Hello from Eastern Penna.  Just thought I'd send a note about the
mechanical music in the antique stores in this area.  Although I found
few "buys", there is sure no shortage of mechanical music to be found.
In the weekend in Adamstown, probably one of the largest concentrations
of antiques in the area, I saw many disc boxes, from several recent
Thorens, small Symphonions, to a beautiful (and vastly overpriced)
Rookwood Regina console.  There are few cylinder boxes visible -- mostly
the "3 bell ugly" variety.  But the musical novelties are relatively
common -- albums, toys, 20th C. small boxes, and many, many phonographs.
I saw no fewer than 8 tin Chein organettes shaped like a church.

There were a few player pianos, but are probably more in specialty stores
that I didn't visit.  One of the pleasant surprises was meeting MMD
member, Kathy Kerschner, in her marvelous new shop/apartment full of
mechanical music (not for sale) but with tapes available!  When you  ask
about mechanical music, you immediately get the response "Have you been
to Kathy's shop yet?"

The saddest experience is the shop full -- I mean floor to ceiling --
with all types of mechanical music that I can't imagine will ever get
fixed, or even uncovered, so that someone with the motivation could
restore it.  The response I got to an item I tried to buy was "Oh, I'm
going to restore it and it will be worth $___."  I suspect it won't be
restored in my lifetime and the price he mentioned doesn't match ( and
may never) any prices I'm aware of for a similar box.

All in all, lots of fun.  I imagine that the "Extravaganza" weekends are
a real treasure hunt!  My next report will probably be after the Union,
IL show.  This week is Phil's turn: a car show in Carlisle, PA.

Beatrice Robertson (On the Road!)