACHINES
The auction already includes the Rorrer Collection with a Rare Victor Auxetophone, A Victor VI phonograph with
matching mahogany cabinet with gold Corinthian columns, a fine Reginaphone Style 150 serpentine case 15-1/2Ó disc
music box with nickel horn for playing music box and phonograph records, other music boxes, band organs, Symphonion
grandfatherÕs clock with music box, many rare examples, and an excellent selection of phonographs of all types. Also
from other fine estates and collections are excellent music boxes including three (3) interchangeable cylinder boxes
with matching inlaid tables having bells, etc. as well as an excellent Cylinder clock front box, Capital Cuff box restored
by Porter, Raffin street organ, Avery desirable Symphonion disc Christmas tree stand and music box with bells, Regina
20-3/4 and 27Ó casket model music boxes, and lots more.
We are accepting additional collections and items for our sale, call for information on participating.
We offer a full-service operation that is completely insured, our rates are competitive, and we have a
background in this field that exceeds others selling items of this type. Also, the buyerÕs premium charged at our
auctions is one of the lowest in the nation…which is extremely advantageous to both sellers and buyers alike.
Plan on contacting us to discuss our travel schedule and have your items included in our upcomingevent. Our present trips will be taking us to the west coast, south and southeast, Midwest and of course
the east coast. Make sure to benefit from the national and international advertising that will done be
over the course of the next six months, in print, newspapers, specialty publications, direct mailings, andthrough online technology.
Area Hotel Accommodations Ð Holiday Inn Express, 1099 W. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Michigan Ð 269-
945-0000; Parkview Motel, 429 N. Broadway Street, Hastings, Michigan Ð 269-945-9511; Adrounie House
Bed & Breakfast, 1265 S. Broadway Street, Hastings, Michigan Ð (269) 945-0678; Bay Pointe Inn, 11456
Marsh Road, Shelbyville, Michigan Ð 269-672-8111 (12 miles to auction site), www.baypointeinn.com.
Steven E. Stanton ¥ (517) 331-8150 cellular ¥ Email stevenEstanton@gmail.com
AUCTIONEERS & REALTORSSTANTONÕSStantonÕs Auctioneers, Appraisers,
& Realtors
144 S. Main, P.O. Box 146
Vermontville, MI 49096
Phone: (517) 726-0181
Fax: (517) 726-0060
E-mail: stantonsauctions@sbcglobal.net
Website: www.stantons-auctions.com
Steven E. Stanton
(517) 331-8150 cellular
(517) 852-0627 evening
E-mail Ð stevenEstanton@gmail.com
Michael C. Bleisch
(517) 231-0868 cellular
E-mail Ð mcbleisch@gmail.com
Thursday, Friday and Saturday, APRIL 26, 27, & 28, 2018
Thursday begins at 12:00 Noon with the Luncheon followed by the Auction starting at 1 P.M.
FridayÕs and SaturdayÕs Auctions start at 9:00 A.M.
PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF LOCATION & DATES
To be held on the BARRY COUNTY Fairgrounds, at 1350 N. M-37 Highway, Hastings, MichiganThe fairgrounds are 6 miles northwest of Hastings, or 27 miles southeast of Grand Rapids and theGerald R. Ford International Airport on M-37.
STANTONÕS AUCTION of
AUTOMATIC MUSICAL MACHINES
The auction already includes the Rorrer Collection with a Rare Victor Auxetophone, A Victor VI phonograph with
matching mahogany cabinet with gold Corinthian columns, a fine Reginaphone Style 150 serpentine case 15-1/2Ó disc
music box with nickel horn for playing music box and phonograph records, other music boxes, band organs, Symphonion
grandfatherÕs clock with music box, many rare examples, and an excellent selection of phonographs of all types. Also
from other fine estates and collections are excellent music boxes including three (3) interchangeable cylinder boxes
with matching inlaid tables having bells, etc. as well as an excellent Cylinder clock front box, Capital Cuff box restored
by Porter, Raffin street organ, Avery desirable Symphonion disc Christmas tree stand and music box with bells, Regina
20-3/4 and 27Ó casket model music boxes, and lots more.
We are accepting additional collections and items for our sale, call for information on participating.
We offer a full-service operation that is completely insured, our rates are competitive, and we have a
background in this field that exceeds others selling items of this type. Also, the buyerÕs premium charged at our
auctions is one of the lowest in the nation…which is extremely advantageous to both sellers and buyers alike.
Plan on contacting us to discuss our travel schedule and have your items included in our upcomingevent. Our present trips will be taking us to the west coast, south and southeast, Midwest and of course
the east coast. Make sure to benefit from the national and international advertising that will done be
over the course of the next six months, in print, newspapers, specialty publications, direct mailings, andthrough online technology.
Area Hotel Accommodations Ð Holiday Inn Express, 1099 W. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Michigan Ð 269-
945-0000; Parkview Motel, 429 N. Broadway Street, Hastings, Michigan Ð 269-945-9511; Adrounie House
Bed & Breakfast, 1265 S. Broadway Street, Hastings, Michigan Ð (269) 945-0678; Bay Pointe Inn, 11456
Marsh Road, Shelbyville, Michigan Ð 269-672-8111 (12 miles to auction site), www.baypointeinn.com.
Steven E. Stanton ¥ (517) 331-8150 cellular ¥ Email stevenEstanton@gmail.com

My 50thAnniversary thAnniversary
Serving the wonderful world of music boxes!

To celebrate 50 years of meeting and helping some of the greatest people
in the world obtain or repair their treasures, I am giving away this
lovely crystal case 50 note Sankyomusic box!

For every music box purchase ororder received throughout 2018,
I will put that customerÕs name on an Ôentry formÕ. On Thanksgiving
(in November) I will draw one name who will receive this gorgeous box
in time for the holidays!

I will also be giving a for 5% discounton all supply/disc orders
the rest of the year as my continuing Ôthank youÕ to my customers for
helping this happen!

Nancy Fratti Music Boxes

PO Box 400 Ð Canastota NY 13032 –315-684-9977

musicbox@frontiernet.net –www.nancyfrattimusicboxes.com

THE MART THE MART
CLASSIFIED ADS

¥ 47¢ per word
¥ ALL CAPS, italicized and bold
words: 60¢ each.
¥ Minimum Charge: $11 per ad.
¥ Limit: One ad in each category
¥ Format: See ads for style
¥ Restrictions: Ads are strictly
limited to mechanical musical
instruments and related items and
services
¥ MBSI memberÕs name must
appear in ad
¥ Non-members may advertise at the
rates listed plus a 10% surcharge
PLEASE NOTE:

The first two words (or more
at your choice) and the memberÕs
name will be printed in all caps/bold
and charged at 60¢ per word.

Mechanical Music

Mechanical Music is mailed to all
members at the beginning of every
odd month Ñ January, March, May,
July, September and November.

MBSI Advertising Statement

It is to be hereby understood
that the placing of advertisements
by members of the Society in this
publication does not constitute nor
shall be deemed to constitute any
endorsement or approval of the business
practices of advertisers. The
Musical Box Society International
accepts no liability in connection
with any business dealings between
members and such advertisers.

It is to be further understood that
members are to rely on their own
investigation and opinion regarding
the reputation and integrity of
advertisers in conducting such business
dealings with said advertisers.

FOR SALE
RESTORED MUSICAL BOXES Offering a
variety of antique musical boxes, discs,
orphan cylinders, reproducing piano rolls &
out of print books about mechanical music.
BILL WINEBURGH 973-927-0484 Web:
antiquemusicbox.us

THE GOLDEN AGE of AUTOMATIC MUSICAL
INSTRUMENTS By ART REBLITZ.
Award-winning classic that brings historical,
musical, and technical information to life
with hundreds of large, vivid color photos.
We guarantee youÕll find it to be one of the
most interesting, inspiring, informative books
you have in your libraryÐor your money back.
Everyone has been delighted, and some
readers have ordered several copies. Get
your copy today for $99 plus S/H. MECHANICAL
MUSIC PRESS-M, 70 Wild Ammonoosuc
Rd., Woodsville, NH 03785. (603) 747-2636.

http://www.mechanicalmusicpress.com

WE SELL MIDI files for all style of organs, and
Band Organ music rolls for all styles. Special
Release: Style 165 Roll No. 6855 Rag Roll
Arranged by Rich Olsen $85 + $5 S/H ÒNEW
Christmas rolls for style 165 Roll No. 6883
& 6884Ó Arranged by Andrew Park $85 + $5
S/H Call us to place your order or email us for
info on our music rolls & midi files. Contact:
ANDY ADAMS, (860) 261-5923, sales@
wurlitzerrolls.com, http://www.wurlitzerrolls.
com. Gold Leaf Galleries 410 Emmett St. Unit
86Bristol, CT 06010 United States

ADVERTISE IN THE MART! Email your ad
to editor@mbsi.org or call (253) 228-1634
to place your ad for the March/April 2018
issue.

Add a photo to your ad!

Photos are only $30 extra per issue.

Email editor@mbsi.org or
call (253) 228-1634 for more details.

Display Advertising Dimensions and Costs
Dimensions 1 issue 3 issues* 6 issues*
Back Cover 8.75Ó x 11.25Ó $600 $540 $510
Inside Covers 8.75Ó x 11.25Ó $450 $405 $383
Full Page 7.25Ó x 9.75Ó $290 $261 $246
Half Page 7.25Ó x 4.5Ó $160 $144 $136
Quarter Page 3.5Ó x 4.5Ó $90 $81 $77
Eighth Page 3.5Ó x 2.125Ó $50 $45 $43
Add a 10% surcharge to the prices shown above if you are not a member of MBSI.
*Display Discounts shown above are calculated as follows:
3 consecutive ads 10% Discount
6 consecutive ads 15% Discount

ALL ADS MUST BE PREPAID

We accept VISA/MC and Paypal.

ADVERTISING DEADLINES:

The 1st day of each even month:
Feb., Apr., Jun, Aug., Oct. and Dec.

Display ads may be submitted
camera-ready, as PDF files, or with
text and instructions. File submission
guidelines available on request.

Errors attributable to Mechanical
Music, and of a significant nature, will
be corrected in the following issue
without charge, upon notification.

Add a photo to your ad!

Photos are only $30 extra per issue.

Email editor@mbsi.org or

call (253) 228-1634 for more details.

SUBMIT ADS TO:

MBSI Ads
130 Coral Court
Pismo Beach, CA 93449
(253) 228-1634
Email: editor@mbsi.org

62 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2018

STYLE 40 Regina floor model in original surface
and excellent condition. Tiger mahogany,
double comb, short bedplate, great voice,
fast/slow lever; zither attachment and 54
discs. Originally owned and sold by Ruth
Bornand. Many Christmas carols. $4,450.
Pick up or you set up shipping. Contact: JOE
MOFFITT, Please call (914) 723-2139

WANTED
WANTED: ART Case Steinway Duo-Art & Raf-
fin Organ. Contact MARTY PERSKY at (847)
675-6144 or email Marty@MechMusic.com.

Advertise in The Mart

WANTED: REGINA 20-3/4 inch style 39
music box in good original condition. Also
interested in acquiring a Restored Mills violin.
Contact: DON KROENLEIN, (217) 620-8650,
fbac@one-eleven.net

NEED SOMEONE to repair a Regina disc player
within a reasonable drive of Collegeville, PA.
Please email me. Contact: TARA FLYNN,
(215) 570-5925, taralflynn@comcast.net

SERVICES
REPRODUCTION POLYPHON discs; Catalogs
available for 19 5/8Ó, 22 1/8Ó, and 24 1/2Ó.
DAVID CORKRUM 5826 Roberts Ave, Oakland,
CA 94605-1156, 510-569-3110,
www.polyphonmusic.com

SAVE $Õs on REUGE & THORENS MUSIC
BOX REPAIR & RESTORATION Ð MBSI
MEMBERS RECEIVE WHOLESALE PRICING.

35 + Years experience servicing all makes
& models of cylinder and disc music boxes,
bird boxes, bird cages, musical watches, Anri
musical figurines, et al. All work guaranteed.
WeÕre the only REUGE FACTORY AUTHORIZED
Parts & Repair Service Center for all of North

Have some spare parts or extra rolls taking up the space where you should be
installing your next acquisition?

Ready to trade up, but need to sell one of your current pieces first?
Get the word out to other collectors by advertising in The Mart, an effective
advertising tool at an inexpensive price.

Go online to place your advertisement at www.mbsi.org, fill out the form below,
or contact Russell Kasselman at (253) 228-1634 to get started.
You may also email advertisements to editor@mbsi.org

America. Contact: DON CAINE -The Music
Box Repair Center Unlimited, 24703 Pennsylvania
Ave., Lomita, CA 90717-1516. Phone:

(310) 534-1557 Email: MBRCU@AOL.COM.
On the Web: www.musicboxrepaircenter.com
WHISTLER, BIRD BOX & BIRD CAGE REPAIR

Re-feathering for bird boxes & bird cages.
Repairs to bird cages, bird boxes & whistlers.
Traditional bellows recovering & repair.
Replacing rubber bellows with our own custom
made diaphragms. Fax 843 285 – 5927
Email to: jrmackay@comcast.net Contact:
RUSS MACKAY, (843) 879-9447, jrmackay@
comcast.net 257 Okehampton Drive Goose
Creek, SC 29445 United States

Display Advertisers

2 Renaissance Antiques
54 Bob Caletti Music Box
Restorations
54 BenÕs Player Piano Service
54 Nancy Fratti Music Boxes
55 Mid-America Chapter
56 Chet Ramsay Antiques
56 Cottone Auctions
56 East Coast Chapter, MBSI
57 McAlister Collection
58 A & S Auction
59 A &S Auction
60 StantonÕs Auctioneers & Realtors
61 Nancy Fratti Music Boxes
66 Marty Persky
67 Morphy Auctions
68 Auction Team Brekker

Our advertisers help make this publication
possible. Please visit them soon!

Name Phone
Email
Text of ad

March/April 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 63

OFFICERS, TRUSTEES & COMMITTEES of the
MUSICAL BOX SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL¨

OFFICERS
President

Clay Witt
820 Del Rio Way Unit 303
Merritt Island, FL 32953
floridaclay@floridaclay.net

Vice President

Tom Kuehn
4 Williams Woods
Mahtomedi, MN 55115
kuehn001@umn.edu

Recording Secretary

David Corkrum
5826 Roberts Avenue
Oakland, CA 94605
musikwerke@att.net

Treasurer

Edward Kozak
3615 North Campbell Avenue
Chicago, IL 60618
kozak@seldenfox.com

TRUSTEES

John Bryant
Judy Caletti
Ed Cooley
Sally Craig
Wayne Finger
Tom Kuehn
Mary Ellen Myers
Mary Pollock
Clay Witt

BOARD ADVISER

Junichi Natori,
International Adviser

MBSI FUNDS

COMMITTEES
Audit Committee

Edward Cooley, Chair, Trustee
Mary Pollock, Trustee

G.Wayne Finger, Trustee
Endowment Committee

Edward Kozak, Treasurer, Chair
Mary Pollock, Trustee
B Bronson

Executive Committee

Clay Witt, Chair, President
Tom Kuehn, Vice President
Mary Pollock, Trustee
Judy Caletti, Immediate Past Pres.
John Bryant, Trustee

Finance Committee

Edward Kozak, Chair
Tom Kuehn, Vice President
Wayne Wolf, Vice Chair
B Bronson
Peter Both

Marketing Committee

Rob Pollock, Chair
John Bryant, Trustee
Wayne Finger, Trustee
Bob Smith

Meetings Committee

Tom Kuehn, Chair, Vice President
Mary Pollock, Trustee
Matt Jaro
Don Henry
Marty Persky
Rich Poppe

Membership Committee

Rob Pollock, Chair
Judy Caletti, Immediate Past Pres.
Tom Chase, Snowbelt
Mary Grace, Sunbelt
Linda Birkitt, Southern California
Florie Hirsch, National Capital
Julie Hughes, Golden Gate
Gerald Yorioka, Northwest IntÕl
Julie Morlock, Southeast
Dan Wilson, Piedmont

Museum Committee

Sally Craig, Chair, Trustee
John Bryant, Trustee
Ken Envall, Southern California
Julian Grace, Sunbelt
Wayne Myers, Southeast
Ray Parkinson, Northwest IntÕl
Bill Wineburgh, East Coast
Ron Yancy, East Coast

Museum Sub-Committees

Ohio Operations
Emery Prior

Nominating Committee

Dan Wilson, Chair
Mary Pollock, Trustee
Judy Caletti, Immediate Past Pres.
Carol Beck
Steve Boehck
Ray Dickey
Vernon Gantt

Publications Committee

Bob Caletti, Chair
Tom Kuehn, Trustee
Steve Boehck
Dave Corkrum
Christian Eric
Kathleen Eric
Terry Smythe

Publications
Sub-Committee

Website Committee
Rick Swaney, Chair
Wayne Finger, Trustee
Julian Grace
B Bronson
Don Henry
Knowles Little, Web Secretary

Special Exhibits Committee

Wayne Myers, Chair

John Bryant, Trustee

David Corkrum, Golden Gate

Robert Ebert, Mid-America

Jack Hostetler, Southeast

Judy Miller, Piedmont

Mary Ellen Myers, Southeast

Rick Swaney, Northwest IntÕl

Bill Wineburgh, East Coast

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES
Publications Back Issues:

Jacque Beeman

Regina Certificates:

Bob Yates

MBSI Pins and Seals:

Jacque Beeman

Librarian:

Jerry Maler

Historian:

Bob Yates

MBSI Editorial Office:

Iron Dog Media
130 Coral Court
Pismo Beach, CA 93449
editor@mbsi.org

Members can donate to these funds at any time.
Send donations to: General Fund (unrestricted)
MBSI Administrator, Endowment Fund (promotes the purposes of MBSI, restricted)
PO Box 10196, Ralph Heintz Publications Fund (special literary projects)
Springfield, MO 65808-0196. Museum Fund (supports museum operations)

All manuscripts will be subject to editorial review. Committee and the Editorial Staff. are considered to be the authorÕs personal opinion.
Articles submitted for publication may be edited The article will not be published with significant The author may be asked to substantiate his/her
or rejected at the discretion of the Publications changes without the authorÕs approval. All articles statements.

