Volume 66, No. 2 March/April 2020

Mechanical Music

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

Volume 66, No. 2 March/April 2020

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Editor/Publisher

Russell Kasselman

(253) 228-1634

editor@mbsi.org

MBSI Editorial Office:

Iron Dog Media

130 Coral Court

Pismo Beach, CA 93449

editor@mbsi.org

Publications Chair

Bob Caletti

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 The article will not be published with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

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

Copyright 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

Mechanical Music

Journal of the Musical Box Society International

Devoted to All Automatic Musical Instruments

Volume 66, No. 2 March/April 2020

MBSI NEWS

5 PresidentÕs Message
7 EditorÕs Notes
47 In Memoriam

Features

9 AutomataCon 2020
11 Nickel Notes
by Matt Jaro
19 Techniques for working
with a Regina Changer
23 Sacred Music on

cylinder boxes
28 Interesting Tidbits
30 A tour of mechanical

music across the pond

Chapter Reports

32 Sunbelt
34 Southern California
37 East Coast
41 National Capital
44 Southeast

MBSI has replanted 86 trees so far as part
of the Print ReLeaf program.

On the Cover
This photo captures Jasper San-
filippoÕs vision for his collection.
Columns and capitals offer visitors
a dramatic view as they enter
to enjoy the music and machines
he so enjoyed and enjoyed sharing
with others.
Photograph by Leslie Schwartz.
An In Memoriam tribute to Jasper
by Marty Persky is on Page 47.
Each One
Reach One
New Member
March/April 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 March/April 2020

By Tom Kuehn

MBSI President

It was with great sadness that I
learned of the passing of Jasper B.
Sanfilippo on Jan. 28. Jasper was
a larger than life individual whose
passion for mechanical music seemed
boundless. Those who visited the
Sanfilippo collection were overwhelmed
by the scope and breadth
of the instruments, their meticulous
restoration and expert presentation.
The Sanfilippo collection has been
the focus of several MBSI annual
meetings held in Chicago, IL. Jasper
and Marion were founding members
of the Lake Michigan Chapter and
hosted many chapter events over the
years. They received the MBSI Roehl
Ambassador Award in 2002 for their
generosity in sharing their passion.
Additional reminiscences are contained
in this issue on pages 47-48. For
those who wish to watch a narrated
slide show that covers the history of
the Sanfilippo estate and collection,
I recommend viewing the workshop
video presented by Marty Persky at
the 2018 annual meeting in Detroit
available in the members only section
of the MBSI website, www.mbsi.org.

Winter seems to be a slow time of
year for chapter activities. Perhaps we
are recovering from the holidays. The
next meeting of the MBSI Trustees is
scheduled for March 13 in Santa Ana,
CA. The Trustees meet twice each
year, once at the annual meeting and
once approximately midway between
them called the mid-year meeting to Tom and Hongyan Kuehn riding the carousel at the SanfilippoÕs during an event.

review committee reports and conduct
society business. The minutes
of the meeting will be published in
a forthcoming issue of Mechanical
Music. The Southern California Chapter
is serving as the local host this time
and is planning some fun activities.

At present, here in the frozen
northland of Minnesota, I am looking
forward to spring. I hope you enjoy
reading the articles in this issue, perhaps
near a warm fireplace.

Have a suggestion?

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

.
.
..
¨.
(INTERNATIONAL)
ORGANIZED IN 1949
DEVOTED TO ALL MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
.
.
..
¨.
(INTERNATIONAL)
ORGANIZED IN 1949
DEVOTED TO ALL MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Musical Box Society International
P.O. Box 10196
Springeld, MO 65808-0196
Phone/Fax: (417) 886-8839
Musical Box Society International
P.O. Box 10196
Springeld, MO 65808-0196
Phone/Fax: (417) 886-8839
MBSI MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
EACH ONE/REACH ONE NEW MEMBER
MBSI is 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.
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
Sponsor
Address, City, State, ZIP
Phone Email
Please mail this form together with your check made payable to ÒMBSIÓ to the MBSI Administrator at the address listed
above. Memberships are $45 for U.S. residents, $55 for Canadian residents, and $60 for other International residents.
SPECIAL OFFER: Purchase one or more rst-year MBSI gift
memberships at $45 each U.S., $55 Canadian, or $60 other Interna-
tional and you will receive $5 off your next year’s MBSI membership
renewal for each “New Member” gift.
.
.
..
¨.
(INTERNATIONAL)
ORGANIZED IN 1949
DEVOTED TO ALL MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
.
.
..
¨.
(INTERNATIONAL)
ORGANIZED IN 1949
DEVOTED TO ALL MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Musical Box Society International
P.O. Box 10196
Springeld, MO 65808-0196
Phone/Fax: (417) 886-8839
Musical Box Society International
P.O. Box 10196
Springeld, MO 65808-0196
Phone/Fax: (417) 886-8839
MBSI MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
EACH ONE/REACH ONE NEW MEMBER
MBSI is 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.
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
Sponsor
Address, City, State, ZIP
Phone Email
Please mail this form together with your check made payable to ÒMBSIÓ to the MBSI Administrator at the address listed
above. Memberships are $45 for U.S. residents, $55 for Canadian residents, and $60 for other International residents.
SPECIAL OFFER: Purchase one or more rst-year MBSI gift
memberships at $45 each U.S., $55 Canadian, or $60 other Interna-
tional and you will receive $5 off your next year’s MBSI membership
renewal for each “New Member” gift.

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

Lately a good number of people
have been contacting MBSI through
the website using our online form to
ask a wide variety of questions. Most
questions have to do with how to
identify a music box, where to get a
box serviced, or repaired, or where
to sell one. Our stalwart web secretary,
Knowles Little, fields all these
questions and responds to a great
many. I canÕt thank him enough for
this service as his responses usually
focus on encouraging people to keep
boxes they might otherwise sell, and
he usually has good advice in terms of
helping folks find places to get boxes
serviced or identified.

Knowles often forwards questions
to our administrator, Jacque Beeman,
or to me when it pertains to something
we might need to assist him with.

The most recent question I received
from Knowles was about renewing a
membership online. It seems some
people could not find the membership
renewal button on the homepage.
They only saw buttons for new members
to join.

First, the reason people canÕt find
a membership renewal button on the
homepage is because there isnÕt one
there. This is intentional. The website
first needs to know who you are, or
more specifically what your membership
id number is, so that it can renew
your specific membership and not
anyone elseÕs. Therefore, itÕs a requirement
that you log into the website
before you renew your membership.
When you log in, the first screen you
are taken to is the members-only section
screen, and right there is a button
offering membership renewal. Click it
and you are on your way.

Doing some more thinking on this,
MBSI President Tom Kuehn suggested
it might be helpful to put a Òrenew
membershipÓ button on the front page
(which we will do in the near future)
and simply make that button take

people who click it to the membership
login screen. Then, once they are
logged in, the renewal becomes much
easier from that point. So, if youÕve
ever struggled to find the right way
to renew your membership on www.
mbsi.org, I certainly hope this makes
it easier in the future.

Website Subcommittee Chair Rick
Swaney recently did some research
regarding how we might provide a
translation service for people who are
interested in reading MBSIÕs content
in another language. Rick was able to
find, and successfully install, a plugin
on our website that does the job quite
well. The plugin uses the Google translation
services and it does a fair job of
converting English into the language
you select.

Look for the button in the upper,
right-hand corner of the website. It is
a white box containing the name of
the language you are currently reading
in with a flag to provide an additional
visual cue. Languages, other than
English, that are available are French,
German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese,
Russian and Spanish. The first
thing you might notice when switching
to another language is a quick flash of
text in English and then the translated
content appears. This is not a glitch. It
is simply a function of the website letting
all the text load first in English so
it knows what it has to translate, and
then the translation is done in a flash
and the language you selected should
appear. Slow internet connections
will make this delay slightly longer,
but it shouldnÕt be more than a couple
seconds each time.

If you happen to be fluent in any
of these languages, please take a few
minutes and poke around. I would
love to know what you think of the
new feature. Oh, and Knowles, I hope
youÕre brushing up on your language
skills because you may soon be receiving
questions about music boxes in
more than just English!

My last note about the website has
to do with the online classified form.

Simply put, it isnÕt working right now.
The form was designed with a complex
set of calculations that would count
the number of regular words versus
bold and uppercase words submitted,
plus any photos added and then figure
out discounts for multi-issue advertising
placements and finally spit out a
total price. Well, letÕs just say the calculations
need a bit of adjustment and
the form needs a little upgrade. This is
in progress now and the online form
should be back in operation sometime
this year.

Until that time, if you have a classified
advertisement you want to place
in The Mart section of the journal,
please feel free to simply email it to me
or snail mail it to me (both addresses
are above). IÕll get you a quote for the
ad price and get it placed both on the
website and in the journal.

For those placing classifieds, I
provide this note of caution sent in
by Southeast Chapter member Steve
Barnes, who recently faced a pair of
scammers trying to steal his money
when responding to his ad. Steve says:

ÒThey emailed and asked if the item
was still available. Then they asked
the price and said they were OK with
it (full asking price even though the
ad said OBO). They said they would
send me payment. One person sent a
fake money order and the other sent a
fake company check. Each time, they
included funds to pay a shipper who
would pick up the item. They wanted
me to deposit the money in my bank
and then they said I should refund
them any money over and above the
shipping cost. One wanted me to send
a money order and the other wanted
it via Walmart or Western Union.
One said the overage was $3,400 and
the other said it was $1,850 over the

March/April 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 7

price of the box and shipping. They
started get pushy about getting the
overage sent out, hoping that my bank
would not have time to notify me the
money order or check was bad.

ÒI reported both these fraud
attempts to the Federal Trade Commission
and the United States Postal
Service as both people sent payment
via USPS Priority Mail. I have heard
nothing from either agency about the
investigations.

ÒI ask others to please be aware of
this scam method. NEVER deposit
any funds from an unknown person,
and especially if is an overpayment
of what you were asking. You will be
out the money you send them plus a
non-sufficient funds fee from your
bank when the payment is revealed
to be a fraud. Note that the scammers
always want you to send non-cancellable
funds where you can never
verify the recipient.

ÒOne guy even threatened to report
me to the police for stealing his money
as I refused to send the overage, even
though I had already called the company
the check was written from and
was informed they were aware of the
scam. Seller beware.Ó

Now, on to some other business. In
our last issue, the word ÒProvenance,Ó
which means the origin, or source, or
the history of ownership of a valued
object or work of art or literature, was
misspelled by me in a headline for
the article by Ken Gordon about his
Swiss cylinder music box. I actually
wrote the word ÒProvence,Ó which is

a geographical region and historical
province of southeastern France.
Spellcheck was quite useless in this
case since Provence is a real word and
it is uppercased, so, rightly, spellcheck
completely ignored it.

My most sincere apologies to Ken
for this oversight and my thanks to
proofreader Bob Smith who pointed
out the error after receiving his copy
of the journal in the mail. Sometimes, I
think you just look at a word too many
times and donÕt see the error staring
you right in the a face until itÕs too
late. Ah, well, live and learn and go on
working to get better each new day.

I hope you enjoy the package of
material prepared for you in this issue.
We have an excellent five-part series
on Sacred Music by David Worrall
starting in this issue. David spent
many hours poring over the Register of
Cylinder Music Boxes, that is curated
by Arthur Cunliffe, to get to the heart
of how and why so many Christian
hymns were pinned on so many music
boxes through the years.

Jamie Brewer presents us with
some techniques on repairing a Regina
Changer that was having trouble
playing discs. He encourages others to
share their techniques as well, which
is a sentiment I heartily agree with.
Passing on knowledge about mechanical
music is what this society is about,
so please heed JamieÕs call and send
in your repair, maintenance and restoration
techniques so we can all learn
and grow in our understanding and
enjoyment of the hobby.

Speaking of enjoying the hobby, two

articles in this issue cover experiences
that should get your juices flowing.
First is AutomataCon, a convention
focused on lovers and collectors of
automata. Details are on the next
page for anyone interested. Second
is a tour through Europe focused on
mechanical music museums and a
visit to the Waldkirch Organ Festival
happening in Germany in June. The
tour is organized once every three
years and looks to be a well-rounded
induction into the mechanical music
world of Europe. Details on Page 30
for anyone interested.

Matt Jaro provides us an excellent
profile of Terry Smythe and his years
of collecting as well as his passion for
preserving the history of mechanical
music. Terry had one of the largest
collections of mechanical music in
Canada at one time and he is doing
yeomanÕs work in the field of building
historical research databases for us all
to use for years to come. The article is
definitely worth a read.

We also have chapter reports from
the East Coast, Southeast, Southern
California, Sunbelt, and National Capital
chapters to enjoy.

It is absolutely wonderful to be
receiving articles from so many
diverse sources. Please keep sending
your stories for our column called
ÒThe HuntÓ about finding a particular
or unusual piece in your collection.

A wide variety of voices makes for
a far more interesting and engaging
journal and it is always an enjoyable
experience for me to talk with and
work with each of you.

Welcome new members!
Robert & Christine Schmitz Kelly NewsomeDecember 2019
Sykesville, MD Lexington, NCLori & Kyle Flanders John & Elizabeth Miller Sponsor: Dan Wilson)
Fredericksburg, VA Franklin, WI Rod & Joan Widok
Sponsor: Steven Kelly Inverness, IL
Ken Crampton January 2020 Thomas ThienpontFredericksburg, VA PARIS, FranceJon CarpenterGreg Anglin Gilbert DaytonSpencerville, INScotia, NY Greenville, SC Walter Kehoe Erika Kuehn Stewart ZelmanNew Port Richey, FL Fresno, CA Glenelg, MDAlan BloomSponsor: Thomas Kuehn gift/sp Wilfried DoldPittsford, NY Eric Stott Všhrenbach, Baden-WŸrttemberg, Sponsor: Bill WineburghAlbany, NY Germany

8 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2020

AutomataCon 2020 is coming in May

By Brett King and Steve Ryder

AutomataCon is a convention of
artists, collectors and enthusiasts of
both historical automata and pres-
ent-day kinetic art. A three-day event,
it is being held May 29-31, 2020, at the
Morris Museum in Morristown, NJ,
home of the world-famous Murtogh

D. Guinness Collection of Mechanical
Musical Instruments and Automata.
The goal of the convention is to
gather people to share ideas, build
relationships, and to grow interest in
automata, old and new. The convention
will include a variety of public
and private events, including social
gatherings, museum tours, panel
discussions, live demonstrations,
workshops and presentations. This
will be the third such convention since
our first, held in 2016. AutomataCon
2018 attracted participants from 10
countries.

