The information concerning reproductions got me thinking about
definitions.  A friend of mine called the Milhous sale in Florida
and asked whether the Coinola CO was original, and was told it was.
Further, he was told it was restored to perfection, even to having gold
plated caning on the stained glass!

I have no knowledge about the authenticity of the Milhous offerings,
but I would think a "reproduction" would have all new components to
approximate an original object (like Siegfried's Maesto and Phonoliszt).
A "build-up" would be made of all sorts of parts, both old and new.  An
example of the latter might be a Seeburg "H" made from a "G".  Either
type would have value, but less than an original.

Our hobby values objects differently than some others.  Period
furniture collectors place great stock in originality.  An original
finish on an 18th-century highboy (even if filthy and imperfect) could
increase the value four- or five-fold, while a decent refinish job on a
nickelodeon or player piano would make it MORE salable.  A "restora-
tion" might involve new strings, hammers, leather and cloth and
increases the value of an instrument, yet even ratty upholstery on a
Chippendale side chair would add thousands to it's value.

Any Dutch draaiorgel enthusiast can tell many stories about the
multiple "lives" of each organ.  How many pierements appear today as
they did when new? I just hope that sellers can be candid about their
offerings, and purchasers discerning.

Philip Jamison
West Chester, PA