64 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2018

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Date Event Location Sponsor
Mar. 16, 2018 Trustees Mid-Year meeting, Musical Instrument Museum Phoenix, AZ Southern California Chapter
Mar. 17, 2018 Southern California Chapter meeting Phoenix, AZ Southern California Chapter
Apr. 20-22, 2018 Northwest International Chapter meeting in conjunction with
the Magic Lantern Society of U.S. and Canada convention
Victoria, BC
May 4-6, 2018 Lake Michigan Chapter Weekend Extravaganza (including the
Sanfilippo collection and the Herbert Mills Home)
Barrington Hills and
Oak Park, IL
Lake Michigan Chapter
May 6, 2018 Golden Gate Chapter joint meeting with AMICA Menlo Park, CA
Jul. 21-22, 2018 Mid-America Band Organ Rally Dayton, OH Mike and Liz Barnhart
Aug. 28-Sept. 1, 2018 2018 MBSI Annual Meeting Detroit, MI Mid-America Chapter

Please send dates for the Calendar of Events to Russell Kasselman (editor@mbsi.org)

CONTACTS

Administrator Jacque Beeman handles back issues (if available) $6;
damaged or issues not received, address changes, MBSI Directory
listing changes, credit card charge questions, book orders, status of your
membership, membership renewal, membership application, and MBSI
Membership Brochures.
P.O. Box 10196
Springfield, MO 65808-0196
Phone/Fax (417) 886-8839
jbeeman.mbsi@att.net

CHAPTERS

East Coast

Chair: Bill Wineburgh
(973) 927-0484
Dues $10 to Geoffrey Wilson
804 Appleton Way
Whippany, NJ 07981

Golden Gate

Chair: Richard Hughes
(650) 593-1261
Dues $5 to Dave Corkrum
5826 Roberts Ave.
Oakland, CA 94605

Japanese International

Chair: Tomiju Endo x
+81-42-339-9099
Dues Japanese yen 4,000 to
Sadahiko Sakauchi
5-2-41 Nigawa-cho
Nishinomiya-shi
662-0811 Japan

Lake Michigan

Chair: Marty Nevel
(312) 613-8500
Dues $5 to James Huffer
7930 N. Kildare
Skokie, Illinois 60076

Mid-America

Chair: Dave Calendine
(810) 449-8037
Dues $10 to Harold Wade
4616 Boneta Road
Medina, OH 44256

National Capital

Chair: Matthew Jaro
(301) 482-2008
Dues $5 to Florie Hirsch
8917 Wooden Bridge Road
Potomac, MD 20854

Northwest International

Chair: Dale Tyvand
(425) 774-7230
Dues $7.50/person to Kathy Baer
8210 Comox Road
Blaine, WA 98230

Piedmont

Chair: Vernon Gantt
(919) 264-2222
vgjr123@yahoo.com
Dues $10 to Vernon Gantt
PO Box 20238
Raleigh, NC 27619

Traveling MBSI Display
Bill Endlein
21547 NW 154th Pl.
High Springs, FL 32643-4519
Phone (386) 454-8359
sembsi@yahoo.com

Regina Certificates: Cost $5.
Bob Yates
901 Glenshaw Avenue
Glenshaw, PA 15116
Phone (412) 486-8435
rsublima@juno.com

Advertising for Mechanical Music
Russell Kasselman
Iron Dog Media
130 Coral Court
Pismo Beach, CA 93449
Phone (253) 228-1634
editor@mbsi.org

CHAPTERS

Snowbelt

Chair: Tracy Tolzmann
(651) 674-5149
Dues $10 to Gary Goldsmith
17160 – 245th Avenue
Big Lake, MN 55309

Southeast

Chair: Judy Miller
(828) 513-7007
Dues $5 to Julie Morlock
780 Cherry Grove Road
Orange Park, FL 32073

Museum Donations
Sally Craig,
2720 Old Orchard Road
Lancaster, PA 17601
Phone (717) 295-9188
rosebud441@juno.com

MBSI website
Rick Swaney,
4302 209th Avenue NE
Sammamish, WA 98074
Phone (425) 836-3586
r_swaney@msn.com

Web Secretary
Knowles Little
9109 Scott Dr.
Rockville, MD 20850
Phone (301) 762-6253
kglittle@verizon.net

Southern California

Chair: Robin Biggins
(310) 377-1472
Dues $10 to Bob Lloyd
1201 Edgeview Drive
Cowan Hgts, CA 92705

Sunbelt

Chair: Ray Dickey
(713) 467-0349
Dues $10 to Mary Grace
13431 Grand Masterpiece
Houston, TX 77041

Copyright 2016 the Musical Box Society International, all rights reserved. Permission to reproduce by any means, in whole or in part, must be obtained in writing
from the MBSI Executive Committee and the Editor. Mechanical Music is published in the even months. ISSN 1045-795X

March/April 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 65

MARTY PERSKY

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT SPECIALIST
SERVING COLLECTORS WORLDWIDE

Instrument Brokering & Locating
Appraisals / Inspections / Free Consultation

Popper Felix Mortier 84 key CafŽ Wurlitzer MPO 33A Welte 4 Concert

Bow front Violano Weber Grandezza Violina Orchestra Weber Maesto

Holl 43-Key 2 Barrels Knabe AMPICO 5Õ8Ó Louis XV Wall Box Collection Niemuth 45-Key Bacigalupo
Wanted: Art Case Steinway Duo-Art & Raffin Organ.

Visit Mechmusic.com for more information on these and other fine instruments.

Tel: 847-675-6144 Email: Marty@MechMusic.com

Proven Market Success
SOLD $1,020,000
Dedicated to you and your collection
Proven Market Success
SOLD $1,020,000
Dedicated to you and your collection
Save the Date For Upcoming Auctions

¥ March 1 & 2: Firearms & Militaria
¥ March 29: Sports Memorabilia
¥
¥ May 16: Toy, Doll & Figural Cast Iron
¥ May 18: Premier Western (Las Vegas)
¥

May 24: Automobilia & Petroliana
please visit or call us at:
¥
¥
¥ June 20, 21 & 22: Lamps, Glass & Fine Jewelry
2000 | | |

Free consignment shipping to Germany Ð if delivered or sent to our location
in Garden City Park, NY 11040 (10 miles east of JFK Airport)
Free shipping for any major consignment from the U.K.! You just pack Ð we do the rest!
For more information and large colour photographs of some more of the upcoming
highlights please visit our website at: www.Breker.com / New Highlights
and youTube.com at Auction Team Breker in mid April 2018
Fully-illustrated bilingual (Engl.-German) COLOUR Catalogue available against prepayment only:
Euro 28.Ð (Europe) or elsewhere Euro 39.Ð (approx. US$ 44.Ð / Overseas)
(Bank draft, cash or by Credit Card with CVV and expiry date: MasterCard/Visa/AmEx)
. Consignments for Future Auctions Always Welcome! .
Ð Leading the Field in Specialist Auctions Ð
P. O. Box 50 11 19, 50971 Koeln/Germany á Tel.: +49 / 2236 / 38 43 40 á Fax: +49 / 2236 / 38 43 430
Otto-Hahn-Str. 10, 50997 Koeln (Godorf)/Germany
e-mail: Auction@Breker.com á www.breker.com á Business Hours: Tue Ð Fri 9 am Ð 5 pm
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT OUR INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES:
U.S.A.: Andrew Truman, Tel. (207) 485 8343 * AndrewAuctionTeamBreker@gmail.com
Australia & New Zealand: P. Bardenheier, (NZ), Tel./Fax (+64) (0)9 817 72 68 * dbarden@orcon.net.nz
Japan: Murakami Taizou, Tel./Fax (06) 68 45 86 28 * murakami@ops.dti.ne.jp á China: Jiang Feng, Tel. 138 620 620 75 * jiangfengde@gmail.com
Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore: Alex Shih-Chieh Lin, (HK), Tel. (+852) 94 90 41 13 * alexsclin@gmail.com
England: Tel. (0)777 963 7317 * AuctionTeamBrekerUK@outlook.de á France: Pierre J. Bickart, Tel. (01) 43 33 86 71 * AuctionTeamKoln@aol.com
Russia: Polyguide Ltd. Moscow, Tel. (925) 740 66 03, Tel./Fax (985) 999 93 55 * ml.mediaservice@gmail.com
Hunter Watch
with Alarm
and Musical
Automata by
Reuge, c. 1975
Estimate:
2.000 Ð 3.000  /
2,480 Ð 3,720 $
Libellion Musical Box for
Cardboard Book Music, c. 1910
Estimate: 7.000 Ð 8.000  / 8,680 Ð 9,920 $
Buddha Gramophone, c. 1925
With papier-m‰chŽ figure
Estimate: 3.500 Ð 4.500  /
4,340 Ð 5,580 $
Very Rare Symphonion Style 100
Disc-Changing Musical Box
Estimate: 55.000 Ð 80.000  /
68,200 Ð 99,200 $
Portable ÈBauhausÇ Gramophone
by Carl Lindstršm AG, c. 1930
Estimate: 700 Ð 1.000  / 868 Ð 1,240 $
Rare Duplex Musical Clock
by E. Flonck, 1898
Estimate: 11.000 Ð 13.000  / 13,640 Ð 16,120 $
Rare Gramophone
Alarm Clock, c. 1920
Estimate: 1.000 Ð 1.500  /
1,240 Ð 1,860 $
Éand many more!
ÈMechanical Music,
Talking Machines &
TechnologyÇ
May 26, 2018
146th Specialty Auction
Emile Berliner-Style Hand-
Turned Gramophone,
Model 2
Estimate: 2.000 Ð 3.000  /
2,480 Ð 3,720 $
Sensational ÈStereoscopeÇ-
Symphonion Musical Box, c. 1895
Estimate:
10.000 Ð 15.000  /12,400 Ð 18,600 $
ÈStollwerckÇ
Tin Gramophone with
Chocolate Discs, c. 1903
Estimate: 2.000 Ð 3.000  /
2,480 Ð 3,720 $

Volume 64, No. 1 January/February 2018

· January 1, 2018 ·

Mechanical Music Mechanical Music
Journal of the Musical Box Society International
Devoted to All Automatic Musical Instruments

Volume 64, No. 1 January/February 2018

PuRchAse • sAles • consignment

of Quality Cylinder & Disc Music Boxes, Musical Clocks & Automata

For over forty years we’ve placed fine antiques in collections around
the world. Our reputation has been built upon appreciative buyers
and satisfied sellers. Pictured are a few of the high quality musical
antiques we’ve sold in the past or have in our current inventory.

Visit the charming village of Solvang, half an hour above Santa Barbara in the beautiful CA Central Coast Wine Country

of solvangRenaissance Antiques
496 First Street, California 93463 • Ron & Julie Palladino
Open Seven Days a Week 10-6 • 805-452-5700
www.renantiques.com • info@renantiques.com

RENAISSANCE ANTIQUE S

Editor/Publisher

Russell Kasselman

(253) 2281-634

editor@mbsi.org

MBSI Editorial Office:

Iron Dog Media

130 Coral Court

Pismo Beach, CA 93449

editor@mbsi.org

Publications Chair

Bob Caletti

All manuscripts will be subject to editorial
review. Articles submitted for publication may
be edited or rejected at the discretion of the
Publications Committee and the Editorial
Staff. The article will not be published with
significant changes without the author’s
approval. All articles are considered to be the
author’s personal opinion. The author may be
asked to substantiate his/her statements.

Mechanical Music (ISSN 1045-795X) is published by
the Musical Box Society International, 130 Coral Court,
Pismo Beach, CA 93449 six times per year. A Directory
of Members, Museums and Dealers is published
biennially. Domestic subscription rate, $60. Periodicals
postage paid at San Luis Obispo, CA and additional
mailing offices.

Copyright 2018. The Musical Box Society International,
all rights reserved. Mechanical Music
cannot be copied, reproduced or transmitted in
whole or in part in any form whatsoever without
written consent of the Editor and the Executive
Committee.

MEMBERS: SEND ADDRESS CORRECTIONS TO:
MBSI, PO Box 10196,
Springfield, MO 65808-0196
Or, make corrections on the website at www.mbsi.org.

POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO

MBSI, PO Box 10196,
Springfield, MO 65808-0196

Mechanical Music

Journal of the Musical Box Society International

Devoted to All Automatic Musical Instruments

Volume 64, No. 1
January/February 2018

MBSI NEWS

5 President’s Message
7 Editor’s Notes
8 Special Exhibits Com

mittee report
9 Homeschool students
build music boxes
10 Nickel Notes by Matt
Jaro
36 Monkey organ grinders
in the cartoons
56 In Memoriam

CHAPTER
REPORTS

43 Golden Gate
44 Sunbelt
45 National Capital
48 Southeast
52 Southern California

Each One
Reach One
New Member
On the Cover
Ken Gordon has compiled a
working discography for the
Symphonion Model 38, three-disc
Eroica music box. Page 28.
16 – Comb repairs

Repairing and replacing teeth in a
music box comb.

January/February 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 3

The World of Mechanical Music The World of Mechanical Music
Copy this page, and give it to a potential new member. Spread the word about MBSI.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

Last name First Name Initial
Check or Money Order Payable to: MBSI Treasurer (US Funds Only)
Mail to: New Member Registration – MBSI
PO Box 10196
Springfield, MO 65808-0196
Last Name First Name Initial
Visa/MasterCard
Address
Exp. Date CCV
City
Signature
State / Zip Membership Dues
US members (per household)……………………………………….$60
Postal Code / Country
Phone
Canada…………………………………………………………………………$70
Other International ………………………………………………………$75
(Add $20 for International air mail.)
Join online: www.mbsi.org/join-mbsi
Fax
E-mail
Sponsor (optional)
Member Benefits
Six magazines annually — Mechanical Music plus the
Directory of Members, Museums, and Dealers (published
every two years). Membership also entitles you to participate
in the Annual Meeting and to join regional chapters.
New members receive a welcome letter, a Goods & Supplies
Order Form, Directory of Members, Museums, and
Dealers, and a list of the regional chapters.

A
A
fascinating hobby! It combines all the appeals of
art, history, craftsmanship, and music all into one.
Automatic music doesn’t just sit there; it is ever
willing to perform for those who care to hear it. Play an
automatic music machine in a room full of people and all
else will stop as the machine enraptures the audience with
the sparkling melodies of yesteryear!

A “Music Box” is any sort of automatic music instrument
that plays music via the plucking of teeth on a tuned steel
comb through various mechanisms; musical automata;
orchestrions; player and reproducing pianos and organs;
phonographs; and self-playing stringed, wind, and percussion
instruments of any kind.

The Musical Box Society International, chartered by the
New York State Board of Regents, is a nonprofit society
dedicated to the enjoyment, study, and preservation of
automatic musical instruments. Founded in 1949, it now
has members around the world, and supports various

educational projects.

Regional chapters and an Annual Meeting held each year
in different cities within the United States enable members
to visit collections, exchange ideas, and attend educational
workshops.

Members receive the scholarly journal, Mechanical
Music, which also contains advertising space for members
who wish to buy, sell, and restore mechanical musical
instruments and related items; the Directory of Members,
Museums, and Dealers.

The only requirements for membership are an interest in
automatic music machines and the desire to share information
about them. And you’ll take pride in knowing you
are contributing to the preservation of these marvelous
examples of bygone craftsmanship.

More Information:

Phone/Fax: (417) 886-8839

Email: jbeeman.mbsi@att.net

4 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2018

By Clay Witt

MBSI President

This issue’s message is a bit of a
potpourri with a variety of topics
ranging from a promising book, some
ruminations about mechanical music
instruments and their life stories, and
winding up with a little bit of routine
Society business.

Spielwerke aus Prag und Wien

We have been blessed by a variety
of books about musical boxes and
their history. Chances are that English
speakers who want to know the history
of instruments as they developed
in Switzerland, France and Germany
can find the answers they seek in
any one of several fine books by
outstanding authors, works that many
of us have in our private libraries. But
there were also centers of production
further east, including Prague and
Vienna, and information in English
about instruments made there is fairly
sparse.

The Society has recently received
good reports about a book written by
Dr. Helmut Kowar, Head of the Phonogram
Archive at the Austrian Academy
of Sciences, published in German by
the Academy, entitled “Spielwerke
aus Prag und Wien” (Musical Boxes
from Prague and Vienna). There are
some discussions about the possible
publication of an expanded version of
this work in English. Both our Society
and the Musical Box Society of Great
Britain have expressed support for the
project to the Academy. We will keep
you informed as things develop.

The Secret Lives of Mechanical
Music Machines

There used to be an occasionally
recurring article in Mechanical Music
called The Hunt. In it, members told
stories about how they had tracked
down some instrument in their
collection until the prize was at last
obtained – often after a long search
and following a series of clues leading

from point A to point Z. It was often
the first article I read when a new
issue arrived.

I am sometimes amazed at how
mechanical music machines can show
up in unlikely places. Perhaps the
second phonograph I added to my
collection is a Pathé Model 75 floor
phonograph. It showed up on my local
Craigslist one day. I made arrangements
to go and see it. It was on offer
by a man who lived in modest circumstances
in a trailer located deep in
some local woods. He had worked as
a security guard for a local company.
Eventually, that company closed and
its premises had to be cleared out. The
phonograph was found in the attic.
No one wanted it, so the man took it
home.

The circa 1915 machine had evidently
been retired to that attic for
storage decades before. I was pleased
to give it a new home. I recognize now
that it is a fairly pedestrian machine,
but to me it was fascinating. I was then
just beginning to learn about antique
phonographs.

The machine opened for me the
story of the foray of the French firm of
Pathé Frères into the American phonograph
industry in the first quarter
of the 20th century, a story involving
their vertical cut records in sizes from
small to huge, some of which start in
the middle and play to the outside, and
their reusable sapphire stylus in the
days when most regular phonographs
used steel needles that had to be
replaced after playing one record.

All of this was brought back to mind
very recently when a friend asked me
to accompany him on a trip to inspect
a cylinder station box on offer an hour
or so’s drive south. I won’t say too
much about it as he may wish to write
an article about the adventure and the
instrument, but suffice it to say it was
housed in similar circumstances. It
had been inherited from the owner’s
parents who had acquired it in Europe
a half century ago. There it sat, lovingly
wrapped in a blanket needing

only cleaning, lubrication, and some
adjustment and a few coin mechanism
pieces replaced.

You just never know what may be
out there. There are still treasurers to
be uncovered. Perhaps you have had
similar adventures and can provide an
article about The Hunt for Mechanical
Music.

A Bit of Closing Business

Day-to-day operating decisions
between trustee meetings are made
by our MBSI Executive Committee. In
the interest of transparency, we let you
know what decisions the committee
has made since previous Mechanical
Music editions. On Oct. 19th the
committee unanimously approved a
recommendation from the Museum
Committee to pick up the remaining
MBSI instruments that had been
on loan to the Lockwood-Mathews
Mansion Museum in Norwalk, CT. The
plan is to bring them up to speed and
have them available for other displays
as the exhibition we once had at Lock-
wood-Mathews closed down some
time ago.

Have a suggestion?
Send it via email to editor@mbsi.org
or call (253) 228-1634.

MBSI MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
EACH ONE/REACH ONE NEW MEMBER

MBSI is always interested in increasing its membership and is pleased to offer new members a $15
discount off their rst year’s membership. You are considered a new member if you have not been a
member in the past three years. This discount is also available on our website, www.mbsi.org.

Current MBSI members who sponsor a new member will receive a $5 discount off their next year’s
MBSI membership renewal for each sponsorship. Attach a copy of the discount voucher below to a
copy of the membership application form on Page 4 of this issue of Mechanical Music. Place your
name as “sponsor” on the application form.

Please make copies of these forms as needed and send the completed forms with checks to the MBSI
administrator at the address listed below.

★
★
★★
®
(INTERNATIONAL)
ORGANIZED IN 1949
DEVOTED TO ALL MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
★
★
★★
®
(INTERNATIONAL)
ORGANIZED IN 1949
DEVOTED TO ALL MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Musical Box Society International
P.O. Box 10196
Springeld, MO 65808-0196
Phone/Fax: (417) 886-8839
Musical Box Society International
P.O. Box 10196
Springeld, MO 65808-0196
Phone/Fax: (417) 886-8839
Dues Voucher –$15
New U.S. members may join MBSI for one year at $45 (instead
of $60); Canadians $55 (instead of $70; and, other International
members at $60 (instead of $75). This certicate must accom-
pany payment and a copy of the completed membership
application from page 4 of this issue of Mechanical Music.
New Member Name(s):
Expires: 01/01/2017
Authorized by MBSI Administrator
NEW MEMBER
GIFT CERTIFICATE
New members are those who have never been members
of MBSI or those who have not been members for three
years prior to submission of this voucher.
New members are those who have never
been members of MBSI or those who
have not been members for three years
prior to submission of this certicate.
SPECIAL OFFER: Purchase one or more rst-year MBSI gift
memberships at $45 each U.S., $55 Canadian, or $60 other International
and you will receive $5 off your next year’s MBSI membership
renewal for each “New Member” gift.
Gift Membership Name
Address, City, State, ZIP
Phone Email
Sponsor

Please mail this form together with your check made payable to “MBSI” to the MBSI Administrator at the address listed
above. Memberships are $45 for U.S. residents, $55 for Canadian residents, and $60 for other International residents.

