The worst part of any MBSI meeting is saying good-bye to friends that we
won't see until next year in Seattle, if then.  With the extremely large
group of European members in Chicago, we probably won't see them again
for more that one year. So we keep the correspondence and E-Mail
flowing.

I personally had the opportunity to spend time with Philippe Rouille,
who participates on our list from Paris, and Arthur Ord-Hume, the
prodigious author from England. Since I picked them both up at the
airport (fortunately I knew Philippe and Philippe knew Arthur, or that
could have been a very interesting experience!), my introduction to
Arthur was of a casual note. Both Philippe and Arthur have a very quick
sense of humor, and we got off to a great start on what has proved to be
an instant friendship.

A bit about Arthur Ord-Hume.  I had been told that the man was very
pompous and stuffy, and had no sense of humor at all.  I have to say
that they were not talking about the man we saw and laughed with this
week. From early morning breakfast to late night get-togethers, he kept
us laughing!  Although the Swiss visitors were not happy about his
Thurs. evening talk, which questioned the historical authenticity of
their claim that Favre was the inventor of the steel comb, no one came
to blows. His meetings with the other European Society officers Juergen
Hocker and Helmut Kowar, along with the MBSI president, Frank Metzger,
will help to  implement further sharing of research and articles among
the various groups.

Friday was an incredibly busy day in Chicago. Friday morning started
with an early breakfast and awards ceremony. The workshops were truly
outstanding: Chris Eric talking about early music boxes, Arlette
Rusticelli, owner of the Baud Museum in Switzerland, spoke about the
40 years of the Museum and about their repair shop, Peter Schuhknecht
spoke about arranging music for mechanical instruments, Johnny Verbeeck
spoke  about the history of Verbeeck organs, Hans Schmitz on the subject
of Welte-Mignon Rolls, Dave Ramey, Jr. about the Banjo-Orchestra, Don
Barr about the Mills Violano, Juergen Hocker about Contemporary Music
for Piano Rolls, Helmut Kowar about  the Music on Mechanical
Instruments, and Etienne Blyelle-Horngacher about  Primitive Music
Boxes. The biggest problem was making the choice, since  we had time
for only three workshops.

The very crowded and hectic mart followed in the afternoon.  With the
very large crowd, and the many tables, it was difficult to move, let
alone see  what you wanted to purchase.  However, judging from the many
things being  carried by members with big smiles on their faces, I think
it was a highly  successful mart.

The auction followed in the evening.  Since I had made several purchases
at the mart and there was not much of interest to me in the auction,
perhaps someone else in the group will comment further - I did hear that
not many items were sold, other than small items and books, which sold
well.

Next addition later - I'm back in Indiana and suffering withdrawing from
all the stimulating conversation and wonderful mechanical music. I'll be
looking forward to Jody's report!

Beatrice Robertson

P.S.  Isn't it fun to try to find your desk after you've been away a
few days?  Let me know when you catch up, and I'll do an article on the
"Flying Pig" trip!

 [ Ed. Note: Send it any time you want, Beatrice -- Jody has had enough
 [ rest!   -- Robbie