Randy Hayno wondered how I arrived at the figure of at least 1,000
Mills Violanos still remaining in existence.  A good question!

As discussed in my forthcoming book "The Golden Age of Automatic
Musical Instruments," the highest known Mills violin number is
approximately 4,800.  The highest known piano number is about 4,500.
Mills began each numbering series with 100.  This indicates that about
4,100 single violin, and 300 double violin "DeLuxe" model Violanos
were made.

Between 60 and 75 doubles are known to exist, or between 20% and 25%
of original production.  Single Violanos are smaller and easier to move
around, so there is little reason to believe that proportionally fewer
have survived.  That adds up to  somewhere between 820 and 1,025
singles still in existence.

Manufacturers of new bow wheels over the last twenty years have
consistently maintained that 1,000 is on the low side.  My own
observations of instruments in collections and those offered for
sale over the last thirty years tends to confirm this, although
I haven't kept a list by serial number.

The Violano has remained so desirable that very few owners have ever
been willing to sell one in any given year.  Even with 1,000 estimated
to exist, the supply has never equaled the demand, resulting in
steadily increasing values ever since the 1950s.

"The Golden Age of Automatic Musical Instruments" will include figures
on approximately how many of each different model are known, with
lavish color photos of the various models and their interiors.

Art Reblitz