Editor’s Notes Editor’s Notes
By Russell Kasselman

MBSI Editor/Publisher

Happy New Year, and welcome to
2018. Once again, we have a wonderful
set of articles packed into this issue.

Matt Jaro takes a different take
from his traditional column material
and leads us on a tour of the Hard-
man collection in Great Falls, VA,
giving details about their Wurlitzer
four-manual theater pipe organ that is
housed in an 85-foot long, 50-foot wide
and 38-foot high barn built specifically
to display and enjoy the organ. It’s an
enjoyable journey through Jack and
Mildred Hardman’s early start in the
hobby to their current position that
allows them to share their collection
with so many others.

Next, Publications Committee Chair
Bob Caletti details his visit to Southern
California Chapter Chair Robin
Biggins’ home where Robin shares his
knowledge of repairing a tooth in the
metal comb of a disc box. This is the
type of restoration article that really
exemplifies the spirit of this Society,
two members getting together to
share information about how to keep
mechanical music machines playing

their best for future generations of
music lovers.

Then, Ken Gordon recaps his presentation
from the most recent annual
meeting regarding a discography he
has compiled for the Symphonion
Model 38 music box, commonly
known as an Eroica. This listing of
all known discs and songs is a work
in progress, and a valuable one for
anyone who owns one of these unique
music boxes that plays three separate
discs at the same time. Take a look at
the list and perhaps you could find a
set of three discs you would just love
to add to your collection.

Robert Penna then returns with
another well-written article on the
history of monkey organ grinders and
their long-lasting impact on society at
large. His research into these past purveyors
of street-level entertainment
and their legacy is a welcome addition
to the Society’s ever-growing bank of
materials held in its archives.

Many thanks go to the reporters and
photographers for the Golden Gate,
Sunbelt, National Capital, Southeast,
and Southern California chapters who
submitted reports for this journal.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who is

MAILING ADDRESS
MBSI Editorial/Advertising
130 Coral Court
Pismo Beach, CA 93449
EMAIL ADDRESS
editor@mbsi.org
PHONE
(253) 228-1634
grateful to see so many of our members
gathering to share their love of
mechanical music and enjoy each others’
company. If you haven’t attended
a chapter meeting in a while, consider
checking the calendar of events on
Page 65 of this issue to see what’s
coming up near you. The Society
website at www.mbsi.org/events-2/ is
updated as often as possible with new
events for you to attend.

We’re always looking for new articles,
so feel free to make a New Year’s
Resolution to write up a maintenance
and repair article or share the story
of your hunt for a new treasure. We
would all love to read it.

Welcome new members!
October 2017
Jann & Gary Lamborn
West Chester, PA
Margaret Schlesinger
Chicago, IL
Christopher & Chris Morales
Staten Island, NY
Vicki Newton
East Haddam, CT
John Smith
Hot Springs, AR
Kyle Nasmen
Corvallis, OR
Sponsor: John Pohlpeter
Andy Adams
Bristol, CT
Rick Meyers November 2017
Portland, OR
Paul & M. Veeder John Farmer
Norwalk, CTKidderminister, Worcestershire
Wolfgang Brommer Sponsor: Roy Evett
Waldkirch, Barry Gross
Robert (Dave) & Cindy UhrichLansing, MI
Omaha, NEGary & Carol Voight
Gilbert Duerinck & Gerda Stappaerts Zimmerman, MN
Beerse, AntwerpenSponsor: Laurence Crawford
Frank Ingraffia Myron Lindeman
Pinole, CARedwood Falls, MN
Jean LequySponsor: Laurence Crawford
Vinzelles, Bourgogne Barry Kasindorf
Sharon, MA
Ellen Thomsen
Berkeley, CA

January/February 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 7

Special Exhibits Committee Special Exhibits Committee
By Wayne Myers

When we first embarked on the challenge
to get youth engaged in making
cylinder boxes more than four years
ago, we started our youth workshops
by having someone explain how a cylinder
box works and then we gave out
kits for kids to construct and decorate
their own boxes.

Since that time we have honed our
event planning and now instead of a
spoken presentation we start out with
a short Youtube video showing how
the devices work and revealing the
science behind them. One thing that
remains the same is that we still bring
in prepared kits that include decorations
and instructions so that the kids
can quickly and easily complete a
project and see the results.

One other thing we noticed while
conducting our workshops is that
some of our participants tend to
finish their boxes earlier than others.
So, we started to bring some back up
strip readers for the early finishers to
experiment with and listen to additional
music. Additionally, we bring
a high-end cylinder box to show how
these where made circa 1850. We even
bring some table favors from past
MBSI Annual Meetings for fun.

We always bring current and back
issues of Mechanical Music as well as
applications so that people can sign up
to join the Society. These events have
worked well as outreach events and
the Southeast Chapter, along with the
Special Exhibits Committee, would be
happy to help any chapter to follow
the model we have established.

The Southeast Chapter also conducts
an annual summer camp at The Villages,
FL, which we have done for four years.
The Villages controls the attendance,
which is limited to between 30-35 children
plus grandparents and sometimes
parents. It’s great when we get all three
generations involved in working with
music boxes and getting exposed to
the hobby of mechanical music. We
supply the box kits and decorations

Mary Ellen Myers preps music box
cases for an upcoming workshop that
will teach youth, their parents and
grandparents about mechanical music.

that are purchased with the Special
Exhibits Committee budget. These kits
typically cost $5 each. The kits usually
have three different movements each
with a Christmas-themed song to
choose from.

The Villages charges $10 per person
for the event to cover the costs of miscellaneous
items such as paper towels,
water, etc. The Villages also covers
any overhead, including insurance.

We bring in a team of 10 or so MBSI
volunteers. Mary Ellen Myers makes
a presentation about how to put the
boxes together after the introduction
video mentioned earlier. The other
volunteers rotate through the room to
help the kids with assembly and answer
any questions. The event usually lasts
about four hours. Jack Hostetler has
been our point man with The Villages
and they love him and us for providing
such an engaging activity.

Feedback on these events have been
nothing but positive. It’s a great way
to generate an interest in mechanical
music and spread the word about the
Society. We encourage anyone with a
desire to get more people interested
in this hobby to take what we have
learned and spread the word even further
by conducting their own events
at community centers or anywhere a
group of people can gather to have a
fun time together.

Our next Special Exhibits Event is
on Jan. 12-13 at Saint Armands Circle
in Sarasota, FL, for a robust organ

Wayne Myers drills holes in the cases
where the keywind and musical move-
ments will be installed during the
workshop.

Demonstration cylinder boxes and strip
readers that play different tunes are
good ways to keep kids occupied if they
finish earlier than others in their group.

rally in the park supplemented by the
Sailors Circus annual event and the
Wind Jammers Circus Band.

Hope you can attend!

Contact me by email at wmyers5@
cfl.rr.com or at (407) 333-9095 for
more information.

8 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2018

Judy Miller explains the history, science and mechanics of the Students enjoyed cranking the organ to make music before
monkey organ she brought to the event. they built their own music boxes.

Homeschool students enjoy building music boxes

By Judy Miller

Recently, I took advantage of an
opportunity to conduct a mechanical
music box building workshop at a
homeschool in Hendersonville, NC.
Six students and five of their parents
attended. I knew one of the parents
from my church and found out that
they had an interest in music, so it just
naturally worked out that I was able
to organize the visit and I’m really glad
I did.

I wasn’t sure beforehand how many
kids I would have in the workshop so
I prepared 12 boxes with plain sides
for ease of decoration. I sanded them,
drilled holes to hold the key wind
and glued movements in the boxes
ahead of time. I also cut templates for

patterns so the kids could cut pictures
to fit. I brought several magazines with
subjects such as birds and blooms that
had lots of attractive pictures in them.

I started by conducting a demonstration
of music boxes (an 11-inch
Regina, some table favors, and my
monkey organ). I let the kids and parents
crank the organ and I gave a short
history of what options people had
to hear music before electricity. The
rest of the time in the workshop was
dedicated to decorating the boxes.

The entire workshop took only
a couple of hours and it was very
successful. It seemed everyone was
happy to have taken the time to come
and learn about something they hadn’t
experienced before.

I encourage all MBSI members to
consider conducing a workshop like
this. If there are any senior centers
in your area, that might be a good
place to start and a good chance to get
grandparents, parents and children
all in the same room and exposed to
mechanical music.

You don’t even need to make a
music box. You could simply show a
DVD, or demonstrate a small box from
your own collection.

If you have any questions about conducting
a workshop or presentation,
please feel free to call me and ask.
There are so many kids being homeschooled,
the field is open for getting to
our youth. Just allow yourself to have
fun doing it.

Have a suggestion?

Send it in via email to editor@mbsi.org or drop us a note to the MBSI Editorial Offices at 130 Coral Court, Pismo Beach, CA 93449.

January/February 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 9

Nickel Notes

By Matthew Jaro

In the past, Nickel Notes has
explored many aspects of mechanical
music: rolls, trade newspapers,
nickelodeons, roll cutters, new music,
instrument collections, etc. This time,
I am proud to offer something entirely
different: the biggest automatic musical
instrument you can ever imagine:
a four manual Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe
Organ – in a home! This monster
belongs to Jack and Mildred Hard-
man of Great Falls, VA. The pages of
Mechanical Music can’t begin to capture
the sound and the majesty of this
instrument. This article discusses the
organ and other mechanical instruments
in the Hardman collection.

The organ is housed in what the
Hardmans call “the barn.” Actually,
it is an impressive structure on two
levels, 85 feet long, 50 feet wide and 38
feet high. There is a really great website
that has pictures, history, sound
samples, etc. of this instrument. It is
http://hardmanwurlitzer.com

Beginnings

I asked Jack how he got started in
mechanical music. I ask everybody
this question. The answers are always
different and interesting. They may
provide clues for attracting new
people to the hobby, a major initiative
given the aging of our membership.

Around 1971, Jack and Mildred went
to Vestal, NY (near Binghamton), to
visit a friend who took the Hardmans
to see Harvey Roehl. They made their
introductions, and Harvey quietly
slipped away. Then, Jack heard this
piano playing. The piano was compelling.
When it was playing, he had to
listen – and this was nice clean piano
playing. Jack followed the music into

Jack and Mildred Hardman with their organ.

The four-manual Wurlitzer horseshoe console purchased from Jasper Sanfilippo.

10 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2018

Brass trumpet pipes are shown in the top photo and solo pipes in the lower photo.

the other room, and there was Harvey
standing next to the piano, not seated
on the bench. Jack just had to learn
more about this. What was this all
about? He had seen player pianos, but
he never saw a grand piano playing by
itself. This was new to him. This was
the very beginning of his interest in
reproducing pianos.

Of course, Jack and Mildred asked
Harvey all about this, and then he took
them out to the music room and it was
just overwhelming. All of this music
machinery – beautifully restored
antiques that the Roehls restored
themselves – was just remarkable. It
was a total eye-opener. Harvey was
such a wealth of information, enthusiasm
and inspiration to Mildred and
Jack.

Jack knew immediately that he
had to have one of those pianos. He
joined MBSI and later, an AMICA
chapter in New Jersey. Mildred was
as interested in the music as Jack. She
became involved in the selection and
restoration aspects of their collection.
Jack is especially interested in the
reproducing pianos, because the
music played really sounds wonderful
and not at all mechanical.

Pipe Dreams

I asked Jack when he knew that he
wanted to get a pipe organ. When he
was a 5-year-old, rolling around on the
kitchen floor, he heard a sound that
was new to him coming from the radio.
He asked his mom what that was, and
she said “That’s Dick Liebert.”

He then asked, “What’s a Dick
Liebert?”

The reply was “He’s the guy that
plays at Radio City.”

“What’s Radio City?”

His mother explained that it was an
organ at the Radio City Music Hall.
Jack’s parents ended up taking little
Jack on a journey to Radio City. He
attended his first movie “The Yearling”
and he was young enough so that the
subject matter was a little upsetting.
His dad explained that it was just a
movie, a story put on film and it looks
very realistic. The best part was that
he got to hear the big Wurlitzer play,
and by luck, it was indeed Dick Liebert
at the console for that performance.

January/February 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 11

During the interlude, Jack was able
to go up to the console and look at
the back of Dick Liebert sitting there,
moving the controls, buttons, etc.
Jack thought: “Someday I’m going to
have one of those things” – and by
golly, that’s the way it worked out!

Organ Acquisition

I asked Jack how he got this particular
organ. He said he sold his business
interests in 1989. He was living in New
Jersey at the time, where the business
was located. He needed more space
to have an organ, and wanted to move
south where it was a little bit warmer.
The Hardmans looked around North
Carolina and Florida and eventually
decided that the Washington, DC, area
would be great. A Realtor showed
them Great Falls, VA. It was an eye
opener. They were in range of the cultural
attractions and transportation
facilities of Washington, DC, but they
would have a semi-rural setting with
enough elbow room. They bought an
older house and decided to modify it
to add the things that were important
to them.

The Hardmans built the pipe organ
barn with the objective of acquiring
an organ later. The barn had to be big
enough to accommodate an instrument,
have good acoustics and provide
a place for Jack’s workshop. It was
during the final phase of construction
that Jack learned the organ owned
by Dick Simonton of California, then
deceased, would probably become
available in the near future. Richard C.
“Dick” Simonton is perhaps most well-
known and remembered for fostering
the creation of the American Association
of Theater Organ Enthusiasts
in 1955, now the American Theater
Organ Society (ATOS). He had been
bitten by the theater organ bug in his
youth, while growing up in the Seattle,
WA, area.

The time came when Dick Simonton’s
widow reached a conclusion that
she would have to give up the home
and move elsewhere. The question
was “what do they do with the theater
organ?” Jack made a date to look at
the instrument while visiting California
to attend an MBSI convention.
Mrs. Simonton said Jack was welcome

A view of part of the Uniflex relay system switches.

to come look, but they could not play
the organ since some wind lines were
separated and still being repaired.
Jack visited anyway, since he knew
what such an organ could sound like.
They agreed on a price, and Jack
began planning for its removal.

However, before the instrument
could be removed and shipped to Virginia,
the Northridge, CA, earthquake
happened. It was discovered, during
the moving process, that the earthquake
had damaged 100 pipes that
would need repair or replacement.
Mrs. Simonton offered to pay for those
repairs and related costs.

The Console

When Jack was first looking for
an organ, he thought that he would
have to assemble an instrument
from orphaned parts – pipes, wind
chests and other components. Jasper
Sanfilippo wanted to sell the console
that was in his American Orchestrion
Room at the time. It was interesting
to Jack because it was an original
four-manual Wurlitzer horseshoe console,
and Wurlitzer didn’t make many
of these things. Jack bought the console
from Jasper, and just stored it in
the barn. Later, after purchasing the
Simonton instrument, Jack decided
he preferred Jasper’s console, and
sold the Simonton console which has
since been restored and is installed in

a private home in Wichita, KS.

Technical Issues

One of the early questions Jack had
was how to handle the relays. He left
the pneumatic relays in Simonton’s
home because he knew he didn’t want
to put all the labor and funds into
restoring them. By this time, com-
puter-based organ relays were well
known and available, and he thought
“for sure, that’s the way I want to go”
because Jack understood computers.
He chose the Uniflex relay system
because of its unusual flexibility. Each
switch on the console is connected
to an interface card. A scanner polls
each switch in turn to determine
what is opened or closed. The results
are sent to the computer which multiplexes
the signals and sends them
to the pipe chambers. There, they
are decoded and the pipe valves are
opened appropriately.

I asked Jack if he added additional
pipes. He said, “That’s another curious
story.” He was on a tour bus with the
ATOS convention. He got a tap on the
shoulder and it was Simon Gledhill,
one of the world’s top theatre organists.
Simon said he understood that
Jack had recently acquired the Simon-
ton organ and he was pleased that it
was going to be restored and installed.
If he could do anything to help, he
would be glad to do so. Jack needed

12 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2018

A unique horn array spotted in the barn.

A closeup of one small set of horns.

someone with a lot of experience to
help him write the specifications for
his new instrument because it would
certainly be different from what
Simonton had. For example, there was
no room and no wind at Simontons
for the missing 16-foot octave tibia.
He knew that he should certainly have
that important octave.

Simon volunteered to create an
Excel spreadsheet to give them
something to talk about. So they had a
back-and-forth exchange of ideas and
information. He found that there were

some redundant pipes, which could be
sold, and he could pick up several new
ranks of pipes including the 16-foot
octave tibia.

He wanted to replace the chimes
with another set having more notes.
Simon did ask for the Tuba Mirabilis.
He could not find an original Wurlitzer
set but bought a set from Joe Clipp of
the Trivo Company in Hagerstown,
MD. Jack also added a few top octaves
to round things out and give a little
shimmer to the sound that is so characteristic
of a big Wurlitzer.

The blower and power supply had to
be upgraded to meet the need for additional
air in the organ.

The Blower and the Power Supply

The blower was a problem in itself.
The Simonton organ had a 10-horsepower
blower and rotated at high
speed. Jack brought it back, restored it
and had the motor serviced. When they
were installing the organ, they needed
wind pressure to test it. The motor was
three phase, and of course they only
had single phase power. He bought a
rotary converter to transform single
phase to three-phase power. It turned
out that the 10 horses didn’t provide
enough capacity to handle the larger
instrument. So, he started looking for
a large blower. After a lot of searching
he found one in an old stone church
in Philadelphia. The blower had to be
rebuilt, because the Wurlitzer required
more wind volume than the church
organ. This meant that wider fan blades
were needed. Jack also wanted lower
speed to keep the noise down. The
rotary converter worked but was really
noisy. He reused two of the fans from
the church blower and had a third fan
built. You cannot hear the blower running
in the listening area. He replaced
the rotary converter with a solid-state
system that could also provide a variable
frequency drive to soft-start the
motor. The motor is accelerated over a
period of 30 seconds to prevent brownouts
from an across-the-line start of a
big motor.

January/February 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 13

Guests listen to a performance on the organ in the barn built specifically to hold it.

Wiring and Final Assembly

Wiring the organ was a big job. He
hired part-time temporary help to
assist in the wiring. Each stop on the
console is functional. There are no
unused ranks. Simon Gledhill’s problem
in drawing up the specifications
was finding enough stop-tabs to control
the instrument with the degree
of unification he would prefer. They
added two swing-out trays under the
keyboard shelf. Some multi-function
switches were added.

Organ presets are a way to set
many stops at one time automatically.
The stops themselves on the console
actually move up or down when the
presets are activated. The stops have
an on-coil and off-coil to move the
switches automatically. On earlier
organs, mechanical relays were used.
Now all of this is under software
control. Nearly 9,000 pneumatics and
pallet valves were re-leathered over a
three and one half year period as part
of the restoration.

