I went to the program the Sunday those papers were given to the
University of Maryland.  My understanding is that they are available
to the public for perusal if you write ahead and schedule a time to
look at the material.

The Richard J. Howe collection is supposed to be the largest paper
archive on mechanical musical instruments ever assembled, containing
advertisements, photo-duplicates of patents and other materials
relating to the industry.

Charles Davis
Leesburg, VA