Volume 66, No. 1 January/February 2020

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

Volume 66, No. 1 January/February 2020

PuRchAse ¥ sAles ¥ consignment

of Quality Cylinder & Disc Music Boxes, Musical Clocks & Automata

For over forty years weÕve 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 musical antiques in our current and recent inventories.

496 First Street, California 93463 ¥ Ron & Julie Palladino
Open Seven Days a Week 10-6 ¥ 805-452-5700
www.renantiques.com

Visit the charming Danish Village of Solvang, half an hour above Santa Barbara in the beautiful Central Coast Wine Country
RENAISSANCE ANTIQUE S

Renaissance Antiques of solvang

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 2020. 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

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 The article will not be published with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

Journal of the Musical Box Society International

Devoted to All Automatic Musical Instruments

Volume 66, No. 1 January/February 2020

MBSI NEWS

5 PresidentÕs Message
7 EditorÕs Notes
14 MBSI Awards

Features

8 Nickel Notes
by Matt Jaro

16 A mysterious roll from
the Aeolian Company

25 Preserving the past

On the Cover
John MartinÕs 20-inch Criterion disc
box came from an unusual location
and operated with an uncommon
motor. Then it got a unique
upgrade. See more on Page 19.
Provenance of a
Swiss cylinder box

Ken Gordon can trace ownership of
his cylinder box from manufacture to
today. Page 23.

Chapter Reports

32 Snowbelt
35 Southeast
38 Southern California
43 Southern California
46 Golden Gate
49 Golden Gate
51 National Capital
54 National Capital

MBSI has replanted 78 trees so far as part
of the Print ReLeaf program.

January/February 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 3

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
M
M
echanical music is a fascinating hobby! It
appeals to the artist, historian, craftsman, and

musician all at the same time. Play an automatic

musical instrument in a room full of people and all else

will stop as the machine enraptures the audience with the

sparkling melodies of yesteryear!

Mechanical music instruments are any sort of automatical

ly-played machine that produces melodic sound including

discs and cylinder music boxes that pluck a steel comb;

orchestrions and organs that engage many instruments at

once using vacuum and air pressure; player and reproducing

pianos that use variable vacuum to strike piano wires; pho

nographs; 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 six issues of the journal,
Mechanical Music, which also contains advertising space
for members who wish to buy, sell, and restore mechanical
musical instruments and related items. Members also
receive the biennial MBSI 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 online at www.MBSI.org, or

Call: (417) 886-8839, or

Email: jbeeman.mbsi@att.net

Copy this page, and give it to a potential new member. Spread the word about MBSI.

Last name First Name Initial

Last Name First Name Initial

Address

City State / Zip Postal Code / Country

Phone Fax E-mail

Sponsor (optional)

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

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

4 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2020

By Tom Kuehn

MBSI President

One of the missions of our society
is education. Serving as a faculty
member for 40 years at two universities,
I appreciate the challenges
and rewards of a good educational
experience. I also am aware that many
of our members are unable to attend
annual meetings where educational
workshops on mechanical music are
presented. The fact that a good number
of these workshops are recorded
and posted on our website goes a long
way toward bridging this education
gap. Any MBSI member with internet
access can view the videos at any time
and those who attended the meeting
in person can watch the sessions they
missed.

We have amazing talent within our
organization and these videos showcase
some of it. One of my objectives
has been to improve the quality of the
videos using state-of-the-art camera
equipment and wireless microphones.
Our three videographers, Lowell
Boehland, Rich Poppe and Buzz Rosa
deserve our thanks for their time and
effort in recording the sessions. Rich
Poppe and Rick Swaney also contribute
to the final editing of the videos.
By the time you read this, the following
workshops presented in Rockville,
MD, last summer should be available
for viewing on www.MBSI.org:

¥ ÒItÕs All About Crank OrgansÓ
Terry Bender
¥ ÒÔSleeping BeautiesÕ: A Happy
Ending or ÔGrimmÕ Fairy TaleÓ
Alison Biden
¥ ÒRestoring a Large Symphonion
Ð DonÕt Try this at HomeÓ Bob
Caletti
¥ ÒRestoring a Mystery Musical
Instrument Ð Do You Get a
Disappointment or a Surprise?Ó
Craig Darlak, Howard Wyman and
Warren Officer
¥ ÒRagtime Tunes on the Cob Roller
OrganÓ Richard Dutton
¥ ÒDispersing Your Collection: What
are the Options?Ó Nancy Fratti
¥ ÒResearching our Mechanical
Musical HeritageÓ Terry Smythe
¥ ÒAn InsiderÕs Guide to the MBSI
WebsiteÓ Rick Swaney
If you havenÕt yet taken a tour of
the MBSI video archive, now would
be a great time to do so.

January is the month we ask
everyone for their recommendations
on MBSI awards. All nominations for
awards should be submitted to the
appropriate committee chairs and
individuals responsible for nominating
award recipients as listed on Page 64.
A summary of the awards presented to
recipients last year is included in this
issue of Mechanical Music.

My daughter, Erika, and I visited
some of our Japanese members in
October. Erika is much more proficient
in Japanese than I am so she was
a welcome companion. The purpose
of the visit was to support the re-establishment
of a Japanese Chapter
and to meet as many MBSI members

Erika and Tom Kuehn touring mechanical music museums and talking with MBSI
members about re-forming a Japanese Chapter.

in Japan as possible during our short
visit. The venue was Tokyo where Mr.
Sachiya Sasaki met us at the airport
and served as our host and guide.

We joined several members for lunch
where a brief discussion was held
regarding the steps necessary to apply
for a new chapter, essentially submitting
a completed application form and
a copy of the proposed bylaws. The
group then took a short train ride to
visit the Mitaka Music Box Museum.
We saw a wonderful collection of
upright disk musical boxes, some fat
cylinder overture boxes, automata
and a few pneumatic instruments.
Additional members joined the group
for dinner in the Sunshine City area
of Tokyo. I encouraged attendance
at the joint MBSI/AMICA meeting in
September and several indicated their
intent to do so. My thanks to Sachiya
and the others who made our visit
both productive and enjoyable.

The last item I would like to mention
is sharing our passion and our

PRES. MESSAGE | See Page 7

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 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):
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

Address, City, State, ZIP
Phone Email
Sponsor

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.

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 other International residents.

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

MBSI Editor/Publisher

The year is 2020. Flying cars crisscross
the skies. People are living on
the moon and at the bottom of the
ocean. We have made contact with an
alien species and are sending a delegation
to their planet via a wormhole
to see how their advanced technology
might improve our own world.

Oh, wait! Those are just some of the
visions of the future from folks still listening
to mechanical music machines
and phonographs and just beginning
to understand radio as a medium for
communication 100 plus years ago.

Well, anyway, I am quite happy that
we have not advanced past our ability
to honor the past while embracing the
future. I think it would be a shame if
we simply abandoned what was for
what might be. IÕm joined in that view

by many of you, IÕm guessing, but I
know for sure two of our members
who would agree wholeheartedly
with me. Matt Jaro and Terry Smythe
both contribute articles in this issue
that encourage the preservation of
and research into historical materials
related to the hobby of mechanical
music. Both authors provide interesting
insight into some of the research
sources that currently exist on and off
the internet and they have some good
things to say about how to use those
materials for all of our future benefit.
Be sure to dig in and enjoy.

Also contributing this issue is John
Martin who gives us the story of his
Criterion disc box with an unusual
motor, cabinet and backstory. ItÕs
quite an engaging read.

Ken Gordon then traces the provenance
of his Swiss cylinder music box
from manufacture to current day. How

many items in your collection can you
say that about?

David Corkrum brings to light an
interesting player piano roll from the
Aeolian Company that he discovered
while visiting friends in Oregon. HeÕs
looking for more information about it,
perhaps you can help.

Finally, weÕre doing a bit of catching
up by printing quite a few chapter
reports this issue. Some missed the
cut for the last issue and some happened
more recently, but I wanted to
make sure to get each of the available
reports printed to have a good record
on hand for our archives about all the
great things happening out there.

PRES. MESSAGE | From Page 5

collections with the public. A good
example of this is the open houses
held twice each year at Skyrock
Farm in Hamel, MN, where Bill and
Stacy Nunn operate a horse boarding,
training and riding facility. Up to 200
visitors attend each open house so
children can ride a horse, watch a
horse jumping demonstration, visit
the stables, and, by the way, look at
and listen to Bill and StacyÕs collection

of American and European band,
fair and dance organs in a separate
building. A recently-installed Barton
theater organ, a Coinola coin piano, an
Ampico reproducing piano and a Wurlitzer
Mandolin Pianorchestra provide
additional musical entertainment.

Bill also fosters young local talent
for arranging music for his instruments,
in book and MIDI formats. It
is valuable to have current music on
hand, especially when entertaining
those not familiar with the traditional

tunes that were provided when the
machines were new oh so many years
ago. Visitors are often amazed at Bill
and StacyÕs collection and return
during subsequent open houses.

Those who express interest are
invited to attend a Snowbelt Chapter
meeting as a guest where they can
meet other MBSI members and learn
more about our organization.

Hongyan and I hope you are enjoying
the holidays and send our best
wishes for the coming year.

Welcome new members!
James Richards & Mariya Persanova October 2019
Derwood, MD
Paul Bodsworth Richard Vincelette
Dunstable, Beds, United Kingdom Easton, PA
Robert & Judy Burtscher Sponsor: Bill WineburghFullerton, CA
Sponsor: Robin Biggins November 2019
Richard & Linda Claytor
Tracy & Scott Adams Arlington, TX
Newbury Park, CAHelene & Fritz Moris
Freeman Lambright Keerbergen, Belgium
Dandridge, TNSponsor: Paul Torfs
Sponsor: Larry and Jane Beverly

January/February 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 7

Nickel Notes

By Matthew Jaro

Preserving our mechanical music heritage

ItÕs been about 100 years since some
of our nickelodeons and orchestrions
have been built. ItÕs truly remarkable
that painstaking restoration projects
have maintained these machines
in factory-new condition and that
modern restorers have the skill to
work on machines that belonged to
a completely different age. Original
music rolls have been recut, thereby
preserving performances and tunes
from the distant past. What other
machinery from an era long gone has
been so lovingly cared for?

The preceding paints a picture of
the bright side of mechanical music.
A darker view also prevails. IÕm sure
youÕve heard visitors talking about
your collections and saying, ÒI didnÕt
even know these existed!Ó Mechanical
music associations are constantly
having trouble maintaining membership
levels due to lack of interest
from younger people. The companies
that made the wonderful instruments
and rolls we all collect have been
out of business for many years. No
one is alive today to remember the
earlier days of nickelodeons and very
few have any memory at all of seeing
machines in actual settings. Even
SvobodaÕs Nickelodeon Tavern has
been gone for many years and public
displays such as Disneyland and
KnottÕs Berry Farm have essentially
sold off most of their machines. The
music from the 1920s used to be
played on television with Laurel and
Hardy films, Betty Boop cartoons, etc.
Now, young people have no exposure
to this music.

As time goes on, these machines
and their music become more and
more distant. Research becomes
increasingly important. This research
is difficult due to the sparsity of information
and the period of time that
has elapsed. However, a lot has been
done both to make original sources of
information available and to uncover
secrets from the past. Even more must
be done in the future. This column
will discuss some of the people and
the products they produced and what
areas still need work. It is important to
stress that only American companies
and music are presented. This is not
meant to disparage our European
compatriots, but I should stick to
subjects that I know.

Current Sources

The Music Trade Review

The music trade papers have
provided a wealth of information
regarding companies and music. The
collection of The Music Trade Review
(which we will call MTR) is one of the
most important. This was a weekly
newspaper that discussed all aspects
of the music industry, including
pianos, nickelodeons, orchestrions,
player pianos, music rolls, radios, phonographs,
records and sheet music.
Art Reblitz knew about the MTR from
college days where the University of
Illinois library had some issues. Later,
Art and Q. David Bowers spent some
time at the Lincoln Center Special Collections
Department of the New York
Public Library. They photographed

what they could. Later, in the 1980s
Dave Bowers made an agreement with
the library to photograph all the issues
on microfiche in return for getting the
paper copies. These issues stayed
with Dave for a number of years, when
he donated them to the Musical Box
Society International (MBSI). He sent
some older issues to Rosanna Harris
(former publisher of Mechanical
Music). The paper was very fragile
and Rosanna was rightly reluctant to
handle them too much. Dave sent all
the issues to Art who spent two years
examining every page and scanning
articles that were of interest to him.
Art had wanted to pour over this trove
of information for many years. It turns
out ArtÕs efforts at scanning ended up
being superfluous since every page
was later scanned and indexed for
computers Ð but the fact Art invested
so much time with the papers gives
you an idea about how extremely
important this source was. I think the
time Art spent perusing and scanning
was well worth while since he familiarized
himself with a lot of historical
material. The National Association of
Music Merchants funded the full scan
job which was done by a company
in Denver, CO, called Scan-Go. After
scanning, the papers were palletized,
shrink-wrapped and sent to the MBSI
museum under the care of Don Neil-
son. Now all the issues are available
through the MBSI website (mbsi.org)
hosted by the International Arcade
Museum. The issues run from 1880 to
1954 with a few breaks.

8 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2020

The cover of a Music Trade Review magazine. The cover of an early Presto magazine.

Presto

The Presto trade paper was a competitor
to the MTR and there is much
overlap of information. The issues run
from 1902 to 1941. It is also available
via the MBSI website and hosted by
the International Arcade Museum.

The Music Trades

The Music Trades is still another
trade paper competing with the MTR
and Presto. Terry Smythe (See his
article about Preserving the Past on
Page 25) discovered one issue being
auctioned on eBay. He saw that it was
different from the MTR and could add
additional information for serious
research. He bought an issue from
the vendor, who turned out to be a
personal friend of Mike Montgomery.
Then Terry bought all the issues for
1925. AMICA then established an
acquisition fund so opportunities like

this could be seized. Many more issues
were bought, creating an enormously
big pile. Terry has scanned 566 issues.