Enjoying the Fruits of all the Labor

There is software to record and play
back performances that is bundled
with the Uniflex system controlling
the organ. The software is user-modifiable
and many modifications have
been made since the organ was first

played after installation. All concert
performances are recorded. Jack is
very careful never to let the recordings
leave his house. It’s just an historical
record of what was played here. This
is what makes it an automatic musical
instrument. Often, after dinner, Jack
and Mildred go down to the barn with
a cup of coffee, pick an organist and
listen to a few tunes.

Some of the other mechanical music
makers in the Hardman collection are
briefly described below.

The Edgerton Seeburg KT Special
Replica

I asked Jack how he got the Edgerton
Seeburg KT Special replica. Bill
Edgerton ran the Mechanical Music
Center in Connecticut and he wanted
to create a replica of the Seeburg KT
Special. Jack raves about this machine
and its builder.

“He is a methodical guy with very
high standards and he succeeded in
creating a perfect replica,” Jack said.
“He really went out of his way to make
it as accurate as he possibly could.
He did a magnificent job. I am totally
impressed by the quality of work that
he did.”

Bill made roughly 58 or 60 instruments,
and Jack says that he feels
fortunate to own one of them.

The Hardman’s Edgerton Seeburg KT
Special Replica.

The DeKei Dutch Street Organ

Jack and Mildred have a beautiful
Dutch Street organ named “DeKei”
(The Key). I asked Jack about this
organ and he related the following
story. Jack heard a number of organs
while visiting home collections, and he
loved the sweeter sound of the Dutch
organs as opposed to the brassier
sound of many German street organs.
So, Jack and Mildred started to look
for a Dutch street organ. After a while,
Jack and Mildred met Andrew Pilmer
during the course of some of the organ
festivals they attended during the early
1980s. Andrew said he would keep an
eye out for what Jack was looking
for. One day he called from England
and told of an instrument that would
probably be available and would Jack
be interested in coming to look at it.
Jack said yes. He loved the tuning
scheme that was devised by Carl Frei,
and this was a Carl Frei type of instrument.
Since it was a modern organ, it
was allowed to be exported out of the
Netherlands. It was built in 1970. Jack
said he hadn’t heard the thing for 30
seconds when he knew that was IT.
Andrew held it for a couple of months
and packed it in a container with other
instruments bound for the U.S. It came
into Baltimore harbor. He had some
trouble in customs since the officials

14 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2018

A view of the DeKei Dutch Street organ
before it was shipped to the U.S.

wanted the Vehicle Identification
Number and department of transportation
sticker for the trailer that came
with it, but eventually that issue was
resolved. The Hardmans have taken
the organ out to participate in a local
parade in their town only once. They
soon learned that it is just too much
trouble to do again.

The Steinway Duo-Art Reproducing
Piano

I asked Jack about his Steinway
Duo-Art reproducing piano. Mildred
found that instrument, he said. At
the time, Jack owned a 6-foot, 4-inch
Knabe Ampico A. Mildred was reading
the local newspaper, and said to Jack,
“How would you like a Steinway
player piano?” Jack tried calling the
number in the ad, no answer. Then
he called three times that night, no
answer. Jack asked his secretary to try
the number several times each day to
try to get an answer. Well, she called
for over a month, and finally got an
answer. Jack spoke with the woman,
and said, “Gosh, we’ve been trying to
reach you, because you advertised a
piano for sale.”

She said, “Yeah, I know, nobody’s
called about it.” He made arrangements
to see the instrument. They
bought and loaded the piano to be
moved, and she said “don’t forget the
rolls.”

Jack said “what rolls?” She said,
“There’s a lot of them in the closet.
They go with it!” She opened the
closet door, and Jack said it was like
Fibber-McGee’s closet – the rolls
were just falling out! There were 750
rolls! So, it was a fortunate purchase.
Plus, Jack said it was a real bargain.
It is a 1926 piano, essentially a model
M, 5-foot, 7-inches with an elongated

Two images of the Hardman’s Steinway Duo-Art Reproducing Piano. Jack says he
loves mechanical music pianos because of their natural sound.

case. The case was restored by Alan
Lightcap, near Philadelphia and the
piano was restored by Trefz, a good
piano rebuilder. They corrected the
crown in the sounding board.

I hope you enjoyed this journey
into a world that is quite different
from the standard mechanical music
environment. Jack Hardman’s Wurlitzer
is really the ultimate automatic
music machine and also one of the
biggest restoration and installation
tasks imaginable. Please feel free to
send me an email with comments,

suggestions for topics, etc. My email
address is mjaro@verizon.net

Please feel free to email Matt Jaro at
mjaro@verizon.net if you would like
any information about style “A”, “G”,
“4X”, “H” or “O” rolls. Also, comments
and suggestions for this column will be
appreciated.

Reprinted with permission of the
author and The Automatic Musical
Instrument Collectors’ Association
(AMICA). Originally printed in the January/
February 2012 issue of The AMICA
Bulletin.

January/February 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 15

Repairing and replacing teeth
in a music box comb

1. Place comb on holding fixture behind lathe and clamp with hold down
clamps.
2. Place flexible shaft device in milling attachment on lathe.
3. Put .012” thick tipping grinding wheel on flexible shaft device.
Article and Photos by Bob Caletti Supplies Needed:
• Tipping wire (.014”) (avail-
able from Nancy Fratti)
• Oil Hardening Tool Steel
(0-1), 3/32” x 2 ½” stock
• Tipping grinding wheel, .012”
thick x 2” diameter (available
from Nancy Fratti)
• Saw blade for cutting tool
steel teeth to the proper
width, .020” thick x 2”
diameter
• Comb tooth slot grinding
wheel, .082 thick x 3” diame-
ter, width will vary based on
the tooth being replaced
• Flexible shaft device for
slitting and grinding (Fore-
dom or similar)
Not too long ago, I had the opportu-
nity to visit Robin Biggins during a trip
to southern California and while there
he took time out of his busy schedule
to show me how he replaces music
box comb teeth. While Robin worked,
I documented his process and now I’m
pleased to share it with all members
of the society through this article.
Certainly, other professional restorers
and even some amateurs may have
different ways of doing this sort of
work but in the end, I think the results
would most likely be similar.
Procedure: Replacing tips
Tipping grinding wheel on the flexible shaft device.

Grinding wheel in center of tooth needing a tip.

4. Position grinding wheel in center
of tooth needing a tip and
grind a slot for the tipping wire.
5. Position the grinding wheel axle
above the tooth so when the cut
is made the anvil will not be cut.
6. Dress width of tipping wire with
file or stone to match slot cut in
tooth, it should be a snug fit.
7. The replacement wire should be
angled at the end that goes into
the tooth so it will fit the end of
the slot just cut.
8. Put rosin flux on tipping wire
and slot where wire will go in
tooth and on top of tooth tip.
9. Solder tipping wire in with regular
solder, soldering iron tip will
be on top of tooth with flux.
Grinding slot in tooth tip for tipping wire.

Tipping wire fitted into tooth tip.

Soldering tipping wire into tooth tip.

January/February 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 17

10. Cut off tipping wire with a flexible shaft device
grinding wheel.
11. Clean off excess solder on tip of tooth by scraping or
stoning and then file smooth.
12. Grind the tip to length and put a bevel on the top of
tooth tip if the other teeth have a bevel.
Tooth shown with tipping wire cut a little long.

Grinding tooth tip.

Filling the top of the tooth tip smooth. Check the length of the tip and match to the other tips.

18 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2018

13. Check the tip center to center distance with a pair Procedure: Solder a detached bell
of dividers.
linkage to a comb tooth

14. Clean off the flux with lacquer thinner and then wash
with a solution of baking soda and water to neutral-1. Using a file, clean the solder off the end of bell linkize
the flux and prevent corrosion. age where it was soldered on.
15. Dry with compressed air.
Checking the tip center to center distance.

Bell linkage and comb in holding fixture.

Cleaning the end of the bell linkage arm.

Bend the new tip carefully if necessary.

January/February 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 19

2. Flux both the tooth and linkage end where solder
joint will be.
3. Hold and position the linkage over the tooth with a
Kelley Clamp or similar device.
4. Solder linkage arm to the tooth using regular solder.
Apply soldering iron heat from underside (top face
of comb tooth), see picture on the left bottom of this
page.
Positioning bell linkage arm over comb tooth.

Soldering bell linkage arm onto comb tooth.

Removing excess solder.

5. Make sure the front face of the linkage arms line up
with the others.
6. Clean off any excess solder with a grinding wheel.
7. Clean off flux with lacquer thinner and then wash
with a solution of baking soda and water to neutralize
the flux and prevent corrosion.
8. Dry with compressed air.

Procedure: Replacing teeth 3. Place flexible shaft device in milling attachment on
lathe.

1. Place comb on holding fixture behind lathe and 4. Put comb tooth slot grinding wheel on flexible shaft
clamp with hold down clamps. device (.081” thick in this case or whatever the
2. Measure the width of the tooth you want to replace. tooth width is).
Note the grinding wheel has some of the woven
reinforcement removed on the outer diameter to
assure a more accurate width of cut

5. Position the grinding wheel in the center of where
the tooth will go and grind a slot for the tooth.
6. Cut slot in comb as shown, about .187” deep in the
direction of the length of the tooth.
Measuring tooth width.

Grinding wheel positioned to grind tooth slot in comb. Cutting slot in comb.

January/February 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 21

7. Measure tooth slot width and cut a new tooth out
of 0-1 tool steel about .002” wider than the slot you
just made in the comb.
8. Draw file the grind marks off of the tooth blank ,
top and bottom, so the file lines go along the length
of the tooth.
Note: “Draw filling” is done by holding a flat Mill
Smooth or Mill Bastard file by the handle with the
left hand, and the other end with the right hand,
and drawing the file towards you along the tooth
length.

Comb with slot ground out of comb for replacement tooth.

Draw filing tooth to remove grind marks from tool steel stock.

Cutting tooth blank from 0-1 tool steel.

Initial fitting of new tooth into comb.

22 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2018

9. File an angle on the end of the tooth blank and
dress the end to match the end shape in the ground
out comb slot.
10. Fit the new tooth into the comb slot you just
made – file, stone, or grind the width of the tooth to
fit snugly in the comb with a slight taper from top to
bottom on the new tooth so it will wedge in place
when tapped in from the end and tapped down from
the top.
11. Tap in the new tooth and then remove, look for
witness marks (shiny burnished look) on the sides
of the replacement tooth.
12. Stone these high spots so the tooth fits snugly
in place, repeat the above step until a good fit is
obtained.
13. If after tapping the tooth in place the rear tip
looks bent up, remove the tooth and draw file to
straighten the bent end.
14. Fit the tooth in place slightly proud in height and
mark the length a little long, the final length will be
determined later.
15. Cut off the tooth a little long.
Scribing tooth to mark the length.

Scribe lines where tooth clears base and where anvil goes.

16. Fit tooth in place again and mark locations where
tooth clears the base and where the anvil goes.
17. Measure the thickness of the tooth between these
marks and file to the correct thickness.
18. If the tooth is a cylinder box tooth then also mark
where the anvil and relief slot will go for the
damper wire clearance and saw or file this groove
into the tooth.
Filing slots in tooth.

January/February 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 23

Finished tooth profile.

Drilling damper wire hole in tooth.

19. Drill the damper wire hole in the tooth where the
cylinder box damper and pin goes using a #72, or
#74 drill.
20. Prepare a can with oil in it for quenching the tooth
after hardening.
21. Harden the new tooth by laying it on a piece of
asbestos or copper sheet metal.
22. Heat the tooth to a bright cherry red color with a
propane torch and then quench the tooth in oil.
23. Use a magnetic pickup tool to retrieve the tooth
from the oil bath.
24. Rinse the tooth in lacquer thinner.
25. Sand the top of the new tooth with 220 grit emery
cloth to a bright finish so that the tempering color
change will be evident during tempering.
26. Lay the tooth on its side on top of a piece of asbestos
or copper sheet.
27. Heat the tooth from the bottom of the asbestos or
copper sheet until the tooth changes color to a dark
blue and then place it on a piece of paper and let
it air cool. The heating process will be much faster
with the copper sheet so proceed slowly if you are
using a copper sheet.
28. Sand the edges of the tooth where it will be soldered
into the comb to remove the dark blue oxide coating,
being careful not to remove too much, which could
affect the snug fit.
29. Fit the tooth and check the tooth for straightness, if
it is bent to one side then remove the tooth and use
a cold chisel to gently punch the bottom side corner
that needs to expand to make the tooth straight
30. Put the tooth back in the comb and check for
straightness.
Can with oil for quenching and magnetic tooth extracting tool
with wire handle.

Tooth ready for hardening sitting on a piece of asbestos held
with pliers.

24 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2018

31. When the tooth is straight, remove the tooth and flux
the tooth joint and top surface of the joint with TIX
flux.
32. Tap the tooth into the comb slot to the final
position.
33. Tape the end of the tooth with masking tape to the
ends of the other adjacent teeth to hold the tooth’s
position and assure it won’t move during soldering.
Tooth taped into place and with masking tape to hold position
during soldering.

Soldering in new tooth.

Soldering the tooth and adding additional flux to the top of
the joint.

34. Solder with TIX solder.
35. Use a small #1 tip on an oxyacetylene torch to heat
the top of the tooth joint.
36. Add flux as necessary to the tooth joint.
37. Avoid heating any adjacent teeth.
38. Heat the comb base near the end of the tooth joint
and add more solder, avoid heating the tooth itself so
as to avoid tempering the tooth.
39. Cool comb quickly with a wet rag.
40. Remove most of the solder by scraping and then
rubbing with medium emery cloth. Excess solder
will clog up the grinding wheel. Then use the flexible
shaft grinder with a 1” diameter wheel at a slow
speed to carefully hone the top of the tooth. Finish
with a strip of medium emery cloth until smooth and
blended.
41. Check the stiffness of the new tooth to see if it is
similar to the adjacent teeth.
Sanding tooth joint to remove excess solder.

January/February 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 25

42. Place some emery cloth over the end of a square
piece of wood and sand the joint smooth.
43. Cut the new tooth to length, even with the adjacent
teeth.
44. Using a divider to check tooth to tooth pitch.
45. Grind the tip configuration with the flexible shaft
type device to match the adjacent teeth.
46. The only thing left to do is damper the tooth if it is a
cylinder box comb and tune the tooth.
47. For a disc music box comb, only tuning will be
necessary.
48. If the tooth is a bass tooth it will need to have a piece
of lead soldered onto the bottom side of the tooth for
tuning similar to the other leaded teeth.
View of sanded smooth tooth joint which if done correctly will
be almost invisible.

Send us your restoration tips

The next time you find yourself ready to maintain or
undertake a bit of restoration on a music box you own,
please consider picking up a pen, paper and a camera
(or your smartphone).

Your method may differ from others who do the
same sort of work, but everyone can learn something
from the way others get it done. Just write down each
step as you do it and take a quick photo. Send the steps
and photos to editor@mbsi.org and we’ll help mold it
into a package worthy of publication.

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sanding joint smooth.

New tooth fitted into comb.

26 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2018

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January/February 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 27

Identifying discs for the
Symphonion Eroica 3-Disc Music Box

By Ken Gordon

The purpose of this article is to
share the process and results of a
year-long research project to identify
all the discs (tunes) produced for the
model 38 music box, which was manufactured
by the Symphonion Company
starting in 1885, although the patent
date is 1894. This box is often called
an Eroica.

This project was prompted by my
acquisition, about a year ago, of one
of these Eroica music boxes. The
moment the box arrived, I felt a desire
to identify the discs I acquired in the
purchase and also those I might want
to obtain in the future. That task was
complicated by the fact that many of
the labels on the discs I had purchased
were not readable, and usually in German
(since that is where the music
box was manufactured). After searching
in the U.S. and other countries, I
concluded that either no person ever
made a list of all the discs issued by
Symphonion, or that no one kept
any copy of a list if it had ever been
created. I decided to try to compile
such a list for my benefit and for other
collectors to use as a reference. Such
a list is usually called a discography.

A brief description of the Eroica is
in order as context for this research.
As stated, the music box was produced
by the Symphonion Company
in Leipzig, Germany, starting in 1895.
To avoid high U.S. import tariffs,
the mechanisms were usually made
in Germany, and the wooden cases
made in the U.S. The Eroica plays
three 135/8-inch discs simultaneously
in a synchronized manner. The comb
is built in a sublime harmony piccolo
pianoforte arrangement. The three
bedplates and combs are identical.
It is often coin-operated, using a U.S.
nickel, but many examples of home
models (without coin operation)
can also be found. The Eroica was
designed and produced at the time

recorded music from phonographs
was significantly reducing the market
for music boxes, but the quality of the
musical arrangements allowed by the
three discs kept this particular model
of music box popular for several more
years among scholars and collectors.
It was sold either with a flat gallery top
(Model 38 – the most common type),
or with a clock in the top (Model 38A),
or with a clock and ornate dome top
(Model 38B).

To compile as complete a discography
as I could, I sought the help of
collectors and museums in the U.S.,
U.K., Japan. Germany, Sweden, and
Switzerland. Nearly everyone I spoke
to or exchanged letters or emails with
was very cooperative in sharing their
information about their discs. Some
discographies consist of just a list of
numbers and brief titles, but I wanted
a more enhanced list that would
help other collectors understand
the music itself, including who the
composers were and when the tunes
were composed. For selfish reasons, I
also wanted to have as much of this
information as possible presented in
English. Thus, I conducted significant
research online and translated the
German titles into English as best I
could.

Since all the discs produced for the
Eroica were issued in the late 1890s
and early 1900s, all the music was
composed before about 1900. Most
music came from existing operas,
classical compositions, German folk
tunes, and some popular music hall
tunes. Many of these tunes are also
found on disc music boxes from other
manufacturers, since this period
encompassed the peak of the production
of disc music boxes in both
Europe and the U.S.

As far as I know, no newer music
has been arranged for the Eroica. Two
collectors (one in the U.S. and one in

the U.K.) have helpfully punched some
new discs copied from original discs.

As scholars have discovered, four
types of expression are found on the
discs. The discs for the Eroica are
always labeled A, B, and C. A typical
original disc (readable) is shown in
the accompanying photo at right. The
four types of expression are:

• Type I – A, B, and C discs
are punched the same (no
expression)
• Type II – A and B discs are the
same, but C is punched slightly
advanced (rarely found)
• Type III – A and B discs are the
same, but C is different (not
common)
• Type IV – A, B, and C discs are
punched differently (full expression
– most common)
It is hard to identify the type unless
you have the discs in hand or listen to
the music. I have indicated the types
on my list where known, but this is
secondhand information and probably
not complete. Single discs of the
Symphonion 6000 series can be played
on the Eroica, but three additional
positioning holes must be drilled.

The result of my research to date
has produced a list of 186 disc sets
produced by Symphonion for the
Eroica. Symphonion used the 8000
series to number these discs, but later
issued some numbered in the 18000
series. No one can tell me why they
changed to the 18000 series, but it
may have been used for discs manufactured
by its subsidiary in the U.S.
We do have evidence that some discs
were produced in the U.S., prior to
the subsidiary’s bankruptcy in 1902.
I could not find evidence of when
Symphonion stopped making Eroica
machines or discs in Germany, but I
assume it was no later than the 1910s.