The event will kick off with a Friday
night opening reception that compels
a strong sense of camaraderie or
even family among the attendees,
as this is the only place where some
of these enthusiasts meet in person,
even though they may have worked
together or known each other for
many years.

The reception is followed by two
days, a cumulative 28 hours, of programs.
This yearÕs presentations will
feature a MakerÕs Mash-Up where
craftspeople share Òshop talkÓ on
tools and techniques, and a Mini
Film Festival, where you may just
recognize your favorite robot or droid!
Sculptor Elizabeth King will speak on
her creative work, and automaton
builder Bradley Litwin, back by popular
demand, will present, ÒWhat Could
Possibly Go Wrong? Ð Part II.Ó There
has always been a strong connection
between automata and magic, so
master illusion builder John Gaughan
will talk on a segment of that history,
and horologist Steven Thompson will
deliver ÒHoudini Conjurors and Mystery
Clocks.Ó

During the convention, the Morris

Brett King and his ÒAetherologistÓ automaton.

Museum will show an exhibition titled
ÒTiny Intricacies,Ó where small-in-size,
imaginatively conceived and intricately
crafted treasures from today
will be seen alongside several 19th
century novelty pieces from the Guinness
Collection. Represented are 13
present-day artists. This show will be
the museumÕs third installment from
a series of such exhibitions, ÒA Cache
of Kinetic Art.Ó At the convention,
Guinness Collection Curator Michele
Marinelli will moderate a kinetic

artistÕs panel from the exhibition.

Attendees of AutomataCon 2020 can
choose during their pre-registration
whether to come to the Friday evening
reception, SaturdayÕs presentations,
SundayÕs programs, or the entire
convention. All activities take place
at the museum. To keep costs down,
there will be no home visits, bus tours
or organized meals. Organizers of the
event hope to Òexpand the tentÓ by
welcoming professionals and newcomers
who may not have heard of

March/April 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 9

AutomataCon before. They encourage any interested party
to attend, and also ask that collectors spread the word to
those they might know who could be interested.

For more information, see the website: www.AutomataCon.
org

The vendor tables are a hit throughout the convention. Here,
artist Al ConquergoodÕs humorous, hand-driven automaton,
ÒWaiting at the Clinic.Ó

An Android Clarinetist, c.1838, courtesy of John Gaughan, seemingly accompanies a musical box and a musical clock at
AutomataCon 2018.

10 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2020

Nickel Notes

By Matthew Jaro

In the last issue of Mechanical
Music, (Vol 66. No. 1) Terry Smythe
authored an article entitled ÒPreserving
the Past: Archiving and Research.Ó
It is his most recent contribution to the
field of mechanical music following on
the heels of a lifetime of participation
and I thought it would be appropriate
to honor Terry by telling his story in
this edition of Nickel Notes.

Among other great achievements,
Terry was a long-term editor of
the AMICA Bulletin, the journal of
the Automatic Musical Instrument
CollectorsÕ Association, serving from
2009 to 2014. Terry took over from
Mike Kukral in September 2009. The
first issue under his editorship was
printed entirely in black and white.
Terry didnÕt realize at the time that
the printer had been providing digital

Terry Smythe

publishing layout services for each
issue, so he asked the printer what
software he should use to make the
layout. The printer suggested Quark-
Express. Terry purchased a copy of
the software and set about bravely
climbing the steep learning curve
to produce a magazine layout and
deliver it to the printer ready to put on
the press. TerryÕs effort saved enough
money on printing costs that AMICA
was gradually able to print more and
more pages of its bulletin in color.
TerryÕs last few issues as editor were
printed entirely in color.

TerryÕs involvement in AMICA
and MBSI goes back a long way. For
instance, in 1974, Terry submitted a
list of questions to AMICA members
regarding the associationÕs collection
of instruments. These included asking
why a Cremona 3 was playing very
weakly, how to fix a Seeburg KT not
rewinding properly, and what was
needed to convert an electronic organ
into a player organ. He also asked
about the availability of single tune
classical or medley Violano rolls,
and made an appeal for someone to
develop a method of capturing the
content of music rolls on a computer.
He inquired, as well, about what it
would take to insure AMICAÕs collection.
Harvey Roehl was one to answer
TerryÕs question about the Seeburg
KT rewind mechanism and through
the back and forth of correspondence
many people in AMICA learned many
things about automatic music. Terry
was eventually able to get the associationÕs
collection insured which, IÕm
sure, was a relief to all who had made
contributions to the collection.

AMICA Bulletin editors

¥ Glenn Thomas: 2014-present
¥ Terry Smythe: 2009-2014
¥ Mike Kukral: 2003-2014. MikeÕs
first issue was September, 2003.
¥ Robin Pratt: 1989-2003. Robin
would enclose separately
printed reproduction brochures,
catalogs, papers, photographs,
etc., from within his own personal
collection, enclosed
within the AMICA Bulletin.
¥ Ed Ward: 1987-1989
¥ Dorothy Bromage: 1980-1987
¥ Tom Beckett: 1975-1980. When
Tom took over, all text for the
bulletin was typewritten.
¥ Ginny Billings: 1970-1975.
When Ginny took over, the bulletin
was either mimeographed
or Xeroxed.
¥ Jim Elfers (and others):
pre-1970.
Biography

Terry was born in the mining town
of Flin Flon, Manitoba, in 1931. The
population in the last census was
5,592. The townÕs name is taken from
the lead character in a paperback
novel, ÒThe Sunless CityÓ by J. E.
Preston Muddock. In the story, Josiah
Flintabbatey Flonatin pilots a submarine
through a bottomless lake where
he passes into a strange underground
world through a hole lined with gold
(according to the Wikipedia.org
website). The real town of Flin Flon
is located nine-hours from Winnipeg,
Manitoba, driving almost due north.

March/April 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 11

Copper, zinc and gold were mined
there, and TerryÕs father was involved
with the mining operations. The town
was completely built on bedrock and,
consequently, residents only had outdoor
plumbing. Fortunately for Terry,
his father joined the Royal Canadian
Mounted Police (RCMP) and the family
moved to Winnipeg when Terry was
still an infant.

Terry spent 15 years in the Royal
Canadian Air Force and moved 19
times in 15 years. He then enrolled at
the University of Manitoba and earned
a degree in business administration.
He and Eleanor have been married
38 years. Within their blended family,
Terry has three sons, and Eleanor two
daughters. Their grandchildren are
wonderfully too numerous to mention,
says Terry.

Terry went into the insurance
industry in 1965, and in 1971 he was
recruited by the Manitoba government
as one of four persons to start
an $80 million insurance company
to insure 100 percent of the vehicles
in Manitoba. Policies had to be completely
issued within five months. The
other three people in the group took
responsibility for insuring passenger
cars while Terry handled all other
types of vehicles. It must have been a
monumental job insuring 100 percent
of the vehicles in the days of punched
card databases and rolodexes!

After 10 years, Terry became general
manager of the Manitoba Taxicab
Board which licenses and regulates all
taxicabs, his last job before slipping
into retirement.

Mechanical Music

So, how did Terry get interested in
mechanical music? In the mid 1960s,
he went to a party at a friendÕs house
and experienced a player-piano for
the first time. He loved it so much
that he resolved to immediately get
one. He visited a man who had two
players and Terry bought himself
a 1912 New Scale Williams. Before
this first piano could be delivered,
however, he heard a rumor about
someone who had a bunch of player
pianos, and one of them had a violin
in it. Terry got excited. He knew the
name of the small town (population

TerryÕs first player piano, a New Scale Williams purchased in the mid 1960s.

500) but had no other information.
So, when he arrived in town, he went
into the corner store and quickly
found the name of the man rumored
to be selling pianos. It turned out to
be Rolly Paquin. Terry looked through
the available items and bought a 1930
Mason & Risch Duo-Art grand piano to
add to his collection.
Terry immediately went about
restoring his 1912 New Scale Williams
upright pumper. Could the term Ònew

scaleÓ refer to the 88-note roll? Perhaps
a knowledgeable reader could
answer this question.

According to the Wikipedia.org
website, the term refers to a new full-
scale roll format, playing all 88 notes,
that was agreed upon at an industry
conference in Buffalo in 1908, the
so-called Buffalo Convention. This
new format kept the 11.-inch roll,
but had smaller holes spaced at nine
to the inch. After the establishment

12 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2020

According to wwwAntiquePianoShop.com

The R. S. Williams Piano Company,
maker of the New Scale
Williams Player Piano, was originally
established as the Canada
Organ & Piano Company in 1873.

Richard Sudgen Williams took
full control of the company in 1888,
changing the name of the firm to
The R. S. Williams Piano Company
of Oshawa, Canada.

In 1909 the firm was known as
ÒR. S. Williams & Sons, Ltd,Ó with
Frederick W. Bull as co-owner. Pianos
built by the R. S. Williams firm
were highly regarded among the
Canadian Piano Industry as being
very well made, good sounding
instruments.

In addition to the ÒR. S. WilliamsÓ
brand name, the firm produced
pianos under the names of ÒSudgen
Piano Company,Ó ÒBeethoven
Piano Company,Ó ÒCanada Piano
Company,Ó ÒEnnis Piano Company,Ó
ÒEverson Piano Company,Ó
and ÒKrydner Piano Company.Ó

The firm went out of business in
1932.

Ads for the New Scale
Williams Player Piano.

An ad for the Mason and Risch Duo-
Art Grand Piano.

The Mason & Risch Piano Company
was one of CanadaÕs more
prominent piano manufacturers.
The firm was established in 1871
with the partnership of Thomas G.
Mason, Vincent Risch, and Octavius
Newcombe in Toronto. For
a brief period during the 1870Õs,
instruments were produced under
the Mason, Risch & Newcombe
brand name. In 1878, Newcombe
had left the firm to build pianos
and organs under his own name.
Mason & Risch built high quality
pianos for decades and enjoyed a
very good reputation. In addition
to Mason & Risch brand instruments,
they built pianos under
the ÒT. EatonÓ brand name for the
famous Eaton Department Store
chain as well as a very successful
line of organs under the ÒVocalionÓ
brand name. In the 1950Õs, the firm
was purchased by the Winter Piano
Company, and it became part of
the large Aeolian Corporation. The
Mason & Risch name was discontinued
in the 1980Õs when Aeolian
went out of business.

Since the Aeolian company
owned Mason & Risch, it is natural
that a Duo-Art product would be
produced.

March/April 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 13

of the new format, any player piano
made anywhere in the world could
play any make of roll. Understanding
the need for compatibility was
the defining moment of the player
industry. This consensus was key to
avoiding a costly format war, which
plagued almost every other form of
entertainment media that followed
roll music.

In other research I found that New
Scale Pianos were available long
before 1908, so it may be that this
is not the real explanation for the
term. Again, anyone who has better
information, should please feel free to
contribute.

Anyway, moving right along, Terry,
not knowing any better and not yet a
member of AMICA or MBSI, worked
to restore his piano using surgical
tubing and hospital rubber sheeting
for the pump. The pneumatics were
still flexible and tight. He had no
books to help him, but he knew about
hydraulics from his time in the Royal
Canadian Air Force.

The 1930 Mason & Risch Duo-Art
piano Terry had purchased was in
partially-restored condition and
played well. He later went back to the
previous owner and negotiated the
purchase of a Seeburg KT, a Cremona
3 and a Mills Violano. Terry became an
instant collector.

AMICA/MBSI

In 1971, Terry learned about AMICA
and MBSI from the ÒReaderÕs Guide
to Periodical Literature.Ó He found a
reference to Ginny Billings and the
association. He joined both AMICA
and MBSI at the same time. The
AMICA Bulletin was a mimeographed
pamphlet of 12 to 20 pages at the time
and AMICA didnÕt consider itself to
be international. That all changed in
1971 when Ginny persuaded the board
into taking AMICA international. The
May 1971 issue of the AMICA Bulletin
contains the first reference to an
ÒInternational AMICA.Ó Both Bob Pye
of Kelowna, British Columbia, and
Terry contributed many articles to the
fledgling society.

As early as 1996, Terry set up an
unofficial website for AMICA. As
described in the Mechanical Music

Terry scanning music rolls into a computer.

Digest (MMD at www.mmdigest.com),
Terry wrote:

ÒFor some months IÕve had an
informal web page off my home
page for AMICA (Automatic Musical
Instrument Collectors Association)
inquiries. With the recent move of my
personal home page, IÕve enlarged it
a little with an on-line application
form that may be viewed and printed
through Netscape, filled in and mailed
to AMICA Membership Chairman Bill
Chapman.

ÒThe site does include information
about AMICA, its past and future
Conventions, and from whom additional
information may be obtained.
It also points to a few related sources
of technical articles of note, more to
come as time permits.

ÒThis is not an official AMICA
web site. I have posted it solely
as a convenience until such
time as AMICA does one day
acquire an official site of its own.
ÒRegards, TerryÓ

Roll Scanning

As far as rolls go, TerryÕs Violano
came with three rolls and his Cremona
(which plays A rolls) came with two.
Terry became a customer of Ray Siou

to increase his roll collection. Over
time, Terry acquired a collection of
approximately 3,000 reproducing
piano rolls of all sorts. He had another
collection of approximately 3,000
88-note rolls. Terry thought it would
be great to store the musical information
from his rolls on a computer
rather than keep the physical rolls that
would deteriorate over time and take
most of his available living space. Roll
scanning thus become one of TerryÕs
major interests. Look at this note
published in MMD in 2003:

My Piano Roll Scanning Project
By Terry Smythe

Some 14 years ago, through the
pages of the AMICA Bulletin, I
expressed concern over the continuing
deterioration of our paper music
rolls. While we can repeatedly restore
our player pianos into perpetuity, not
so the rolls. They are absolutely guaranteed
to self-destruct with the simple
passage of time. When that happens,
some historically significant performances
by the legendary masters of
the piano may be lost forever.