The AMICA Website

There are more than 1,000 documents
available for downloading in
PDF format on the AMICA Website. To
access this, go to www.amica.org then
click on Members Only. You will be
asked for a user name and password.
These can be found on the first page
of the AMICA Bulletin. Now click on
Original Literature and feast your eyes
on this treasure! Terry continues to
scan documents and post them. All of
the files are searchable (you can use
CTRL-F in Adobe Acrobat Reader to
search for any text). Users of Adobe
Acrobat can index all issues desired
so that a single search can span many
issues.

In addition to the Music Trades,

there are issues of The Piano Magazine;
there are some issues of the
Music Trade Review to fill in gaps in
the MBSI collection. There are also
issues of The Tuners Journal. The
heading Miscellaneous contains catalogs,
books, brochures and almost
anything related to mechanical music.
IÕm looking at this section as I am
writing this text and it has greatly
delayed my writing progress, since I
am forced by curiosity to look at some
of these documents. All you have to
do is click on any document picture
to see the entire document. You can
also download anything. The Music
Roll / Instrument Catalogs is another
trap that will keep you entranced for
hours.

Terry Smythe realized the power
of the Internet when it was still a
university-to-university network. He
built a personal website to facilitate

January/February 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 9

putting bulletins on the web. A major
event was the donation of the Billings
Rollography to AMICA which is now
online in the website.

The Musical Box Society International
website

MBSI has a great website at www.
mbsi.org. This website has links to the
MTR and Presto collections and all of
the MBSI publications since 1954. In
addition, there are articles, links to
museums, a glossary of manufacturers,
an event calendar and many other
features. As you know, MBSI is interested
in orchestrions, nickelodeons,
band organs and reproducing pianos
in addition to musical boxes.

The Mechanical Music Press
Website

This website is a bit deceiving. At
first glance, it looks like a standard
commercial website. All that glitters
here, however, IS gold, and the site
contains a staggering amount of information
that has never been available
before. The address of the site is www.
mechanicalmusicpress.com. The left
part of the home page is where all the
action is. Always look on the left of
each page to see all of the stuff. For
example, the part on the left labeled
ÒHistorical Articles and Instrument
ProfilesÓ has a bunch of sub headings.
Click on Articles and Stories. Then
click on something like The Vestal
Press Story and read about Harvey
Roehl. Click on Tracker Bar Hole
Spacing and read a very informative
and well-researched treatise on the
various roll spacing units.

The Mechanical Music Registry
is much more than just a registry of
machines. You will see a section about
the Seeburg and Western Electric
Cos. This section discusses models,
histories, art glass, etc. Click on any of
the small pictures to the right to see
expanded sets of pictures. None other
than Art Reblitz is responsible for this
content. Terry Hathaway provided
detailed information about Wurlitzer
machines and rolls. Dana Johnson
provided a lot of detailed information.

One paragraph in the Acknowledgments
section really seemed to
encapsulate the spirit of research:

AMICAÕs members only area features a large collection of free material.

And, of course, there are many other important pieces of the overall puzzle
contributors of small bits and pieces that deserve our recognition and
of information who unintentionally heartfelt appreciation. If you sent
go unnamed here, but who have, Art Reblitz information sometime in
nevertheless, contributed equally the last 40 years and you do not find

10 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2020

The Mechanical Music Press website is loaded with information.

The Mechanical Music Library International home page.

your name in the list below, please
call it to our attention and we will be
happy to add it. Additionally, there
are those who have yet to discover
our united effort here, which has
culminated in this Mechanical Music
Registry, but who will someday also
contribute important information to
this ongoing historical log. To these
future enthusiasts we also extend
our heartfelt appreciation and an
invitation to join us in our historical
endeavor.

The Mechanical Music Library
International (MMLI)

Bill Edgerton started the MMLI by
contributing more than 1,000 items.
The library is described in the Jan-Feb
2013 issue of the AMICA Bulletin.
Currently more than 6,000 documents
have been cataloged. Each document
is an issue of a journal, a book, a letter,
a clipping, a brochure, a compact disk
or a phonograph record. There are still
1,200 items to be cataloged. About half
of the items come from MBSI and half
are donated by others. The following
statement from their website sums it
up:

ÒIt is the mission of the Mechanical
Music Library International, Inc. to
collect, preserve, and make available
for reference or dissemination
the following items pertaining to
mechanical music and mechanical
musical instruments: books, pamphlets,
journals, audio tapes, video
tapes, CDs, DVDs, posters, catalogs,
photographs, patents, postcards,
correspondence, and other ephemera.
An IRS Section 501 (c) (3) designation
was granted as of June 7, 2010.
Thus, gifts and contributions to the
Library are tax deductible.Ó

Almost every SothebyÕs and
ChristieÕs Auction catalog where
mechanical music is involved is in the
library. The website address is www.
mechanicalmusiclibrary.com. Documents
of interest can be copied for a
nominal cost. The website provides
an Excel spreadsheet and a keyword
search capability. Donations are welcomed
and are tax deductible.

This year, Bill donated the entire

January/February 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 11

library to the Morris Museum in Morristown,
NJ. The library will continue
to be updated and managed by Bill.

The Mechanical Music Digest
(MMD)

The Mechanical Music Digest
provides a forum for sharing information
about mechanical music. It
is organized and maintained by Jody
Kravitz. Robbie Rhodes and Matthew
Caulfield.

The digest can be accessed at www.
mmdigest.com. You can subscribe
to emails delivered daily with new
postings. MMD depends on individual
contributions to keep running. There
are archives, calendars of events,
links to other websites and much
more. This is an extremely valuable
resource.

The Carousel Organ Association
of America (COAA)

COAA has a website at www.coaa.
us. COAA concentrates on band
organs and crank organs, but their
interest encompasses all of mechanical
music. They hold many rallies
each year where members bring band
organs and crank organs to public
places. Their motto is ÒThe Happiest
Music on Earth.Ó Their home page
states ÒCOAA is dedicated to enjoying,
preserving and sharing knowledge of
all mechanical musical instruments.Ó
The site has many interesting features
and should be of interest to MBSI
members.

The Howe Collection of Musical
Instrument Literature

Richard Howe contributed a large
collection to the University of Maryland.
This collection was moved to
Stanford University in California and
cataloged as The Howe Collection of
Musical Instrument Literature, 18541992.
192.50 Linear Feet. It is part of
the Special Collections in Performing
Arts.

The Howe Collection of Musical
Instrument Literature brings together
historical artifacts and documents
from the music industry in the United
States. It contains material about the
manufacture of pianos, organs and
mechanical musical instruments. The

A screenshot of the Mechanical Music Digest (MMD) archive page.

collection is divided into five separate
series: Piano, Organ, Mechanical
Musical Instruments, Phonographic
and General Music. It was created,
and now given to Stanford University
by Richard J. Howe.

The website is https://searchworks.
stanford.edu/view/12282635

The Pianola Institute Website

The Pianola Institute is an organization
based in the United Kingdom.
Their website, www.pianola.org, has
interesting historical information dating
all the way back to Jacquard looms

Ð the first programmable machine. The
term pianola has become an alternate
name for Player Piano. It originally
referred to Edwin Scott VoteyÕs invention
of 1895, eventually marketed by
the Aeolian Company. The website
also discusses compositions for player
piano, the repertoire, orchestrions,
pipe organs and many topics.

The Mills Novelty Company
Website

The Mills Novelty company was the
company that originally produced the
Mills Violano Virtuoso, an electrical-
ly-operated violin-playing machine.
The new Mills Novelty Company is
dedicated to providing music, restoration
and other services for the Mills
Violano. Items are also offered for sale
and there are links to other resources.

12 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2020

Their website is www.millsnovelty.
com.

Tim TragerÕs Website

Tim Trager has a very informative
website, www.timtrager.com, which
includes original catalogs, items for
sale, an interesting series of frequently
asked questions and general information.
There is an extremely well-done
Violano factory tour.

The International Association of
Mechanical Music Preservationists
(IAMMP)

This site, www.iammp.org, is a
primary resource for those interested
in music roll scanning and the building
of devices to scan rolls. There is an
extensive archive of scanned rolls and
interesting links.

Facebook

There are even some Facebook
pages for mechanical music, https://
www.facebook.com/mbsi.org/, https://
www.facebook.com/MechanicalMusicVideos/
and www.facebook.com/
MechanicalMusic. Personally, I am
NOT a member of Facebook since it
can eat up an enormous amount of
time, thereby reducing our already
short life-spans. If you use Facebook,
however, and want to give me a report,
I would welcome it.

Intertique

The website, www.intertique.com,
contains links to many mechanical
music sites and to phonograph sites.

flickr

The photo sharing site, flickr, has a
mechanical music group: www.flickr.
com/groups/mechanicalmusic/ There
are over 850 photos and 91 members
as of this writing. It is very impressive

Ð you should take a look at it.
Twitter

Yes, even Twitter has a mechanical
music group: www.twitter.com/
mechanicalmusik. I canÕt tell how
many members or tweets are posted
on this. The posts didnÕt seem to have

anything to do with mechanical music.

Books

There are a number of books that
are important to have for any serious
researcher or hobbyist. This list only
includes currently available books:

The Golden Age of Automatic Musical
Instruments by Arthur A. Reblitz
(Mechanical Music Press).

The Encyclopedia of Automatic
Musical Instruments by Q. David Bowers
(available on amazon.com).

The Violin-Playing Machines by Q.
David Bowers (available from amica.
org)

Also keep an eye out for the publication
of The Reblitz-Bowers Guide to
Coin-Operated American Pianos and
Orchestrions by Arthur Reblitz and Q.
David Bowers.

Rollographies

Rollographies are listings or databases
providing information about
music rolls. A few notable rollographies
are:

Ginny and Bob Billings Ð Player
Piano rolls including QRS from 19161994
and the Tel-Electric Company
1905 to 1917. This is available through
the AMICA website.

Matthew Caulfield Ð A comprehensive
catalog of all known style 125,
150, 165 and 180 rolls, including composers
and publication dates. www.
wurlitzer-rolls.com. ItÕs based on work
begun by Gary Watkins.

Jack Breen Ð A comprehensive
rollography of Mills Violano rolls as a
Microsoft Access database www.violanomusic.
com. Based on work begun
by Art Reblitz and Dave Junchen.

Matthew Jaro Ð A database of nickelodeon
rolls for styles A, G, 4X, O, H
and MSR rolls as a Microsoft Access
application. It includes composer and
song publication date information and
lists original and recut rolls. This database
was based on work conducted
by Alan Lightcap, Mike Montgomery
and Robert DeLand. Contact me for
information: mjaro@verizon.net

Elaine Obenchain Ð The Complete
Catalog of AMPICO Reproducing

Piano Rolls. This was a book published
by Bill Edgerton. This can be
downloaded at the AMICA website.

Charles Davis Smith and Richard J.
Howe Ð Welte-Mignon: Its Music and
Musicians. This was published by
AMICA in 1994 and doesnÕt seem to be
currently available.

Terry Hathaway Ð Wurlitzer
PianOrchestra, Harp and Paganini
Music Rolls. This can be downloaded
from the Mechanical Music Press
website.

Future Research

There have been a number of
areas that have been well covered
by researchers or are in the process
of being well covered. These include
music boxes, nickelodeons, orchestrions,
band organs and music rolls.
However, the field of reproducing
pianos (AMPICO, Duo-Art, Welte-Mignon,
Seeburg XP and others) and
their artists have not been covered
much. This topic is of great interest to
AMICA and MBSI members and information
should be preserved while it
is still possible. Someone can make
a real contribution to mechanical
music history and I encourage all the
budding researchers to step up to the
plate.

Apology

I knew when I started this article
that it would be impossible to mention
everyone in the field or every
resource. Consequently, I apologize
in advance for any such oversights.
Please feel free to contact me and I
will try to rectify any such lapses in a
future column.

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
November-December 2013 issue of The
AMICA Bulletin.

January/February 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 13

2019 MBSI Award Recipients

By Tom Kuehn

MBSI President

One of the highlights of each MBSI annual meeting is the
recognition of those who have made a significant contribution
to our organization or to mechanical music in general.
Previous award recipients are listed on pages 5 and 6 of the
2018-2019 Directory of Members, Museums and Dealers.
The following awards were presented at the 2019 annual
meeting in Rockville, MD.

Unsung Hero Award

This award, the recipient chosen by the vice president, is
to honor those who have worked quietly behind the scenes,
to make MBSI function as well as possible. Knowles Little
was honored primarily for serving as the societyÕs web
secretary since 2014. Knowles handles all the questions
submitted by visitors to our web site. As most of our new
members join through the web site, the web secretary
serves an important role. Knowles and Ginny are also very
active in the National Capital Chapter and have made many
contributions to annual meetings including the most recent
one in Rockville.

Q. David Bowers Literary Award
This award is given to a person who has made significant
contributions to the literature in the field of mechanical
music. This yearÕs recipient, Terry Smythe, has been at the
forefront of facilitating the use of electronically scanned
documents and archival literature for use by researchers
and others who author publications in the field of mechanical
music. Terry has also volunteered his time to lay out
several recent books including ÒViolin-Playing Machines,Ó
the ÒEncyclopedia of Disk Music Boxes,Ó and the ÒEncyclopedia
of American Organettes.Ó His most recent effort
is to lay out the book ÒAmerican Coin-Operated Pianos
and Orchestrions and Related InstrumentsÓ authored by
Art Reblitz and Q. David Bowers. Terry has helped bring
to fruition many of the recently published reference books
invaluable to our hobby.

Darlene Mirijanian Award

This award is given for creativity in the field of
mechanical music, to stimulate and encourage interest in
producing new items of interest. This yearÕs recipient is
Charlie Moore. Charlie has been working on organettes
and their music since 1984. One of his projects was to scan
roller organ cobs, the scanned data has then been used to
produce replica cobs. A more recent project has been to
use a 3D printer to make replica parts. He has successfully
recreated an organette cob using 3D printer technology but
the time to do so requires up to 12 hours. He recommends
the use of 3D printing for other less challenging projects
that do not require nearly as much time.