28 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2018

January/February 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 29

There are seven numbers in the
8000 series for which I do not have
any data, but there are also four tunes
(shown at the end of my list) for
which I have data but the numbers
are not readable – thus three numbers
remain to be identified (if they were
actually used). I have also identified

19 in the 18000 series – ranging from
18002 to 18035. It is unknown if all
18000 numbers were used or if any of
the 8000 series after 8164 exist.

I am sure the list contains errors in
translations or completeness, but this
seems the proper time to share it with
other collectors. I hope that this will

also prompt anybody who owns Eroica
discs to send me corrections and
additions so I can keep it up to date
(email me at kengordon@alum.mit.
edu). This list will also be available
on the MBSI website at www.MBSI.
org, updated as additional information
becomes available.

INTRODUCTION many collectors in the U.S., U.K., Switzerland, Sweden, and

This list attempts to identify the full number of 135/8-inch Germany.
3-disc sets issued by the Symphonion Company for the There are certainly errors, incomplete data, or poor
Model 38 Eroica Music Box from 1894 to about 1901. translations. Please send additions or corrections to

It was compiled by Kenneth Gordon with the help of kengordon@alum.mit.edu.

No. Title (From disc label, w/ English translation where known) Composer
8001 Waltz from Faust (1859) Charles-François Gounod
8002 In The Window, serenade (Beim Fensterlein) Op. 41 No.1, (1882) Thomas Koschat
8003 In the Forest (Im Walde) (1800) Carl Maria von Weber
8004 Silent Night, Holy Night (Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht) (1818), Christmas Carol Franz Xavier Gruber
8005
8006 Rheinlaendischer Reitermarsch
8007 The Lawyers Ball, Dance (Juristenball- Taenze) (1864) Johann Strauss Jr.
8008 Dance of Love (Gavotte D’Amore ) (1881) Curt Langer
8009 I Pray For You, Dear Little Birds ( O Bitt ‘euch Liebe Voegelein) (1851) Ferdinand Gumbert
8010 Second Portion Overture, “The Huguenots” (1836) Giacomo Meyebeer
8011 Every Year Again (Alle Jahre Wieder), Xmas Carol (1837) Friedrich Silcher
8012 The Last Hour Of The Year (Des Jahres Letzte Stunde) (1784) Johann Abraham Peter Schulz
8013 Come, Little Children (Ihr Kinderlein kommet) -German Christmans Carol (1790) Johann Abraham Peter Schulz
8014 O’ How Joyfully (O Du Froehliche o du Selige) (O sanctissima, Hymn) Anonymous German Christmas Carol
8015 Among The Shepherds (Unter Hirten), Weihnachts (Christmas Carol) Udylle H. Meyer
8016 Spinn, Spinn! (Estlaendischer Volkslied) (Swedish Folk Song) Hugo Richard Jungst
8017 Carinthian Folk Song (Kaernthner Gmuath) Op. 11 (1882) Thomas Koschcat
8018 O Christmas Tree (O Tannenbaum) (1824) Ernst Augshutz
8019 Child, Pay Close Attention (Bueaberl merk dir’s fein), Traditional folk song Adolf Kirchl
8020 The Skater’s Waltz (Der Schlittschuhlaeufer) (1882) Emile Waldteufel
8021 I Once Had A Beautiful Homeland (Ich hatte einst ein schoenes Vaterland) (1867) Eduard Lassen
8022 Styrian Dance No. 1 A. V. Goldschmidt or Joseph Lanner
8023 The Carinthian (Da Kaerntnerbua) Op. 4 No. 2 (1882) Folk Song Thomas Koschcat
8024 On the Ramparts at Strasbourg (Zu Strassburg auf der Schanz) (1888) Gaustv Mahler
8025 Salon Gavotte (1893) M. Kogler.
8026 Flower Song – From Faust (Bluemlein Traut) (1854) Charles-François Gounod
8027 Forsaken (Verlassen bin i) (Op. 4 No. 4, (1874), Folk Song from Carinthia Thomas Koschcat
8028 Gaiety March (Frohsinn Marsch ) (1877) Carl Hauschild
8029 I Wish My Love Could Silently Flow (Ich wollt meine Liebe ergoesse sich) (1836) Felix Mendelssohn
*no-expression

30 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2018

No. Title (From disc label, w/ English translation where known) Composer
8030 Monastery Bells (Nocturne) (Die Klosterglocken) (Cloches du monastère) (1854) Louis James Alfred Lefébure-Wély
8031 The Last Rose of Summer – from Opera “Martha” (1847) Friedrich von Flotow
8032 Blue Danube Waltz (Donau Walzer) (An der schoenen blauen Donau (1886) Johann Strauss Jr.
8033 Forest Meditation (Waldandacht) (1873) Franz W. Abt.
8034 Near the Sea (Am Meer, Lied ) From the Collection called Swan Song. (1828) Franz Schubert
8035 Already The Evening Bells Are Ringing (Schon die Abendoglocken klingen) (1834) ,
from Night in Granada
Conradin Kreutzer
8036 Intermezzo a. d. Opera “Cavalleria Rusticana” (Grand Fantasia) (1890) Pietro Mascagni
8037 When My Granny was Twenty (Wie mein Ahnerin 20 Jahr, aus “Der Vogelhandier”-
The Bird Seller, 1891)
Carl Zeller
8038 God Save the Queen (Den Koenig segne Gott) (1745) (aka My Country ‘tis of Thee
-Words in 1832)
Thomas Arne
8039 King Prussian Army March (Koenigl. Preussische Armee), (AM II, 7) (1806) (March
des Bardillon Garde)
Traditional
8040 Calm Is The Sea (Still ruht der See) (1879) Liedson Heinrich Pfeil
8041 Stephanie, Gavotte Opus 312, (1880) Alphons Czibulka
8042 Stabat Mater (The Sorrows Of Mary or Grieving Mother) (1842) Gioachino Rossini
8043 Viennese Spirt Waltz (Wiener Blut) (1873) Johann Strauss Jr.
8044 Wine, Women, and Song (Wein, Weib und Gesang Walzer) (1869) Johann Strauss Jr.
8045 Prayer Song (Gebet), from Der Freischhuetz (The Marksman) (1821), First Romantic
Opera
Carl Maria von Weber
8046 Snowbells Herald the Spring (Schneeglockchen laeuten den Fruhling ein) (1846) Wilhelm Taubert
8047 I Send These Flowers (Joh sende diese Blumen Dein, Lied ) Joseph Franz Wagner
8048 Trumpeter of Sackingen (Behuet dich Gott) (1884) Victor Ernst Nessler
8049 The Band of Students Waltz (La Estudiantine) (1883) Emile Waldtenfel
8050 My Mother Was So Good (Meine Mutter war so gut) Josef Ferdinand Nesmuller
8051 Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin (Brautchor aus Lohengrin) (1848) (Wedding Entry
March)
Richard Wagner
8052 The lonely little rose in the valley (Einsame Roeslein im Thal) (1871) Eduard Hermes
8053 Don’t Be Cross, (Sei Nicht Bos), from the Opera “Der Obersteiger” (1844) Carl Zeller
8054 Master Miner: Miner’s Lamp (Grubenlichter Walzer nach Motiven der Operette “Der
Obersteiger” ) (1844)
Carl Zeller
8055 Del Alpensauger Marsch A. Nellhandl
8056 The Petersburg March (Der Petersburger Marsch), (AM II 113) (1837) Johann Heinrich Walch
8057 King Karl March (Koenig Karl Marsch ) In Honor of King Karl 1 von Wurttemburg
(1868)
Carl Ludwig Unrath
8058 Parade Marsch No. 1 Carl Maria von Weber
8059 Invitation to the Dance, concerto (Aufforderung zum Tanz) , Opus 65, (1819) Willi Mollendorf
8060 High Habsburg March (Hoch Habsburg Marsch ), Opus 86, (1879) Johann Nepomuk Král,
8061 Miserere, a. d. Opt. “Der Troubadour” (1853) Giuseppe Verdi
8062 Triumphant March, from the Opera Aida (Triumpmarsch aus Aida) (1871) Giuseppe Verdi
8063 I am alone, but not lonely (Einsam bin ich nicht alleine “aus Preciosa” ) (1821) Carl Maria von Weber
8064 Coronation March, from the Opera “Le Prophet” (Kroenungs Marsch) Giacomo Meyerbeer
8065 Sonata in E Flat Major (Es-Dur) , Op 5, No. 3 (1894) Johann Nepomnk Hummel
8066 Jolly Brothers Waltz (Lustige Brueder Walzer ) (1891) Robert Vollstedt
*no-expression

January/February 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 31

No. Title (From disc label, w/ English translation where known) Composer
8067 * Walzer a.d. Opt. “Der Mikado” (1885) Arthur Sullivan
8068 Ave Maria (Meditation Prelude von Bach) Charles-François Gounod
8069 Symphonion Marsch C. Schwerin
8070 Russian National Anthem (ordered by Emperor Nickolas) (1833) Alexis von Lwoff
8071 *Waltz from Operette “Die Glocken von Corneville” or “The Bells of Corneville”
(1877)
Robert Planquette
8072 Torgau March Frederick the Great, King of Prussia
8073 Radetzky Marsch (1848) (AM 145 AMS) Johann Strauss Sr.
8074 Poet and Peasant Overture (1846) Franz von Suppe
8075 The Lion Awakes (Le Revil du Lion) (Erwachen des Loewen) (1848) Rontsky (or Ronsinsky)
8076 March of the Hanoverian Guard Hunter’s Battalion (Marsch des Jaeger Bataillons)
(1905)
Richard Strauss
8077 George’s March, Fourth Regiment March Paul Gerold
8078 March of the Seventh Regiment (Alt Hannoversch, Carousel March) Late 18th centry Irish tune
8079 I am sitting in the deep cellar here, (Im Tiefen Keller sitz ich hier, Lied ) German
drinking song
L. Fisher
8080 Barcarolle, from The Tales of Hoffmann (Les Contes d’Hoffmann) (1880) Jacques Offenbach
8081 Austria’s Sons March (Oesterreichs Soehne Marsch) Josef Zistler
8082 Happy New Year, Polka Chr. Bach
8083 * Roses from the South (Rosen aus dem Sueden Walzer a.d. Opt. “Das Spitzentuch
der Koenigin”) (1880)
Johann Strauss Jr.
8084 * Grand Entry March from Tannhauser (Einzug Der Gaeste) (Auf Der Wartburg
Marsch) (1845)
Richard Wagner
8085 The Heavenly Violin, German Waltz, (Der Himmel voller Geigen) Carl Michael Ziehrer
8086 Chorus and Ballet- from “Preciosa” (1821) Carl Maria von Weber
8087 Hearts, Song with Chorus (1894) Charles K. Harris
8088 From Olden Times, Waltz (Aus alten Zeiten Walzer) Joseph Bayer
8089 Carinthian Marching Song (Kaerntner Liedermarsch) (Karuth March) Anton Seifert
8090 Conference Quadrille – Part 1 (England) R. Kitzer
8090 Conference Quadrille – Part 2 (Russia), R. Kitzer
8090 Conference Quadrille -Part 3 (France) R. Kitzer
8090 Conference Quadrille – Part 4 (Italy) R. Kitzer
8090 Conferance Quadrille – Part 5 (Austria) R. Kitzer
8090 Conference Quadrille – Part 6 (Germany) R. Kitzer
8091 Hannover’s Royal Greeting March (Hannoverscher Koenigsgruss Marsch) Johan Christian Bach
8092 Under the Double Eagle March (Unter dem doppelten Adler Marsch) (1893) Joseph F. Wagner
8093 Sleep, You Sweet Angel, You (Schlaf wohl, mein suesser Engel) German Song Frz. Abt
8094 Parade March, from the Opera Moses (1816) Etinne Mehul
8095 Alexander, March, Royal Prussian Army March AM II 161 (1814) Ludwig Beethoven
8096 * This is the Day that the Lord Created (Dies ist der Tag, den Gott gemacht), Christmas
Song (1757)
Christian Fürchtegott Gellert
8097 From Heaven I Descend (Von Himmel hoch da komn ich her) (1535) Martin Luther
8098 Hold Out My Soul, Choral
*no-expression

32 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2018

No. Title (From disc label, w/ English translation where known) Composer
8099 Song on Aegir, Part 1 (Aegir is the North Sea God) (1894) HM The German Emperor Kiser
Wilhelm II
8099 Song on Aegir, Part 2 (Aegir is the North Sea God) (1894) HM The German Emperor Kiser
Wilhelm II
Holyest Night (O Holy Night) (Christnacht) (Christmas Song) Otto Taubert
8101 Storming The Dybbol Rebouts (Duppler-Schanzen -Sturmmarsch), March, (1864)
(AM II 186)
Gotttfried Piefke
8102 La Paloma (The Dove), Cuban Dance Song (Type III disc -A&B the same, C different)
(1861)
Sebastian Yradier
8103 Say Au Revoir, But Not Goodbye Harry Kennedy
8104 Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean (1843) David T. Shaw
Chimes of the Deep (1876) R. Goerdeler
8106 Song of the Peace Emissary (Gesang des Friedens Boten, aus “Rienzi” ) (1840) Richard Wagner
8107 You Lovely Eye (Du liebes Auge) German Song Reichardt
8108 Chorus from Opera “Rienzi” (Jauchzet ihr Thaler) (1840) Richard Wagner
8109 Your Savior (Deinem Heiland, Geistliches Lied (Spirtual Song) (1781) Johann Michael Haydn
Bruno, Waltz C. Schwerin
8111 Holy God, We Praise Thy Name (Grosser Gott wir loben dich), (1852) German Hymn Heinrich Bone
8112 The Rat Catcher (Der Rattenfaenger) (1898) Robert Engelhardt & Adolph Neuendorff
8113 On The Beautiful Rhine (Am wunderschoenen Rhein) Discs A & B are the same, C is
different
Rud. Forster
8114 The Gipsy Queen, Rhinelander (Die Zigeunerkoenigin) Paul Linke
Calife of Bagdad Overture (French Comic Opera) (1800) Adrien Boieldieu
8116 Moravo, oh Mahren (Moravia, Moravia) (Czech patriotic song) (from Bohemian folk
songs)
Vaclav Hanka
8117 Mussian March (AM II 248) (1882) Carl Carl
8118 King Grove Waltz (J. Kongeluden Vals. ) Chr. Jensen.
8119
Sweet Marie, waltz (1893) Raymom Moore
8121 Side Walks Of New York (1894) Charles B. Lawlor
8122 The Honeymoon March (1894) George Rosey (aka George Rosen-
burg)
8123 The Brave Soldier (Landsoldaten) (1848) (Danish Patriotic Song) Emil Hornemann
8124 Listen To The Mocking Bird (1855) Richard Milburn
Old Hundred, Hymn James J. Freeman
8126 The Liberty Bell March (1893) John Phillips Sousa
8127 Anna Waltz, from the Operette “La Chansonette” (1894) Rudolf Delinger
8128 But There Are Others, Bicycle Song Ed. Wolsieffer
8129 Southern Railway March (1895) (Written for Cotton States and International Exposition)
Wm. C. Rehm
* The Washington Post March (1889) John Phillips Sousa
8131
8132 Home Sweet Home (1823) Henry Bishop
*no-expression

January/February 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 33

No. Title (From disc label, w/ English translation where known) Composer
8133 Auld Lang Syne, Old Scotch Song (Words from poem by Robert Burns in 1796) Wm. Clifton
8134 Rákóczi March (Rakoczy Indulo in Hungarian) (1846), early Hungarian National
Anthum
Hector Berlioz
8135 The Directorate March (1894) John Phillips Sousa
8136 The Manhattan Beach March (1893) John Phillips Sousa
8137 Private Thommy Atkins (English Music Hall Song) (1893) Samual Potter
8138 Strolling Round The Town or The Rickety Rackety Crew (1893) Harry Castling
8139 And her golden hair was hanging down her back (English Music Hall Song) (1896) Felix Mc Glennon
8140 Lueger Marsch (1897) Written in honor of Karl Lueger, famous Mayor of Vienna Ed Nerradt
8141 Washed In The Blood of the Lamb, Hymn (1870) Tillius C. O’Kane
8142 The Ship I love (1893) Felix Mc Glennon
8143 Jesus Lover of My Soul, Famous Hymn (1834) (Words by Charles Wesley 1740) Simon B. Marsh
8144 The Blood of the Lamb, Hymn (1881) Henry S. Perkins
8145
8146
8147 Down The Road (English Music Hall Song) (1893) Fred. Gilbert
8148
8149
8150 There’s a Picture for You (1894) Charles Obsorne
8151 Impudence, Schottische Alan Macey
8152 Ben Bolt, “Oh! Don’t You Remember!”, Ballad (1848) Nelson Kneass
8153 Sunshine of Paradise Ally (1895) John W. Bratton
8154 Our Johnny! C. Scott (Probably Cyril Scott)
8155 Sun of my Soul, Thou Savior Dear (Old hymn) Paul Ritter
8156 Glory to Thee, My God (1500’s) (Christmas Hymn) (Type III disc arrangment- A&B
same, C different)
Thomas Tallis
8157 Emmet’s Lullaby (1878) Joseph K. Emmet
8158 A Gaiety Girl- from Sunshine Above (1893) Sidney Jones
8159 * My Pearl’s Bowery Girl (1894) Andrew Mack
8160 Beau Ideal March (1893) John Phillips Sousa
8161 The High School Cadets March (1890) John Phillips Sousa
8162 Darkie’s Deam song (1890) George L. Lansing
8163 “Trust-Look-Whom”, Waltz (alt Take Care In Whom You Trust) (Trau, Schau, Wem)
(1895)
Johann Strauss Jr.
8164 O Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fidelis) (1751) (Christmans Carol) John Francis Wade
18002 El Captain March (1895) John Phillips Sousa
18003 My Old Kentucky Home (1852) Stephen Foster
18004 Spanish Waltz (Espanita Waltz) (1895) George Rosey (aka George Rosenberg)
18008 O Promise Me (1887) Reginald de Koven
18009 Spring Song Felix Mendelssohn
18011 Turkish Patrol March (1885) Frank White Meacham
18013 Old Folks At Home (Swanne River) (1851) Stephen Foster
*no-expression

34 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2018

No. Title (From disc label, w/ English translation where known) Composer
18014 La Marseillaise (1792) (French National Anthem) Claude Joseph Rougt de Lisle
18015 Narcissus (1891) Ethelbert Nevin
18020 Marching Through Georgia (1865) Henry Clay Work
18022 The Last Hope, Melody (1854) Louis Moreau Gottschalk
18023 Minuet (Menuet) Johann Bach
18027 Stars and Stripes (1896) John Phillips Sousa
10828 Mecican Butterfly Dance (Schottische) (1900) Tom Clark
10832 American Patrol (1885) Frank White Meacham
18033 We’ll laugh and sing (all our cares away) from the Opera La Traviata- The Fallen
Women (1853)
Giuseppe Verdi
18035 Tyroliene from Willian Tell (1829) Giacchino Rossini
18039 Star Spangled Banner (1776 for music, 1814 for lyrics by Francis Scott Key) John Stafford Smith
18045 Pilgrims Chorus from Opera Tannhauser (1845) Richard Wagner
? Ah! May Heaven Grant You Pardon (Ah! che a voi perdoni Iddio) Quintent from Opera
Martha (1847)
Friedrich von Flotow
? Oh Could I Again So Love (Ach koennt’ ich noch einmal so lieben) “May Waltz”
(1900)
Wilhelim Alter
? The Charming Miller’s Wife (Reizende Muellerin) (Gesangswaltz-A Singing Waltz)
(partial number ?514)
Otto Teich
? * The Anvil Polka (Amboss Polka) (Opus 91) (1864) Albert Parlow
*no-expression

January/February 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 35

Organ Grinders, the Mayor
and Cartoons of the 1930s

Robert F. Penna, Ph.D.