I speculated then on how nice it
would be if there was some way the
content of paper music rolls could
somehow be scanned and captured
into some form of computer data. At

14 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2020

Terry scanning copies of Music Trades into a computer for AMICAÕs online research
library.

the time, I was unaware that Peter
Phillips in Australia was already
doing exactly this.

Time passed and couple years ago, a
small group of people banded together
to tackle this initiative and used the
magic and power of the Internet to
share their ideas, progress, concerns,
problems, et al, through a Yahoo discussion
group.

Last May I became involved with
this discussion group and set out
to build for myself a roll scanner,
something I was ill-prepared to do
from a lifetime background of administration
and management. Late last
year, a small group of us temporarily
split off of resolve and proceeded with
Richard StibbonsÕ MK3 roll scanner
circuit board.

I am pleased to report that this
initiative has been quite successful.
Some 10-12 people worldwide are now
building roll scanners based on this
MK3 board and RichardÕs companion
software. My own scanner recently
became reasonably operational and
I now feel sufficiently comfortable
about sharing my scanning results
with others.

IÕve posted details of my scanner
on my personal web site, along with
my initial batch of approximately

120 MIDI files emerging from the
conversion process. It and they may
be accessed at http://terrysmythe.ca/
rebirth.htm

Results thus far are quite encouraging,
and I would urge others to
get interested in building their own
scanners. If enough people build roll
scanners and make them available to
existing large collections, we have a
fighting chance of preserving the content
of our aging music rolls before
they die altogether.

The MK3 circuit board is not
the only option currently under
development. Gene Gerety is developing
his ÒRollScanÓ circuit board,
aimed at similar results. From the
technical viewpoint, his work and
RichardÕs work may be seen on the
web site dedicated to the International
Association of Mechanical
Music Preservationists, previously
maintained by Warren Trachtman, at
http://www.iammp.org/

The MIDI files emerging from this
process may be heard on most any
computer capable of playing MIDI
music files. That in itself is only a
small part of my initiative. The other
part of my initiative is to equip my
1928 Fischer Ampico A grand with a
set of in-line magnet valves, so that

I will be able to play my piano from
a laptop computer containing the
content of thousands of music rolls.

This initiative will not ever replace
paper rolls. Many people will continue
to prefer to operate their player
pianos in the manner in which they
were originally intended. Others like
myself, will eventually operate their
pianos through this MIDI interface.
Personal choice.

The in-line magnet valves/MIDI
interface does not in any way alter
the original design and construction
of player pianos. They are simply a
modest, inconspicuous addition that
can at any time in the unforeseen
future be removed without damaging
the piano.

Thoughts of others?
Regards,
Terry Smythe

The web links cited still work after

all these years. Shortly thereafter,

Terry posted the following on MMD:

For Sale: 702 Ampico rolls & 700+
88-note rolls

Scanning of my total collection of
music rolls is nearing completion. As
my wife and I edge nearer to a move
into a more modest seniorÕs condo
type apartment, the piano comes with
us, but the rolls gotta go. My objective
is to operate my piano from my MIDI
files.

Whomever acquires the rolls will
also receive a number of CDROMs
containing all the files emerging from
my scanning efforts. These CDs can
be used to operate another piano elsewhere,
or possibly be used as source
data for a recutting venture.

Terry subsequently announced on
MMD that he is making his original
.cis scan files available from this link:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/3efilq4mjznp81r/
Smythe_RollScanning_Files.
zip?dl=0

In 2006, Terry was still very active in

the roll scanning community. Consider

this post on MMD:

It is encouraging that the orga

nizers of the upcoming AMICA

convention have shown their support

March/April 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 15

TerryÕs Edison Triumph phonograph next to his Cremona 3 before he downsized his collection.

for archival preservation of music
rolls via roll scanning. Both Jack
Breen and I will be conducting workshops
within which a roll scanner
will be featured.

Roll playing instruments can be
repeatedly restored into perpetuity.
However, the rolls upon which they
are dependent cannot be restored.
They continue to age, and with age
comes fragility.

We have been entrusted with the
care and protection of a unique slice
of musical heritage. It is therefore
important that the content of century
old music rolls be captured for the
enjoyment of generations to come,
while still possible to do so.

There is universal agreement that
paper rolls will endure for a very long
time. High quality recuts are now
possible such that new rolls produced
today will likely last another century.
But the critical ingredient is that the
simple economics of recutting rolls
means that the vast majority of the
tens of thousands of titles produced a
century ago will not ever be recut.

There is also concern that digital
storage of the content of music rolls
will not last. Current technology does
suggest that this concern is valid.
But what is absolutely certain is
that recognition of this is provoking
technology and processes to repeatedly
re-capture old digital data into

newer, more long-lasting media, into
perpetuity.

Original Literature

One of TerryÕs major accomplishments
was the establishment of the
AMICA online research library. Terry
took over Robin PrattÕs idea of providing
original literature to members.
Instead of printing and distributing
them, Terry scanned them from his
own personal library and stored them
as PDF files. You can go to the AMICA
web site (www.amica.org) and see the
online library in the ÒMembers OnlyÓ
area. All documents are searchable
and can be downloaded by the membership.
Terry has felt strongly about

16 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2020

TerryÕs Columbia Serpentine external horn disc phonograph.

A Welte Style 3 Cottage Orchestrion on which Terry did a bar

rel to roll conversion.

the need to preserve our published

history and unlike most people, Terry

has done something about it.
He writes in the MMD in 2008:

In the 40+ years I have been
involved in this delightful avocation,
IÕve seen extensive, well deserved
attention focused on our instruments
and music media. However, much
less attention has been focused on our
published history.

Like many collectors, over the years
I acquired a modest collection of about
150+ pieces of original literature.
About four years ago, I wondered why
I should be the only one to view and
enjoy this window into a unique slice
of our musical heritage.

I have my own web site and began

to archive my original literature into

electronic PDF format, suitable for

web display, with much more to come
in the months ahead. It has actually
been supplemented a little by similarly
committed collectors who have
loaned me a few pieces.

The magic and power of the
Internet now makes it possible to
replicate and make freely available
a vast amount of original literature
that would otherwise remain hidden
away, risking eventual destruction
by our heirs, simply not recognizing
the value of all this paper.

One of the reasons Terry retired
from editing the AMICA Bulletin was
to devote more time to creating the
fabulous online collection he has created,
his legacy. I have used his online
library for the many research tasks
associated with writing this column.

Almost every collector of mechanical

musical instruments has some original
literature. When a collector dies, their
heirs often donÕt realize the value of
the collected literature and throw it
away. Terry recounts a story where a
collectorÕs children promised to send
Terry the literature, but they tossed
it in the recycle bin instead of going
to the trouble of mailing it. What treasures
might we have lost forever?

Terry suggests that individual MBSI
chapter chairs ask their members if
they have any literature and arrange
to loan it to Terry for scanning and
preservation.

Instruments

Through the years Terry has had a
number of instruments. Collectors of
mechanical music were fairly rare in
Canada. The Canadian Encyclopedia
says:

March/April 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 17

In the late 1970s the only known
noteworthy examples of nickelodeons
(fewer than 15) in Canada were in
the Smythe collection (Winnipeg)
and the Vinen collection (St Thomas,
Ontario). In 1980, isolated instruments
were known to exist in Provost, Alta,
Edmonton, Montreal, Toronto, and
Vancouver.

Terry and his wife have now moved
into the upper unit of their daughterÕs
duplex home. As a consequence, he
has had to sell all of his instruments.
Before the move, TerryÕs collection
was comprised of the following:

A 1928 Fischer 5-foot, 6-inch
AMPICO A piano with a Louis XVI
case. It had a Pianocorder system
attached which Terry removed. It
was very difficult to sell despite the
art case and the restored mechanism
and wound up selling it for $300 to
someone only interested in the actual
piano. Terry also had an Edison Triumph
cylinder phonograph (1909), a
Cremona 3 to play A-rolls, a 12-tune
sublime-harmonie cylinder music box
(24 inches) and a Columbia Serpentine
external horn disk phonograph.

His Mills Violano was sold to a dealer
in Germany who wanted it shipped by
surface transport. It took an entire
year to arrive and when it did, the crate
had 12-inch by 4-inch holes. A forklift
had pierced the crate and dropped
it from a great height. It arrived as a
jumbled pile of parts. It was insured,
but the world can ill afford to lose
irreplaceable instruments.

In addition, Terry has had a number
of interesting instruments pass
through his hands throughout the
years. Among the highlights was a
Welte Style 3 Cottage Orchestrion,
found in a cattle barn. After many
years, Terry realized that its restoration
was way beyond his skills, and
he disposed of it in a deal involving a
Kalliope Model 100 27-inch disk music
box. These two instruments today
reside side-by-side in a prominent
American collection.

Terry also once obtained a Cremona
G orchestrion. A 10-year-old tip led
him to a reclusive bachelor in a small
town in southeast Manitoba, where
it was residing in a World War II-era
portable post office. It needed a full

Terry and Eleanor Smythe in Winnipeg.

restoration. Today, it is in a collection
somewhere in California.

Literature

Terry feels very honored to have
received the Q. David Bowers
literary award in 2019. He recently
completed all the layout and editing
work for ÒThe Encyclopedia of Disc
Music BoxesÓ and ÒThe Violin playing
MachinesÓ both books authored by Q.
David Bowers. Terry is now working
on the final phase of the vetting draft
layout of ÒThe Reblitz-Bowers Encyclopedia
of American Coin-Operated
Pianos and Orchestrions and Related
instruments,Ó by Arthur Reblitz
and Q. David Bowers. These are all
ambitious undertakings and TerryÕs
volunteer efforts really made these
works possible.

A Digital Library

Terry was distressed when he
learned the MBSI lending library is
only available to members in the

U.S. He would like to see MBSI move
toward establishing a digital lending
library where members can ÒcheckoutÓ
a copy of a book online and
then Òcheck it back inÓ when they are
finished reading it on their computer
or tablet. There are current websites
that follow this model (like archive.
org) and the Open Library. Each organization
maintains a physical copy of
the publication and just like a public
library loaning the physical copy, the
organization loans out digital copies
of titles it has in its collection.
The legality of such arrangements
is, however, still under debate and
there are lawsuits pending by the
copyright owners, so the hesitancy of
MBSI getting involved in this venture
is understandable. The situation
should, in TerryÕs opinion, be watched
closely. In the meantime, Terry has
about 38 books already scanned into
digital format, and is willing to scan
any other books presented to him.
ItÕs just another way he is working to
preserve and disseminate information
about our past heritage.

Summary

Over his 49 year AMICA/MBSI
membership (47 years active), TerryÕs
accomplishments in the field of
mechanical music are so numerous
that an article like this doesnÕt do
him justice. After making the AMICA
Bulletin a really first-class publication,
he continued creating the ultimate
online library of literature for the
benefit of anyone seriously interested
in the field. Terry is now 89 years old
and still going strong! He welcomes
communication and may be contacted
at smythe@shaw.ca

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 January-
February 2014 issue of The AMICA
Bulletin.

18 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2020

Regina Changer techniques

By Jamie Brewer

In the spring of 2003, I attended an
auction outside Atlanta, GA. It was
like old home week as a lot of my
MBSI friends were present. Alan Bies
and Steve Boehck were fiddling with a
Regina Style 33 Home Model Dragon-
front changer trying to get it working.
The rack was messing up and there
was not time to make it functional
before it hit the auction block. I stuck
my neck out and was the high bidder
on this ÒsilentÓ music box. I knew all
the parts were present and it should
not take much to make it a functional
machine. With the purchase I could
now claim to have the three major
Regina disc formats in my collection.

After the auction Alan told me he
had owned this box years ago and it
was a good piece. The case was black
lacquer when he initially owned it.
Over time it had been refinished to a
muddy brown.

I discovered early on that the
constant disc jamming was due to a
couple bent star wheel fingers. These
were very carefully straightened,
which is a step that might be best done
by an expert if you are at all nervous
about fiddling with this critical part of
the machine. When done, however, I
found the straightening helped a lot
in terms of smoothing out the disc
playback.

Life soon became hectic and aside
from the star wheel repair and getting
the rack to be somewhat functional I
did little else with this machine. It felt
good that I could at least demonstrate
how discs would change so long as
only a certain section of the rack was
filled. It was certainly not one of my
Ògo toÓ machines to play for guests.
Having a truly functional machine was
not a priority for me at that time.

Over time, a problem developed
where the Regina would not shut
off quickly at the end of a tune. This
malfunction would result in the worm
gear/fan assembly rotating too much
before stopping. This delay in stopping
caused the rack to lock in place

The authorÕs Regina Style 33 Home Model Dragon-front changer, restored and
sounding like a Òfine old violin.Ó

and begin the next cycle. At this point
making a manual tune selection was
impossible.

It eventually got to the point where
the arm on the worm gear would not
engage enough to trip the stop lever
so the box would not shut off at all. I
knew I only needed to adjust the arm
attached to the fan on the lower motor
to address this problem, but to get to
the arm and repair it properly meant
removing the rear sounding board.
That was a job I really did not want

to bother with. So, when I set up my
music room in 2015 the changer was
moved into a corner and left to collect
dust.

I contemplated selling it but I knew
that before I could even consider putting
it into the currently slow-moving
mechanical music market, it had to
be operational. With winter weather
setting in, inspiration struck me in late
November 2019 and I finally dug into
this restoration nightmare.