Knowles Little receives the Unsung Hero award.

Tom Kuehn presents the Q. David Bowers Literary Award to
Terry Smythe.

TrusteesÕ Award

This award is given to a person who has made significant
contributions to MBSI or the field of mechanical music. The
recipient this year is Marty Persky. Marty began investigating
mechanical music in school. His eighth grade science
project was an electro-mechanical device that could
produce sounds by shining a light through a rotating, perforated
disk. Later Marty worked full time as an engineer
in Chicago and became exposed to mechanical music at
SvobodaÕs Nickelodeon Tavern and Museum. He gradually
left the engineering field to work full time in mechanical
music serving to assist in the acquisition and restoration

14 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2020

Tom Kuehn presents the Darlene Mirijanian Award to Charlie Moore.

Tom Kuehn presents the Trustees Award to Marty Persky.

Clay Witt presents the PresidentÕs Award to Nancy Fratti.

of instruments for collectors around
the world. Marty has chaired the
Mid-America and Lake Michigan
chapters, chaired or co-chaired MBSI
annual meetings held in Chicago, IL,
served eight years as a trustee and has
organized tours and galas at the Sanfilippo
collection for three decades.

MBSI PresidentÕs Award

The recipient of this award is
selected by the society president with
the concurrence of the executive committee
for outstanding contributions
to the society. Nancy Fratti received
the award this year for her many years
of outstanding service. She has been
in the antiques business for more
than 50 years where she educates the
public to appreciate cylinder and disk
musical boxes and is a mainstay in the
mart at each annual meeting. One of
her early activities was to set up an
MBSI exhibit at the Museum of the
National Watch and Clock CollectorÕs
Association that was displayed from
June 1990 to February 1991. Nancy
wrote and laid out the MBSI 50th
Anniversary Book in 1999, served on
the publications committee for more
than 20 years, served on the museum
committee for more than 25 years and
served as a trustee from 2001 to 2009.

Nominations for 2020 awards
should be sent by the end of January
to the following:

¥ Unsung Hero Award: Vice President
David Corkrum
¥ Darlene Mirijanian Memorial
Award for Creativity: Chair of
Nominating Committee, Dan
Wilson
¥ Roehl Ambassador Award: Chair
of Marketing Committee, Bob
Smith
¥ The Q. David Bowers Literary
Award: Chair of Publications
Committee, Bob Caletti
¥ TrusteesÕ Award: any current
Trustee
¥ MBSI PresidentÕs Award, President
Tom Kuehn
A slideshow with more information
about each recipient is
available for viewing at www.mbsi.org/
mbsi-awards-70th-annual-meeting.

January/February 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 15

A top view of the roll box

A side view of the roll box

A mysterious little roll

By David Corkrum

This article is not so much about
a search for any specific piece of
mechanical music as it is the story
of lucky happenstance and finding
something quite interesting. I was
returning from the AMICA convention
in Seattle, WA, and planned a stop in
the Salem/Lebanon part of Oregon, an
approximately a six-hour drive.

A new customer, whom I had made
discs for and who had discs made for
his cousin in Salem, had asked me to
come visit so that they could show off
their Emerald Polyphon. I had only
seen two before, so I wanted to get
a look at a third. While visiting and
talking about music boxes (what else)
for about eight hours, my host brought
out a small cardboard box for me to
look at. The subject of reproducing
pianos had come up during our discussion
and my host thought I might have

some knowledge about this item.

The box measures approximately
6.-inches by 1-inch by 1-inch. It was
covered in a reddish-brown paper
with printing that states it is ÒPopular
EditionÓ of a Duo-Art Audiographic
roll (see photos on the following
two pages). Since I used to own a
reproducing piano that played these
types of rolls, I was familiar with
it. The reddish-brown paper was,
however, decidedly different than the
usual tan color I have seen on most
Audiographic rolls and that certainly
intrigued me. The box did include an
end label. It looked like the ®olian
company went to considerable lengths
to reproduce what a roll and roll box
would look like.

Upon opening the box, I found
a small music roll. As I unrolled
it, I found that it did resemble an
Audiographic roll. There was a title,

The Roll box label

or leader, section with the name and
picture of the performer (Paderewski)
and the name of the composer as well
as a short biography. The next part was
the description of the roll and what it
was about. Then came the music. The
perforations for the music and expression
are of the same size as normal
rolls. Three levels of expression are
punched as well as the Òsnake biteÓ
holes and there are words describing

16 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2020

Clockwise from top left: The roll leader with a
photo of the performer; the roll title with a photo
of the composer; a portion of the roll with perforations
and words to the tune.

January/February 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 17

The continuation of roll to the end. The continuation of roll to the end.
what the performer is doing while the
music plays. The description printed
on the roll reads:

A maiden is sitting
at her wheel

singing as she works,

a song of sunlight
and laughter

Only a portion of the roll is present
due to its size. The roll holder is constructed
of a wood dowel with end
caps that are screwed on to the dowel
with brass screws.

There is nothing on the roll that
indicates what it was originally used
for. I am guessing that it might be a
salesmanÕs sample. If anyone has any
idea about its use, I am sure that I as
well as the owners would appreciate
this information.

My email address is musikwerke@
att.net.

The story about the roll and the music it contains.

18 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2020

A Criterion story

The Criterion disc box with mechanism mounted in a dining room sideboard type piece of furniture that originally may have

been part of a New Jersey funeral home.

Article and Photos by John Martin

As a kid growing up I had a few
insignificant music boxes, the usual
tinkly sounding toys still being mass
produced today. It wasnÕt until I was
a teenager that I learned what music
boxes could be.

I worked for a wealthy family who
lived in a large Victorian home on Long

Island, NY, where I grew up. During
my high school years I mowed their
lawn and did general yard work for
them to earn some money. This family
sort of took me under their wing, so to
speak. They took me sailing on their
boat, and to my first performance at
the old Metropolitan Opera House
where Enrico Caruso, the famous
Italian tenor, had sung. This was in the

1950s before the new opera house was
built.

One day one of the daughters
wanted to show me something inside
the house. I was escorted to their
music room which had two Steinway
grand pianos. Another daughter in the
family was a graduate of The Juilliard
School so I sort of expected those, but
what really drew my attention was

January/February 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 19

The Criterion music box with lid closed looks almost like any other antique piece of furniture you might see in a home.

sitting on a table against the wall. It
was then that I was shown something
I had never seen before.

It was a large ornate wooden box.
When the lid was opened, there
before me was something amazing.
A Criterion music box that played
metal discs. When it began to play I
was mesmerized and enthralled by the
room-filling volume of bell like sound.
It was magical. I played each of the 20
or 30 discs the family owned for this
machine over and over again. I knew
then and there I had to own one of
these someday.

After high school, I knew that being
drafted into the military was an ominous
threat, so I figured I would get my
obligation out of the way and joined
the Navy. This turned out to be a wise
decision in the long run because it was

just before the Vietnam era. Ironically
my four years of Naval service never
found me anywhere near a ship, and I
spent most of those years in the Washington
DC area working a 9 to 5 desk
job. I was discharged in 1965 just as
the Vietnam War was escalating.

When I was finally free of military
duty, I obtained a job and started
earning a living. It was then that
remembered that Criterion music box
I fell in love with some years past.

One day I was reading magazines at
the library. While browsing through
Hobbies Magazine I saw an advertisement
from someone in Pelham, NY,
who was selling antique music boxes.
Pelham was maybe an hour and a half
drive from where I lived.

The person who placed the ad
turned out to be Ruth Bornand. I was

like a kid in a candy store experiencing
all the goodies she had for sale, but
I selected a Polyphon disc box that fit
into my budget at the time. Finally, I
owned a nice music box of my own.

Some months later, I began thinking
of all the other music boxes Ruth had
for sale. Off I went back to Pelham.
When I rang the door bell, however,
someone else answered the door. I
was informed that Ruth was attending
a meeting of the Musical Box Society
International. My attention was immediately
perked and I got the particulars
about joining MBSI.

Well of course, I joined immediately.
The first meeting I attended, of the East
Coast Chapter, was at a restaurant in
New York City. The meeting itself was
uneventful, but at the conclusion we
were escorted a block or so down the

20 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2020

The Criterion plays 20-inch discs and originally had an electric motor to spin the discs, but the motor did not allow speed

changes, resulting in some tunes not sounding correct.

street to the home of Murtogh Guinness
to see his unbelievable collection
of musical machines. I thought if there
is a heaven it must be a place like this.
This was about 50 or so years ago.

Many more years of collecting commenced
and always the thought of
that original Criterion box I saw in my
youth would keep floating back into
my mind. For whatever reason, the
opportunity to purchase a Criterion
never presented itself to me.

A few years ago, an auction house
here in St. Petersburg, FL, advertised
an upcoming auction. It was a company
where myself and my partner,
Norman Bauer, have acquired things
over the years so we decided to look
through what was being offered. One
of the catalogs showed a 20-inch disc
Criterion. We went to the preview to

see it, but noticed when we saw it in
person that it had an unusual electric
motor. The motor did, however,
appear to be original to the box. The
mechanism was installed in a large
piece of furniture that resembled a
dining room sideboard.

We were a bit skeptical of the item
so we decided not to bid on it. Norman,
however, without telling me, left
a low absentee bid on the box figuring
we would never get it anyhow.

Surprise, Surprise.

Ours was the winning bid, so the
next day we went to pick up our new
music box. It just barely fit in the back
of our SUV.

When we got it home and began
to play some discs we found that the
electric motor was playing the disc
rather slowly, and there was no way

of adjusting the speed. Inside one of
the drawers we found a crumpled up
letterhead from a funeral home in
New Jersey that turned out to be not
far from where the Criterion factory
was located. We suspect this music
box might have been a one of a kind
special order for this funeral home.
When the electric motor played the
several hymns that were included
with the machine, the slow tempo
was probably not a detriment for their
purpose, and they didnÕt have to keep
winding it for continuous play.

We called George Paladics who
had done some restoration work for
us in the past, asking if he could at
least put an electric motor that would
play the discs at the right speed. He
said he could and told us to bring it
up to him in Georgia. Once again we

January/February 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 21

The unique solution devised by
George Paladics was to mount
a crank handle inside the music
box cabinet and connect it to a
new spring motor via a bicycle
chain. This allowed the crank to
wind a spring motor that would
drive the discs. This left the
exterior of the piece of furniture
containing the mechanism in
tact and the new spring motor
solved the issue of
speed control.

squeezed it into the back of our SUV
and drove it to Georgia. When we
unloaded it at GeorgeÕs workshop, he
asked us if we really wanted an electric
motor. We told him if he could put
a spring motor in it, that would be fine.

Most music boxes have a winding
crank on the right side of the box, but
this piece of furniture has a drawer
where the crank would normally be.
Putting a crank on the front of the cabinet
would detract from the aesthetics
of the furniture design. Anyhow, we
left it up to George to do what he
thought best.

Before we left, George told us that
he wanted to get working on this right
away since he was scheduled to go
into the hospital for surgery in a few
weeks. He made a lighthearted joke
saying he didnÕt want to be in the middle
of any projects in case he didnÕt
make it through the surgery.

It seemed we were only back home
a week when George called us to come
get the music box. He had created an
entirely new spring motor for it. He
resolved the problem with the winding
crank by creating a bracket bolted to
the inside of be cabinet meaning the
spring could be wound from inside the

box thus leaving he furniture aesthetic
in tact.

It was truly a unique solution as he
had connected the crank to the spring
via a bicycle chain. This project was
a testament to George PaladicsÕ creativity
and craftsmanship. Sadly his
whimsy about not making it through

his surgery had a tragic turn.

George died shortly afterwards from
complications following the surgery.
This was one of the last music boxes
he worked on before his death.

So, after all these years, we own
a completely unique and wonderful
sounding Criterion music box.

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

22 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2020

Do you know how your music box got to you?

Provence Of A Swiss Cylinder Music Box

This Baker-Troll six-tune, interchangeable cylinder box was rescued from a damp basement and restored to its present beautiful

condition.

By Ken Gordon

Tracing the history over 140 years
of any antique is difficult to do. This
story, however, is about a cylinder
music box for which I can fully document
the path it took from Geneva,
Switzerland, to my home.

This particular cylinder music box
was manufactured about 1890 by
the Baker-Troll Company of Geneva,
Switzerland. It has six, six-tune, interchangeable
cylinders with a matching
Queen Anne table. Each cylinder is
13-inches long and is arranged in sublime
harmony form.

I purchased this box in 1981 from
the grandniece of the original owner.
The story I was told was that in the
late 1880s it was popular for wealthy
Americans to take Òthe grand tourÓ
of Europe, copying the grand tour
aristocratic British young men often
took in the early 1800s. During such a
tour you could visit various music box
factories and even choose the collection
of tunes that would be put on a
music box being purchased. This was
exactly what was done by Mr. Hugh L.
McElroy (1832-1918), a wealthy businessman
from Kansas City, MO, who
made his fortune in banking and real

estate. The name of his wife, Mary,
(Mrs. H. McElroy) is painted in the
mother-of-pearl inlay on the top of the
case. I have never seen a box with the
ownerÕs name documented in such a
permanent way.

The music box was later passed on
to Emmett McElroy and other family
members. Subsequently a family
member, Margaret McElroy, passed it
on to the mother of Virginia Wolfe, of
Silver Spring, MD, who sold it to me
in December 1981. Virginia described
herself as the grandniece of Hugh
McElroy. She no longer wanted the
music box and advertised it for sale.

January/February 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 23

The first owner of this cylinder box had his wifeÕs name painted on the mother-of-pearl inlay on the top of the case.

Unfortunately for me, she had stored
it in a damp basement for several
years.