When considering the disappearance
of street or barrel organs, many
people often lay blame on New York
City Mayor Fiorello La Guardia as the
man who banned them from the city
and ultimately destroyed a cultural
institution. When La Guardia refused
to renew street organ grinder licenses
in 1936, many of the barrels that contained
a record of the popular music of
the day were destroyed as the grinders
were rousted from the streets by law
enforcement. Many times the loss of
a barrel meant there was no longer
any trace of the songs recorded on
it. Before the invention of the record
player, these were the only recordings
of the music of the era.

It is less well known that New York
City was only one of several cities
to declare these automatic musical
instruments and the practice of grinding
them illegal. Many cities in the
United Kingdom also had ordinances
prohibiting organ grinders. Authorities
often encouraged policemen to
treat the grinders as beggars or public
nuisances.1

According to Arthur W.J.G. Ord-
Hume, the disappearance of organ
grinders from European streets was
in large part due to the early application
of national and international
copyright laws. At the end of the 19th
and the beginning of the 20th century,
European publishers of sheet music
and the holders of copyrights to the
most popular operatic tunes of the
day often banded together to enforce
collection of performance duties from

1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Street_organ

Photo courtesy Library of Congress
Depictions of organ grinders in the media were often not flattering.

any musician playing their property in
any venue. When faced with notaries
and the hounding of legal representatives
of the music industry of the time,
organ grinders began to disappear.2

It was only through the involvement
of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt that
the organ grinder lasted in Washington,
DC, until the late 1940s. According

2 Ord-Hume, Arthur W.J.G. Barrel Organ:
The Story of the Mechanical Organ And Its
Repair. South Brunswick, New Jersey: A.S.
Barnes, 1978.

to a Dec. 9, 1936 Post article, Pietro
“Pete” Battaglioli, who for 20 years
had earned a living from passersby
who gave him pennies, nickels and
dimes to hear songs such as “Dixie”
and “Funiculi, Funicula,” was stopped
by police. They charged him with
solicitation of alms. A friend of the
organ grinder reportedly wrote a letter
about the man’s plight and sent it
to First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, who
then used her influence on his behalf.
District Commissioner Melvin Hazen

36 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2018

overruled the police and awarded a
license to Pietro. “Organ grinding is no
crime,” Hazen explained to the newspaper.
“If people want to give the man
something now and then, I don’t think
that constitutes solicitation of alms.”
Battaglioli, who complained that the
phonograph and the radio were unfair
competition, continued working the
streets until his death shortly after
World War II.3

It would appear that a large number
of people disagreed with the bans
and still missed the street organ even
after Mayor LaGuardia dismissed
them as public nuisances citing various
reasons for his actions. Among
his reasons for the ban were that the
playing of these instruments endangered
children by placing them close
to automobile traffic. He also argued
that organ grinders encouraged
begging, and, as the vast majority of
the organ grinders in New York were
Italian, they were the pawns of Mafia
gangsters who rented them their
instruments and locations.4

According to some sources,
however, there was another, more
personal, reason for the ban. LaGuardia’s
parents were both born in Italy
and, living in Prescott, AZ, he had
not experienced prejudice until an
incident occurred which scarred him.
As described in his autobiography,
“I must have been about 10 when a
street organ-grinder with a monkey
blew into town. He, and particularly
the monkey, attracted a great deal of
attention. I can still hear the cries of
the kids: ‘A dago with a monkey! Hey,
Fiorello, you’re a dago too. Where’s
your monkey?’ It hurt. . . The kids
taunted me for a long time after that.
I couldn’t understand it. What difference
was there between us? Some
of their families hadn’t been in the

3 Kiger, Patrick. “Organ Grinders and
Their Monkeys Entertained on DC Sidewalks.”
August 4, 2015. Located at: http://
blogs.weta.org/boundarystones/2015/08/04/
organ-grinders-and-their-monkeys-once-entertained-
dc-sidewalks

4 Yavner, Louise. “Why La Guardia Put an
End to Organ Grinding,” letter to the editor
of The New York Times, January 5, 1982. Ms.
Yavner was the president of the La Guardia
Centennial and his former Commissioner of
Investigation,

Photo courtesy New York Public Library
In this depiction, a butler pays an organ grinder to stop playing and go away.

country any longer than mine.”5

For movie audiences of the 1930s,
the organ grinder was immediately
recognizable even though they were
disappearing on the streets. Cartoons
from Fleischer Studios and Warner
Brothers demonstrated the barrel
organ’s continuing appeal to the pub

lic. In addition to reviving the nostalgia
of the organ grinder, the animators
incorporated the new music style of
jazz. In many cartoons, jazz is often
introduced coming from the barrel
5 Roberts, Sam, “City Room; How Bias in
Arizona Spelled an End for New York Organ
Grinders. The New York Times. August 3,
2010.

organ, although jazz was not known to
have been played by historical organ
grinders. Combining jazz and barrel
organs became possible within the
imaginative realm of the cartoon.

This mixing of fantasy and memory
extended not only to the musical
but to the visual realm as well. The
capuchin monkey, although no longer
a fixture of the street, was now
restored to its place alongside the
organ grinder. Banished as a result of
strict health regulations, the creature
was a boon to animators who were
expected to provide a near constant
supply of humorous visual gags. The
antics of the monkeys, which included

January/February 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 37

The opening screen of “The Organ
Grinder” a 1933 cartoon short depicts
an Italian immigrant organ grinder and
his monkey companion

scat singing, dancing, and the playing
of musical instruments, are rife with
allusions to jazz and jazz musicians.6

The author of this article selected
three cartoons as interesting examples
of the depiction of the organ grinder.
Warner Brothers’ The Organ Grinder,
and two Fleischer Studio shorts, My
Friend the Monkey, and Organ Grinder’s
Swing provide us with insights
into the general public’s attitudes
and appreciation of the organ grinder
and his monkey. Some if not all three
cartoons are readily accessible on
Youtube.com. See footnotes.

In The Organ Grinder, a 1933 short
that was part of Warner Brothers’
Merry Melodies series, an overweight,
jovial Italian organ grinder cranks his
instrument as he navigates city streets
with his monkey. As the animators
were contractually obligated to use a
Warner song as the title song in each
of their shorts, the cartoon featured
a song from the Warner song catalog
entitled “The Organ Grinder” with
music by Sam Stept and lyrics by Herb
Magidson.7

The organ grinder accompanies his
instrument by singing the verse and
chorus of the song. In the meantime,
the monkey collects money from

6 Michael Accinno, “Organ Grinder’s
Swing: representations of street music in New
York city, 1850-1937.” Doctoral dissertation:
University of Iowa 2010. pp92-93

7 Daniel Goldmark, “Happy Harmonies:
Music and the Hollywood Animated Cartoon”
(Ph.D. diss., University of California, Los
Angeles, 2001), 20. The study was later
released as Tunes for ‘toons: Music and the
Hollywood Cartoon (Berkeley: University of
California Press, 2005).

Scenes from the 1939 Betty Boop short cartoon show a more romanticized version
of an Italian organ grinder and his dancing, monkey companion.

pedestrians and tenement dwellers,
all the while engaging in a variety of
visual gags such as “unzipping” the
peel of a banana and wheeling himself
across a clothesline by jumping into a
pair of hanging underwear. The scene
is populated with characters who
happily hum, scat, and sing along to
the title song, a light-hearted, tuneful

melody written in a swing idiom.

The monkey is depicted as a talented
performer. He plays a more
improvisatory style in the midst of his
intrigued and appreciative audience.
When a group of children arrive on
the scene to watch the duo of street
performers, the organ man instructs
the monkey to “get hot.” The organ

38 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2018

Two scenes from the cartoon short titled Organ Grinder’s Swing featuring Popeye,
Bluto, Wimpy and Olive Oyl.

begins to grind out the title song at a
heightened rhythmic pace, its timbre
becoming even more exaggerated in
order to mimic the wheezy, out-oftune
sound of an actual barrel organ.

The monkey begins to prance
around and parody several celebrities—
including homages to comedy
duo Laurel and Hardy and to Harpo
Marx complete with a wig and a harp.
The monkey then proceeds to give
a fantastical performance played

simultaneously on several instruments
including the clarinet, piano,
accordion, and snare drum.8

Although produced by a different
team at New York-based Fleischer
Studios, the 1939 Betty Boop short
My Friend the Monkey depicts the
public’s appreciation of the organ

8 Michael Accinno, “Organ Grinder’s
Swing: representations of street music in New
York city, 1850-1937.” Doctoral dissertation:
University of Iowa 2010. pp95-98

grinder and his monkey. In this short,
Betty Boop is entertained by an organ
grinder and his monkey who entertain
outside her apartment playing a simple
waltz. When Betty asks the monkey to
dance, the grinder flips a switch on the
organ and plays a jazz tune. The monkey
immediately begins scat singing.
Having gained the attention of Betty,
who briefly scats back, the monkey is
invited into the apartment to play with
Betty’s pet dog. As Betty negotiates
to buy the monkey with “Mr. Organ
Man,” her dog and the monkey have a
typical cartoon battle. Unfortunately
for the pup, Betty buys the monkey
leaving the dog in shock.

Also produced at Fleischer Studios,
the 1937 short Organ Grinder’s
Swing also demonstrates the public’s
fondness for the organ grinder and
his monkey. Set in New York and
chronologically close to La Guardia’s
legal action, it helps us gauge the public’s
attitudes toward the ban of street
organs. In the cartoon, Popeye and his
nemesis, Bluto come to blows over the
presence of an organ grinder. Wimpy,
often depicted as a lazy individual
with a voracious appetite, appeared in
front of their apartment building with
his monkey.

While the barrel organ plays a
catchy tune, Popeye and Olive Oyl
dance to the tune being played on the
organ. Soon Bluto brusquely implores
the organ grinder to “cut out that
racket and get outta here!” Popeye’s
response—“Music is good for yous,
and I says he stays”— illustrates the
characters’ basic disagreement over
the difference between noise and
music. Simply substitute Popeye
for the public and Bluto for Mayor
LaGuardia, and one can readily surmise
the special humor of this piece
for the 1930s audiences.

For all those who remember the
Popeye cartoons, the typical fisticuffs
between Popeye and Bluto take place.
Bluto’s negativity towards the organ
grinder leads to the confrontation
with Popeye. Whimpy and the monkey
are Bluto’s initial targets. However,
Popeye intercedes and Olive Oyl and
the monkey join in. Bluto destroys the
barrel organ by repeatedly jumping
upon it. Fortunately, a can of spinach

January/February 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 39

delivered by the monkey turns the
tables on Bluto. At one point, Bluto
ends up on a clothes line in ladies
knickers. The final scene sees Bluto
smashed into a player piano with
Popeye using his arm as the crank to
play music much to the delight of the
movie-going audience.

The conclusion of Organ Grinder’s
Swing symbolically demonstrates a
reversal of restrictions against street
organs and their players. The average
citizen (Popeye) punishes Bluto

(Mayor LaGuardia) for the extinction
of the “people’s musicians.” The
mayor is portrayed as an oafish bully
picking on the organ grinders and
their monkeys and, of course, anyone
who would defend them. This poetical
justice is evident in the symbolic act
of Bluto becoming part of a human
barrel organ played by Popeye.9

9 Michael Accinno, “Organ Grinder’s
Swing: representations of street music in New
York city, 1850-1937.” Doctoral dissertation:
University of Iowa 2010. pp101-102

Although the organ grinder was banished
from our streets, the nostalgia
of his presence remains. The organ
grinder is in our collective imagination.
He is instantly recognizable by
everyone. He crops up in the background
scenes of movies, cartoons
and television. Despite being exiled,
the organ grinder and his music were
never completely silenced.

Watch the cartoons online
The Organ Grinder – viewable at: http://looneytunes.wikia.com/wiki/File:The_Organ_Grinder_(1933)
My Friend the Monkey – viewable at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XE5rx3j5ks
Organ Grinder’s Swing – viewable at: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xkbmjo
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40 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2018

An introduction to Mechanical Music

Recently, the Association of Musical the wide-range of items that people in with MBSI and will be
Box Collectors (AMBC) in the United musical box societies often collect. published a few pages at
Kingdom produced a wonderful book Written by Paul Bellamy and Juliet a time in Mechanical Music, for the
let introducing many different types of Fynes, with additional materials con enjoyment of all our members, both
mechanical musical instruments and tributed by Ted Brown and design/ new and long-time veterans.
providing brief descriptions of each for photography work by Chris Fynes, this For more information, visit the
people who might be unfamiliar with booklet has been generously shared AMBC website at www. ambc.org.uk

An introduction to Mechanical Music

Golden Gate Chapter

Harpist Pamela Scholz treats guests to
an afternoon of live entertainment.

Chair: Richard Hughes
Reporter: Jenny Hoyt
Photographer: Jonathan Hoyt

Nov. 12, 2017 – Santa Clara, CA

Members of the Golden Gate Chapter
gathered for our fall meeting at the
home of Greg and Chris Hopwood. The
meeting was held on Nov. 12, and was
attended by approximately 20 established
members. The Hopwood’s home
is situated in the hills of the southern
Santa Clara valley, overlooking the
nearly full Anderson reservoir.

Although the Hopwoods do not have
automatic musical instruments at their
home, guests were still very much
entertained. In fact, Chris arranged
for one of the most terrific musical
surprises the chapter has ever enjoyed,
live music from a professional harpist!
Pamela Scholz played both classical
and contemporary pieces on her Salvi
Sinfonietta harp. Pamela is a member

The chapter members gathered for a brief business meeting.

The hospitality of meeting hosts Greg and Chris Hopwood is the only thing better
than the incredible view from their home.

of the South Valley Symphony, and has
been playing since 1988. Additionally,
David Corkrum brought a Mermod
Freres Harp-Piccolo cylinder box, ca.
1877, from his collection for the group
to enjoy. He and Pamela had hoped
that she and the music box could play
a duet, but this did not work out..

The Hopwoods created an atmosphere
of relaxation as the afternoon
began with an opportunity to grab a
glass of wine and mingle with friends,
while enjoying the live music. In time,
everyone settled in for a delicious
meal, which was followed by a brief

business meeting. The meeting
adjourned, and guests were again free
to wind down through the evening by
enjoying more delicious food, conversation
with good friends and, of
course, the incredible view from the
Hopwood’s home.

The chapter would like to express
our sincere thanks to Greg and Chris
for welcoming us into their beautiful
home and for arranging an afternoon
of such lovely entertainment. Their
warm hospitality made this gathering
a truly unique, memorable and relaxing
one.

Sunbelt Chapter

Co-Chairs: Ray Dickey and
Julian Grace
Reporter: Mary Grace
Photographer: Mary Grace

Mar. 25, 2017 – Houston, TX

Our spring meeting was hosted by
Philip and Sandra Smith in their lovely
Houston, TX, home filled with wonderful
antique music boxes, as well as
antique furniture, art glass, American
Brilliant cut glass rare lamps, Victorian
silver pieces and many carved
wooden art objects.

The Smiths have collected antiques
from all over the world and display
them in an attractive and comfortable
setting. Their music boxes and
machines are displayed on the first
and second story of their home, as
well as in a music room located in an
outside building.

The collection includes automata,
cylinder and disc machines, organs
and time pieces.

The chapter meeting was conducted
by Chapter Co-Chairs Dr. Ray Dickey
and Julian Grace. There were 16
Sunbelt members in attendance, some
traveling from as far away as San
Antonio and Bulverde, TX

Sandra Smith prepared a lovely table
for the Sunbelt Chapter members,
filled with delicious and tempting
treats. She definitely has a gift for
creating beautiful and tasty canapes
and snacks. Not only a lovely hostess,
Sandra is also very knowledgeable in
the source and history of her antiques
and seems to enjoy sharing the stories
behind many of her treasures.

Before and after our business meeting,
Philip gave an interesting tour
of their home, playing some of their
machines and telling the stories that
so often go with them.

He was eager to answer questions
asked by the members and share the
favorite “The Hunt” escapades we all
love to hear.

Chapter members gathered for a group photo.

Host Philip Smith (left), with chapter
co-chairs Julian Grace (center) and Ray
Dickey.

Host Sandra Smith (left) with Jennifer
Elmendorf-Lehman (center) and Ethel
Bowman.

Chris and Judith Klinetob. Steve Cunningham.

The Sunbelt Chapter members their home for such a lovely afternoon
extend warm and sincere gratitude to meeting and also for their participation
Philip and Sandra Smith for opening up in the Sunbelt Chapter.

National Capital Chapter

Chair: Sally Craig
Reporters: Donna and Gene Borrelli
Photographers: Gene Borrelli and Paul
Senger

Oct. 22, 2017 – Gaithersburg, MD

The National Capital Chapter held
its fall meeting at the home of Beni
and Matt Jaro in Gaithersburg, MD, on
Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017. There were 33
members in attendance. Following a
buffet lunch, the meeting was called
to order by Chapter Chair Sally Craig.
The meeting focused on preparations
for the 2019 MBSI Annual Convention,
which will be hosted by the National
Capital Chapter. Paul Senger conducted
the election of chapter officers.
New officers elected are Chair Matt
Jaro, Co-Vice Chairs John Wells and
David Burke, Treasurer Florie Hirsch,
and Co-Secretaries Donna and Gene
Borrelli.

Matt and Beni have an extensive collection
of mechanical music including
a Seeburg K (with xylophone), a
Seeburg G, and a Seeburg H. They also
have a Nelson-Wiggen 4x Orchestrion,
a Wurlitzer 153 Band Organ, and a 1926
Chickering Ampico piano. Together
with chapter member Dick Hack, Matt
recently designed and installed a MIDI

Host Matt Jaro explains the new Western Electric Mascot C to Richard Simpson.

The joy is evident on Matt Jaro’s face as
he conducts a demonstration of the new
Western Electric Mascot C.

A detail shot of the beautiful restoration on the Western Electric Mascot C.

Paul Senger, Bob Goldsmith, Richard Simpson and David Burke enjoying the collection tour. Wurlitzer 153 and Mascot in
background.

The Jaro’s new, beautifully-restored Western Electric Mascot Our hosts Beni and Matt Jaro with Sally Craig ready to cut the
C nickelodeon. theme cake.

46 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2018

Paul Senger admires the more elegant roll mechanism in the
Western Electric compared to the parent Seeburg machines.
Paul Senger admires the more elegant roll mechanism in the
Western Electric compared to the parent Seeburg machines.
Don Lundry looks on in background. Jack Hardman performs a serious piece on the grand piano.

system for the Seeburg H, which Matt
demonstrated for the group. He also
played his recently acquired Western
Electric Mascot C, which he had fully
restored as well as several of their
other instruments.

Following the mechanical music
demonstration, the group retired
downstairs to the film theater. We had
the opportunity to view the video for
the 2018 MBSI convention in Detroit,
MI, as well as vintage cartoons, a 1963
newsreel, and several comedy shorts.

The NCC Holiday meeting will
be held at the home of Cheryl and
Dick Hack on Dec. 3, in Annapolis
Maryland.

Donna Borrelli, Paul Senger and Bob Goldsmith watch as Matt explains his new
MIDI system on Seeburg H

Settled in with popcorn, candy and sodas, chapter members are ready for some fun movies.