I started by thinking back to the

March/April 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 19

early 1900s when the U.S. was, technologically
speaking, very much a
mechanically-inclined country. The
Model-T Ford was a machine pretty
much anyone with a mechanical bent
could fiddle with when problems
arose. Outside of doing comb, damper,
and star wheel work, disc music boxes
were pretty much the same. Compared
to Swiss cylinder instruments
which were pretty delicate, the disc
boxes were mass produced, robust,
and pretty straightforward in how
they operated.

It surprised me, then, while doing
research for this project that I could
find very little in terms of helpful
information to use as a guide to
troubleshoot Regina Changers. This
article is an attempt to change that. I
know of a number of MBSI members
who are real experts at setting these
types of machines up, so my goal in
putting forth this article should not be
interpreted as the definitive process
to use when working on the machines,
but rather a documentation of techniques
that worked for me. Hopefully.
additions and improvements from
others will follow.

I began by making the arm adjustment
on the worm gear. My first step
was to remove the sounding board.
Then, using my watchmaking skills, it
was not difficult to get the arm adjustment
of the lower fan assembly lined
up right for a proper shut off. I noticed
how sometimes this arm would catch
on the lever and not allow it to retract
resulting in the disc being in ÒcontinuousÓ
cycle. Polishing the underside
of the arm with a watchmakerÕs emery
stick and metal polish remedied this.

With this simple adjustment, my
ÒmushroomÓ project began. A mushroom
project is when an initial small
job mushrooms way out of proportion.

Since I had the sound board off and
other parts disassembled, I thought I
should finally get to work adjusting
the disc rack so it would properly line
up and cycle through all 12 discs.

While testing out the disc sequencing
cycle another problem developed.
When the change cycle began with
the center post retracted from the
just played disc, the full weight of
the disc would engage the lifter arms,

The fan assembly showing the fan assembly meeting the brass washer (B) and the
brass washer meeting the collar hold the arm on the worm gear (A).

occasionally causing the disc to Òfree
fallÓ into the rack with a resounding
crash.

Troubleshooting this newest
malfunction, I realized how the fan
assembly is spring loaded to the worm
gear. This is so when the worm gear
suddenly stops when the trip arm
catches on the lever, the fan assembly
can rotate a bit to dissipate the
built-up inertia and reduce the chance
of snapping off a pivot.

The fan assembly was slipping way
too much against the collar on the
worm gear. When the full weight of
the disc would shift into the lifting
arms, the shock to the worm gear
would sometimes result in the worm
gear just freely spinning so there was
no slowing effect from the fan blades.

Making sure both the spring motors
were totally (very important step) run
down, it was easy enough to remove
the trip lever arms to allow the gear
train to be removed from the lower
motor frame. Note: Taking pictures
before tearing into a job like this with
a digital camera to have for a guide is
a real help when reassembling.

With the fan assembly removed from
the gear train, it was obvious how
the fan was indeed not holding tight
against the worm gear collar. Holding
onto the worm gear, the fan blades
could be rotated too freely on the
shaft. There is no easy way to remove
this fan assembly from the worm gear
shaft to tighten up the spring. So much
for that avenue of repair, I thought.

I noted that after 100-plus years of

20 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2020

Using a razor blade and a file to create a
tool to Òrough upÓ mating surfaces.

use, the mating surfaces of the fan
assembly and the brass washer on the
worm gear were worn smooth. If a bit
of oil seeps in, this slippery situation
is only made worse. My first task was
to clean/degrease the worm gear/fan
assembly.

I hate to use my watch cleaning
machine for something so big and
dirty, but the cleaning solution was far
from fresh and needed to be changed
out anyhow, so in the worm gear/fan
assembly went. If you donÕt have a
watch cleaning machine, using brake
or carburetor cleaner should also
work to degrease/clean the parts as
needed.

Once the worm gear/fan assembly
was all cleaned/degreased, it had
Òtightened upÓ a bit. I could tell there
was still too much slippage due to the
mating surfaces being so smooth. The
only practical solution was to ÒroughÓ
them up a bit to provide some needed
bite/friction. Using a thin blade clock-
makers screwdriver, I was able to
pry the mating surfaces apart enough
to insert a razor thin watchmakers
screw slotting escapement file and
rotate the washer/mating underside
of the fan assembly around this tool.
The surfaces where the base of the
fan assembly meets the brass washer
and the brass washer meets the collar
holding the arm on the worm gear
were then properly scratched up.

I realize few people would have
access to such a file. To make one,
you take a box cutter blade, put it
so the sharp edge is standing on the
teeth of a regular file and then strike
the upper edge with a hammer. The

The block (A) is tightened snuggly against the ÒfingerÓ (B) so the shaft holding the
idler bar will shift in and out of the playing position.

resulting indents to the blade should
accomplish the same finished result as
the elusive slotting file.

With everything reassembled, the
changer was cycling through discs as
it was designed to do. Now that I was
actually playing through discs, the
Òsnap, crackle, and popsÓ were driving
me crazy. Each disc in the rack was
inspected for bent projections etc.
Straightening out the offending projections,
and using a fine steel wire brush
to clean off the crud and oxidation on
the projections helped to smooth and
quiet the playback distractions.

Then I discovered the brass posts

on the rack were pretty grimy. These
were cleaned off and polished with
metal polish to a nice shine. Just doing
this did a lot to reduce the friction of
the discs riding against the posts and
improved the performance even more.
But, there were still problems.

The Òidler barÓ which holds down
the disc is a real tricky adjustment.
While a disc was playing the fan was
blocked to halt the cycle. On the right
side of the arm with the drive wheel,
the adjustable block on the idler bar
rod was loosened. I let the idler bar
raise up from the disc and then gently
pushed it back so the idler wheels

March/April 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 21

were just resting on the disc. The
block was then adjusted and tightened
snuggly against the ÒfingerÓ which
shifts the shaft holding the idler bar in
and out of playing position.

It is imperative the idler wheels
revolve freely. The brass spacer
sleeves between the wheels can be
shifted a bit to loosen up binding
wheels.

On a single play music box, the idler
arm is attached to the center post
which makes for an easy adjustment
of the height. In a changer instrument,
having to hold down the idler arm on
the outside edges of the 27-inch disc
is a lot trickier. Finding the Òsweet
spotÓ for the left side ÒblockÓ was a
royal pain. If it is adjusted too tight the
disc will jam and run rough. If it is too
loose, you can lose the disc contact
with the lower end star wheels.

If there is a silver lining, this left side
adjustment can be made while the
back is on the case. It took a bit of trial
and error but when I hit that Òsweet
spotÓ the music emanating from this
changer took off. What a difference
from what IÕd been listening to for all
these years.

In the ÒEncyclopedia of Automatic
Musical InstrumentsÓ it is stated of
27-inch changers:

ÒCollectors today find that 27-inch
instruments are like fine old violins

Ð some have a sweet sound and resonant
tone and others do not Ð and the
presence of a piano sounding board
doesnÕt seem to make a difference.Ó
The tone quality of this changer is
pretty exceptional. I would put it in
the Òfine old violinÓ category. It took

me way too long to appreciate the
machine I had bought blindly. It is now
in use daily. ItÕs a keeper.

A fellow collector upon hearing
of my Òfree fall disc dilemmaÓ said
he had the same problem with his
changer. That conversation was the
inspiration to write this article up. We
got to carrying on and he said how I
should include a disclaimer to this to
not use power tools to do any of the
mechanical/adjusting work!

I thought shedding a bit of light on
how I handled a minor problem using
everyday tools might be a help to
others and open up a discussion and
exchange of ideas.

So often in troubleshooting annoyances,
reading what others have
posted to internet discussion boards
has saved my day. I can only hope this
can be of some use.

Advocacy in Action
To promote MBSI, members of the Southern California Chapter hosted a table at the entrance to the Antique Phonograph
Society Annual Meeting in October 2109 handing out membership applications. Pictured are Robin Biggins, Kathleen and
Christian Eric, and Ardis Prescott along with some eye-catching items of interest.
22 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2020

Sacred Music On

Cylinder Musical Boxes

Fig 1: Nicole Freres 44879 to Gamme 2732 pinned with a mix of arias and choruses
from Oratorios and hymns and registered using the generic term Òhymn box.Ó

Thoughts and
Background Notes

This series of articles was first published
in 2017-2018 in The Music Box,
the Journal of The Musical Box Society
of Great Britain. It arose from research
prompted by the extracts from Mechanical
Music Digest (www.mmdigest.com).
Originally, it was intended to be short
and so published in one edition of The
Music Box. As the research progressed,
however, the scope gradually increased
to the extent that necessitated publication
in five parts over five consecutive
editions, the scope of each part being
explained in the text of the article itself.

By its nature, such research becomes
outdated as new or additional material
is found on surviving musical boxes that
continue to come to light. The article is
therefor now republished in Mechanical
Music with all changes necessitated by
this new material as of Sept. 30, 2019..

Throughout this article, the use of
the term ÒsacredÓ is used entirely with
reference to the Christian faith and then
in relation to the music identified and
referred to herein.

By David Worrall

with the Christian faith have attracted both to Gamme No 2732 and, although
the generic description, or sobriquet the 18 airs do include some genuine

Recently, on Mechanical Music ÒHymn Box.Ó Researching this article, hymns, the musical programme also
Digest, there appeared a request from a search of the Arthur D. Cunliffe Reg-has several arrangements of arias and
an American collector for a Òhymn ister of Cylinder Musical Boxes (The choruses from oratorios by Handel,
boxÓ to add to his collection. A short Register)1 revealed that more than 300 Haydn and Mendelssohn! (See Fig 1.)
while later appeared a further note musical boxes have been specifically These are not exactly hymns! Imagfrom
the same collector thanking the submitted to the registrar by their ine what Handel or Haydn would have
vendor for satisfying his request and owners using that generic term. Fur-said if they knew that the ÒHallelujah
then posing the questions: ÒCan anyone ther, two owners described their boxes ChorusÓ from the ÒMessiah,Ó or ÒThe
tell me what is the difference between with the similar terms ÒPlays Hymns,Ó Hailstone ChorusÓ from ÒIsrael in
a Hymn playing box and an Oratorio or ÒHymn Playing.Ó These easily Egypt,Ó or ÒThe Heavens are TellingÓ
box? Is there indeed a difference?Ó To applied generic terms, however, can from ÒCreationÓ were being considanyone
posing either or both of those inaccurately describe the programme ered as simple hymns. Indeed, that is
questions then, hopefully this article of music pinned on a musical box and an interesting line of thought.
will help to provide the answer that, so mislead a researcher. This can best As this example shows, the
indeed, there is a difference! be illustrated by an extreme example programmes of musical boxes so

Over the years, cylinder musi-noted during my research. It concerns described often represent much more
cal boxes pinned with complete two musical boxes made by Nicole than what might occur in the mind by
programmes of music associated Freres, Serial Nos. 43639 and 44879 the use of the word ÒhymnÓ and so, to

PART 1: Introduction.

March/April 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 23

refer to them as just Òhymn boxesÓ is
surely inappropriate and could, indeed
would be, considered by some people
as denigrating. An alternative generic
term to Òhymn boxÓ should be used
when describing such musical boxes,
but one that still conveys the general
nature of their musical programmes.

The general nature of the type
of music illustrated in Fig.1 can be
defined as follows:

ÒMusic that has either been written
for, or become particularly associated
with words that express the beliefs,
allegories, metaphors and biblical
stories associated with the Christian
Faith and has, therefore come to be
used by Christians to express, through
singing their faith and beliefs.Ó

The tune sheet illustrated in Fig.1
helps in this choice as it bears at the
top a descriptive term appropriate
for its entire musical programme –
ÒSacrŽsÓ or ÒSacred.Ó Thus, the terms
ÒSacred Air(s)Ó or ÒSacred MusicÓ
are much more appropriate generic
terms than Òhymn boxÓ for use in such
instances. This article therefore uses
ÒSacred MusicÓ as an overall generic
term and ÒSacred Air(s)Ó when reference
to single or specific item(s) of
such music is made.

However, even the term ÒSacred
MusicÓ itself is a generalisation, for
within its compass can be found some
very different types of music associated
with the Christian faith. For more
detailed consideration therefore, this
article identifies and defines three,
broad sub-groups of sacred music:

¥ Classical: Arias and Choruses
from Oratorios, Masses and,
indeed Operas.
¥ Hymns: used by main-stream
Churches and Congregations of
the Christian faith.
¥ Evangelical and Gospel Songs:
used by Evangelical movements
within the Christian faith.
These definitions are, nevertheless
broad and rather loose with the divide
between them by no means watertight,
or (sacred) airtight if the reader will
excuse the play on words! Sacred Airs

and/or their associated words originating
in one could and did become
part of another. For example, the
melody for ÒSee The Conquering hero
ComesÓ from HandelÕs oratorio, ÒJudas
Maccabeus,Ó found during research
to be pinned on at least 75 musical
boxes, has its origins in the classical
group of boxes, but, over the years, it
came to be associated with the words
of French author, Edmond BudryÕs
hymn, ÒA toi la gloire, O Ressuscite
[Thine be the glory, risen, conquering
Son]Ó and used as an Eastertide hymn
by many main-stream churches.
Similarly, words and/or music of
evangelical or gospel songs came to
be considered by the main-stream
churches as suitable for inclusion in
their hymnals for general use during
church services. Two examples of this
found during research for this article
are ÒTell Me The Old, Old StoryÓ and
ÒThere Were Ninety and Nine in the
Safety of the FoldÓ with 30 and 13
instances respectively of their use in
programmes of sacred music pinned
on cylinder musical boxes.

But in all facets of life fashions
change, and no more so than in the
popular taste for music and words
with which people seek to express
their Christian faith in song. Thus,
many of the items found during this
analysis to have been pinned on musical
boxes made in the 19th century
will no longer be found in use today.