I took it to Marv Freund to have the
mechanism restored. The six brass
cylinders were black with tarnish and
had to be cleaned and sealed. The
mechanism was cleaned and polished.
The combÕs teeth and cylinder pins
were in good condition and no repair
was needed. Unfortunately there was
no tune card(s), although most of the

36 tunes were able to be identified by
listening.

The case was in poor condition, with
many pieces of veneer loose or missing,
particularly on the curved Queen
Anne style legs. I replaced the walnut
veneer as needed, remade ebony
veneer as needed, and refinished the
overall case and table. The motherof-
pearl decorative inlays in the top
and front were carefully retained. The
table acts as a sounding board for the

music box. It even has a large hole in
the table top to help convey the sound.
The drawer in the table pulls out to
hold the six interchangeable cylinders.

I have a very similar looking music
box marked as manufactured by G.
(George) Baker. It has only one eight-
tune cylinder and no mother-of-pearl
decoration. It was only in the late
1800s that machining precision had
advanced sufficiently that cylinders
could be made interchangeable.

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

24 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2020

Preserving The Past

Archiving and Research

By Terry Smythe

In The Beginning

There was a time not so long
ago when doing research was a
labor-intensive occupation requiring
a personal visit to physical research
database collections, such as the Wurlitzer
archives within Smithsonian,
a huge commitment. However, in

recent years, we are gradually seeing
a remarkable transformation as the
magic and power of the internet turns
the traditional research model on its
head. The magic ingredient is digitization
of paper records/documents
into electronic files accessible off the
internet, from within the warmth and
comfort of your own home.

This article is prepared from the
viewpoint of volunteers digitizing

original literature aimed at encouraging
authors to get interested in
research from a contemporary
perspective. In my opinion, every
effort should be made to make it as
easy as possible for authors to access
digitized records, from which articles
and books will emerge. Who knows,
perhaps those doing the digitizing
may themselves get so interested in
research they might start authoring

January/February 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 25

articles and/or books. This article
follows the process of converting a
manuscript into a format acceptable
to a printing house.

What is required is a commitment
by the caretakers of physical research
libraries to make a beginning at digitization
of their holdings. This is not a
trivial adventure. I know from my own
personal experience in establishing
Automatic Musical Instrument CollectorsÕ
AssociationÕs (AMICA) online
research library over a period of some
30-plus years.

My personal interest in automatic
musical instruments had its origin in
the late 1960s, when working player
pianos were quite plentiful, although
rather pricey at the time. Seeking
technical advice at my local library,
long before the internet existed, I
stumbled across the Periodicals
Index, a weekly publication of articles
appearing in numerous periodicals
worldwide. Within it, I found reference
the AMICA Bulletin, and most
important, a contact name.

In 1971 that contact turned out to be
Ginny Billings who lived in San Francisco,
CA, at the time. She acquainted
me with both AMICA and MBSI. I
immediately joined both societies. In
September 1977 I attended my first
convention, hosted by AMICA, in San
Francisco. At the registration desk,
I saw for sale bound copies of the
AMICA Bulletin, going back to Vol. 1,
No. 1. I bought them all

AMICAÕs research library started
small by scanning AMICA Technicalities,
a compendium of technical
articles published within the AMICA
Bulletin over many years. That first
initiative emerged in the early 1970s
as a published aid to player piano
restoration with the best known techniques
and tools known at the time.
That digitized edition first appeared as
a self-starting CD in early PDF format
and was included within the Christmas
edition of the AMICA Bulletin
as a gift to all members. Eventually
AMICA acquired its own website and
AMICA Technicalities was among the
first to be posted online.

Not long after, in realizing I may
have had the only known complete set
of the AMICA Bulletins, I decided to

scan them all into PDF format, reaching
a point where PDF versions were
routinely available out of the normal
printing process. All were posted on
AMICAÕs new website and became the
beginning of its research library.

Always hungry for new information,
I began a slow process of building my
own personal library. Having already
digitized AMICA Technicalities
and AMICA Bulletins, finding it a
doable process, I started digitizing
my personal library and posting it on
AMICAÕs website, gradually enhancing
its usefulness.

The cover of The Music Trades from Jan. 2, 1915 as scanned by the author.

The online research library IÕve
built on AMICAÕs website emerged as
a consequence of a profound personal
emotional event occurring the first day
of that convention in San Francisco in
September 1977, where I found myself
in Richard ReutlingerÕs gorgeous Victorian
home conversing one-on-one
with none other than Eubie Blake.
This event formed a strong commitment
to AMICA.

Major Breakthrough

A major breakthrough occurred
when I noticed a single issue of The

26 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2020

Music Trades on eBay. I bid on it and
did not win it, but I subsequently made
contact with the vendor in Utica, NY.
Learning he had 600-plus issues, all in
institutional binding, I struck a deal
with him whereby AMICA and I jointly
bought the whole collection. Over the
following year, I scanned every page of
every issue, and posted all on AMICAÕs
website, making it then a very useful
research database.

The Music Trades was a weekly
periodical, not unlike the The Music
Trade Review periodicals posted on
MBSIÕs website. Both publications
competed with one another, each
striving for exclusivity of content,
each serving the needs of the musical
instrument industry in USA. There
is remarkably little duplication of
content.

MBSI members who are also members
of AMICA may already have good
knowledge of the research database
I have been building over the past
30-plus years. It now stands as a good
example of what can be accomplished
over time by committed volunteers.

Software Tools

For those interested in pursuing
research for the purposes of writing
an article or book, I want to share with
you the process of shepherding a book
from idea into final publication.

The key part is first writing a
manuscript. Find a subject you are
interested in and then use the research
sources on AMICAÕs website, in Matt
JaroÕs article on Page 8 of this issue
and those mentioned at the end of this
article. There are many more research
sources mentioned in Richard DuttonÕs
article published in Mechanical
Music Vol. 65, No. 4, Pages 21-33, to
help you complete your draft. Then
rewrite and seek out an editor willing
to help you refine and check your
sources for accuracy.

Next, move on to harvesting related
images from books, magazines, the
internet, or even old photo albums if
you happen to find any available from
your sources.

Then comes the digital composition
of the book, laying out the contents in
a format compatible with the printing
industry, creating an index, and finally

putting a computer file into a printerÕs
hands.

Here are the tools I use when working
on a project:

Word Processing: Microsoft Word is
my preferred utility for writing a manuscript,
but it is not imperative that
you use this specific product. Write
in whatever word processing system
you are comfortable with as long as
files can be saved in text format, or
some other interchangeable file type.
There are free programs available like
Open Office that will open and save
Microsoft Word files just fine so that
you can exchange files with someone
using either program. Authors
need not attempt to place images in
their manuscript. This can lead to
sometimes awkward text wrapping,
occasionally even making the words
difficult to follow. All that is needed
is for the file name of an image to be
placed within the text where it relates
to the words and makes sense in the
flow of the document. It is a nice touch
to name images in a way that relates to
the subject of the photo instead of just
leaving an image with a random name
like DSC_123423423.jpg. To rename
an image, simply right click on the
image and select ÒrenameÓ from the
menu that appears, then type in the
new name that you would like the
image file to have.

Graphics Editor: The process of
research often involves reaching
out to multiple sources for images,
which means those images are often
collected in a variety of formats and
qualities. Both the Windows and Mac
computer operating systems come
with basic image editing programs
that can manipulate and save image
files. Personally, I prefer to work with
Adobe Photoshop, and my preferred
image format is .jpg. Again, similar to
writing a manuscript, authors should
feel free to work with whatever image
editor they are comfortable with as
long as it can produce a file format
that others can open and work with.
As the digital book composer, my job
is to convert all images submitted for
publication to minimum publication
standards, which means a resolution

of 300 dots-per-inch (dpi), and converting
any other image file types to
a .jpg format. I find that this is the
most time-consuming portion of the
process of turning a manuscript into
a final book.

Book Layout: I prefer to work with
QuarkXpress. I started using this years
ago and found it to be quite intuitive.
Another option is Adobe InDesign,
which I found to have a steep learning
curve, but will certainly do the job of
creating a file that can be submitted to
a printer. Authors may dictate that the
book emerge in one wide column, two
columns or even three columns. The
layout software can easily accommodate
any of these formats. IÕm currently
working on a new book having 63
chapters, in which case each chapter
is a single layout file. Footnotes are a
bit tricky, as you must choose whether
to place each footnote under the
column where the reference appears,
or collect them all into end notes at
the close of a book chapter. Choosing
between the two styles is often a decision
that is based on the number of
columns on each page. In the case of
a one-column format, footnotes might
look better at the bottom of the page
where the reference is made, whereas
in a three-column format it might look
odd to have a footnote either extending
across all three columns or taking
up a large portion of one column on
the page.

Producing a PDF: The book publishing
industry likes to work with what
they call ÒPress Quality PDFÓ files,
mostly produced by Adobe Acrobat, a
rather pricey piece of software. Older
versions of Acrobat can be found on
eBay, but one critical issue is talking
with a seller to ensure the copy you
are buying is an original legal version,
not a knock-off. Press Quality PDF
files are typically very large and only
required at the very end of the process
right before sending to the commercial
printer. While reviewing the book
layout, authors can work very well
with simple small PDF files to suggest
corrections, changes, etc. PDF files
are ordinarily not editable. Changes
and corrections are best noted either

January/February 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 27

on the PDF itself or in a separate document
so that the digital composition
artist can make the actual changes
within layout software.

Optical Character Recognition
(OCR): Is a process of converting an
image of text characters into an editable
document that can be changed
via a word processing program. For
example, if you took a photo of a concert
poster with your phone and then
wanted to be able to edit the date of
the event, you would use OCR to turn
the text characters into the image into
editable versions of themselves and
then type in the new date.

IÕve been working with OCR since
the early 1970s, a time when we considered
95 percent accuracy a very
good day. Accuracy refers to the computer
correctly converting an image
of a text character into editable text
so that an ÒbÓ in the image becomes
a ÒbÓ in the text document and not an
ÒoÓ because of a bit of fading at the
top of the letter in the image. Over the
years, OCR technology has undergone
a remarkable transformation and
is reaching 99.95 percent accuracy
regularly. The critical ingredient is the
quality of the image at the beginning
of the process.

Many times, when scanning an
original document that emerged from
a conventional typewriter equipped
with a fabric ribbon, even using a
high-resolution scanner producing a
600-dpi image, OCR accuracy can still
end up in the low 90 percent range,
requiring extensive editing to correct
the OCR errors. Conversely, an original
commercially-printed book, even
one that is a century old, will very
likely yield a full 100 percent accuracy.

AcrobatÕs OCR capability is quite
remarkable, even when it comes to
recognizing foreign languages, such
as the century old zfi periodicals
printed in German. Text extracts from
these magazines, using OCR and then
pasting the resulting text into Google
Translate (www.translate.google.
com) produces excellent quality
editable English language text that
can then be pasted into your word
processor.

If you are using Microsoft Word, it

An HP 4670 scanner that can be placed on a book to scan pages without damaging
the paper or the book binding.

will highlight the few OCR errors that
emerge. I have great faith in contemporary
OCR.

Once again, it is not imperative to
use exactly the software mentioned
here. The software industry is constantly
producing alternatives that are
often available at much lower cost and
function equally well. Even these do
not necessarily need to be the latest,
most costly versions of the software
since as older versions may often do
everything you need them to do.

Computer Hardware

One critical issue to remember for
researchers and authors is that they
should use software and hardware
that makes them comfortable. I
happen to work with an Apple iMac
27-inch desktop computer for most
of my work. From time to time, I may
find that a certain task may be easier
to accomplish using my Windows
laptop. So, I have both with me in
my computer area side by side. Your
choice of computer platform may be
dictated by finances or by space, or by
personal preference, in no particular
order. I advise that you use the one
that interferes least with your creative
process.

Printer/Scanner: My printer/scanner
is a humble consumer-grade Epson
XP-830, on sale at my neighborhood
Staples office supply store for $69. It
is limited to scanning documents as
large as 8.-by-11-inches but it also has
a CD printing feature I occasionally
use. When I am scanning documents, I
always keep in mind the future needs
of researchers and authors. I always
scan my documents at a minimum
of 300 dpi. If the original document
happens to be a century-old catalog
printed throughout in black and white,
I scan the document in Ògrayscale
modeÓ for best results. If the original
document is in color, then I select
Òcolor mode.Ó I never select Òcolor
modeÓ when scanning black and white
originals. Also, I never select ÒtextÓ
as an option to color or grayscale, as
results are rarely satisfactory, even if
the original document is text only.

Book Scanning

Scanning a book on a flatbed scanner
is not advised as you run a high
risk of damaging either pages or the
binding, particularly if it is a rare,
really old book. When approaching a
scanning project with an old, or rare
book, there are two types of scanners
I have used over the years:

28 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2020

A CZUR Aura Book Scanner that allows you to scan a book without having to place
anything on the paper. At right, three books that resulted from research ideas.

HP 4670 Scanner: At first glance,
this unusual scanner resembles a
simple open window measuring
9-by-12-inches. The scanner is about
.-inch thick and hollow inside. Within
the hollow space is embedded a contact
image sensor (CIS). You simply
lay the book on your desk, open to
the desired page, then lay the glass on
the book and hit scan. The CIS sensor
moves across the width of the windows
and scans what it sees below it.
Then you turn the page and repeat the
process. This type of scanner is very
gentle on books of any kind.

Contemporary Book Scanner: Current
book scanning technology has
produced an array of inexpensive
scanners that are equally gentle on
books. These are not really scanners
in the traditional sense. They are more
like a digital camera suspended over
an open book. You hit a foot switch
and the scanner captures an image of
the page, then you turn the page and
repeat the process.

Both of these scanner types are
equally quick and gentle. The HP 4670
scanner may be difficult to find, and
I am uncertain if it will work with
contemporary computer operating
systems, but it is worth a try. I still

have one, but I have not used it for
several years. I currently have a CZUR
Aura book scanner which was initially
introduced to the market in an inter-
net ÒGo-Fund-MeÓ campaign, but it is
now commercially available, albeit
at a much higher price. Other similar
concept book scanners are routinely
available at more affordable prices.
Search Amazon.com to see what you
can find.

