The BBC radio show is very interesting, and I want to thank Jeffrey
Borinsky for bringing it to our attention.  Since there seems to be
some interest in the subject here, I have posted some pictures of
several Auxetophones here:

  http://homepage.mac.com/gryphoncorp/PhotoAlbum24.html

For many years it was true that there was no place where a working
Auxetophone could be heard.  Nearly all surviving Auxetophones were
missing the blower assembly.  I believe they were taken out because the
owners were tired of the very high maintenance required, and because
the assembly was very heavy.  By using a regular Victor sound box, the
Auxetophone functioned just like any other outside-horn Victor and
could still be used.

A talented restorer from New York, Paul Baker, was given the job to
restore an incomplete example.  He was able to construct a new blower
assembly that faithfully duplicated the performance and appearance of
the original, but used much more reliable modern components.  Once word
of his accomplishment got out, most owners of incomplete instruments
commissioned Paul to build their missing components.  Paul even built
two complete Auxetophones from scratch.  He built one cabinet from
mahogany, to match the original, and for something special, he built
one from Circassian Walnut.  It is absolutely gorgeous, and one wonders
why Victor did not offer that option.

Today, there are several working Auxetophones in the US.  Only one of
them is totally original.  It was restored by Paul Baker, and is in a
private collection in the Chicago area.  There is one on public display
in the Johnson Victrola Museum in Dover, Delaware.  I understand it is
demonstrated daily.  In England, there is a complete example in the EMI
collection, but I believe that it is unrestored.  I have heard that
there is another example in a private collection in GB.

Robert Baumbach, Los Angeles