Both subjectively and anecdotally,
one might be led to the view that
sacred music as defined above,
featured extensively in the musical
programmes of cylinder musical
boxes. To determine the extent more
objectively, however, a detailed analysis
has been made of the tune sheet
information held on The Register.
The approach adopted was twofold,
first to search the information held
methodically, using known titles of
classical sacred airs and hymn tunes,
and second, or more intuitively, using
specific words and phrases associated
with the Christian faith likely to have
been included on musical box tune
sheets to form part of a tune title
notified when the musical box was
registered. Altogether, more than 200
separate searches were made of The

Register to compile the results on
which much of this article is based.

In addition, the tune sheets appearing
in the following two further
sources were analysed:

¥ H.A.V. BulleidÕs ÒMusical Box
Tune Sheets,Ó2 and its four
published supplements together
with the ongoing, active research
being undertaken for this project;
¥ Appendix 2 to AWJG Orde-HumeÕs
book ÒThe Musical BoxÓ3.
Where the musical boxes in these
sources were found not to have been
registered, they are included in the
findings discussed in this article.

Other potential sources of information
are the makerÕs tune lists
produced to advertise the availability
and choice of cylinders for their
interchangeable musical boxes. However,
to avoid confusion with, and
duplication of information obtained
from interchangeable instruments
already registered, these sources were
not included in the main researches
described above and so do not reflect
in the tables that follow.

The results from the main searches
of the information sources referred
to above are at Table 1. They include
all single cylinder instruments and
some interchangeable musical boxes
for which information concerning the
musical programmes of their associated
cylinders had been registered.
Perhaps the first impression to be
gained is that a surprising, and rather
disappointingly large percentage (45
percent) of musical boxes registered
do not have any information about
their musical programmes. This is
due mainly to missing tune sheets, but
sometimes the failure or unwillingness
of owners to provide the registrar
with that information. Nevertheless,
from the 55 percent that do have
this information, the sample can be
considered sufficiently large to make,
by extrapolation the reasonably sound
overall estimate that sacred music
was pinned to some extent on approximately
10 percent to 11 percent of
cylinder musical boxes made in their
heyday, the 19th century. This leads
to the second impression to be gained

24 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2020

Table 1: Number of Musical Boxes Pinned with Sacred Music

A: Total Register
Entries [July 2019]
B: Total Registered
without Tune Sheets
or Music Programme
Information
C: Total With Tune
Sheets
D: Total of Musical
Boxes at C playing
only Secular Music
E: Total of Musical
Boxes at C playing
Sacred Music
F: Percentage of
Musical Boxes at
C playing Sacred
Music
12296 5511 6785 6079 706 10.41%
Other Sources and NOT on The Register as of September 2019 45
Total Musical Boxes Found With Sacred Music 751 11.00%

from these figures, that the incidence
of sacred music is, perhaps not as
extensive as might have been thought
hitherto.

Further analysis determined the
extent to which the programmes of
these 751 musical boxes consisted
of Sacred Music, either completely,
partially (two or more items but not
a complete programme), or with just
a single sacred air. The results are in
Table 2 at right.

Overall, the research confirmed
that most, if not all makers known to
have been producing cylinder musical
boxes during the 19th century included
in their output some that were pinned
to one extent or another with Sacred
Music. (See Table 3, Page 26-27.)

As might be expected, Nicole Freres
led the way and by a significant
margin, whilst the majority of other
makers seem to have produced very
few musical boxes pinned with Sacred
Music. Indeed, Table 3 shows that
for 22 (46 percent) of the 49 makers
listed, output was confined to just one
or two examples, whilst the figures in
Table 2 reveal that 213 musical boxes
(about 28 percent of the sample),
were pinned with a single Sacred Air.
The not unreasonable conclusion to
be drawn from these figures is that
as far as Sacred Music is concerned,
most makers seemed to have been
responding to specific requests from
customers for a musical box pinned
with one or a selection of two or more
specific, probably favourite Sacred
Air(s).

The often expressed theory as
to why many musical boxes were
pinned with a single sacred air is
that it reflects part of our social and
cultural history, that in strict Victorian
society and certainly so in Britain,

Table 2: Programme Extent of Musical Boxes Pinned with Sacred Music.

Programme Extent Number of MBs Percentage
Complete Programme of Sacred Airs 389 51.80%
Partial Programme of Sacred Music -Two or
More Sacred Airs
88 11.72%
Single Sacred Air within an otherwise Secular
programme
213 28.36%
SUB-TOTAL 690 91.88%
Unidentified – Registered or described as
ÒHymn BoxÓ, ÒPlays HymnsÓ or ÒHymn
PlayingÓ, but without any details – terms
assumed hereinafter as referring to the
complete programme.
61 8.12%
OVERALL TOTAL 751 100.00%

Fig 2: Example of an 8 Air Programme with a single item of Sacred Music at Tune 7.
Note the special features fitted to this musical box.

only music which could be regarded The remaining secular tunes pinned
as being associated with the Christian on the same musical box were for
faith should be played on Sundays. the other six days of the week. If this

March/April 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 25

TABLE 3: Analysis of Register Entries for Makers of Musical Boxes Registered with Sacred Music

MAKER Total with Sacred Airs
Complete Programme
of Sacred Airs
Partial Programme –
2 or more Sacred Airs
Single Sacred Air in an
otherwise Secular Programme
Nicole Freres. 374 296 36 42
Ami-Rivenc. 52 30 4 18
Bremond. 40 14 9 17
Paillard. 28 7 5 16
P.V.F. 23 18 2 3
Mermod. 19 1 3 15
LÕEpee. 16 13 0 3
Cuendet. 10 3 2 5
Ducommon-Girod. 9 1 1 7
Lecoultre. 8 4 0 4
Gueissaz. Fils & Cie. 7 1 0 6
Troll. S. 7 2 1 4
Conchon. F. 6 1 2 3
Junod. 6 2 2 2
Langdorff. 5 0 1 4
Baker Troll. 4 1 0 3
Baker.G. 4 0 1 3
Karrer. R. 4 2 1 1
Mojon Manger. 4 2 1 1
National Music Box
Company.
4 3 0 1
Allard. D. 3 1 1 1
Bendon. G. 3 1 0 2
Heller. J. H. 3 0 1 2
Malignon. 3 1 0 2
(continued next page …)
Total Number of Makers 49

be the case, then an example of this
practice can be seen in Fig 2 (Page
25), which shows a tune sheet from
an eight-Air instrument made around
1875 by the Geneva maker Grosclaude
and marketed by Weill & Harburg of
Geneva and London. The music for
Sundays is at tune seven. The Aria, ÒI
know that My Redeemer Liveth,Ó from
HandelÕs oratorio ÒThe MessiahÓ sits
uncomfortably with most if not all of
the remaining secular items on the
programme.

Further detailed analysis, summarised
in Table 4 has determined

how the sacred music pinned on the
751 musical boxes identified in Table
1 is spread between the three broad
groups of Sacred Music determined
earlier. Each of the groups has been
examined in further detail and these
results will be the subject of more
detailed discussion in subsequent
parts of this Article, to be published in
later editions of Mechanical Music

Credits

1. Most of the statistical information in this
article has been obtained from the Arthur
D. Cunliffe Register of Cylinder Musical
Boxes [The Register] and is used with
the kind permission of the Registrar; it
illustrates how powerful and useful The
Register is now as a source of information
when writing articles of this nature. Those
readers who own cylinder musical boxes
who have not registered them with The
Registrar are encouraged to do so and
thereby extend the value of this powerful
research tool.

2. ÒMusical Box Tune SheetsÓ by H.A.V. Bulleid
and its four Supplements, published
2000 by MBSGB.
3. ÒThe Musical BoxÓ by AWJG Orde-Hume,
published in 1995 by Schiffer Publishing
Ltd. of Atglen, Pennsylvania U.S.A.
26 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2020

MAKER Total with Sacred Airs
Complete
Programme of
Sacred Airs
Partial Programme –
2 or more Sacred Airs
Single Sacred Air in an
otherwise Secular Programme
Nicole. F. 3 2 0 1
Weill & Harburg. 3 2 0 1
Barnett & Sons. Samuel 2 2 0 0
Capt. H. 2 2 0 0
J.G.M. 2 0 0 2
Jaccard. 2 2 0 0
Nicole. Reymond 2 0 0 2
Paillard. Charlotte 2 1 1 0
Bruger and Staub. 1 1 0 0
Cuendet. J. 1 0 1 0
Ducommon et Cie. 1 0 1 0
Greiner. 1 0 0 1
Junod & Aubert. 1 1 0 0
Karrer Hoffmann. E. 1 0 0 1
Lador. 1 1 0 0
Lecoultre. C. 1 1 0 0
Lecoultre. F.C. 1 0 1 0
Manger. J. 1 1 0 0
Reuge. 1 1 0 0
Sallaz & Oboussier. 1 0 0 1
Soualle. Andre 1 0 0 1
Stauffer. 1 0 0 1
Ullmann. C. 1 0 0 1
Vidoudez. H. 1 0 1 0
Unknown. 75 29 10 36
TOTALS 751 450 88 213

Table 4 – Spread of the Groups of Sacred Music.

Description # of Musical Boxes % of the Total Sacred Airs Identified Incidence of Sacred Airs
Classical Sacred Music – from Oratorios,
Masses and Operas
223 29.69% 70 646
Hymns 140 18.64% 152 503
Evangelical & Gospel Songs 87 11.58% 74 551
Hybrid Programmes:
Of Classical, and/or Hymns and/or Evangelical
& Gospel Songs
240 31.96% 2585
Unidentifiable Programmes 61 8.12% 468
OVERALL TOTALS 751 100.00% 296 4753

March/April 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 27

Interesting Tidbits

By Bob Caletti

For those who may find themselves
in need of a restored tune card to
replace one damaged, perhaps by a
grandchild with crayon, I wanted to
make you aware of a photo restoration
service offered by Costco.

You bring in your original and they

scan it with a special scanner that
sends the file directly to a vendor that
does the photo clean up.

It takes about a week and you get
a digital file back from them with a
photo of the corrected photo. This
particular card restoration cost $30.

In the case of the tune card you see
below, I had to resize the digital file

I got from Costco back to the actual
size of the original tune card using
Photoshop or another other photo
editing program.

Make sure you tell Costco that you
want the restored photo to be the
same color and shading as the original.
When you print the tune card out
do it on card stock.

Before

After

PLAN AHEAD

Reserve your advertising space now
for the 2020-2021 Mechanical Music
Directory of Members, Museums and
Dealers. Ads must be ordered by July

ACT NOW

1, 2020.

Placing your advertisement in an
MBSI directory means your companyÕs
name and contact information will be
a permanent part of this collectorÕs
reference book. Plus, by placing an
advertisement in the directory, your
company will also be featured on the
MBSI website where people searching
for your services can find and click
directly through to your company
website or contact you via email or
phone.

Mailed directly to more than 1,200
member households, and given out to
each new member that joins the
society, an ad in the directory means
your companyÕs information will be
seen several hundred times in the
next two years.

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

ADVERTISING DIMENSIONS & COSTS

Dimensions Cost
Make an impact!
Get a full pagead that costs youless than $12.25
Full Page
Half Page
Quarter Page
Eighth Page
7.25Ó x 9.75Ó
7.25Ó x 4.5Ó
3.5Ó x 4.5Ó
3.5Ó x 2.125Ó
$290
$160
$90
$50
per month Non-members pay a 10% surcharge on the above rates

March/April 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 29

Skip across the pond for a musical adventure

By Russell Kasselman

An unusual excursion awaits those
seeking a unique experience touring
Europe this summer. For 16 days, John
Rogers, of Musical Instrument Tours,
will lead guests on the Waldkirch
Orgelfest Tour. The tour is limited to
30 participants and starts Jun. 16 in
Zurich, Switzerland.

The first and second days of the trip
are reserved for air travel and settling
into the hotel with a nice dinner, but
on day three things get rolling with
a trip to Schaffhausen to explore
the Rhine Falls. They are the largest
falls in Europe with an average flow
of 25,000 cubic feet per second. The
water cascades over cliffs about 450
feet wide by 75 feet high. Then itÕs
on to Ueberlingen at Lake Constance
for a visit to the Raffin Organ Factory
(Raffin Orgelbau).

A scenic cruise across Lake Constance
follows with a tour of the
beautiful Flower Island of Mainau,
featuring more than 45 hectares of
land. It is home to an extraordinarily
diverse set of trees, flowers, and
shrubs, not to mention a 13th-century
baroque palace, a palm house, and the
biggest butterfly house in Germany.

Waldkirch, Germany, is destination
two on day four of the trip. En route, a
visit to the Museum of Music Automatons
in Seewen is on the agenda. The
museum houses one of the largest
and most famous collections of Swiss
music boxes, disc music boxes,
clocks, watches, and jewelry, as well
as other music automatons.

In the afternoon, the 13th International
Waldkircher Orgelfest begins. A
guided tour of the JŠger and Brommer
Organ Factory is offered and there will
also be time to visit the Elztal Museum.
The Elztal Museum holds a valuable
collection of melodious mechanical
instruments from the townÕs rich artistic
handicraft tradition. The size of the
collection has doubled during the last
20 years.

In Waldkirch, a town of about 20,000
residents, pipe organs have been
produced since 1779. All parts are

At the Museum of Music Automatons in Seewen, Switzerland, this street organ by
Karl Frei & Sohn can be seen in the entrance hall.

fabricated with traditional manufacturing.
In the 19th century, innovative
and entrepreneurial inventor Ignaz
Bruder helped develop the flourishing
musical instrument industry and made
the town well-known as a center for
organ building throughout Europe.

The Waldkircher Orgelfest is organized
every three years. The festival
attracts thousands of visitors from all
over the world with about 25 major
organs and more than 100 barrel
organs, funfair organs, and street
singers producing music in the streets.
For three days, organs determine the
rhythm and life in the town.

On day seven of the trip is a tour of
the town of Triberg in the Black Forest
with a side visit to the Schwarzwald
Museum, where you can discover
what life and work were like in the
region in former times. The museum
has an extensive collection of organs,
mechanical orchestras, and clocks,
like the worldÕs two largest hand-
carved Black Forest Cuckoo Clocks,
which are about 8 meters wide.