Why Encourage Research?

Our objective is preservation of a
unique slice of musical heritage. We
achieve that in several ways Ð by restoring
original instruments, by digitizing
original literature for researchers and
authors, and by authoring new articles
and books. These new articles and
books, emerging in printed form
via our official society journals or
available from book publishers is the
life-blood of our existence. We are all
hungry for new information. Our journal
is what binds us together between
annual conventions and chapter meetings.
In my opinion, some of the best
examples of books/articles authored
by our members and emerging from
personal research are:

¥ ÒEncyclopedia of Disc Music
BoxesÓ by Q. David Bowers.
January/February 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 29

¥ ÒEncyclopedia of American Coin
Pianos and Orchestrion,Ó By Q.
David Bowers and Art Reblitz
(soon available)
¥ ÒViolin Playing Machines,Ó by Q.
David Bowers.
¥ ÒEncyclopedia of American
Organettes,Ó by Q. David Bowers.
¥ An article about the Seeburg
Piano in Mechanical Music Co.
by Matthew Jaro.
An Appeal

All the organizations with an
interest in mechanical music share
an equal desire to preserve the past
via original literature. It is good that
it is protected. It is better that it be
digitized so that all members have an
equal opportunity for access through
the magic and power of the internet.
Physical repositories meet a huge
need in terms of protection of original
pieces of paper, but in reality, their very
existence is a huge barrier to research
because many people are not able to
travel to these buildings. Plus, there is
the problem of who should be granted
access to the fragile papers so that
constant handling does not degrade
them further. I believe we need to take
a position of leadership in persuading/
encouraging our sister organizations
to digitize their research archives and
begin a process of mutual sharing
our respective research databases
in digital format. In my opinion, the
long-term survival of all our societies
is very much at stake.

Centuries old original literature
is extremely fragile, and sometimes
is easily lost forever when someone
doesnÕt recognize its value and tosses
it into the recycling bin. Many of us,
as we pursue our passion of collecting,
acquire original literature like
owner manuals, technical articles,
books, even photocopies which all
have equal value in terms of content.
I would encourage you to make it
known to your family that ÒÉall this
old paperÉ.Ó has value in the eyes of
fellow collectors. Perhaps consider
add a codicil to your last will and
testament to the effect that all your
old paper be loaned to an archivist for
digitization and returned. All this old
paper is the very heart of research and

A screenshot of the MBSI Lending Library web page.

authoring of articles and books. I ask
that you please ensure it is protected
and shared, and eventually digitized
and posted within our research
database.

Volunteers

One final note about the importance
of volunteers. For starters, all the
books/articles mentioned above were
authored by volunteers who donated
their manuscripts. I donated my time
doing the book layouts and the end
result is that we now have documents
preserving our unique slice of musical
heritage, at the minimal price of just
the printing and shipping. Volunteers
can make a huge contribution in
support of this objective. You do not
need permission, just simply make a
beginning. I believe you will find that
the results over time will be stunning.
The magic and power of the internet
is a truly magnificent medium to be
embraced with enthusiasm.

MBSI Research Resources

If you didnÕt know, or somehow it
slipped your mind because you havenÕt
used it in years, I wanted to make
everyone aware again that MBSI has a
Lending Library of excellent books for
research. Got to www.mbsi.org/library
and find more than 80 excellent books
useful for research. Regrettably, this
service is only available to members
within continental U.S.

Considerations are underway to
digitize the library over time and
eventually make it available in eBook

format, in emulation of municipal
libraries throughout the nation.

Also, issue of MBSIÕs official journal
is available to current members for
download or online searching. It is
an excellent source of research done
by others, upon which contemporary
research may be built. Some 400-plus
issues are available.

Another huge resource within
MBSIÕs online research library are the
collections of Music Trade Review
and Presto. Matt Jaro does a nice job
covering these resources in his Nickel
Notes column this issue on Page 8.

MBSIÕs website has within it a sizable
video library seen at www.mbsi.
org/video-library There are several
hundred videos now, many emerging
from workshops at our annual convention.
Another huge resource to
determine what other members have
done over the years.

Internet Resources

In the early 1970s I was introduced
to the Internet via a telephone line connection
to my University of Manitoba.
It was text based only, no pictures.
Characters would creep across my
little 7-inch computer screen at 300
baud over the telephone line. It was
painfully slow, but I was captivated by
the possibilities and the future developments.
Today we enjoy pictures,
videos and high-speed broadband
Internet connections. The magic and
power of the internet is boundless,
completely turning the traditional
research model on its head. Some of

30 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2020

A screenshot of the MBSI Video Library web page.

the internet research websites I find
useful and not mentioned already by
other authors are included here:

Google patents: (www.patents.google.
com) Great source of historic USA
patents, complete patents, images and
text. Searchable by topic or inventor.

Chronicling America: (www.chroniclingamerica.
loc.gov) Ð huge resource
of USA newspapers going back into
history. Searchable.

Zeitschrift fŸr Instrumentenbau: (www.
tinyurl.com/y4gdec37) Affectionately
known as the ÒzfiÓ collection. The zfi
was a weekly periodical serving the
German musical instrument industry
1880 to 1943, similar in purpose to the
Music Trade Review. I found this rich
resource about 15 years ago and downloaded
all 78 years in PDF format,
each containing 52 weekly magazines.
It is still available, but the PDF issues
are not searchable online or when

downloaded. You need to do the
indexing yourself. I made my full collection
searchable, and I am prepared
to share it with anyone who provides
an empty portable hard drive that has
70 MB or more space available. It is an
excellent research resource relative
to German-made instruments. It is
printed in German, but I have found
that Google Translate comes to the
rescue quite effectively in producing
English that I can understand.

Google Images: (www.google.com/
imghp?hl=en) Excellent source of
images from a mammoth database,
starts with a search keyword.
Search results are truly amazing
and often quite unexpected. Highly
recommended.

Project Gutenberg: (https://www.
gutenberg.org) Like HathiTrust, it
was once a good source of documents,
but it too has gradually restricted by
copyright activists, good source of

The authorÕs own MIDI file archive web
page.

pre-1923 documentation, searchable.

Midi Files: (www.terrysmythe.ca/
rebirth.htm) Last but not least, a good
source of midi files that will work on
solenoid type instruments, is my personal
website. Click on Òarchive.Ó It is
the last item on the menu.

Research resources on the internet
keep emerging as more and more
conventional paper databases are
digitized. While large-scale automated
digitizing is still confined to institutions
with big budgets and numerous
well-healed committed donors, organizations
committed to the objective
of preserving the past can make a big
difference. Where automated book
scanning machines once carried a
price tag of $35,000 or more, advanced
book scanners are now routinely
available for well under $200. A most
recent critical breakthrough, in my
opinion, is a digital camera combined
with software that ÒflattensÓ the
curved pages of a book, leaving only
the page turning to the volunteer. I
have obtained one of these scanners,
and IÕm finding it useful, and easy to
use. Feel free to contact me for details
about this new scanning technology.

I look forward to sharing more of my
digital archive with you in the future
and hope you will do the same for me.

Feel free to contact me at: smythe@
shaw.ca

January/February 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 31

Snowbelt Chapter

Chair: Tracy Tolzmann
Reporter: Merrie Tolzmann
Photographer: Tracy Tolzmann

Aug. 17, 2019 – Big Lake, MN

The Snowbelt Chapter met at Gary
Goldsmith and Alex StolitzaÕs Big
Lake, MN, home on Aug. 17, 2019, for
a sunny afternoon of camaraderie and
listening to many fine musical boxes.
The Northern Lights Chapter of the
Automatic Musical Instrument CollectorsÕ
Association (AMICA) joined
us, along with some members of the
Land OÕ Lakes Theater Organ Society,
bringing the crowd to 30 music lovers.

A Young Chang grand piano with
QRS Playola system serenaded us
during the social hour which was
followed by AlexÕs demonstration of
the many musical boxes, including
an 18.-inch Mira, a Mermod Freres
cylinder box with bells, drum, and
castanets, a 24.-inch Polyphon and
others.

A Fischer & Sons Duo Art reproducing
piano was also enjoyed. Taking a
short walk to GaryÕs workshop, the
crowd was awed by the numerous
Òworks-in-progressÓ and future projects
that Gary has lined up inside the
spacious facility. The numerous grand
piano cases, a mortuary pipe organ,
and an Ariston organette restoration
are among the many projects that will
keep Gary busy for years to come,
along with a 173/8-inch Polyphon 43BG
with 12 bells! An Aeolian Orchestrelle
player reed organ proved to be quite
a workout for any trying their hand
Ð or is that feet? Ð at playing the
instrument. The large reed organ was
admittedly in need of some attention,
and is on GaryÕs l-o-n-g list of to do
undertakings!

The shop area also featured an
indoor pond of large Koi (or are they
goldfish? Ð there is a difference!),
which are part of Gary and AlexÕs
perennial plant business, Busse
Gardens. Innumerable assorted pots

Our August meeting hosts, Alex Stolitza (standing) and Gary Goldsmith, at the
Fischer & Sons Ampico grand.

Alex demonstrates a 151/2-inch Regina from his collection.

Carol Schultz, Norma Gaffron, Merrie Tolzmann and Jim Alex and AMICA member Ron Olson search for a piano roll in
Kutzner enjoy refreshments on the deck. the cabinet under the Regina music box.

Tim and Jerrilyn Wheat chat with Ralph Schultz over snacks. Tom Chase and Gary talk shop.

Gary demonstrates the Aeolian Orchestrelle that is currently Gary shares the details of one of his many projects that are
undergoing a restoration. currently in the works.

January/February 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 33

outside the shop doors were evidence
of their thriving enterprise, but the
harsh winter of 2018-19 wreaked
havoc on their greenhouses, so the
spring and summer of 2019 was not
business as usual.

Back at the house, brief business
meetings were held before a delicious
dinner was ready. Fresh sweet corn
on the cob, fried chicken, and barbecue
pulled pork was augmented by
the appetizers, salads, and desserts
provided by those in attendance. The
beautiful summer day was perfect
for the joint gathering, and the hospitality
of Gary and Alex and their fine
collection left everyone with happy
memories of a wonderful afternoon as
we all departed.

Alex Stolitza plays a tune on a small disc
box

The indoor Koi (goldfish?) pond in the
workshop.

Mike Merrick, Carol Schultz and Merrie Tolzmann listen to Alex
talk about the collection.

Lunch included pulled pork, corn on the cob, fried chicken
and many other barbecue favorites.

Ralph Schultz and Rich Poppe watch as Alex partially disman-
tles a harpsichord.

Gary tells attendees about the coin piano currently in the
workshop.

34 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2020

Southeast Chapter

Chair: Jack Hostetler
Reporter: Margery Sanford
Photographer: Harold Sanford

Oct. 25-27, 2019 Ð Plantation, FL

California was ravaged by fires,
Olga, a monster storm was threatening
the Gulf states and temperatures
were plunging up North. Clearly, the
best place to be Oct. 25-27 was in
balmy Plantation, FL, a suburb of
Miami. That was where Pam and Joel
Jancko planned and hosted a fabulous
weekend. Attended by 59 registrants,
it started with a business meeting and
mart. Discussion was held on the 2021
MBSI Annual Meeting that will be held
in Florida. Meanwhile, members were
encouraged to bring instruments Dec.
12-14, 2019 to the two-day Christmas
show at The Villages, FL. The city
has a population 120,000, the largest
retirement community in the Southeast
and possibly the whole country.

Saturday morning found us at a
guided tour of the amazing Dauer
Museum of Classic Cars. The 30,000
square-foot building in Sunrise, FL,
Is filled with more than 60 restored
antique cars, trucks and bicycles
mainly from the 1950s and 1960s, and
all in pristine condition

The fun really began in the afternoon
when we reached the JanckoÕs
collection, which they call ÒOur
Backyard Museum.Ó Joel gave a two-
hour fascinating tour explaining their
complete collection starting with
Revolutionary War rifles and going
through early 1900 artifacts. We saw
an antique fire station, service station,
bicycle display, log cabin, general
store, fort, saloon and game room and
a wonderful long multi-stool pharmacy
soda fountain. A delicious barbecue
dinner was accompanied by a three-
piece string band playing Americana
songs. Members and guests enjoyed
a detailed showing by Marty Persky
of the main mechanical musical
instruments. They included an Imhof

Meeting hosts Joel and Pam Jancko with JoelÕs birthday cake.

Marty Persky plays a Seeburg H orchestrion in the JanckoÕs collection.

Marty Persky tells the audience about a large cylinder box Steve Brittain talks with the crowd before performing on the
before playing a few tunes. Wurlitzer theater organ.

The Janckos with their supporting team. Steve Brittain on the piano for another captivating performance.

Harmonica virtuoso Cotton Morlock accompanies Steve Joel Jancko talks to the crowd about the Wurlitzer theater
Brittain during one of his songs. organ.

36 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2020

Joel Jancko plays one of his crank organs for the crowd. Joel Jancko demonstrates a power machine.

The Sabatella string band entertains members and guests at
the barbecue.

Outside the Dauer collection, members Mark Yaffe, Craig
Darlak, Howard Wyman and Warren Officer stop for a quick
snapshot.

Mukle orchestrion, Seeburg H, Double
Mills Violano, Bruder and Limonaire
band organs among many others. The
evening continued with a great piano
and organ concert performed by our
own talented Steve Brittain on the
Opus 1616 Wurlitzer Theater Organ.
The surprise of the evening was a duet
with Cotton Morlock playing a wicked
harmonica. Attendees celebrated and
extended fond birthday wishes to Joel
on his big birthday. The evening ended
too soon with the fantastic booming,
euphonic sounds of the humongous
Mortier dance hall organ. What an
evening!

