For several months I have been looking at an Automatic Musical
Instrument that looks like a Grandfather Clock, and which plays large
tin discs about the size of the old 33-l/3 rpm vinyl records.

As it was with a dealer I had a hard job even getting the salesperson
to demonstrate how it played.  All she told me was it was "very rare"
?1180-1890?.  Apart from the word Polyphon it was also labeled Phoenix
Music Box, plus A Penny Arcade -- Nichole Freres.  There were about 28
discs.

I was told if my interest was serious I would be told more.  Is this
really "very rare", what should I be on the lookout for re the machine
and the discs, and can you still obtain same?  I have see tin discs
mentioned in back issues of the digest, but did not know what they
belonged to.  They are asking several thousand dollars for this and even
though most guides to prices in this digest are in American Dollars I
can work out the equivalent in Australian dollars.  I would hate to be
ripped off like I have been in the past, when someone relieved me of
several Recordo Rolls by telling me they could not be played on my
player!!!!  I would appreciate any help in this matter.

Jill Miller

 [ Ed. Note:  It sounds like that saleslady really doesn't want to
 [ sell the music box.  Strange. ... I hope our members returning
 [ from the Music Box Society International convention can offer
 [ advice.   -- Robbie