Bruchsal Palace, the 18th century
home of the German Museum of
Mechanical Musical Instruments,

Deutsches Musikautomaten Museum,
is next up on day eight of the tour. A
volunteer club maintains the museum
and has not only been able to acquire
numerous pieces for its collection,
but also restore and renovate many
valuable musical instruments.

That afternoon the tour reaches the
town of Speyer, which is located near
the world-famous Imperial Cathedral,
a UNESCO World Heritage Site and
one of the most important architectural
monuments of the Romanesque
era. The Speyer Cathedral houses two
unique organs.

A guided tour of the Museum
Wilhelmsbau is planned for the next
morning. The museum has a collection
with thousands of exhibits from
the 19th and 20th centuries, bringing
alive the spirit of bygone time. Visitors
can admire a unique collection of
automatic musical instruments with
self-playing violins, automatic pianos,
flute clocks, and other rarities. Then
itÕs on to the Technik Museum Speyer,
located next door, which also has
many automatic musical instruments
that are part of a special collection.
Included are a Welte Philharmonic

30 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2020

One of the Mortier dance hall organs on display in the Museum Speelklok.

Organ and a double-deck carousel
from 1916. The museum also features
a large collection of aircraft, classic
cars, locomotives, and fire engines,
an original BURAN space shuttle, the
submarine U9, a former German Navy
submarine, and a gigantic Russian
Antonov AN-22 cargo plane.

The village of RŸdesheim, Germany,
is the next stop. There a visit SiegfriedÕs
Mechanical Music Cabinet Ð the
first German Museum of Mechanical
Musical Instruments, is scheduled.
Approximately 350 self-playing musical
instruments from three centuries
are available to see at the historic
Bršmserhof in Rudesheim. The vast
collection ranges from tiny, delicate
music boxes to an enormous orchestrion.
Tools and machines for the
production of organ pipes, cardboard
sheet music, rolls of sheet music and
perforated disks are also on display
in the collection. A Toy and Railway
Museum and the Medieval Torture
Museum are also nearby for those
looking to see more than just musical
instruments.

A Rhine River Cruise gets everyone
from RŸdesheim to Braubach the next
day. The scenic passage is another
UNESCO World Heritage Site where
castles overlook the river from their
hilltops. One remarkable example is
the 700-year-old Marksburg Castle,
where there will be time for lunch.

Germany may be rich in castles but
the romantic Rhine Valley is the heartland
of the old Holy Roman Empire
and it has a particularly high density
of important medieval military fortifications.
Some are ruins, but many, like
the Marksburg Castle, have survived
the ravages of war, fire, and neglect.
Some are just fascinating windows
into the age of chivalry.

Returning to Rudesheim there will
be time to sample local wine or to
take a cable car to the Niederwald
Monument offering panoramic views
over RŸdesheimÕs old town and the
shimmering waters of the Rhine.

Cologne, Germany, and lunch at
Papa JoeÕs saloon, the ÒKlimperkasten,Ó
a roaring-twenties style bar with
a unique collection of film projectors,
illusion- and game-machines and automatic
instruments that play hourly
is the next destination. A visit to the
famous Cologne Cathedral with a private
tour including an organ concert
is also planned for the group. Cologne
Cathedral architect Arnold Wolff
planned and built the organ in cooperation
with Klais, a famous organ
builder firm from Bonn, Germany. A
total of 3,963 pipes can be played on
53 stops.

Thirteen days in, the tour leaves
Germany for Hilvaarenbek, Netherlands,
where we will make a stop at the
Museum Dansant Hilvarenbeek, home

of the largest Mortier Organ in Europe
at 50 meters. The Netherlands Open
Air Museum (Openluchtmuseum) is
next for another journey through time
seeing the last 200 years of HollandÕs
history as craftsmen and activities
in the authentic buildings bring the
museum to life. The museum houses
a number of windmills of different
designs and historic trams transport
visitors through the entire museum
park of 110 acres.

UtrechtÕs beautiful canals with wharf
cellars, cafŽs and terraces on the water
are the next dayÕs adventure. The city
has hundreds of monuments to view
and then there is The Dom Tower that
was built between 1321 and 1382 and
is the highest (112 meters) and oldest
church tower in Holland.

The afternoon includes a private
guided tour at the Museum
Speelklok, which is housed in ÒThe
Buurkerk,Ó one of the largest and
oldest parish churches of Utrecht.
The museum collects, preserves,
presents and restores an extensive
and internationally renowned array
of self-playing mechanical musical
instruments. Guides not only play the
instruments live but also tell unusual
and interesting stories behind the
pieces in the collection.

The day before concluding the tour
is a visit to the Barrel Organ Museum
Haarlem (Draaiorgelmuseum).

The museum collection consists of
15 mechanical organs, one of which
is the Kunkels Organ. The museum
is also home to the Compton Theatre
organ ÒLady Compton.Ó Then itÕs on
to Amsterdam and a guided city tour.
It is the largest city and the capital of
the Netherlands with a population of
approximately 7 million. Settled as
a small fishing village in the late 12th
century, Amsterdam became one of
the most important ports in the world
during the Dutch Golden Age, a result
of its pioneering developments in trade.

The tour price ranges from $3,500 to
$4,275 depending on how you travel
and how you choose to pay. Airfare
to and from Europe is not included in
this price.

Tour organizer John Rogers can be
reached by phone at (813) 831-0357, or
email at NGPAmerica@aol.com.

March/April 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 31

Sunbelt chapter

Chapter Chair: Ray Dickey
Reporter: Diane Caudill
Photographer: Larry Caudill

December 2019 Ð Houston, TX

The Sunbelt Chapter held its annual
Christmas party at the home of Nancy
and Ray Dickey. Their collection
is extensive, covering all facets of
mechanical music, from disk and
cylinder boxes to a fancy art-cased
Chickering Ampico, a Mills Violano,
monkey organs, and many other items
of museum quality.

Members dined on a traditional
Texas barbecue dinner, including all
the sides, and delicious desserts. No
one left hungryÑand all agreed that
the musical sounds were a holiday
treat.

Ray Dickey shows off his 1948 MG
which took two years for the frame-off
restoration, but like music box restoration,
patience pays off.

Frances and Andy Ware traveled from Boerne, TX, to enjoy the fabulous music being
cranked out behind them. Everyone especially enjoyed the Christmas roll playing
Silent Night on the single Mills.

Charlie Moore, who came all the way from Dallas, TX, stands in front of a gorgeous
bird cage with three gleefully chirping birds.

Jennifer Lehmann, who drove in from the San Antonio area,
After the delicious meal, Steve Boehck, Sandra and Phil Smith, goes to work helping Dana, the DickeyÕs daughter, set up the
and Alan Bies relax and enjoy the beautiful sounds that filled table with all the goodies.
the evening.

Wayne Holton took the
afternoon off from arranging
band organ music to attend.
He is shown here with the
DickeyÕs 24-inch Mermod
Ideal Sublime Harmony
Piccolo inter-changeable
cylinder box.

Ray demonstrates an ornately carved six-tune mandolin box.
As seen above, the carving doesnÕt get any better.

Longtime member Kurt Nauck stands in front of a 24-inch
Lochmann with tubular chimes. As are all the machines in the
DickeyÕs collection, this one is in pristine condition.

March/April 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 33

Southern California Chapter

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

Dec. 7, 2019 – Woodland Hills, CA

Although our weather in Southern
California was inclement, it did not
impair our wonderful Christmas
meeting Dec. 7, 2019. Frank Nix
and his family graciously hosted a
lovely Christmas meeting with all the
trimmings. Both MBSI and AMICA
members were invited. A repast was
served under a tent just in case of some
precipitation. Our meeting began at

1:10 p.m. Robin was quick to remind
us all our annual dues obligation to
MBSI. He further reminded us of the
meeting with the MBSI Trustees to be
held Mar. 13-14, 2020, in Dana Point,
CA. Further activities/meetings are
planned for the upcoming year.
The meeting was adjourned at

1:30 pm as members finished their
Christmas meal together. The rest
of the afternoon was spent enjoying
FrankÕs incredible and vast collection
of mechanical instruments.
Barbara Neilsen, Doug Nix and our host, Frank Nix in front of the Imhof & Mukle
ÒTributeÓ orchestrion.

Members and guests gathered for a group photo surrounded by wonderful mechanical music.

Robin Biggins and Linda Birkitt enjoying the holiday party.

Attendees enjoying the show put on by Frank NixÕs machines.

Here is a little history of Theophile
Mortier (1855-1944), maker of dance
organs and orchestrions.

In the later quarter of the 1800s,
Theophile Mortier managed a pub in
Belgium where he maintained a Gavioli
dance organ. As time progressed,
he learned how to repair these organs
and soon he was buying and selling
them.

By 1895, he manufactured his
own organs. Both dance organs and
orchestrions were manufactured
until 1952. After World War I, the
Mortier company grew to a force of
80 employees which produced some
20 large dance organs annually. No
other organ manufacturer could
equal the cubic meter volume of the
Mortier organs. During the life of the
Mortier company, more than 600 different
organs and orchestrions were
fabricated.

Robbie Rhodes and Jody Kravitz of Mechanical Music Digest
(MMD) in the band organ room.

Making lunch while avoiding the rain.

March/April 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 35

Frank Nix plays the Banjo-Orchestra for the enjoyment of all.

The upstairs music room is filled with disc and cylinder boxes.

In a 1905 Popular Mechanics
publication, the Òelectric violinÓ or
violano, achieved rave reviews as an
invention. Only two models became
successful, the Violano-Virtuoso by
the Mills Novelty Company and the
Hupfeld Phonoliszt-Violina. These
instruments became popular in hotels
and other entertainment venues as
guests were happy to pay money to
watch the instruments play. In 1909
the Mills Violano was first exhibited at
the Alaskan Yukon Pacific Exposition
in Seattle, WA.

The mechanical Violano plays with
the addition of a keyboardless piano.
It is powered by an electric motor and
electromagnets. Songs are played by
punched paper rolls and a steel fingering
system with rollers which function
like a bow. Sixty-four steel fingers sit
below the four violin strings. Each
finger is held down by a spring until
an electromagnetic coil raises it to
contact the string to produce the
proper note. A motor with five speeds
controls the rotational speed of the
bow wheels and the volume of the violin.
Each violin note hole on the paper

Two Mills Violanos can be heard playing duet arrangements in the music room.

rolls engages the bow and finger for
that note simultaneously, To perform a
staccato function, a separate staccato
hold in the perforated rolls makes the
bow lift off the strings while the finger
remains engaged. To effect a vibrato

function, a magnet and weighted lever
shake the tail end of the violin. Some
4,000 violanos were manufactured in
the first part of the 20th century, and
by 1916, a dual Violano machine was
designed.

WE WANT YOUR STORY!

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

36 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2020

East Coast Chapter

Chapter Chair: Elise Low
Reporter: Elise Low
Photographer: Brooks Low

Oct. 25Ð27, 2019 Ð Bristol, CT

The 17 East Coast Chapter members
who attended a pre-Halloween
weekend gathering in Connecticut
enjoyed a grand tour of an expanded
exhibition in BristolÕs New England
Carousel Museum. Our excellent tour
guide, Kristen, shared details about
the vast collection of carved animals
and seats from more than 100 years
of carousel history. In addition to the
museumÕs own impressive holdings, it
receives items from across the country
for restoration as well as items loaned
for display.

We listened to a few tunes played
on a free-standing Wurlitzer 105 band
organ before riding on a small Venetian
carousel. We were given a peek
into the second-floor restoration room
and a guided tour of the large Museum
of Fire History that houses historical
fire-fighting and signaling equipment.

Fortified by a delicious catered buffet
luncheon in the upstairs ballroom,
we held our business meeting there
to elect officers and share ideas for
possible 2020 events. Special recognition
and thanks were given to Geoff
Wilson on his upcoming retirement as
our long serving double-duty treasurer
and registrar (nine and seven years,
respectively). It will take at least two
people to replace him!

The rest of the afternoon was spent in
the American Clock & Watch Museum,
also in Bristol, where a docent led
us through its extensive collection
of large and small timepieces. Then
Tom Grimshaw, ECC member and
former ACWM Curator, treated us to
a review of how Eli Terry introduced
mass production into clock making, a
revolutionary contribution to manufacturing
processes in general. (Note
the photo of Tom holding one of the
few original mass-produced Terry

Members admired the oldest carousel animals, including a lion.

Geoff Wilson, Claudia Molinari and Carolee Wineburgh looked at real horsetails.

The Wurlitzer 105 band organ was good and loud! Tom Grimshaw explained Eli TerryÕs historical importance.

We enjoyed many amazing items in the GrimshawsÕ living
The Thomaston Opera HouseÕs 1906 three-manual pipe organ. room.

Bill Wineburgh and Geoff Wilson listened to Andy describe Chair Elise Low thanked Geoff Wilson for his service with a
Connecticut carousels. card and small gift.

38 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2020

We got a peek into the restoration room.

This automaton can powder her nose!

tall clock wooden movements, circa
1805, known to exist.) Terry made
clocks affordable for average citizens
and finally established the principles
of mass production, including truly
interchangeable parts, which Eli
Whitney and others were attempting
to do about the same time. Terry is
better known for his own clocks than
for this pivotally-important historic
role. The next-door town of Terryville
is obviously named for him.

We had dinner in Thomaston
(named for Seth Thomas), after which
we attended a timely presentation of
the famous 1925 silent horror film,
ÒPhantom of the Opera,Ó starring Lon
Chaney. The movieÕs action was greatly
enhanced by appropriate dramatic
music played by resident organist Juan
Cardona, Jr. on the Thomaston Opera
HouseÕs impressive three-manual 1926
Marr-Colton Theater Pipe Organ.

