I am replying to Ed Gaida's note regards the "Mermod Freres Music Box
Converted to Coin-op" in the 991119 issue of MMD.  I have one of the
boxes he saw for sale on e-bay and believe it or not it is for real,
although almost laughable.

When I acquired the box I took it to Robin Biggins for his opinion,
and right away he recognized it as another Thieryola and located the
Autumn, 1997, issue of the MBSI publication, Journal of Mechanical
Music, and showed me the article by Larry Karp.

For those of you who may be interested it is a very good and en-
lightening article by Larry, who is an interesting author (of murder
mysteries, even!).  Larry has owned two of the boxes and at first had
the same opinion that Ed had and junked the box and kept the movement,
thinking it was not for real.  Then he acquired another and began
researching it and, well, you will have to read the article.

Larry's second box had a metal tag that said "Thieryola. The Real
Music Maker J. B. Thiery, Co.  Milwaukee, Wisconsin."

The box Ed referred to did not meet the reserve, but the last bid was
$1535, and it is now relisted on eBay.

Lelland Fletcher, San Diego, Ca.