I note with sadness the passing of Fredy Baud.  On a visit to
Switzerland in 1976 he gave me a personally conducted tour of the
museum and workshop.  Although he spoke no English and I have only
a smattering of French, we communicated through our mutual interests.

He impressed me as the archetypal Continental -- excitable, enthusi-
astic, dedicated.  Several times we entered work premises: the workmen
would stand to greet "Le Patron" and discuss the restoration work they
were doing.  On more than one occasion a violent argument ensued,
always ending with a handshake.

He showed me the famous basement area where music boxes were piled
literally from floor to ceiling, each of them, as Fredy said, "Tres
unique!"  I looked at the labels tied to the music boxes that had been
sent for repair -- some of them had been there since the late 1940s!

It was wonderful experience for me, a collector from the other side of
the world, a privilege to spend time with someone who remains for me
"Tres unique!"

Michael Woolf
New Zealand