On Sunday, members traveled to
the Coconut Grove area of Miami, FL,
for the wonderful collection of Peter
Klein consisting of a variety of cylinder
boxes, automata, tall case clocks,

orchestrion and a Mills Violano. For
an added treat, lunch was held at the
famous Versailles Restaurant in the
Little Havana section of Miami where
the desserts are not to be believed.

Our thanks go out to the Janckos,
Ed Dauers and Peter Klein for the
entire winning weekend. We now
look forward to welcoming back our
many snowbirds at Pensacola, FL, the
weekend of Jan. 24-26, 2020, for a joint
meeting with the Piedmont Chapter
and members of the Carousel Organ
Association of America.

Two very large collections will be
featured. Bob and Anita Wingerd of
Robertsdale, AL, and John and Nattaya
Leuenberger of Mary Esther, FL,
will each host an open house. Come
one and all and be sure to bring your
friends.

Chapter Chair Jack Hostetler leads the
business meeting.

January/February 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 37

Southern California Chapter

Chair: Robin Biggins
Reporter: Ardis Prescott
Photographer: Lowell Boehland

Oct. 5, 2019 Ð Woodland Hills, CA

This meeting was held at the
fabulous home of Sandy and Sumi
Lechtick. Their beautiful home was
formerly owned by 1987 Emmy Award
winning actress, Rue McClanahan.
One of the five stars of the TV series:
ÒThe Golden Girls.Ó

The home is located on a large tree-
shaded lot and contains one of the
largest collections of coin-op arcade
machines in California. Sandy and
SumiÕs collection includes mechanical
musical machines, slot machines,
fortune tellers, strength testers,
automatons, orchestrions, and hundreds
of fun items that date from 1900
to 1950.

Food and beverages were available
in ÒThe Coca Cola Room.Ó There was
ample seating around the swimming
pool to visit with our chapter friends.
Forty-two members and guests were
in attendance to see and appreciate
this wonderful collection.

The business meeting was conducted
by Robin Biggins under the
shade in the Luau area. Robin began
the meeting by thanking Sandy and
Sumi for their generous hospitality.
Robin then introduced the guests
and Sandy gave a brief history of his
collecting interests. Sandy reminded
everyone not to play any of the
machines unless he or his brother,
Todd, operated them.

The treasurerÕs report was discussed.
Our chapterÕs finances are
in good order. We then discussed the
upcoming Christmas party. Information
was provided regarding the next
Christmas party, but no decision was
made at this time.

We then divided into two groups
so we could enjoy the collection.
Most of the machines are electrically
operated by coin slots and were

Todd and Sandy Lechtick with a small section of Sandy and Sumi LechtickÕs
collection.

absolutely fantastic. It brought back We thanked our hosts for a wonderful
great memories of the old Òfun fairsÓ afternoon and headed home in heavy
of yesteryear. traffic, but it was definitely worth the

All too soon it was time to stop drive!
playing with the toys and head home.

Most of the chapter members and guests gathered in ÒThe Coca-Cola RoomÓ for a photo. Sandy Lechtick is holding the dog,
while Sumi stands behind in the hat. Above and over the next two pages are various views of the collection.

January/February 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 39

Robin Biggins, Ardis Prescott, Doug Nix and Sandy Lechtick in front of a few of the arcade machines and carnival posters.

40 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2020

Anita Lichtman (left) with Sandy Lechtick and two guests in front of a display of Baranger Motion machines. The machines were
store-window mechanical animated advertising displays, rented to jewelers, and produced from 1937 to 1959 by the Baranger
Company of South Pasadena, CA.

January/February 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 41

Ardis Prescott in front of a group of
items used in carnivals and arcades. The
rest of the page features various rooms
found in Sandy and Sumi LechtickÕs
home that is filled with music and marvelous
things to explore.

42 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2020

Southern California Chapter

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

Aug .3, 2019 Ð Palos Verdes Estates, CA.

On Aug. 3, 2019, the Southern California
Chapter was most fortunate to
visit the home of Mark and Gale Weber
as well as their daughter, Rebecca, of
Palos Verdes Estates, CA. Southern
California weather provided a perfect
day for an outdoor meeting which
included various tasty edibles.

Although the event was scheduled
for 1 p.m., the formal meeting was
called to order at 2:40 p.m. by Chapter
Chair Robin Biggins. Diane Lloyd
as pro tem treasurer, reported that
the chapter was financially solvent.
Member Don Caine stated that he had
been asked to present an educational
program about music boxes at the
Banning Museum in Wilmington, CA,
on Sept. 7. Additionally he will be
lending the museum some of his personal
music boxes for a period of time
to enhance its collection. This activity
is part of a plan to place more music
boxes within events to imbue the
joys of collecting music boxes for the
general public as well as encouraging
membership in MBSI.

Robin then introduced a Shirley
Temple automaton. Shirley was placed
on a round pedestal decorated with
lollipops referencing The Good Ship
Lollipop. This particular automaton
was made in the 1970s and owned by
the Reidys. Child star Shirley TempleÕs
popularity emerged in the 1930s. ShirleyÕs
Army evolved as a fan club made
up primarily of teachers. The ÒArmyÓ
celebrates ShirleyÕs birthday every
year in Santa Monica, CA. The largest
Shirley automaton is 27-inches tall.
As an aside, Robin remarked that doll
collecting is the second most popular
collector group in the U.S.

A Serinette was then demonstrated
to the membership. Serinettes are
mechanical music instruments made

Our hosts, Mark and Gale Weber in front of their Philipps Violine orchestrion.

Three early Serinettes on display during the meeting.

Chapter members listen to the Philipps orchestrion play.

Everyone gathered for a group photo on the lawn, enjoying the wonderful weather.

A monkey violin player by J. Phalibois,
Paris, France, was one of several
automatons available to view during the
meeting.

44 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2020

Mark Weber explains how the early magic lantern projectors work.

Mark Weber shows members a painting with key-wind musical frame.

with a barrel organ from the region
of Mirecort in France. These mechanisms
were developed in the first half
of the 18th century intended to teach
canaries to sing, The word Serinette
evolved from the word ÒserinÓ meaning
canary. The Serinette sounded
similar to a piccolo made up of one
rank of 10 metal pipes which play
eight tunes of some 20 seconds each.
The Serinette is enclosed in a box with
a crank on the front. The crank pumps
a bellows which provides air flow to
the pipes as well as turning a barrel
via a gear mechanism. The barrel is
set with pins and staples which create
the tunes. The pins and staples lift the
keys, which open the valves to allow
air into the pipes.

Robin then demonstrated the Tea
Server automaton created by Leopold
Lambert. She is known as Chinois
Verseuse circadian 1888. LeopoldÕs
background was as a clockmaker
and jeweler. His wife , Eugenia Marie
Bourgeois, was a seamstress who created
the costumes for his automata.

Alexandre Theroude created the
Monkey Magician automaton sometime
in the 19th century. It is composed
of two courtly dressed musicians and
a center placed monkey magician.
The magician moves his head, blinks
his eyes and pulls back his lips as he
magically transforms objects under
two chalices. There are 18 separate
movements displayed within this
piece.

Other items in the Weber collection
included a Pathex Motion Picture
Projector developed in 1922, a Polyphon
Tempo Regulator , and a Magic
Lantern. The Magic Lantern uses
transparent plates of painted, printed
or photographically generated images
using lenses and a light source. Initially
in the 17th century, Magic Lanterns
utilized images painted on glass. A
Polyphon and a Philipps Violine Style
PC 10 orchestrion with violin pipes,
augments the collection. There is also
the Weber organ which Mark is assembling
from various organ parts .

The meeting concluded at 3:20 pm.

Linda Birkitt, Mark Weber and Don Henry demonstrate a Alexandre crank organ.

January/February 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 45

Chapter Secretary and Treasurer David Corkrum (center) provides a report-out to the group during the business meeting.

Golden Gate Chapter

Chair: Jonathan Hoyt
Reporter: Jenny Hoyt
Photographer: Jonathan Hoyt and
Christine Hopwood

Nov. 17, 2019 Ð Morgan Hill, 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. 17, 2019,
and was attended by approximately
20 members. The HopwoodÕs home
is located in Morgan Hill, CA, atop the
hills of southern Santa Clara County,
overlooking the beautiful Anderson
Reservoir. The timing of our meeting
could not have been better. It was
just before the winter rain set in. The
weather was brisk, but Chris had blankets
and wraps at the ready, so her
guests could enjoy a glass of wine and
the spectacular views from the deck.

Relaxation and time with friends
were the very goal of this gathering.

David Corkrum, ready to play his 6-tune Nicole Freres cylinder box.

Bob and Judy Caletti with their Paillard Sublime Harmonie A closer view of the Paillard Sublime Harmonie Octavo cylin-
Octavo cylinder box. der box.

Guests enjoying great conversation in the living room, which
overlooks the Reservoir. Pictured from left to right are:
David Corkrum entertains Judy Caletti and Jonathan Hoyt Lyle Merithew, Peggy Schoppe, Sandy Swirsky, Christine
with a story. Hopwood, and Russ Kriegel.

January/February 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 47

Russ Kriegel looks at the tune sheet on the Paillard Sublime Harmonie Octavo cyl-
inder box as Christine Hopwood, Lyle Merithew, Sandy Swirsky and Peggy Shoppe
enjoy a chat.

Show and Tell stars David Corkrum and Bob Caletti share their instruments with
(pictured left to right) newer member Linda Gray-Moin, Chris Hopwood and Lyle
Merithew.

Members were free to enjoy the view,
indulge in a variety of food, drinks and
desserts, and catch up on the latest of
lifeÕs happenings. A small mart was
also organized, and the few items for
sale drew much attention and inspired
conversation.

For lunch, Christine made an
English winter dish, a casserole with
beef and pickled walnuts. The group
was eager to hear how it was made,
and we learned that the beef sits
overnight in a bath of Guinness, port
and thyme and braises gently for a few
hours. The walnuts are pickled before
they develop their hard shell. It was
delicious!

In time, the group came together for
a brief business meeting with show-
and-tell following. David Corkrum
shared his Nicole Freres six-tune
cylinder box, circa 1864. This box
plays mostly Irish tunes, and two
of the more elaborate tunes were
featured in the movie ÒQuiet Man.Ó In
addition, Bob and Judy Caletti shared
their beautifully restored Paillard Harmonie
six-tune cylinder box, known
as a Sublime Harmonie Octavo. The
box has two combs and is known for
its full sound.

What a lovely and genuinely relaxing
afternoon we had! The chapter would
like to express our sincere thanks to
Greg and Chris for warmly welcoming
us into their home, and for being such
exceptional hosts. We look forward
to visiting again!

Mart-goers gather around for a photo! Pictured left to right are: Russ Kriegel, Mark Williams, Richard Hughes, newer member
Leon Alevantis, and Gordon Ulrickson.

48 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2020

Golden Gate Chapter

Chapter Chair: Jonathan Hoyt
Reporter: David Corkrum
Photographers: David Corkrum and
Bob Caletti

Aug. 18, 2019 Ð Belmont, CA

The Golden Gate Chapter held
a joint MBSI/AMICA (Automatic
Musical Instrument CollectorsÕ Association)
meeting on Aug. 18. Hosting
the meeting were Richard and Julie
Hughes at their home in Belmont,
CA. There were approximately 30
attendees.

The Hughes home and collection
includes a Johnson band organ, a
Dutch monkey organ, a Seeburg
L nickelodeon, multiple disc and
cylinder music boxes, phonographs,
jukeboxes, penny arcade machines,
collector cars, carvings from the
Black Forest of Germany, a collection
of more than 500 German beer steins,
and numerous other antiques throughout
the house.

The clear weather enabled a wonderful
view of the surrounding hills
and the San Francisco bay. Standing
in the back yard, you could observe
planes on approach to San Francisco
International Airport. Members
and guests enjoyed a potluck style
abundance of food and desserts with
the main course being a locally-homemade
wurst and sauerkraut provided
by the HughesÕ.

Judy Caletti conducted the business
meeting, as Jonathan and Jenny Hoyt
were on a camping trip. The 2020 joint
annual meeting of MBSI/AMICA was a
major topic of discussion.

Dave Corkrum reported that the
chapter is financially healthy and can
afford to make any deposits needed to
ensure reservations prior to the joint
convention.

The chapter offered its biggest
thanks to the Hughes for hosting such
a large group and helping yet another
successful MBSI meeting take place.

Richard Hughes, third from right, plays a Nicole Freres cylinder box from his collec-
tion for the enjoyment of gathered chapter members and guests.

Phil Strauss watches as Chuck Shoppe changes a roll.

A display case full of beer steins, just a few of the hundreds in New members Tara Gauthier and Leon Alevantis talk mechanthe
HughesÕ collection. ical music with Richard Hughes.

Chapter members and guests gathered in several spots
around the house to hear music from a variety of cylinder and
disc boxes arranged among many other antiques.

In the garage, members could look over a Wurlitzer band
organ, a nickelodeon and antique automotive paraphernalia in
addition to RichardÕs antique auto.

50 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2020

National Capital Chapter

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

Oct. 13, 2019 Ð White Marsh, MD

The National Capital Chapter of
MBSI held its fall meeting at the home
of Vince Holter in White Marsh, MD.
There were 21 in attendance including
two new members and two guests.

Our chapter hosted the 2019 MBSI
Annual Meeting Aug. 27-31 at the
Rockville Hilton and everyone felt it
was a major success. Attendance of
204 people exceeded expectations,
and a significant number of attendees
joined us from overseas. At the
meeting, Chapter President Matt Jaro
commented that the annual meeting
was a lot of work, but it was worth it
as he received many letters and cards
thanking him and the chapter for
hosting the meeting. He shared many
of the letters with the group.

