Two organizations have recently published within their respective
journals, major, comprehensive articles that have brought to light,
history never before published.

The Musical Box Society International [MBSI], in its journal "Mechanical
Music" has just published, in great detail, the history of the J. P.
Seeburg Company with emphasis on the Style "H" orchestrion.  This is
the work of authors Q. David Bowers and Art Reblitz.  Their meticulous
research has been assembled into a fascinating story that explains how
this company ascended from modest beginnings into an industry giant.

The "Bulletin" of the Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors
Association [AMICA] published the story of the Banjo Playing
Orchestrion.  Through the efforts of the late David Ramey, the original
Banjo-Orchestras, none of which survived as a complete instrument, can
be enjoyed as a new, near-replica of that amazing concept.  The path
leading to this achievement is chronicled in an article authored by his
son, David Ramey, Jr.  Within that article, many astute collectors are
identified who helped in this realization.

Art Reblitz is key in both articles.  In the J. P. Seeburg story,
it is his co-writing coupled with a life-long interest and research
in the Seeburg Company.   The Banjo-Orchestra story reflects Art's
involvement as an analyst of the undocumented early tracker scales of
the Banjo-Orchestra and as the designer of the scale currently used.
Art also provides all the new roll arrangements for the Ramey
Banjo-Orchestra.

Neither article is a quick read.  Both articles require study to fully
grasp the subject and follow the intricate details.

The common factor in these stories can be summarized by the word,
"passion".  Starting with J. P. Seeburg, his colleagues and
competitors, their passion lead to the wonderful line-up of automatic
machines that we now collect.  The passion of Q. David Bowers and Art
Reblitz as researchers and writers is well known.  David Ramey, Jr.,
has passion as a restoration expert and the current producer of the
Ramey Banjo-Orchestra.  He carries on the passion of his father, who
was inspired by the passion of several collectors.  Dave Ramey, Jr.,
gives credit to the key collectors who made the Banjo-Orchestra project
a reality.

The complete stories can be found in these two wonderful articles,
available to members.  If you are like me, the read will rekindle the
passion that lies within all collectors.

Thanks to all three authors!

Bob Taylor