On Sunday morning, ECC member
Andy Adams gave an illustrated
talk about the music and history of
American carousels, especially those
in Connecticut, as an extension of our
carousel museum visit. He explained
how organ rolls are made and also
how the modern addition of MIDI
replaces rolls. He generously gifted
attendees with CD recordings of various
Wurlitzer carousel organs.

We concluded our official group
activities with a brief show-and-tell
before adjourning. Brooks Low shared
a few items to elicit useful comments

Geoff Wilson and Bill Wineburgh chose the easier ride.

March/April 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 39

and historical information from
members. It worked! Bill Wineburgh
identified a small upholstered stand
with a musical movement in its drawer
as a support for a babyÕs photo album,
since the tune played is BrahmsÕ
ÒLullaby.Ó Also shown was an unusual,
small painted street organ of interest
to the crank organ collectors in the
audience. The show ended with both
a disc and a record played on BrooksÕ
restored 12.-inch Reginaphone.

Tom and Ramona Grimshaw were
gracious hosts at an open house in
Cheshire, CT, sharing their mini-museum
of clocks plus automata and
special-model music boxes. Many of
us stopped to visit there before heading
home.

Thanks to all of the hosts, presenters
and member camaraderie, a good
time was had by all.

The Clock and Watch MuseumÕs back room has wall-to-wall clocks.

40 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2020

National Capital Chapter

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

Dec. 8, 2019 Ð Annapolis, MD

The National Capital Chapter held
its holiday meeting on Sunday, Dec. 8,
at the house of Cheryl and Dick Hack,
which is on the western shore of the
Chesapeake Bay in Annapolis, MD.
Fifty-seven people attended including
one new member and 10 guests. We
were treated to a catered luncheon
followed by a business meeting.

The National Capital Chapter hosted
the most recent MBSI Annual Meeting
in Rockville, MD, this past August.
The convention was a major success.
Many of those who worked on the
convention received awards for their
contributions at the October chapter
meeting. Some who werenÕt present at
that meeting received awards at this
meeting including:

¥ The Larsen Family
¥ Phyllis Krochmal
¥ Richard and Faye Simpson
¥ Don and Carol Durand for the
Teddy Bear Picnic balloons
¥ Allen Genteman
¥ Steve Kelly
Special awards were given to:

¥ Ken Gordon, a Golden Gavel for
his workshops
¥ Durward Center for his crowning
glory collection
¥ Terry and Jan Bender, the white
chocolate Swiss Bear, for registration
and entertainment etc.
¥ Dick Hack for his design of and
work on the table favors. He was
given a bag of peanuts because
Òhe works for peanutsÓ
Following the business meeting
Dick and Cheryl demonstrated
their collection to members. The
Hacks have an extensive collection
of mechanical music. It includes

Ginny Little presents Dick Hack with his ÔÕhe works for peanutsÓ Award.

Ken Gordon with his Golden Gavel Award, Joe Orens and Florie Hirsch on the left.

Richard Simpson, Joel Cluskey (AMICA President), Durward Center and Glenn Jack Hardman and Durward Center visit
Thomas with the Hupfeld Phonoliszt Violina. before lunch.

Frances Larsen and Jan Bender with

Dick Hack, Joe Hilferty, and Steve Kelley with the Hupfeld Phonoliszt Violina. their Annual Meeting awards.

Nan and Mike Herring and Bob Goldsmith getting ready for
Durward Center wearing his Crowning Glory Collection Award. the business meeting.

42 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2020

a variety of nickelodeons, organs,
orchestrions, pianos, music boxes,
phonographs, jukeboxes, and movie
jukeboxes. Some of the larger pieces
are a Weber Unika, Hupfeld Phonoliszt
Violina, Seeburg G Orchestrion,
Welte Orchestrion, Wurlitzer CX
Orchestrion with added bells, Wurlitzer
153 Band Organ, Ruth model 36
German fairground organ that plays
book music, Davrainville Clockwork
Barrel Organ, Regina Hexaphone Phonograph,
DeCap 92-key Dance Organ,
Mortier Organ, Bursens CafŽ Organ,
Ramey Banjo Orchestra, Mills Violano
with Drum box, Mills Panoram movie
jukebox, Polyphon 15.-inch musical
tall clock, Wurlitzer Model B Harp
reproduction built by Dick, Link 2E
Nickelodeon and a variety of other
mechanical music machines.

We thank Cheryl and Dick for again
hosting our Holiday Party.

Dick Hack demonstrates a music box to
Rich Mazur. Kristin Larsen in back.

Bruce Newman, Rory and Ryan Lehman and Matt Jaro listen to the very loud Ruth
36 organ. Wurlitzer 153 and Prinsen organs in background.

Jan Bender, Vince Holter and Knowles Little listen to the Wurlitzer CX.

Terry Bender, Nancy and Joel Shaper, and Bruce Newman
listen to the Mills Violano play the Orange Blossom Special.
DeCap Dance Organ and Welte Orchestrion in background Carol and Don Durand enjoy the Mortier organ.

March/April 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 43

Southeast Chapter

Chapter Chair: Jack Hostetler
Reporter: Margery Sanford
Photographer: Howard Sanford

Jan 24-26, 2020 Ð Robertsdale, AL, and
Pensacola, FL

The January meeting of the Southeast
Chapter in Pensacola, FL, and
environs, gave members a chance
to see probably two of the finest
collections in the chapter. With 44
registrants, the session began with a
short business meeting and mart.

A most enjoyable lunch followed in
the backwoods of neighboring state,
Alabama, at the fabulous spacious
home and grounds of hosts, Anita
and Bob Wingerd. Their collection is
almost too numerous to describe. Suffice
it to say, there are more than 60
musical boxes, antique phonographs,
jukeboxes, bird boxes, and player pianos.
The musical box development is
evident from their early keywinds with
sectional tooth combs to disc boxes
and phonographs. Many musical box
formats are shown with oh so many
celebrated makers. Jukeboxes from
1934 till 1953 are also on display. A
beautiful Remington baby grand with
MIDI piano disc system rounds off the
collection. Did I say, we so enjoyed
being in the woods with their two
friendly donkeys and one horse.

The next morning found us at
another fantastic surprise collection.
It was in the small panhandle town of
Mary Esther, FL, with a vast expansive
view of the beautiful Gulf of Mexico.
Here Nattaya and John Leuenberger
provided a lovely brunch for all 44 of
us. They happily showed their huge
collection of two Regina changers,
Polyphon Mikado upright, Mira and
Regina disc boxes, Bremond cylinder
box (matching table and six cylinders),
petite grand piano with Piano
Disc system, and Mills Violano with
MIDI among other treasures.

I could easily conclude that the
Southeast Chapter has the nicest,

Dueling banjo skeletons set the mood at Bob and Anita WingerdÕs home in Alabama
for the opening of the January chapter meeting.

Our hosts, Bob and Anita Wingerd with an antique Coke machine and an impressive
collection of videos to go with their equally impressive mechanical music collection.

Mark and Beth Mitchell enjoy a Mills Violano at Nattaya and James Kracht Wayne Finger and John Leuenberger listen to a
John LeuenbergerÕs home in Pensacola, FL. Regina disc box during the open house.

Nattaya Leuenberger with a pair of gorgeous Regina disc Warren Officer and John Leuenberger with the Mills Violano.
boxes.

Bill Zaiser, Sandy Cranfill and Steve Barnes listen to a large
A pair of Regina 27-inch changers greeted guests in a hallway disc box featuring a landscape painting on the lid.
at the Leuenberger home.

March/April 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 45

friendliest members. We cordially invite every MBSI member
to meet us May 9-10, 2020, at the college town of
Tuscaloosa, AL, hosted by Jamie Brewer, for our next
meeting.

Stella and a Miraphone disc boxes vie for attention next to
beautifully-restored cylinder boxes and antique lamps.

The music shelf? Several cylinder boxes are displayed in a
book case at the WingerdÕs home. Bob Wingerd demonstrates a musical photo album.

The WingerdÕs roll collection even has antique cases to contain
the boxes plus a cylinder music box underneath to listen Members and guests listen to a cylinder box during the open
to a tune while making your roll selection. house at Bob and Anita WingerdÕs house in Robertsdale, AL.

46 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2020

In Memoriam In Memoriam
Jasper Sanfilippo, 1931-2020

By Marty Persky

Jasper SanfilippoÕs first exposure
to mechanical music was in 1956 on
the day he married the love of his life,
Marian. While the rest of the bridal
party was across the street in the wedding
photographerÕs studio, he found
himself in Angelo ValenteÕs ÒHouse of
Nickelodeons.Ó Although inspiring,
JasperÕs first priorities were family
and business. Business was the family
company where he started shelling
pecans at the age of 10.

JasperÕs father could shell pecans
with a hand press faster than anyone.
As a mechanical engineer and
business major, Jasper pushed for
automation and expansion of the
company. According to stories told
by the family and friends, JasperÕs
father fired him from the company
four times, but hired him back five
times. Upon his fatherÕs passing in
1963, Jasper diversified the company
to process all types of nuts and snacks
and started another company focused
on thin film packaging.

On one family vacation to Knotts
Berry Farm in California Jasper
rediscovered nickelodeons. Having
recently completed a 6,000 square
foot home for his family, he was now
in a position to begin collecting. His
first purchase was a bunch of bushel
baskets containing the parts of the
Bruder fairground organ that now
stands prominently in the Sanfilippo
collection. With a strong desire to preserve
mechanical music instruments,
he soon acquired many machines in
need of restorations and, in some
cases, resurrection.

It meant he needed to find qualified
people to take on these projects. ItÕs
exactly what he did. Eventually, he
had a loyal cadre of artisans who

appreciated the opportunity to restore
an instrument rather than just fixing a
part that wore out that week.

As the restorers were doing their
work Jasper was constructing
palatial settings for showcasing the
instruments. As each addition was
completed it was the joy he saw,
especially in the visiting collectors,
that fueled him on. Over the course of
three additions, the house grew from
6,000 to 44,000 square feet. Also added
to the estate was a 27,000 square foot
carousel pavilion and steam engine
gallery and a similarly-sized storage
building. Throughout each construction
project, the routine was the same.
Each morning, before leaving for the
plant, Jasper would go over the dayÕs
work plan with the crew; and each
night he would check the progress.

Jasper looked forward to every
MBSI and AMICA visit. He set project
completion dates to ensure all was
done in time for the arrival of his
fellow collectors and enthusiasts.
Beginning in the mid 1980s the Mid
America Chapter would come for a
tour every other year.

In 1996 a total of 708 MBSI members
toured the collection, had lunch in
the carousel pavilion and enjoyed a
theater organ concert in two separate
shifts while their 13 buses waited on
the property. Those unable to attend
that year got a second chance at the
Mid-America Chapter meeting in 1998
where some 600 people got to ride the
Eden Palais Salon Carousel.

In 2005, the Lake Michigan Chapter
of MBSI was formed with a plan for
at least one event each year at the
Sanfilippo estate.

In 2007, the Sanfilippo Foundation
was formed by Jasper, Marian and
their five children to educate the
public, help preserve the collection

Jasper Sanfilippo at the console of the
five manual, 80-rank Wurlitzer theater
pipe organ that has entertained thou-
sands of people at his Barrington Hills,
IL home.

and manage charity events held at the
venue. Charitable organizations raise
more than a million dollars annually
to support their causes while hosting
their events at SanfilippoÕs. Last
yearÕs tours shared the experience
of mechanical music with some 100
groups of 40 or more.

Last May, JasperÕs son, Jeffrey, completed
an 8,000-square-foot addition
to the house for ÒPerfume PassageÓ
with extraordinary displays of the
worldÕs finest collection of perfume
bottles and the history of the perfume
industry.

While our dear friend Jasper has

March/April 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 47

passed, he has left an amazing legacy. His spirit will be with
us as the music plays on.

Written condolences may be sent to Sanfilippo Family,
PO Box 367, Barrington Hills, IL 60011.

A celebration of JasperÕs life for MBSI, AMICA and COAA
members will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2020. Notices
will be forwarded to each of the organizations with all
registrations processed by the Lake Michigan Chapter.

Jasper and Marian at one of the many fundraising events held
for non-profit organizations.

Marian and Jasper welcoming guests to their home for an
MBSI event in 2014 and again (below) a few year later.

Jasper with one of several Hupfeld Phonoliszt Violinas that
have graced the collection.

Jasper listens with Lake Michigan Chapter members to the
Limonaire organ that played in Martin ScorseseÕs movie Hugo.

48 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2020

In Memoriam In Memoriam
Helen Muller

By Paul Senger

I am sad to report the passing of
long-time member Helen Muller on
Oct. 27, 2019. Helen and her husband,
Art, of Catonsville, MD, were regular
supporters of the National Capital
Chapter.

They were members for more
than 20 years and hosted collection
tours and open houses. They were
also annual meeting contributors.
Helen and Art were married for 52

years. Helen enjoyed playing cards,
especially bridge, cooking and wine
tastings.

Most of all, she enjoyed spending
time with her family and time at the
lake at Smith Mountain, VA.

A Memorial Service was held in
November. Memorial donations may
be made to the Special Olympics,
https://www.specialolympics.org/
get-involved/donate.

Our sympathy goes out to Art and
the family.

Helen at the 2009 Annual Meeting in
Morristown, NJ.

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.

colour throughout;Additional Illustrations of Models; Additions to Lists of
Supplement to 100pp Hard Back ISO A4 format [8.27Ó . 11.70Ó; Profusely illustrated in
The Organette Book

Patents, Tune Lists & Tuning Scales; A New Section on Trade Cards;

Compiled and Edited by

Combined Index of Images in the original book and its Supplement.

Kevin McElhone

ISBN 978-0-9557869-5-2 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

March/April 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 49

Excellent
some with
slight rust.
$8,500 U.S.
Mira ÒStellaÓ
Swiss, 7 discs
restoration
$6,250 U.S.
Excellent
some with
slight rust.
$8,500 U.S.
Mira ÒStellaÓ
Swiss, 7 discs
restoration
$6,250 U.S.
condition 195/8Ó
Polyphon Music
Box w/woodbase. 36 discs,
Fully restored.
151/2Ó Reginaphone

Norman Jolly

& base, 12 metal
records. Excellent

Hamilton, OH, (513) 863-5655,

recent restoration.
Finish in excellent

becben57@live.com

condition. $4,700 U.S.