January/February 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 47

Southeast Chapter

Chair: Judy Miller
Reporter: Margery Sanford
Photographer: Howard Sanford

Nov. 3-5 – Largo, FL

Largo, the fourth largest city in the
Tampa Bay, FL, area, was the gathering
place for the Southeast Chapter of
MBSI on Nov. 3-5, 2017. What a wonderful
time we all had. The weather
was gorgeous and the weekend activities
were well planned.

A short business meeting was held
on Friday night for the 37 registrants,
which included three new members
who were heartily welcomed to
the chapter. The new members are
Dwight Porter and Dorothy and Burt
Kalet. Three major honorees were celebrated:
First, our very own treasurer,
Clay Witt, was congratulated on his
appointment as the next president of
the national MBSI. Second, Dan Wilson,
of North Carolina, received the
MBSI President’s award for outstanding
service during his time as an MBSI
trustee. And third, Mary Ellen Myers
was named a new trustee of the MBSI
national organization. It was further
announced that Mary Ann Hostetler
will take over editing the chapter
newsletter, the Rag. There will be no
charge for members’ classified ads.
Lastly, Chapter President Judy Miller
described a very successful exhibit
for a group of home schooled students
which she organized and conducted.
She has provided a write up on that
event elsewhere in this journal.

Members were then encouraged to
attend and bring instruments to the
Christmas show at The Villages, FL.
Exposure to the public is very high
at that time since around 650 people
come each of the two days it runs.

Saturday was spent at Largo Central
Park for a well-attended organ rally
and opportunity to ride miniature
railroads. The trains are one-eighth
of full size and run through the park
for about one mile. One of the steam

Howard Wyman with his Wurlitzer Band organ replica.

John Martin (left) and Dwight Porter with a Raffin organ (and capuchin monkey).

Martin Van Zanten with his model steam locomotive. Craig Darlak cranks an organ to entertain visitors.

Cotton Morlock plays his roll-operated trumpet. Marylou Van Zanten with a Pell Organ in the park.

January/February 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 49

Julie and Cotton Morlock with a Celestina organ.

Bill and Claire Zaiser take their turn at the monkey organ.

Howard Sanford and his monkey entertain park visitors.

Wayne and Mary Ellen Myers with an organ in an easy-to-maneuver
wagon.

Norman Bauer takes a turn with the Raffin organ. Another of the small-scale locomotives on the rails.

50 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2018

engines is owned and operated by chapter member Martin
VanZenten.

On Sunday, three open houses were held. The first was
at John Martin and Norm Bauer’s. Their home is filled with
mechanical music, stained glass and other collectibles,
notably chocolate pots. The second was at long-time member
Tom Bristow’s to see his 27-inch Regina Changer and
18½-inch Mira Console plus a vast collection of treasures.
The third was at Howard Wyman’s of Valrico, FL, where his
self-built Wurlitzer 105 band organ and other instruments
were played.

Upcoming chapter events include Jan. 12-13, 2018, in
Sarasota, FL, where we were invited to join the circus
Showfolks as we did last year. And Jan. 26 -27, 2018, in
Jacksonville, FL, when the irrepressible Cotton and Julie
Morlock will host with silent movies, accompanied by
our own talented Steve Brittain and a Magic Lantern Tour
of 1934 Europe. The big welcome is out for all friends,
snowbirds, tourists to join us at every event. So do come
on down!

Tom Bristow with his Mira disc box.

Elaine Goldy cranks a monkey organ while her cheerful com-
panion smiles from underneath.

Tom Bristow and his colorful phonograph horn.

WE WANT YOUR STORY!

Every mechanical musical instrument has a tale to tell. Share the history of people
who owned your instrument before you, or the story of its restoration, or just what
makes it an interesting piece. Send stories via email to editor@mbsi.org or
mail your story to Iron Dog Media, 130 Coral Court, Pismo Beach, CA 93449

January/February 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 51

Southern California

Chair: Robin Biggins
Reporter: Linda Birkitt
Photographer: Lowell Boeland

Oct. 14, 2017 – Wrightwood, CA

The MBSI meeting for October was
held in the idyllic town of Wrightwood,
CA, at the home of Jerry Pell and Diane
Minzey. You could never have planned
a more quixotic day weather-wise for
a MBSI meeting!

This meeting was a joint meeting
with an Automatic Musical Instrument
Collectors’ Association (AMICA)
chapter. Don Henry chaired the
AMICA meeting and Robin Biggins
chaired the MBSI meeting. After a
lively socialization period, Don Henry
called the AMICA members to order
followed by Robin Biggins doing the
same for MBSI. Forty-five members
put in an appearance for the joint
meeting. No guests were present at
this meeting. Potential guests missed
out on a great time. There were no
new members at this meeting. No
treasurer’s report was forthcoming as
Bob Lloyd was not in attendance.

Robin thanked Jerry Pell and Diane
Minzey for their gracious hospitality.
The members brought homemade
apple pie, pumpkin pie, chips and dips,
carrot cake, and cookies. Jerry and
Diane furnished libations. As a side
note, Don Henry informed the group
that he will be moving to Albuquerque,
NM, but said he would host a meeting
there after he is settled. That would be
great!

Frank Nix hosted a Christmas Party
on Dec. 10, 2017, for both AMICA and
MBSI members. It was announced
that the AMICA Annual Convention
will be held Jun. 3, 2018 in the Black
Hills of South Dakota.

Robin announced with sadness that
Jay Carsman has resigned his post as
secretary of the Southern California
MBSI chapter, as he has not been
recuperating as fast as he thought
he might from a recent surgery. On

Our gracious hosts, Diane Minzey and Jerry Pell.

Robin Biggins conducts the MBSI business meeting.

Mar. 16, 2018, there will be a mid-year Mar. 17, 2018.
MBSI Trustees meeting at the Musical Jerry Pell announced he had two
Instrument Museum in Phoenix, AZ. new Ampico rolls for sale that were
The trustees will meet first on Mar. re-cut by Tim Baxter to sell for $20.
16, 2018 with the regular Southern The rolls play Fingal’s Cave Overture
California Chapter meeting starting by Felix Mendelssohn with four-hand

Chapter members paused for a group photo in the wonderful weather of Wrightwood, CA.

One of two surviving Gebruder 67-keyless scale organs in the world. More
details about this organ are found in the information plaque at right.

January/February 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 53

The music room with Herb Mercer and Ralph Benitz. A closeup of the Seeburg C shows the art glass and inner
workings of the machine.

Robbie Rhodes entertains on the beautiful 6-foot 1-inch

Andrew Barrett plays the Seeburg C. Mason & Hamlin RAA piano.

Guests listen to a rare Wilcox & White piano with the “Artrio” reproducing mechanism.

54 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2018

arrangement. These are Ampico B
model coded rolls but can also be
played on an Ampico A model piano.

We are planning a meeting for February
for MBSI with date and location
to be determined. Check the MBSI
website at www.mbsi.org for details.

There being no further business for
the chapter to discuss, the meeting
was adjourned. Chapter members
continued to enjoy each others’
company as well as to delight in the
music played by Robbie Rhodes and
Andrew Barrett. Subsequently, 16
members traveled the short distance
to downtown Wrightwood to enjoy a
wonderful Mexican meal.

A great big thank you to Diane
and Jerry for the lovely time in the
mountains.

Everyone enjoyed a wonderful spread of food. Pictures (from left to right) are: Ardis
Prescott, Phyllis Goetz, Dick Goetz, Don Henry, Joanna Boehland, Joel Feldman,
Robin Biggins and Cathy Feldman.

Jerry Pell conducts a tour of his workshop where it appears a rather large project is still in the works.

January/February 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 55

In Memoriam In Memoriam
Kathleen “Kathy” Kananen

By Hope Rider

We were all sorry to hear that longtime
MBSI member Kathleen (Mrs.
David Kananen), recently passed
away.

David and Kathleen’s home was in
rural Napoleon, OH, which is near
Bowling Green State University.
At Bowling Green they learned the
competitive sport of curling, which
consists of sliding a heavy stone
along an alley made of ice toward a
target while sweepers help guide the
stone by sweeping the ice in front
of the stone with brooms. Curling
is now an Olympic sport. David and
Kathleen competed on the ice for 20
years.

During their 54 years together, they
also participated in MBSI, several
international meetings, monkey organ
rallies and band organ rallies. They with their neighbors as the Kananen’s Kathy will be missed, not only by
could often be seen in top hat and home has a lovely blueberry patch her husband and family but also by
straw hat to entertain many rally visi-nearby. their many friends in their MBSI and
tors with their Pell street organ. Kathy is survived by her husband, associated organizations as well as

Spring kept them busy and popular two daughters, and one son. their many neighbors.

David and Kathleen Kananen in 2007 with their Pell street organ.

Advertise in The Mart

Have some spare parts or extra rolls taking up the space where you should be installing your next acquisition? Ready to
trade up, but need to sell one of your current pieces first? Get the word out to other collectors in The Mart, an effective
advertising tool at an inexpensive price. Copy or cut out the form below and mail it in to get started!

Name Phone
Email
Text of ad

56 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2018

In Memoriam In Memoriam
Louise Brown Alden Cassity

By Paul Senger

Louise Cassity passed away on
Jun. 29, 2017, at the age of 94, at
Briar Meadow assisted living home in
Derwood, MD, where she lived for the
last nine years. She was born on Feb.
27, 1923, in a farm house in Denton,
MD, one of a family of 10 children.
She was married to Raymond C.
Alden, a minor league baseball umpire
who predeceased her. Her second
marriage was to Allen Cassity in 1998.
She is survived by Allen, a son and a
daughter, three sisters, one brother,
many nieces and nephews, and other
extended family.

Louise received her undergraduate
degree from Bridgewater College and
a master’s degree from the University
of Maryland cum laude in education.
She had a long career as a teacher in
Montgomery County, MD, spanning
from 1942 to 1979.

Allen and Louise Cassity have been
members of MBSI and the National

Capital Chapter for more than 20
years. They are regular participants
at chapter meetings and national
conventions.

She was active in many organizations
during college and serving
as an officer or on committees at
Hughes United Methodist Church,
Methodist Women, 4-H, Alpha Delta
Kappa (ADK) (International Honorary

Organization for Women Educators),
Retired Teachers, Interfaith Training
Network and others.

A memorial service was held in
Olney, MD on Oct. 10, 2017, led by
Rev. Dr. David McAllister Wilson,
President of Wesley Theological Seminary.
She was praised by members
of ADK, Montgomery County Public
Schools Retirees Association, friends
and neighbors for her teaching,
organizational, and financial skills.
She developed a unique financial
handbook for retired teachers titled
The Business of Living and Dying for
Montgomery County Public School
Employees. She was remembered as a
playwright and actress for the skits she
conducted for the ADK conventions.

Contributions may be made
to Wesley Theological Seminary
Scholarship Fund, Alpha Delta
Kappa Sorority Scholarship Fund,
Montgomery County Retired Teachers
Scholarship Fund, St. Jude’s Children
Hospital or Bridgewater College.

Merriel Ann Bellamy

By Paul Bellamy

My wife, Merriel Ann Bellamy was
a joint MBSI member but only visited
one convention because she disliked
long-haul air travel. She was active
with me in the UK when we were joint
members of a number of UK mechanical
music societies.

She suffered for a number of
years with a degenerative dementia
condition that took away her
power of speech and eventually,
movement. Despite this, her memory
remained intact as did her wonderful
spirit which enabled her to enjoy

mechanical music meetings until the
final moment, Aug. 17, 2017.

Instead of flowers, I asked for
donations to be made to the Imperial
College, London, the department of
Brain Science. The result was a wonderful
and practical tribute by those
who knew her and raised over £1,600,
every cent of which will be put to use
without the deduction of management
fees or overheads.

The total amount is expected to
be over £2,000 with the added bonus
of a UK tax rebate on that sum of 25
percent.

Condolences

MBSI would like to convey its
condolences to the families of the
following members who passed
away.

Ann Wilson, wife of Charles Wilson,
of Prospect, KY, who passed
away on October 9, 2017. She collected
and sold small manivelles ,
musical child’s toys, talking dolls,
and other musical items.

Norman Gan, husband of Wanda
Bryant, of Sherman Oaks, CA.

John Lewis of Pasadena, CA.

January/February 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 57

Regina 15½” Changer Crest
Quality carving in Oak or Mahogany – unfinished, ready to stain – $1,100.
Price includes postage within the U.S.
Nancy Fratti Music Boxes
315-684-9977 – musicbox@frontiernet.net
Ben’s Player Piano Service
Repair and restoration of air powered mechanical music
devices of all description.
Player pianos
Reproduing pianos
Dance organs
Fairground organs
Nickelodeon pianos
Original historically
Correct techniques
And materials used
Throughout in the
Rebuilding process.
Benjamin R Gottfried
464 Dugan Road, Richfield Springs NY 13439
Bensplayerservice.com 315-858-2164
SAMPLE Restorations, LLC.
Joe Smith
Email: mbsi@irondogmedia.com to place your ad here!
This could be your ad right here!
58 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2018

Chet Ramsay
Antiques

Complete Restoration
Services Available.

Specializing in Music Boxes

– –
Bought •
Sold •
Repaired
•
Outside Horn Phonographs
•
Music Boxes

Come visit our Victorian
showroom and workshop

East Fallowfield Twp.
2460 Strasburg Road
Coatesville, PA 19320

2 miles south of Coatesville

610-384-0514

Showroom open by appointment

2017 MBSI Annual Meeting Table Favors

Representation of a Regina disc player with two tunes available: “Whistle a Happy
Tune” and “English Country Garden.” When the key is wound, the tune plays and the
disc turns. $25 each, inclding shipping to the continental U.S. Shipping elsewhere is

subject actual shipping charges. Accepted forms of payment are PayPal, check,
and money order. Contact Bill Guimes at bill.guimes@gmail.com or call (908)
850-1986 and leave a message.Will make a nice addition to your table favor

collection. Will make an unusual holiday gift. Only 60 of each tune left!!

January/February 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 59

STANTON’S AUCTION ofAutomatic Musical Machines Automatic Musical Machines
Thursday, Friday and Saturday, APRIL 26, 27, & 28, 2018

PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF LOCATION & DATES

To be held on the BARRY COUNTY Fairgrounds, at 1350 N. M-37 Highway, Hastings, MichiganThe fairgrounds are 6 miles northwest of Hastings, or 27 miles southeast of Grand Rapids andthe Gerald R. Ford International Airport on M-37 to the sale site.

The auction already includes the Clifford Rorrer Collection with a Rare Victor
Auxetophone, A Victor VI phonograph with matching mahogany cabinet with gold
Corinthian columns, a fine Reginaphone Style 150 serpentine case 15-1/2” disc music
box with nickel horn for playing box music box and phonograph records, other music
boxes, band organs, Symphonion grandfather’s clock with music box, many rare
examples, and an excellent selection of phonographs of all types.

We are accepting additional collections for our sale,
call for information on participating.

We offer a full-service operation that is completely insured, our rates are competitive,
and we have a background in this field that exceeds others selling items of this type.
Also, the buyer’s premium charged at our auctions is one of the lowest in the nation…
which is extremely advantageous to both sellers and buyers alike.

Plan on contacting us to discuss ourtravel schedule and have your itemsincluded in our upcoming event.

Make sure to benefit from the

national and international advertising

that will
done be over the course of the

next six months, in print, newspapers,
specialty publications, direct mailings,
and through online technology.

Steven E. Stanton

(517) 331-8150 cellular
Email – stevenEstanton@gmail.com

Stanton’s Auctioneers,
AUCTIONEERS & REALTORSSTANTON’SSteven E. Stanton

(517) 331-8150 cellular

Appraisers, & Realtors

(517) 852-0627 evening

144 S. Main, P.O. Box 146

Vermontville, MI 49096 E-mail – stevenEstanton@gmail.com
Phone: (517) 726-0181

Michael C. Bleisch

Fax: (517) 726-0060

(517) 231-0868 cellular

E-mail: stantonsauctions@sbcglobal.net

E-mail – mcbleisch@gmail.com

Website: www.stantons-auctions.com

The
Magnificence
of
Mermod
Freres
+
35
Cylinders!

(Carved undersideof lid)

Fully carved on front, top, sides,
table front and underside of lid. 17 ½” cylinders, 210 tunes!
Matching cylinder chest.

Sublime Harmony Piccolo,
Nancy Fratti Music Boxes -316.684.9977
PO Box 400 – Canastota NY 13032
musicbox@frontiernet.net –www.nancyfrattimusicboxes.com

THE MART THE MART
CLASSIFIED ADS

• 47¢ per word
• ALL CAPS, italicized and bold
words: 60¢ each.
• Minimum Charge: $11 per ad.
• Limit: One ad in each category
• Format: See ads for style
• Restrictions: Ads are strictly
limited to mechanical musical
instruments and related items and
services
• MBSI member’s name must
appear in ad
• Non-members may advertise at the
rates listed plus a 10% surcharge
PLEASE NOTE:

The first two words (or more
at your choice) and the member’s
name will be printed in all caps/bold
and charged at 60¢ per word.

Mechanical Music

Mechanical Music is mailed to all
members at the beginning of every
odd month — January, March, May,
July, September and November.

MBSI Advertising Statement

It is to be hereby understood
that the placing of advertisements
by members of the Society in this
publication does not constitute nor
shall be deemed to constitute any
endorsement or approval of the business
practices of advertisers. The
Musical Box Society International
accepts no liability in connection
with any business dealings between
members and such advertisers.

It is to be further understood that
members are to rely on their own
investigation and opinion regarding
the reputation and integrity of
advertisers in conducting such business
dealings with said advertisers.

FOR SALE
RESTORED MUSICAL BOXES Offering a
variety of antique musical boxes, discs,
orphan cylinders, reproducing piano rolls &
out of print books about mechanical music.
BILL WINEBURGH 973-927-0484 Web:
antiquemusicbox.us

THE GOLDEN AGE of AUTOMATIC MUSICAL
INSTRUMENTS By ART REBLITZ.
Award-winning classic that brings historical,
musical, and technical information to life
with hundreds of large, vivid color photos.
We guarantee you’ll find it to be one of the
most interesting, inspiring, informative books
you have in your library–or your money back.
Everyone has been delighted, and some
readers have ordered several copies. Get
your copy today for $99 plus S/H. MECHANICAL
MUSIC PRESS-M, 70 Wild Ammonoosuc
Rd., Woodsville, NH 03785. (603) 747-2636.

http://www.mechanicalmusicpress.com

WE SELL MIDI files for all style of organs, and
Band Organ music rolls for all styles. Special
Release: Style 165 Roll No. 6855 Rag Roll
Arranged by Rich Olsen $85 + $5 S/H “NEW
Christmas rolls for style 165 Roll No. 6883
& 6884” Arranged by Andrew Park $85 + $5
S/H Call us to place your order or email us for
info on our music rolls & midi files. Contact:
ANDY ADAMS, (860) 261-5923, sales@
wurlitzerrolls.com, http://www.wurlitzerrolls.
com. Gold Leaf Galleries 410 Emmett St. Unit
86Bristol, CT 06010 United States

STELLA 17 1/2 inch player, original base
cabinet, and 38 discs. Plays well/ serviced
by Roger Puls in February, 2016. Estimated
value at that time was $6000-$7000. Asking
for $3500. Images are on eBay and craigslist
(Dayton). posts. Contact: LAWRENCE
CZERNIAK, (937) 935-9829, espn009@
roadrunner.com Ohio

Display Advertising Dimensions and Costs
Dimensions 1 issue 3 issues* 6 issues*
Back Cover 8.75” x 11.25” $600 $540 $510
Inside Covers 8.75” x 11.25” $450 $405 $383
Full Page 7.25” x 9.75” $290 $261 $246
Half Page 7.25” x 4.5” $160 $144 $136
Quarter Page 3.5” x 4.5” $90 $81 $77
Eighth Page 3.5” x 2.125” $50 $45 $43
Add a 10% surcharge to the prices shown above if you are not a member of MBSI.
*Display Discounts shown above are calculated as follows:
3 consecutive ads 10% Discount
6 consecutive ads 15% Discount

ALL ADS MUST BE PREPAID

We accept VISA/MC and Paypal.

