As you read these words Terry Smythe of the Automatic Musical
Instrument Collectors Association (AMICA) is deeply immersed in the
graphics and layout of the new book, "The Encyclopedia of Disc Music
Boxes."  The basic manuscript has been completed and now stands at
272,909 words with 1,446 illustrations.

I began research for the book in 1972 after "The Encyclopedia of
Automatic Musical Instruments" went to press.  Since that time I have
visited original factory buildings in America and Europe, corresponded
extensively, and have had the help of collectors, dealers, researchers,
and museums worldwide.  I have been very fortunate.

The book will be published by the Automatic Musical Instrument
Collectors Association and will be distributed worldwide.  AMICA is
inviting interested persons to be Grand Patrons by donating $1,000
to the project, payable next year.  As was the case with the highly
successful book, "The Violin-playing Machines," the Grand Patrons
will be honored and recognized by readers for years to come, and their
help will permit the book to be offered at a highly-affordable price,
a win-win situation.

My "want list" of information and pictures grows smaller each week.
At present I would like to communicate with anyone who can help with
these aspects:

Adler/Fortuna: 19.5 cm. (7.68")  Number of teeth?  Size C?  Discs
numbered in the 9000 series.

Britannia/Imperial music boxes: Original catalog pictures and
dimensions, pictures of larger models in existence today.  Number
of teeth on the 63.5 cm. (25") model.

Celesta: 16.5 cm. (6.5")  Number of teeth?

Harmonia: 20.3 cm. (8")   Number of teeth?

Imperator: 11.8 cm. (4.65") number of teeth?

Imperial Symphonion (American): Need number of teeth for
34.3 cm. (13.5"), 38.1 cm. (15"), 64 cm. (25.2"), 70 cm. (27.56")
need number of teeth.

Komet: 64 cm. (25.2") and 68.5 cm. (27") number of teeth?  Does anyone
have a catalog issued directly by Komet?

Libellion: 19.5 cm. (7.68") 64 teeth.  Need series number printed on
book (rather esoteric, but the book will have a lot of arcane
information!)

Mira: 11.4 cm. (4.5") and 20.3 cm. (8") number of teeth.  Catalog
pictures of either?

Olympia: 71.5 cm. (28.15")   Where is it now?  Number of teeth?  One
known was offered by American International Galleries in 1977 as 27".

Orphenion: 50.0 cm. (19.7") need number of teeth.  Also need information
on an large Orphenion with 225 teeth.

Polyhymnia: 19.5 cm. (7.68") number of teeth.  Any original catalog
illustrations or information on any or all models?  Need help!

Polymnia: 19.5 cm. (7.68") and 47 cm. (18.5") need number of teeth.
Need any and all pictures, original and modern, have very little now.

Roepke: Any advertisements or catalog pages.  Plus number of teeth in
comb and any pictures of the 45 cm. (17.7") model.

Sirion: Information on model with 184 teeth announced in 1901.

Symphonion: 64 cm. (25.2")  Symphonion 400 series, need number of teeth
and any/all other information.

Tannhäuser: Model with 118 teeth.  Also any original illustrations and
model information.

Thorens / Helvetia / Edelweiss: Need number of teeth and any
illustrations, old or new, for these sizes: 19.5 cm. (7.68"),
20.5 cm. (8"), 28 cm. (11"), 30.5 cm. (12"), 40 cm. (15.75"),
50.8 cm. (20"), 56.5 cm. (22.24").

Troubadour: 40.5 cm. (16") number of teeth?  Is there a Troubadour
catalog?

Thank you for any help.

Dave Bowers
Box 539, Wolfeboro Falls, NH 03896 USA
qdbarchive@metrocast.net.geentroep [delete ".geentroep" to reply]