Hello Overseas visitors, something about Prague and mechanical Music:

Of course there is a good chance to find a disc music box in one of
the antique shops in or around Prague.  I haven't seen a player piano.
The prices in the Czech Republic are higher than in the rest of Europe,
but I think they are still a little lower than in the States.

Let me tell you a true story about the antique business in Prague.
A good friend of mine wanted to sell a big orchestrion in bad
condition.  He tried it here in Bavaria for more than a year.  He
did not find a buyer for it so he brought it to a Czech antique dealer
in Prague.  Here, this piece was sold within three days.  Of course,
somebody from Western Europe bought it, for a very high price.

If those dealers have a good quality piece, they will show you at first
all the catalogues with auction results from everywhere in the world;
I think there is nearly no chance for a bargain.

If you look for bargains try this address:  There is an outdoor antique
market near Prague every second and every fourth weekend of the month.
It takes place in a small village called Puszterhad (in English
pronounced as "Pushtarad").  This village is about 8 miles northwest
from Prague.  This is a special antique fair for dealers; there are
German, Italian and Austrian dealers there for buying.

The area is protected by a fence, and they allow you to get in at
8 o'clock in the morning.  I think it is worth going there, but try to
be there earlier -- the good business happens early in the morning at
the car park!

Hope that you have success!

Marcus Pregler from Germany