Many of those that worked on the
convention received awards for their
contributions. They are:

¥ Ginny and Knowles Little for
arranging themed decorations for
each event as well as a myriad of
other supporting activities;
¥ Sally Craig for serving as bus
captain;
¥ Florie Hirsch for keeping
accounts as the meeting
treasurer;
¥ Joe Orens for running the meeting
mart;
¥ Dick and Cheryl Hack, and Jack
and Mildred Hardman, for hosting
house tours;
¥ Beni Jaro received a special
commendation for hosting as well
as thanks for allowing Matt to
spend as much time working on
the convention as he did;
¥ Gene and Donna Borrelli, and
Rory Lehman earned awards
for helping hands on several
activities;
Vince Holter demonstrates a Grand Roller Organ to Knowles, Nan Herrig, Rory
Lehman, Bob Goldsmith, Joe Orens and Mike Herrig.

Beni and Matt Jaro with a Maple Leaf Rag award for running the 2019 MBSI Annual
Meeting and hosting a tour. Knowles Little stands behind in the middle.

¥ Bob and Nancy Goldsmith served Sally Craig chaired the nominating
as bus coordinators; committee for the election of chapter
¥ And Paul Senger for providing officers for the next two years. The
overall communication recommendations of the nominating
coordination. committee were as follows:

Vince Holter played his Wurlitzer Colonial Jukebox for guests.

Vince and Jack Hardman with the AMI Model A ÒMother of PlasticÓ Juke Box.

Mildred Hardman, Bob Goldsmith
and Joe Orens look on as Vince
Holter demonstrates his Brunswick
Phonograph.

Dick Hack, Vince Holter, Matt Jaro,
Ginny Little, and Beni Jaro enjoy a good
visit before lunch.

Paul Senger, Florie Hirsch, Joe Orens
and Sally Craig enjoy a bite of lunch on
the front porch.

Florie Hirsch, Paul Senger, Mary Jo Dresher, and Ginny Little
relax on the porch after the dayÕs events.

Paul Senger receives an award for overall communications
work for the chapter.

52 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2020

Ginny and Knowles Little show off their gift books for their work on the 2019 MBSI
Annual Meeting.

¥ Chair: Matt Jaro
¥ Co-Vice Chairs: John Wells and
David Burke
¥ Treasurer: Florie Hirsch
¥ Co-Secretaries: Donna and Gene
Borrelli
The proposed slate was approved
unanimously.
Following the meeting, Vince
demonstrated various items from his
extensive collection. It includes a QRS
digital Player Grand, Aeolian 88 Note
Player, Victor Orthophonic Victrola,
four wind up Victrolas, Columbia 78
RPM wind up with silver Morning
Glory Horn, Brunswick Electric
Drive Phono, Small Roller Organ,
Radio Collection, Penny Scale, Rotary
Merchandizer with claw, four juke
boxes (Wurlitzer Simplex, Rock-Ola
1428, Wurlitzer Colonial, AMI Model
A ÒMother of PlasticÓ), and a Model A
Ford.

We thank Vince for hosting the
meeting.

Nancy and Bob Goldsmith show off their award for serving as bus coordinators to
Matt Jaro and Paul Senger.

Sally Craig listens to Florie Hirsch read the treasurerÕs report.

Jack and Mildred Hardman and Nancy and Bob Goldsmith.

January/February 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 53

National Capital Chapter

Editors Note: This report was submitted
prior to the Annual Meeting, but because of
limited space in Mechanical Music Vol. 65 No.
6 November-December 2019, it could not be
included. It is being printed in this issue of the
journal so that it becomes part of the ongoing
archive of MBSI material.

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

Aug. 4, 2019 Ð Fairfax, VA

The National Capital Chapter held
a planning meeting for the Annual
Meeting on Sunday, Aug. 4, at the
house of Bob and Nancy Goldsmith in
Fairfax, VA. There were 24 members
in attendance and one guest.

The National Capital Chapter
is hosting the 2019 MBSI Annual
Meeting which will be held Aug. 27
through Aug. 31 at the Rockville Hilton,
in Rockville, MD. This location
is a short Metro ride to Washington,
DC. The theme of the convention is
ÒIt All Began with Ragtime: American
Popular Music, American Mechanical
Music.Ó

The meeting was primarily held to
finalize the myriad assignments that
go into hosting an event of this size.
As of this writing, the table favors
are complete. The hotel, food, and
meeting room arrangements are also
finalized. Buses have been contracted
for the collection tours. Workshops
have been arranged. There will be lots
of door prizes. The hospitality room
will be well stocked with musical
instruments as well as information on
restaurants and things to do in the DC
area as well as open houses people
can visit on their own. The number
of mart tables booked was more than
expected, necessitating extending
it into a second room. Based on the
registrations received to date, the
convention will be very well attended.

We thank Bob and Nancy for hosting
the meeting.

Steve Kelly, John Ball and Rory Lehman enjoying lunch and a good laugh.

Left to right: Don and Carol Durand, Mildred Hardman, Phyllis Krochmal, Ken
Gordon, guest Gaile Graves (blocked), and Terry Bender are ready for dessert.

Nancy Goldsmith and Donna Borrelli
ready for lunch.

The National Capital Chapter Choir practices for its performance at the annual
meeting.

Alan Genteman, Ginny Little, Nancy Goldsmith and Paul Senger eat lunch and enjoy Paul Senger and Ken Gordon discuss
the nice weather workshop plans.

Matt Jaro, Cheryl Hack, Jan Bender, Jack Hardman and Steve Kelley enjoy dessert Matt Jaro conducts the final planning
in the living room. meeting.

January/February 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 55

Spend the morning at the Paramount theater,
enjoy lunch in the lobby and then take a
tour of some of the best Victorian homes
San Francisco has to offer. For those
adventurous souls, a night tour of a
landmark island known as The Rock
might give you the thrill you seek.
57th Annual Meeting of theAutomatic Musical InstrumentCollectors Association& 71st Annual Meeting of theMusical Box Society InternationalHosted by the AMICA Founding Chapter
and the MBSI Golden Gate Chapter
Pullman Hotel, Redwood City, California
September 2-7, 2020
I Left My Heart in SanFran -cis-co
Spend the morning at the Paramount theater,
enjoy lunch in the lobby and then take a
tour of some of the best Victorian homes
San Francisco has to offer. For those
adventurous souls, a night tour of a
landmark island known as The Rock
might give you the thrill you seek.
57th Annual Meeting of theAutomatic Musical InstrumentCollectors Association& 71st Annual Meeting of theMusical Box Society InternationalHosted by the AMICA Founding Chapter
and the MBSI Golden Gate Chapter
Pullman Hotel, Redwood City, California
September 2-7, 2020
I Left My Heart in SanFran -cis-co

GRAND ROLLER ORGAN
The Biggest and Best of the Cob OrgansÉComes with four 13 .Ó Cobs
GRAND ROLLER ORGAN
The Biggest and Best of the Cob OrgansÉComes with four 13 .Ó Cobs
All original -the cleanest example youÕll findÉReady to crank and enjoy!

Nancy Fratti Music Boxes www.nancyfrattimusicboxes.com

PO Box 400 -Ð Canastota NY 13032 USA 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
WWW.REEDERPIANOS.COM ¥ 517-886-9447
Specializing in the Restora on and Retail of Fine Pianos
Available Reproducing Pianos:
Chickering ¥Marshall & Wendall ¥George Steck
Mason & Hamlin ¥Knabe ¥Aeolian
ÈQRS & AMPICO MUSIC ROLLSÇ
ÒWhere Fine Pianos
Are RebornÓ
Fine Art & Antique Consignments
The highest level of customer service plus private,
professional and confidential transactions.
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 2020

Join us on the Waldkircher Orgelfest Tour in 2020. This first class tour will be conducted at a slow pace to give you
time to enjoy every day of the 14-day program.

The tour will include outstanding collections and the following highlights:

The tour will start with the first overnight in Amsterdam and continue to Haarlem, where we will visit the Stichting
Kunkel Organ Museum. We continue to the historic city of Utrecht to visit the Stadskasteel Oudaen, and have a
private tour of the National Museum van Speelklok tot Pierement. We will also visit the nearby Holland Open Air
Museum (Holland Openluchtmuseum) in Arnhem. Our next destination is

Cologne, where we will take a scenic Rhine River cruise and enjoy a concert in
the famous Cologne Cathedral. We will spend 2 days in Ruedesheim and explore
Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum. We will visit the medieval village of
Rothenburg/Tauber and then continue to Speyer, with visits of the Wilhelmsbau,
the Technic Museum, and the German Museum of Mechanical Musical
Instruments (Deutsches Musikautomaten -Museum) in the Bruchsal Baroque
Palace. The highlight will be the 13th International Waldkircher Orgelfest for 3
days with visits of the JŠger & Brommer Organ Factory and the Elztal Museum in
the 18th century Baroque mansion. At the end of the tour we will explore
Triberg and the Schwarzwald Museum, and ride a historical steam railway.
First class hotels and deluxe bus transportation throughout the tour are guaranteed.
A tour escort with 35 years of worldwide travel experience will make sure you can enjoy an unforgettable tour.

For further information please contact:
Narrow Gauge Paradise Ð John Rogers -Musical Instrument Tours Dept.

P.O.Box 130807, Tampa, Florida 33681-0807
Tel: (001) 813 831 0357, Email: NGPAmerica@aol.com, Web: www.lgbtours.com
The Musical Box Society of Great Britain announces the publication of two new books
Published in September 2018
100pp Hard Back ISO A4 format [8.27Ó . 11.70Ó; Profusely illustrated in

Supplement to

colour throughout with Additional Illustrations of Models, 89 Additional Lid
The Disc Musical Box Pictures Additions to Lists of Models, Patents, Tune Lists & Serial Numbers;
Combined Index of Images in the original book and its Supplement.

Compiled and Edited by
Kevin McElhone

Originally published in 2012 and still available The Disc Musical Box

ISBN 978-0-9557869-6-9

is a compendium of information about Disc Musical Boxes, their Makers and
their Music; profusely illustrated in colour throughout with Illustrations of
each Disk Musical Box Model, and with Catalogue Scans, Lists of Models,
Patents & Tune Lists.

Supplement to
The Organette Book
Compiled and Edited by
Kevin McElhone
ISBN 978-0-9557869-5-2
100pp Hard Back ISO A4 format [8.27Ó . 11.70Ó; Profusely illustrated in
colour throughout;Additional Illustrations of Models; Additions to Lists of
Patents, Tune Lists & Tuning Scales; A New Section on Trade Cards;
Combined Index of Images in the original book and its Supplement.
The Organette Book is a compendium of information about Organettes,
their Makers and their Music. Originally published in 2000 but now out of
print although second-hand copies are occasionally available in online
auctions.
************************************************************************************************************************
For all MBSGB Publications, please refer to the Musical Box Society of Great Britain website for further details including latest
availability, discounted prices and information on how to order. -www.mbsgb.org.uk

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
E-mail Ð stevenEstanton@gmail.com
Michael C. Bleisch
(517) 231-0868 cellular
E-mail Ð mcbleisch@gmail.com
A Fantastic Auction
THE NICK MONIOS COLLECTION
To be held in the Barry Expo Center, on the Barry County Fairgrounds at 1350 N. M-37
Highway, Hastings, Michigan – go 4-1/2 miles northwest of Hastings M-37 to the sale site or
approx. 20 miles southeast of Grand Rapids on Beltline/M-37 to the auction location on:
Thursday, Friday & Saturday,
March 5, 6 & 7, 2020
For years Nick Monios collected with a mission and desire to assemble a high-end group
of Phonographs, Radios, Records, Music Boxes and related items of all types. He was a
perfectionist having the desire that his machines, and the items in his collection, were in the
condition that they were when they left the factory. Nick Monios
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
E-mail Ð stevenEstanton@gmail.com
Michael C. Bleisch
(517) 231-0868 cellular
E-mail Ð mcbleisch@gmail.com
A Fantastic Auction
THE NICK MONIOS COLLECTION
To be held in the Barry Expo Center, on the Barry County Fairgrounds at 1350 N. M-37
Highway, Hastings, Michigan – go 4-1/2 miles northwest of Hastings M-37 to the sale site or
approx. 20 miles southeast of Grand Rapids on Beltline/M-37 to the auction location on:
Thursday, Friday & Saturday,
March 5, 6 & 7, 2020
For years Nick Monios collected with a mission and desire to assemble a high-end group
of Phonographs, Radios, Records, Music Boxes and related items of all types. He was a
perfectionist having the desire that his machines, and the items in his collection, were in the
condition that they were when they left the factory. Nick Monios

