I attended an interesting 3-day auction last weekend in Mahopac, New York
(about 40 miles north of New York City).  This was a museum with a farm
theme, but it included everything under the sun from old cars, cameras,
carnival stuff to (our interest) mechanical music.  I saw several
collector/dealer acquaintances there.

My main interest was a Gasparini barrel organ, as pretty as any I'd ever
seen, though rather short on description in the catalog.  To shorten the
story, I got it.  It turned out to be 67-keys with an extra barrel.

It has old paint (perhaps redone once 70 years ago), 19 brass trumpets (1
missing), 3 big brass trombones, 16 clarinets and two nice bell ringers
supporting the top.  I was especially impressed with how original it is;
very few things "redone".  The clarinets, for example, retain their
original violet-colored lacquer on brass.  I guess I'll be asking who can
make me trumpets, also!

Here are some other things that sold (I rely on my memory for prices):

  Mills single Violano (unrestored by playing, sort of): $13,000.
  Seeburg G (with small flute pipes): $29,000.
  Apollo player grand (unrestored) in gorgeous Louis XIV art case: $175.
    (wish I'd had the room in my truck!)
  Cremona A-roll piano, mostly complete (no glass): $1900.

I can post more detailed results (referring to my catalog) if there is
an interest.

Philip Jamison
West Chester, PA