Regina Model 140
Console, built in
1902, excellent
condition, full
restoration,
12 records,
$5,500 U.S.

151/2Ó, full

w/base.
Excellent
condition.

50 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2020

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 San Fran -cis-co
Ladies and Gentlemen, please join us for a first time
offered ÒHarpist Tea PartyÓ featuring Adele Simpson
who will be performing a delightful musical program.
Delicious tea sandwiches and desserts will be served
along with the tea and there will be some door prizes.
Tea Party attire is optional!
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 San Fran -cis-co
Ladies and Gentlemen, please join us for a first time
offered ÒHarpist Tea PartyÓ featuring Adele Simpson
who will be performing a delightful musical program.
Delicious tea sandwiches and desserts will be served
along with the tea and there will be some door prizes.
Tea Party attire is optional!

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
Seeking your stories for ….

Did you once spend time finding the perfect musical
antique to round out your collection? What was it? How
did you find it? Was it in ruins, or in perfect condition? The Hunt

Was there a time you randomly ran across a unique
instrument then found a way to acquire it and restore it
so that you might display it and tell the story to all who
visit your home?

Answer these questions and you will have the perfect
story for ÒThe HuntÓ column in Mechanical Music.

Every mechanical music instrument has a story
behind it and the readers of Mechanical Music love to Email your story to editor Russell Kasselman at
read them all. editor@mbsi.org or mail a copy to:

Editing help is available if you have a story, but
you are not sure how to organize it or present it. The MBSI Editorial Offices
important thing is to get it down and pass it on for the 130 Coral Court
enjoyment of others. Pismo Beach, CA 93449

We look forward to hearing from you.

52 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2020

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
Monumental Polyphon Music Box
Carved Oak case with wild game
& figures. Coin Operated. Ht. 8Õ
$8,000-$12,000
Fine Art & Antiques
March 28, 2020
For more or selling iantf oa uacbtoiount buying please contact:
Matt Cottone | 585-243-1000
cottoneauctions.com
COTTONE AUCTIONS
Grinder Gordie
Street Organ Grinder
Any Event for Fun
www.grindergordie.com
231.690.6210
March/April 2020 MECHANICAL MUSIC 53

March 28 – 29, 2020
COIN-OP & ADVERTISING
March 28 -29, 2020
COIN-OP & ADVERTISING

2000 N. READING ROAD | DENVER, PA 17517
877-968-8880 | INFO@MORPHYAUCTIONS.COM
M O RP HYAUCTI O NS.C O M
Featuring our most significant offering of mechanical & coin operated music machines
from fresh-to-the-market collections.
2000 N. READING ROAD | DENVER, PA 17517
877-968-8880 | INFO@MORPHYAUCTIONS.COM
M O RP HYAUCTI O NS.C O M
Featuring our most significant offering of mechanical & coin operated music machines
from fresh-to-the-market collections.

For purchase information, please contact Howie SchackPhone: 817-994-4312 Email: MusicalHowie@gmail.comwww.TheAmazingMusicalOddity.comWeber Otero Orchestrion
Singing Bird Box
Singing Bird Box
Symphonion Clock / Music Box
For purchase information, please contact Howie SchackPhone: 817-994-4312 Email: MusicalHowie@gmail.comwww.TheAmazingMusicalOddity.comWeber Otero Orchestrion
Singing Bird Box
Singing Bird Box
Symphonion Clock / Music Box

Preston Evans (Opportunities Auction)

www.PrestonOpportunities.com
(678) 296-3326
ITEMS UP FOR AUCTION INCLUDE:
.Maccordion: A rare product of the late G. W.
MacKinnon, and a fine example in extraordinary
condition. From the 1960s, this automatic
accordion nickelodeon was the last of several
produced by MacKinnon. It was known as the
ÒMACCORDION Model 165.Ó It is accompanied by
a signed letter of authenticity dated Nov. 1996. It
contains a player piano, 2 playing accordions,
snare drum, bass drum, glockenspiel, tambourine,
triangle, wood block and cymbal in a custom-craft
ed cherry and birchwood cabinet with an automated
player piano roll.
Friday, May 22-24, 2020
132 Cross Creek Circle
Macon GA 31210
.The Encore Automatic Banjo: Designed and
marketed circa 1900 by the American Automatic
Banjo Company of New Jersey, this unique music
player was marketed as a moneymaker in a growing
number of taverns, restaurants and entertainment
businesses. Of those elaborate creations, only
about 20 survive intact today. A number of partial
machines and parts were discovered stored in an
old barn on the East Coast. In 1975 an entrepreneur
found and was able to purchase the collection of
badly aged parts. Through extensive restoration,
and some recasting, he reintroduced this fantastic
machine to the public as The Encore Automatic
Banjo. A coin operated music roll mechanism
driving an electromechanical series of fingers
faithfully recreates a variety of selections, five to a
roll. The beautiful oak cabinetry accurately reflects
the grand machines that once adorned the music
halls of 120 years ago. Measurements are
6-feet-10-inches tall by 24-inches wide and
25-inches deep.
.
.

Auction)

sale during the auction.

.

.
19th century French Barrel Organ
Clock, ca. 1884: Magnificent in stature,
this rare musical clock is topped by a
bronze eagle perched on an alabaster
plinth that sits above a carved fluted
column containing the clock. The base
beneath the column houses a small barrel
organ behind thin silk panels. The music
from the small wooden flute pipes is
activated by the clock striking 12. A weight
on a pulley descending through the
column propels the musical mechanism.

Clock mechanism is inscribed: SL 1/9 ’83.
The lower base cabinet is decorated with a
gold ormolu scene of Venus flanked by
angels and cherub. The clockworks have
had every gear and bearing cleaned,
polished, and adjusted. The complex
musical movement has had equal attention
to detail while still retaining the beautiful
cabinetÕs original patina.

.
Regina 27 inch Automatic Disc
Changer Music Box: Beautifully carved
Dragon Front design known as the Style 8a
Regina. Splendid cabinet carved in quarter
sawn white oak with a beautiful original
patina to it. The changer holds 12 discs that
automatically rise into position from a dual
motor wind up mechanism. A well-kept
example of an 1898 Regina.

.
Call, email
or mail $20 to get
a brochure showing
all items offered for

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

Thursday, March 5 at 12:30 P.M. – Following the Complimentary Luncheon
Friday & Saturday, March 6 & 7 beginning at 9:00 A.M. each day

For years Nick Monios collected with a mission and desire to assemble a high-end group of
phonographs, radios, records, music boxes, early cartoon books, prints, posters, high-end toys,
and related items of all types. He was a perfectionist having the desire that his machines, and the

Nick Monios

items in his collection, were in the condition that they were when they left the factory.

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 radios including The Spartan Nocturne floor model, and
one of the most sought after radios The Zenith Stratosphere with itÕs mascot the
Zenith Stratosphere Cat Statue; 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; Zono-
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; a complete
set of Vogue Picture records including the rare examples
ÒQueen for a DayÓ and ÒRum and Coca-ColaÓ; On and On,
the list is endless and incredible.
Call us early to receive a complimentary
catalog of this upcoming auction.

StantonÕs Auctioneers,
AUCTIONEERS & REALTORSSTANTONÕSSteven E. Stanton

(517) 331-8150 cellular

Appraisers, & Realtors

(517) 852-0627 evening

144 S. Main, P.O. Box 146
Vermontville, MI 49096 E-mail Ð stevenEstanton@gmail.com

Phone: (517) 726-0181

Michael C. Bleisch

Fax: (517) 726-0060

(517) 231-0868 cellular

E-mail: stantonsauctions@sbcglobal.net

E-mail Ð mcbleisch@gmail.com

Website: www.stantons-auctions.com

Vogue Rum & Coca-Cola

NEW IN STOCK!

ÉTwo 18Ó Mira Consoles
ÉEarly pieces including Snuff Boxes;

a gold patch box; a Bruguier bird box.
ÉBontems singing bird in a large vase.
ÉOrganettes
ÉMermod Station Box (with drum/bells/mandarin

strikers/ballarinas)

RESTORATION SUPPLIES Ð Check out my
online catalog for disc and cylinder box restora
supplies, including jewels, governor gears, tools, damper
and wire, mylar dampers, paper goods and more!

CYLINDER AND DISC BOXES ÐNo
listsÉlet me know what youÕre looking for! Some are
restored, many are unrestored. Many ÔsmallÕ pieces,
including, snuff
boxes, Reuge pieces, bell boxes, upright
20Ó Criterion, 15Ó Reginas & more!

BOOKS Ð over 200 s of new and used books in
stock. E-mail for lis ng.

DISCS Ð Over 9,500 original discs for many brands
and sizes. Reproduc discs available. What do you
need? I can e-mail you lis gs of what I have

FOR SALE
readers have ordered several copies. Get

THE MART

your copy today for $99 plus S/H. MECHANI

RESTORED MUSICAL BOXES Offering a CAL MUSIC PRESS-M, 70 Wild Ammonoosuc

variety of antique musical boxes, discs, Rd., Woodsville, NH 03785. (603) 747-2636.

orphan cylinders, reproducing piano rolls & http://www.mechanicalmusicpress.com

out of print books about mechanical music.

BILL WINEBURGH 973-927-0484 Web: MARVELS OF MECHANICAL MUSIC -MBSI

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

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.

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

MECHANICAL
MUSIC
DIRECTORY
MEMBERS,
MUSEUMS,
& DEALERS
2018 2019
Extra Copies only $10
Call (417) 886-8839
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

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.

SUBMIT ADS TO:

MBSI Ads

130 Coral Court

Pismo Beach, CA 93449

(253) 228-1634

Email: editor@mbsi.org

62 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2020

WANTED SERVICES WANTED SERVICES
WURLITZER LX. Also wanting APP changer
rolls. Marches and old favorites. Contact:
DON KROENLEIN, (217) 650-8650 fbac@
one-eleven.net

REGINA CHIME CLOCK Prefer complete and
working but would consider projects. Also
looking for housings and covers for Wurlitzer
four in one valves.. Contact DAVE DEPPE, at
dwdeppe@yahoo.com or 269-425-6615.

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

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

& 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
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
Display Advertisers

2 Renaissance Antiques
49 Musical Box Society of Great
Britain
50 Mechanical Organ & Clock Works
50 Norman Jolly
51 Golden Gate Chapter/AMICA
52 Waldkircher Orgelfest Tours
53 BenÕs Player Piano Service
53 Cottone Auctions
53 Reeder Pianos
53 Bob Caletti – Music Box
Restorations
53 Grinder Gordie
54 Morphy Auctions
55 Morphy Auctions
56 The Amazing Musical Oddity
57 Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd.
58 Preston Evans Opportunity
Auctions
59 Preston Evans Opportunity
Auctions
59 StantonÕs Auctioneers & Realtors
60 Nancy Fratti Music Boxes
67 Marty Persky
68 Auction Team Breker

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.

Each One
Reach One
New Member
March/April 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 Caletti, Golden Gate
Judy Miller, Southeast
Rick Swaney, 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

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

64 MECHANICAL MUSIC March/April 2020

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Date Event Location Sponsor
Mar. 14, 2020 Southern California Chapter Meeting Dana Point, CA Mike & Kathy Choate
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 Apr. 1, 2020 for the May/June 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 Roger Wiegand
281 Concord Road
Wayland, MA 01778
or pay via PayPal, send to
treasurereccmbsi@gmail.com

Golden Gate

Chair: Jonathan Hoyt
jenjenhoyt@yahoo.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

March/April 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
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MARTY PERSKY

Instrument Brokering & Locating / Appraisals / Inspections / Free Consultation

Welte 4 Concert Weber Maesto with 3D Moving Scene Popper Felix

Mortier 84 key CafŽ Hupfeld Helios II/25 Violina Orchestra

Jaeger Brommer
42Õer Violinopan 20Õer Automaton
45Õer Niemuth
Bacigalupo Visit: www.Mechmusic.com Mills Bowfront Violano

Call: 847-675-6144 or Email: Marty@Mechmusic.com
for further information on these and other fine instruments.

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
Éand many more!
Closing Date: 1 March 2020
ÒHarp PiccoloÓ Musical Box,
probably Karrer, c. 1885
Estimate: 6.000 Ð 8.000  / $ 6,660 Ð 8,880
ÒClown sur ChaiseÓ Musical
Automaton by Leopold Lambert,
c. 1900
Estimate: 4.000 Ð 6.000  /
$ 4,450 Ð 6,700
ÒAirophonÓ Fairground
Organ by GebrŸder
Bruder, Waldkirch
Estimate:
5.000 Ð 7.000  /
$ 5,550 Ð 7,750
Barrel Organ by
Cocchi, Bacigalupo &
Graffigna, c. 1895
Estimate:
12.000 Ð 15.000  /
$ 13,300 Ð 16,650
156th Specialty Auction
ÈMechanical Music &
Technical AntiquesÇ
16 May 2020
Musical Clown
Automaton
by Roullet et
Decamps, c.
1900
Estimate:
3.000 Ð 5.000  /
$ 3,300 Ð 5,550
Rare Empire Timepiece with
Organ, probably by Christian
Ernst Kleemeyer, c. 1800
Estimate: 15.000 Ð 20.000  /
$ 16,650 Ð 22,200
Polyphon Style 4 Automatic Disc-
Changing Musical Box, c. 1900
Estimate: 18.000 Ð 22.000  /
$ 19,950 Ð 24,400
Mills Violano-
Virtuoso, c. 1900
Estimate:
15.000 Ð 20.000  /
$ 16,650 Ð 22,200
Frisian Musical Hall Clock
by Abelius, 1796
Estimate: 12.000 Ð 15.000  /
$ 13,300 Ð 16,650