AUCTIONEERS & REALTORSSTANTONÕSTHE NICK MONIOS COLLECTION
This collection is phenomenal. We have just begun cataloging and photographing, and we
are amazed at what we are finding. Here is a sampling;
A complete set of Vogue Picture Records including the rare examples. 20+ Spartan and various
mirrored front radios including the Rarest of All ÒThe Spartan NocturneÓ Zenith Stratosphere
radio with its mascot the Zenith Stratosphere Cat statue 250; Radios including the rare Novelty
radios ranging from the Disney examples, to Lone Rangers, Charlie McCarthyÕs, on & on. Sonora
Supreme phonograph with matching record cabinet; Victor VV-VTLA (XX) w/gold trim Victor
Circassian and American Walnut examples; 9 or 10 Lamp Phonographs Ð all varieties; Three
Regina Automatic Changer music boxes Ð Oak, Walnut & Mahogany; Reginaphone 20-3/4Ó w/
matching base cabinet; Miraphone Console Music Machine; Birdcages, Whistlers, Roller Organs,
Phonograph Doll, Signage; Victor VI with a fantastic Salter base cabinet; Victor V MAHOGANY
phonograph w/mahogany spear tip horn; Columbia Coin Operated Phonograph; Mutoscope;
MillÕs Coin Op. Peep Show; Catalin Radios; Bottle Radios; 100 prints, pictures and frames, Regina
Hexaphone; Mills Automatic Phonograph; Rare Edison B450 walnut Diamond Disc; Rare Edison
B80 fancy Diamond Disc; Victor VV-XVI Vernis Martin Floor Model machine; Zon-o-phones, A
great collection of toys; Salter, Herzog and various cabinetry; 3 Fantastic Keen-o-phone floor
model phonographs; Musical Automaton; Columbia Grand Piano Phonograph; Rare Nazi Table
Radio; On and On, the list is endless and incredible
Call us early to receive a complimentary catalog of this upcoming auction.
Steven E. Stanton
(517) 331-8150 cellular
E-mail Ð stevenEstanton@gmail.com
Michael C. Bleisch
(517) 231-0868 cellular
E-mail Ð mcbleisch@gmail.com
AUCTIONEERS & REALTORSSTANTONÕSTHE NICK MONIOS COLLECTION
This collection is phenomenal. We have just begun cataloging and photographing, and we
are amazed at what we are finding. Here is a sampling;
A complete set of Vogue Picture Records including the rare examples. 20+ Spartan and various
mirrored front radios including the Rarest of All ÒThe Spartan NocturneÓ Zenith Stratosphere
radio with its mascot the Zenith Stratosphere Cat statue 250; Radios including the rare Novelty
radios ranging from the Disney examples, to Lone Rangers, Charlie McCarthyÕs, on & on. Sonora
Supreme phonograph with matching record cabinet; Victor VV-VTLA (XX) w/gold trim Victor
Circassian and American Walnut examples; 9 or 10 Lamp Phonographs Ð all varieties; Three
Regina Automatic Changer music boxes Ð Oak, Walnut & Mahogany; Reginaphone 20-3/4Ó w/
matching base cabinet; Miraphone Console Music Machine; Birdcages, Whistlers, Roller Organs,
Phonograph Doll, Signage; Victor VI with a fantastic Salter base cabinet; Victor V MAHOGANY
phonograph w/mahogany spear tip horn; Columbia Coin Operated Phonograph; Mutoscope;
MillÕs Coin Op. Peep Show; Catalin Radios; Bottle Radios; 100 prints, pictures and frames, Regina
Hexaphone; Mills Automatic Phonograph; Rare Edison B450 walnut Diamond Disc; Rare Edison
B80 fancy Diamond Disc; Victor VV-XVI Vernis Martin Floor Model machine; Zon-o-phones, A
great collection of toys; Salter, Herzog and various cabinetry; 3 Fantastic Keen-o-phone floor
model phonographs; Musical Automaton; Columbia Grand Piano Phonograph; Rare Nazi Table
Radio; On and On, the list is endless and incredible
Call us early to receive a complimentary catalog of this upcoming auction.
Steven E. Stanton
(517) 331-8150 cellular
E-mail Ð stevenEstanton@gmail.com
Michael C. Bleisch
(517) 231-0868 cellular
E-mail Ð mcbleisch@gmail.com

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

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

STREET/MONKEY ORGAN 20-note Hofbauer
w/carriage. $5,000 OBO. Interchangeable
cylinder carved oak music box with matching
table. 44-inches. Three 9×2.5-inch cylinders,

SUBMIT ADS TO:

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

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.

both with storage compartment. $6,000.
OBO Contact: SANDY CRANFILL AND STEVE
BARNES, thesteve4@yahoo.com Phone:
(504) 319-8134

MARVELS OF MECHANICAL MUSIC -MBSI
Video. Fascinating and beautifully-made
film which explains the origins of automatic
musical instruments, how they are collected
and preserved today, and their historic
importance, MBSI members and collections
are featured. $20 USD. Free shipping in the
continental U.S. Additional postage charges
apply for other locations. Purchase now at
www.mbsi.org

WANTED
LOOKING TO BUY Grand Roller Organ
32-note cobs. Contact: DAVID COSMO, 845224-
6355, dave@cprdave.com

WURLITZER PIANINO late style with pipes
and xylophone. Also wanting APP changer
rolls. Marches and old favorites. Contact:
DON KROENLEIN, fbac@one-eleven.net

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.

62 MECHANICAL MUSIC January/February 2020

WANTED TO BUY Coin-operated arcade-
style working models or coin-operated
automata. Please Contact PETER WALKER,
at peterswalker@sky.com

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.

40 + 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

Add a photo to your ad!

You know the old saying, ÒA photo is worth 1,000 words!Ó Well, itÕs only $30
per issue to add a photo to your classified advertisement in the Mart. ThatÕs a
lot less than 1,000 words would cost. A photo makes your ad stand out on the
page and quickly draws a readerÕs interest in the item. Email your advertisement
with photo to editor@mbsi.org or call (253) 228-1634 for more details.

Have you tried the MBSI online classifieds? ItÕs quick and easy to place your
ad. Pay with Paypal and see your ad on the website AND in the journal. Go to
www.mbsi.org and click on the Classifieds link to get started today.

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
Mechanical
Music
DiRecTORY
MeMBeRs,
MuseuMs,
& DealeRs
2018 2019
Extra Copies only $10
Call (417) 886-8839
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
56 Golden Gate Chapter/AMICA
57 Nancy Fratti Music Boxes
58 BenÕs Player Piano Service
58 Cottone Auctions
58 Reeder Pianos
58 Bob Caletti – Music Box
Restorations
59 Musical Box Society of Great
Britain
59 Waldkircher Orgelfest Tours
60 StantonÕs Auctioneers & Realtors
61 StantonÕs Auctioneers & Realtors
67 Marty Persky
68 Auction Team Breker

January/February 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 63

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

OFFICERS
President

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

Vice President

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

Recording Secretary

Linda Birkitt
PO Box 541
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92693
scarletpimpernel28@yahoo.com

Treasurer

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

TRUSTEES

Bob Caletti
Ed Cooley
Sally Craig
Wayne Finger
Matt Jaro
Tom Kuehn
Mary Ellen Myers
Clay Witt

MBSI FUNDS

COMMITTEES
Audit

Edward Cooley, Chair, Trustee

G.Wayne Finger, Trustee
Matt Jaro, Trustee
Endowment Committee

Edward Kozak, Treasurer, Chair
Edward Cooley, Trustee

G.Wayne Finger, Trustee
B Bronson
Wayne Wolf
Executive Committee

Tom Kuehn, Chair, President
David Corkrum, Vice President
Clay Witt, Immediate Past Pres.
Sally Craig, Trustee

G.Wayne Finger, Trustee
Finance Committee

Edward Kozak, Chair, Treasurer
Wayne Wolf, Vice Chair
David Corkrum, Vice President
Edward Cooley, Trustee
Peter Both

Marketing Committee

Bob Smith, Chair

G.Wayne Finger, Trustee
Judy Caletti
Meetings Committee

Matt Jaro, Chair, Trustee
Judy Caletti
Tom Chase
Cotton Morlock
Mary Pollock
Rich Poppe

Membership Committee

Chair, TBD
Mary Ellen Myers, Trustee,

Southeast
Linda Birkitt, Southern California
Gary Goldsmith, Snowbelt
Christine Hopwood, Golden Gate
Julie Morlock, Southeast
Rob Pollock, Mid-America
Dan Wilson, Piedmont
Gerald Yorioka, Northwest IntÕl
TBD, East Coast
TBD, Great Lakes
TBD, National Capital
TBD, Sunbelt

Museum Committee

Sally Craig, Chair, Trustee
Glenn Crater, National Capital
Ken Envall, Southern California
Julian Grace, Sunbelt
Richard Simpson, East Coast

Museum Sub-Committees

Ohio Operations
Emery Prior

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES
Publications Back Issues:

Jacque Beeman

Regina Certificates:

B Bronson

MBSI Pins and Seals:

Jacque Beeman

Librarian:

Jerry Maler

Historian:

Bob Yates

Nominating Committee

Dan Wilson, Chair
Clay Witt, Immediate Past Pres.
Bob Caletti, Golden Gate, Trustee
Sally Craig, National Capital,

Trustee
Judy Miller, Southeast
Dale Tyvand, Northwest IntÕl
Bill Wineburgh, East Coast

Publications Committee

Bob Caletti, Chair, Trustee
Steve Boehck
Dave Corkrum, Vice President
Christian Eric
Kathleen Eric
Terry Smythe

Publications
Sub-Committee

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

Special Exhibits Committee

Chair Mary Ellen Myers, Trustee,

Southeast,
David Corkrum, Golden Gate
Robert Ebert, Mid-America
Jack Hostetler, Southeast
Judy Miller, Piedmont
Wayne Myers, Southeast
Rick Swaney, Northwest IntÕl

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 January/February 2020

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Date Event Location Sponsor
Apr. 26, 2020 Snowbelt Chapter Meeting Gaylord, MN Lawrence & Phyllis Crawford
Jun. 6-8, 2020 Second Annual Global Piano Roll meeting Switzerland
Jun. 19-21, 2020 13th Annual International Waldkirch Organ Festival Waldkirch, Germany John Rogers
Sept. 2-7, 2020 MBSI Annual Meeting – Joint with AMICA Redwood City, CA Golden Gate Chapter

When will your chapter be meeting next?
Send in your information by Feb. 1, 2020 for the March/April issue.

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: Elise Low
(203) 457-9888
Dues $10 to Geoffrey Wilson
804 Appleton Way
Whippany, NJ 07981

Golden Gate

Chair: Christine Hopwood
chris@hopwood.com
Dues $5 to Dave Corkrum
5826 Roberts Ave.
Oakland, CA 94605

Lake Michigan

Chair: Aaron Muller
(847) 962-2330
Dues $5 to James Huffer
7930 N. Kildare
Skokie, Illinois 60076

Mid-America

Chair: Rob Pollock
(937) 508-4984
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: Rick Swaney
(425) 836-3586
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

Snowbelt

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

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

Southeast

Chair: Jack Hostetler
(352) 633-1942
Dues $5 to Clay Witt
820 Del Rio Way Unit 203
Merritt Island, FL 32953

Southern California

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

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

Sunbelt

Chair: Ray Dickey
(713) 467-0349
Dues $10 to Diane Caudill
4585 Felder Road
Washington, TX 77880

Copyright 2020 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 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 65

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
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 $247
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
Non-members pay a 10% surcharge on the above rates
Display Discounts shown above are calculated as follows:
3 consecutive ads 10% Discount
6 consecutive ads 15% Discount
FULL PAGE
8.75Ó X 11.25Ó
(0.5Ó bleed)
7.25Ó x 9.75Ó
(live area)
PRODUCTION SCHEDULE
ISSUE NAME ADS DUE DELIVERED ON
January/February December 1 January 1
March/April February 1 March 1
May/June April 1 May 1
July/August June 1 July 1
September/October August 1 September 1
November/December October 1 November 1
Mechanical Music is printed on 70 lb gloss
paper, with a 100 lb gloss cover, saddle-
stitched. Trim size is 8.25Ó x 10.75Ó.
Artwork is accepted in the following formats:
PDF, PSD, AI, EPS, TIF. All images
and colors should be CMYK or Grayscale
and all fonts should be embedded or
converted to outlines. Images should be a
minimum of 300 dpi resolution.
Email fi les to:
mbsi@irondogmedia.com
USPS or Fed Ex to:
Iron Dog Media, LLC
130 Coral Court
Pismo Beach, CA 93449
Mechanical Music is mailed to more
than 1,500 members of the Musical
Box Society International six (6) times
per year.
PRINTING & ARTWORK SPECIFICATIONS
CIRCULATION
ALL ADS MUST
BE PREPAID
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

MARTY PERSKY

Instrument Brokering & Locating / Appraisals / Inspections / Free Consultation

Welte 4 Concert Ruth 38 Popper Felix
Mortier 84 key CafŽ Hupfeld Helios II/25 PianOrchestra 33 Violina Orchestra

Northern California
Instrument
Bow Front Violano Niemuth 45-Key Bacigalupo Original Seeburg KT Special $14,000

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

T: 847-675-6144 Email: Marty@Mechmusic.com

Nicole Frres Musical Box with Bells and
Chinoiserie Automata, c. 1885
Sold: 11.300  / $ 12.880
Station Musical Box Chalet by
Mermod Frres, c. 1900
Sold: 27.700  / $ 31.580
Very Rare Symphonion
ÒNon Plus UltraÓ Disc-Changing
Musical Box, c. 1900
Sold: 44.070  / $ 51.560
Silver-Gilt and Enamel Singing Bird
Box by Charles Bruguier, c. 1845
Sold: 32.740  / $ 37.300
Monkey Fisherman
Automaton by
Jean Phalibois, c. 1885
Sold: 11.300  / $ 12.850
Exceptional Gold Musical Presentation Snuffbox, c. 1810
Sold: 17.600  / $ 20.050 Rare Curved Musical Gold Snuffbox
(18 Karat), c. 1812
Sold: 25.180  / $ 28.700
Superb Gold and Enamel Musical
Harp Pendant, c. 1805
Sold: 36.500  / $ 41.600
Twin-Disc Symphonion
Model 25D, c. 1905
Sold: 18.900  / $ 21.500
Symphonion
Eroica Model 38A
Triple-Disc Musical
Hall Clock, c. 1895
Sold: 62.900  /
$ 71.700
Harmonipan Barrel
Organ by Sabas Hock
Sšhne, Edenkoben,
Rheinland-Pfalz
Sold: 8.420  / $ 9,430
ÝÝMechanical Music
& AutomataÜÜ
WorldÕs Leading Specialty Auction of
Closing date for entries: 28 February 2020
Ð Illustrated are just a few of our highlights from last sales in 2018 and 2019 Ð
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 highlights and videos, visit www.Breker.com/New Highlights
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 The Specialists in ÈTechnical AntiquesÇ 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: Maksim Suravegin, Tel. +7 903 558 02 50 * Maksim-ATB.ru@gmx.net
Consignments are invited for our new
Specialty Auction on 16 May 2020
Rare Five-Revolution
Grand Format
Variations Musical Box
by Nicole Frres, c. 1862
Sold: 41.560  / $ 46,550
Silver-gilt and Enamel
Singing Bird Box
by Charles Bruguier, c. 1840
Sold: 25.200  / $ 28,200