ADVERTISING DEADLINES:

The 1st day of each even month:
Feb., Apr., Jun, Aug., Oct. and Dec.

Display ads may be submitted
camera-ready, as PDF files, or with
text and instructions. File submission
guidelines available on request.

Errors attributable to Mechanical
Music, and of a significant nature, will
be corrected in the following issue
without charge, upon notification.

Add a photo to your ad!

Photos are only $30 extra per issue.

Email editor@mbsi.org or

call (253) 228-1634 for more details.

SUBMIT ADS TO:

MBSI Ads
130 Coral Court
Pismo Beach, CA 93449
(253) 228-1634
Email: editor@mbsi.org

62 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2018

STYLE 40 Regina floor model in original surface
and excellent condition. Tiger mahogany,
double comb, short bedplate, great voice,
fast/slow lever; zither attachment and 54
discs. Originally owned and sold by Ruth
Bornand. Many Christmas carols. $4,950.
Pick up or you set up shipping. Contact: JOE
MOFFITT, Email: joe.moffitt@cbmoves.com
(914) 723-2139

WANTED
WANTED: ART Case Steinway Duo-Art & Raf-
fin Organ. Contact MARTY PERSKY at (847)
675-6144 or email Marty@MechMusic.com.

WANTED: REGINA 20-3/4 inch style 39
music box in good original condition. Also
interested in acquiring a Restored Mills violin.
Contact: DON KROENLEIN, (217) 620-8650,
fbac@one-eleven.net

NEED SOMEONE to repair a Regina disc player
within a reasonable drive of Collegeville, PA.
Please email me. Contact: TARA FLYNN,
(215) 570-5925, taralflynn@comcast.net

SERVICES
REPRODUCTION POLYPHON discs; Catalogs
available for 19 5/8”, 22 1/8”, and 24 1/2”.
DAVID CORKRUM 5826 Roberts Ave, Oakland,
CA 94605-1156, 510-569-3110,
www.polyphonmusic.com

SAVE $’s on REUGE & THORENS MUSIC
BOX REPAIR & RESTORATION – MBSI
MEMBERS RECEIVE WHOLESALE PRICING.

35 + Years experience servicing all makes
& models of cylinder and disc music boxes,
bird boxes, bird cages, musical watches, Anri
musical figurines, et al. All work guaranteed.
We’re the only REUGE FACTORY AUTHORIZED
Parts & Repair Service Center for all of North
America. Contact: DON CAINE -The Music
Box Repair Center Unlimited, 24703 Pennsylvania
Ave., Lomita, CA 90717-1516. Phone:

(310) 534-1557 Email: MBRCU@AOL.COM.
On the Web: www.musicboxrepaircenter.com
WHISTLER, BIRD BOX & BIRD CAGE REPAIR

Re-feathering for bird boxes & bird cages.
Repairs to bird cages, bird boxes & whistlers.
Traditional bellows recovering & repair.
Replacing rubber bellows with our own custom
made diaphragms. Fax 843 285 – 5927
Email to: jrmackay@comcast.net Contact:
RUSS MACKAY, (843) 879-9447, jrmackay@
comcast.net 257 Okehampton Drive Goose
Creek, SC 29445 United States

8TH MECHANICAL MUSIC CRUISE-TOUR

to Belgium (Brussels, medieval Bruges and
Ghent where time stood still) the Netherlands
(Amsterdam, Haarlem, Utrecht) and one-
week Viking Rhine Cruise. Mechanical music
and art museums, factories, collections. Oct

23 – Nov 6, 2018. Call Nick Lerescu: (772)882-
4032; lerescu@gmail.com Contact:

NICK LERESCU, (772) 882-4032, LERESCU@
GMAIL.COM 5652 SPANISH RIVER
RDFT PIERCE, Florida 34951 United States

ADVERTISE IN THE MART! Email your ad
to editor@mbsi.org or call (253) 228-1634
to place your ad for the January/February
2018 issue.

Add a photo to your ad!

Photos are only $30 extra per issue.

Email editor@mbsi.org or
call (253) 228-1634 for more details.

Display Advertisers

2 Renaissance Antiques
58 Bob Caletti Music Box
Restorations
58 Ben’s Player Piano Service
58 Nancy Fratti Music Boxes
59 Chet Ramsay Antiques
59 Cottone Auctions
59 East Coast Chapter, MBSI
60 Stanton’s Auctioneers & Realtors
61 Nancy Fratti Music Boxes
66 Marty Persky
67 Morphy Auctions
68 Auction Team Brekker

Our advertisers help make this publication
possible. Please visit them soon!

Advertise in The Mart

Have some spare parts or extra rolls taking up the space where you should be
installing your next acquisition?

Ready to trade up, but need to sell one of your current pieces first?
Get the word out to other collectors by advertising in The Mart, an effective
advertising tool at an inexpensive price.

Go online to place your advertisement at www.mbsi.org, fill out the form below,
or contact Russell Kasselman at (253) 228-1634 to get started.
You may also email advertisements to editor@mbsi.org

Each One
Reach One
New Member
January/February 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 63

OFFICERS, TRUSTEES & COMMITTEES of the
MUSICAL BOX SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL®

OFFICERS
President

Clay Witt
820 Del Rio Way Unit 303
Merritt Island, FL 32953
floridaclay@floridaclay.net

Vice President

Tom Kuehn
4 Williams Woods
Mahtomedi, MN 55115
kuehn001@umn.edu

Recording Secretary

David Corkrum
5826 Roberts Avenue
Oakland, CA 94605
musikwerke@att.net

Treasurer

Edward Kozak
3615 North Campbell Avenue
Chicago, IL 60618
kozak@seldenfox.com

TRUSTEES

John Bryant
Judy Caletti
Ed Cooley
Sally Craig
Wayne Finger
Tom Kuehn
Mary Ellen Myers
Mary Pollock
Clay Witt

BOARD ADVISER

Junichi Natori,
International Adviser

MBSI FUNDS

COMMITTEES
Audit Committee

Edward Cooley, Chair, Trustee
Mary Pollock, Trustee

G.Wayne Finger, Trustee
Endowment Committee

Tom Kuehn, Vice President
Mary Pollock, Trustee
B Bronson
Edward Kozak

Executive Committee

Clay Witt, Chair, President
Tom Kuehn, Vice President
Mary Pollock, Trustee
Judy Caletti, Immediate Past Pres.
John Bryant, Trustee

Finance Committee

Edward Kozak, Chair
Tom Kuehn, Vice President
Wayne Wolf, Vice Chair
B Bronson
Peter Both

Marketing Committee

Rob Pollock, Chair
John Bryant, Trustee
Wayne Finger, Trustee
Bob Smith

Meetings Committee

Tom Kuehn, Chair, Vice President
Mary Pollock, Trustee
Carol Beck
Don Henry
Marty Persky
Rich Poppe

Membership Committee

Rob Pollock, Chair
Judy Caletti, Immediate Past Pres.
Tom Chase, Snowbelt
Mary Grace, Sunbelt
Linda Birkitt, Southern California
Florie Hirsch, National Capital
Julie Hughes, Golden Gate
Gerald Yorioka, Northwest Int’l
Julie Morlock, Southeast
Dan Wilson, Piedmont

Museum Committee

Sally Craig, Chair, Trustee
John Bryant, Trustee
Ken Envall, Southern California
Julian Grace, Sunbelt
Wayne Myers, Southeast
Ray Parkinson, Northwest Int’l
Bill Wineburgh, East Coast
Ron Yancy, East Coast

Museum Sub-Committees

Ohio Operations
Emery Prior

Nominating Committee

Dan Wilson, Chair
Mary Pollock, Trustee
Judy Caletti, Immediate Past Pres.
Carol Beck
Steve Boehck
Ray Dickey
Vernon Gantt

Publications Committee

Bob Caletti, Chair
Tom Kuehn, Trustee
Paul Bellamy
Steve Boehck
Dave Corkrum
Christian Eric
Kathleen Eric
Terry Smythe

Publications
Sub-Committee

Website Committee
Rick Swaney, Chair
Wayne Finger, Trustee
Julian Grace
B Bronson
Don Henry
Knowles Little, Web Secretary

Special Exhibits Committee

Wayne Myers, Chair

John Bryant, Trustee

David Corkrum, Golden Gate

Robert Ebert, Mid-America

Jack Hostetler, Southeast

Judy Miller, Piedmont

Mary Ellen Myers, Southeast

Rick Swaney, Northwest Int’l

Bill Wineburgh, East Coast

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES
Publications Back Issues:

Jacque Beeman

Regina Certificates:

Bob Yates

MBSI Pins and Seals:

Jacque Beeman

Librarian:

Jerry Maler

Historian:

Bob Yates

MBSI Editorial Office:

Iron Dog Media
130 Coral Court
Pismo Beach, CA 93449
editor@mbsi.org

Members can donate to these funds at any time.
Send donations to: General Fund (unrestricted)
MBSI Administrator, Endowment Fund (promotes the purposes of MBSI, restricted)
PO Box 10196, Ralph Heintz Publications Fund (special literary projects)
Springfield, MO 65808-0196. Museum Fund (supports museum operations)

All manuscripts will be subject to editorial review. Committee and the Editorial Staff. are considered to be the author’s personal opinion.
Articles submitted for publication may be edited The article will not be published with significant The author may be asked to substantiate his/her
or rejected at the discretion of the Publications changes without the author’s approval. All articles statements.

64 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2018

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Date Event Location Sponsor
Jan. 26-28, 2018 Southeast Chapter meeting Jacksonville, FL Julie & Cotton Morlock
Feb. 24, 2018 Southern California Chapter meeting San Diego, CA Lelland Fletcher
Mar. 16, 2018 Trustees Mid-Year meeting, Musical Instrument Museum Phoenix, AZ Southern California Chapter
Mar. 17, 2018 Southern California Chapter meeting Phoenix, AZ Southern California Chapter
Apr. 20-22, 2018 Northwest International Chapter meeting in conjunction with
the Magic Lantern Society of U.S. and Canada convention
Victoria, BC
Aug. 28-Sept. 1, 2018 2018 MBSI Annual Meeting Detroit, MI Mid-America Chapter

Please send dates for the Calendar of Events to Russell Kasselman (editor@mbsi.org)

CONTACTS

Administrator Jacque Beeman handles back issues (if available) $6;
damaged or issues not received, address changes, MBSI Directory
listing changes, credit card charge questions, book orders, status of your
membership, membership renewal, membership application, and MBSI
Membership Brochures.
P.O. Box 10196
Springfield, MO 65808-0196
Phone/Fax (417) 886-8839
jbeeman.mbsi@att.net

CHAPTERS

East Coast

Chair: Bill Wineburgh
(973) 927-0484
Dues $10 to Geoffrey Wilson
804 Appleton Way
Whippany, NJ 07981

Golden Gate

Chair: Richard Hughes
(650) 593-1261
Dues $5 to Dave Corkrum
5826 Roberts Ave.
Oakland, CA 94605

Japanese International

Chair: Tomiju Endo x
+81-42-339-9099
Dues Japanese yen 4,000 to
Sadahiko Sakauchi
5-2-41 Nigawa-cho
Nishinomiya-shi
662-0811 Japan

Lake Michigan

Chair: Marty Nevel
(312) 613-8500
Dues $5 to James Huffer
7930 N. Kildare
Skokie, Illinois 60076

Mid-America

Chair: Dave Calendine
(810) 449-8037
Dues $10 to Harold Wade
4616 Boneta Road
Medina, OH 44256

National Capital

Chair: Matthew Jaro
(301) 482-2008
Dues $5 to Florie Hirsch
8917 Wooden Bridge Road
Potomac, MD 20854

Northwest International

Chair: Dale Tyvand
(425) 774-7230
Dues $7.50/person to Kathy Baer
8210 Comox Road
Blaine, WA 98230

Piedmont

Chair: Vernon Gantt
(919) 264-2222
vgjr123@yahoo.com
Dues $10 to Vernon Gantt
PO Box 20238
Raleigh, NC 27619

Traveling MBSI Display
Bill Endlein
21547 NW 154th Pl.
High Springs, FL 32643-4519
Phone (386) 454-8359
sembsi@yahoo.com

Regina Certificates: Cost $5.
Bob Yates
901 Glenshaw Avenue
Glenshaw, PA 15116
Phone (412) 486-8435
rsublima@juno.com

Advertising for Mechanical Music
Russell Kasselman
Iron Dog Media
130 Coral Court
Pismo Beach, CA 93449
Phone (253) 228-1634
editor@mbsi.org

CHAPTERS

Snowbelt

Chair: Tracy Tolzmann
(651) 674-5149
Dues $10 to Gary Goldsmith
17160 – 245th Avenue
Big Lake, MN 55309

Southeast

Chair: Judy Miller
(828) 513-7007
Dues $5 to Julie Morlock
780 Cherry Grove Road
Orange Park, FL 32073

Museum Donations
Sally Craig,
2720 Old Orchard Road
Lancaster, PA 17601
Phone (717) 295-9188
rosebud441@juno.com

MBSI website
Rick Swaney,
4302 209th Avenue NE
Sammamish, WA 98074
Phone (425) 836-3586
r_swaney@msn.com

Web Secretary
Knowles Little
9109 Scott Dr.
Rockville, MD 20850
Phone (301) 762-6253
kglittle@verizon.net

Southern California

Chair: Robin Biggins
(310) 377-1472
Dues $10 to Bob Lloyd
1201 Edgeview Drive
Cowan Hgts, CA 92705

Sunbelt

Chair: Ray Dickey
(713) 467-0349
Dues $10 to Mary Grace
13431 Grand Masterpiece
Houston, TX 77041

Copyright 2016 the Musical Box Society International, all rights reserved. Permission to reproduce by any means, in whole or in part, must be obtained in writing
from the MBSI Executive Committee and the Editor. Mechanical Music is published in the even months. ISSN 1045-795X

January/February 2018 MECHANICAL MUSIC 65

MARTY PERSKY

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT SPECIALIST
SERVING COLLECTORS WORLDWIDE

Instrument Brokering & Locating
Appraisals / Inspections / Free Consultation

Popper Felix Mortier 84 key Café Wurlitzer MPO 33A Welte 4 Concert

Bow front Violano Weber Grandezza Violina Orchestra Weber Maesto

Holl 43-Key 2 Barrels Knabe AMPICO 5’8” Louis XV Wall Box Collection Niemuth 45-Key Bacigalupo
Wanted: Art Case Steinway Duo-Art & Raffin Organ.

Visit Mechmusic.com
for more information on these and other fine instruments.

Tel: 847-675-6144 Email: Marty@MechMusic.com

4520 arville st. #1 · las vegas, NV 89103 | MorphyAuctions.com · 877-968-8880 4520 arville st. #1 · las vegas, NV 89103 | MorphyAuctions.com · 877-968-8880

Mechanical Music &
Automata
– Leading the Field in Specialist Auctions –
P.O. Box 50 11 19, 50971 Koeln/Germany · Tel.: +49/2236/38 43 40 · Fax: +49/2236/38 43 430
Otto-Hahn-Str. 10, 50997 Koeln (Godorf)/Germany · e-mail: Auction@Breker.com · Business hours: Tuesday – Friday 9 am – 5 pm
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT OUR INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES:
U.S.A.: Andrew Truman, Tel. (207) 485 8343 * AndrewAuctionTeamBreker@gmail.com
Australia & New Zealand: P. Bardenheier, (NZ), Tel./Fax (+64) (0)9 817 72 68 * dbarden@orcon.net.nz
Japan: Murakami Taizou, Tel./Fax (06) 68 45 86 28 * murakami@ops.dti.ne.jp · China: Jiang Feng, Tel. 138 620 620 75 * jiangfengde@gmail.com
Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore: Alex Shih-Chieh Lin, (HK), Tel. (+852) 94 90 41 13 * alexsclin@gmail.com
England: Tel. (0)777 963 7317 * AuctionTeamBrekerUK@outlook.de · France: Pierre J. Bickart, Tel. (01) 43 33 86 71 * AuctionTeamKoln@aol.com
Russia: Polyguide Ltd. Moscow, Tel. (925) 740 66 03, Tel./Fax (985) 999 93 55 * ml.mediaservice@gmail.com
A selection of our recent auction highlights, many consigned by customers
in Britain and America. Achieving record prices for mechanical music
instruments of all forms, whether a single piece or a complete collection.
Consignments are invited for our
Spring Specialty Auction
on May 26, 2018
Closing date for entries: February 15, 2018
Musical Photograph Album with Marine
Automaton, c. 1890
Sold:  3.600 / $ 4,200 / £ 3,150
“Voix Celeste” Organ Box by
Ducommun-Girod, c. 1870
Sold:  22.100 / $ 25,900 / £ 19,500
Contemporary 38-Key Barrel Organ
Sold:  6.900 / $ 8,000 / £ 6,000
“Kalliston-Pankalon”
Percussion Organette, c. 1898
Sold:  17.200 / $ 20,100 /
£ 15,100
“Orpheus” 22 5/8-inch Table
Disc Musical Box, c. 1898
Sold:  14.750 / $ 17,250 /
£ 13,000
Early Fusee Musical Clock Base, c. 1820
Sold:  5.900 / $ 6,900 / £ 5,200
Station Musical Chalet by Mermod
Frères, c. 1890
Sold:  24.600 / $ 28,800 / £ 21,650
Station Musical Box with Movement
by Karrer
Sold:  27.000 / $ 31,600 / £ 23,750
Singing Birds in Cage by Bontems,
c. 1910
Sold:  11.000 / $ 12,850 / £ 9,700
Overture Musical Box by Paillard-
Vaucher et Fils, c. 1885
Sold:  6.400 / $ 7,500 / £ 5,600
Monkey Jazz Quartet
Advertising Automata, 1960s
Sold:  1.350 /
$ 1,580 / £ 1,200
“Bébé Niche” Musical
Automaton by Lambert,
c. 1895
Sold:  8.000 /
$ 9,350 / £ 7,050
Komet 24 1/2-inch Disc
Musical Box, c. 1898
Sold:  14.750 / $ 17,250 /
£ 13,000
Orchestral Musical Box, c. 1880
Sold:  12.900 / $ 15,100 /
£ 11,350
Regina Style 31 Disc-
Changer, c. 1900
Sold:  24.600 / $ 28,800 /
£ 21,650
Free collection and transport for any major consignment in the U.K.!
Free U.S. or Canada consignment shipping to Germany – if delivered or sent to our location
in Garden City Park, NY 11040 (10 miles east of JFK Airport)
For confidential auction estimates and advice, please contact us in Germany
or through an international representative (see below).

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