> I find it hard to believe that a top university would even think of
> refusing to accept the gift of a working Ampico reproducing piano.

The main concern in these cases is that the library would have to hire
somebody to maintain and operate the instrument.  That is a substantial
addition to their annual budget, which is no doubt already badly
stretched.

There would also be the cost of constructing a sound proof listening
room.  Space is generally at a premium.

If they accepted the piano and then stored it away unused, it would
deteriorate, and probably end up by being junked when storage space
was needed.

Regards
Don Cox

 [ The purpose of a university is to teach, and a music library serves
 [ music teaching.  A phonograph recording serves the same teaching
 [ purpose as a piano roll, and a phonograph needs much less space and
 [ maintenance than a player piano.  In contrast, the purpose of a
 [ museum is to preserve and display, but the cost of display space,
 [ and player piano maintenance, means that only a well-endowed museum
 [ is likely to accept such a donation.  -- Robbie