Jody, The value of reproducing pianos today is a small fraction
of what it was when Hathaway & Bowers Galleries and American
International Galleries was selling many of them in the 1960s and
1970s.  A Chickering Ampico such as on eBay would have sold readily
for over $5,000, perhaps close to $10,000.  Steinway grands
challenged $10,000 and often went over, depending on condition.

Rebuilding pianos was widely popular.  We used to pay $200 for dozens
of upright player pianos delivered to California, and would clean them
up and put them in the showroom for $300 to $700 or so, the higher
prices being for quartered oak or in especially nice cases or condition.
With each we would include a copy of "Rebuilding the Player Piano",
by Larry Givens, and info on how to order rebuilding supplies from
Durrell Armstrong.

The downfall of prices was catalyzed by the availability of new,
electronic reproducing systems.  Also, in history in the early 20th
century a sign of a fine home was a piano in the living room.  Today
this is no longer true.

The prices of coin-op pianos and orchestrions has held on better,
although not at the level of years ago.  Music boxes have done even
better, but with slight reductions.  I see that a bellwether instrument,
the 27-inch Regina changer, regularly sells for $16,000 up, and I see
that in Germany, Uwe Breker [auction house] gets around $15,000.

However, my collecting instinct remains, and today I bought from Marty
Persky a large collection of wall boxes for coin-op instruments and look
forward to adding them to those I already have.  As far as I know, each
of these is valued no less than 30 or 40 years ago.

I also love the history of automatic musical instruments and am in
regular contact with many musical friends.  I miss many who have gone
to their final reward, such as Harvey and Marion Roehl, Ed Link, Murray
Clark, Walt Bellm, Marty Roenigk, Larry Givens, and other "greats"ťof
our glorious past.

Thank you for all you do with MMD.  Really nice.

Dave Bowers
Wolfeboro Falls, New Hampshire, USA