Reading John Farrell's note about the Claviola push-up 73 note player
reminded me of events three years ago.  I went to see a player-piano
restorer in Preston who lived in a small house.  In the house were over
18 pianolas, including four grands (and the Claviola).  He wanted to
sell them and I made him an offer for the whole lot including the
house.  He accepted.

Many instruments were so bad or incomplete, they were burned in the
back garden.  The Claviola was interesting, I thought, so I offered it
around and no one wanted it.  I was driving to the local dump and
passed an auction room and instead put it in for sale.  It made about
=L=30 ($45 US).

I then saw the instrument advertised for many months in the local
advert paper ("Loot") at all sorts of prices.  After 18 months they
stopped advertising.  I wonder what became of the Claviola.

Brian Chesters