After many years of gathering new information I have started
the manuscript for "The Encyclopedia of Disc-type Music Boxes"
(working title).  As envisioned, this will be a high-quality,
well-illustrated book on disc-type music boxes made in Germany,
Switzerland, America, and a few other places, from the 1880s to
1920.

It is intended to complement the fine books on disc music boxes
now in print or being created by others.  The more worthwhile
references that are available, the greater the interest will be
-- and more people will join our fine hobby and pastime.

Each company will have its own chapter, beginning with its history,
publicity and news as reflected in German and American trade papers
and elsewhere, followed by a listing of models in order by disc sizes,
original catalog illustrations, specifications, and other information.

Likely, I will include a "gallery" of examples in collections and
museums today.  As to whether to include values and rarity, I probably
will not, but it might be interesting to add supplemental sheets with
such information.

This is a pro bono project that I will subsidize.  After the project is
well underway, so that planning can be made, I will approach the MBSI
and AMICA to seek their possible interest in adding their imprimatur.

I might also ask if anyone wants to join me in being a Grand Patron of
the project for, say, $1,000, no doubt tax deductible if issued by one
of the societies.  Grand Patrons will be honored on a separate page in
the front of the book.  Already, Bob Gilson, who had early word of the
book, has signed on.

I would like to borrow or rent (I don't mind paying) any original
catalogs, brochures, price lists, and the like.  I no longer have
the catalogs I used for the 1972 Encyclopedia of Automatic Musical
Instruments, so need to start from scratch, figuratively speaking.

If you have any catalogs of the German distributors (Peters, Bon,
Zimmermann, and a dozen or more others), or individual catalogues
and brochures for Adler, Capital, New Century, Polyphon, Symphonion,
Regina, and any and all others, I would be pleased to pay postage and
insurance both ways and handle with care.

Alternatively, high-resolution scans at 600 dpi or higher can be sent
to me by e-mail, but not more than 6 MB worth of scans in any single
shipment, so as not to affect my computer.  Credit will be given in the
final work for any and all help provided.

As the book nears completion I will issue a call for pictures of
unusual instruments in modern collections, again with credit.

I appreciate any interest you may take and will reply to all
correspondence.  Thank you very much!

Dave Bowers
Box 539
Wolfeboro Falls, NH 03896
e-mail: qdbardchive@metrocast.net.geentroep [delete ".geentroep" to reply]