Hello everyone,  I've been lurking but haven't commented for some time,
but this string caught my attention.  It would appear from the
responses that the MMD readers only consider pianos and orchestrions
and that type of instrument to be mechanical music.

What about the small stuff: organettes, small musical boxes and
musical toys?  These are the mechanical music that we can cart _to_
the public easily -- and not wait for them to come to us.  _And,_
and perhaps best, they take up little space, don't cost as much as a
car, and children love to have the hands-on opportunity to play them!

I have a reproducing piano that I love, but I have the opportunities
to share my musical toys with the next generation far more frequently.
Besides, some of my gadgets never fail to get a laugh.  How can you
help but laugh at a musical chamber pot?  What better way to generate
a positive experience than making someone laugh.

The argument can be made that these small items don't have much
musical value.  To that I say, you haven't listened to some of the
early manivelles or snuff boxes lately, if ever.  And some of the
organettes do an amazing job with a limited amount of notes, allowing
the owner to enjoy many songs and new rolls are available for most.

Then, let's add the Mr. Christmas musical boxes.  In my opinion,
these will be the collectibles of many new to mechanical music.
They are attractive, well made, compact in size, and above all,
_very affordable._

I certainly agree with the comments that a hands-on experience will
mean more than looking and listening alone.  So gather up some small
musical items that can be handled by kids, and call the local school.
I'll drone on once again: a child can't become interested in
something he's never seen or heard or _touched._  It is up to us as
collectors to share our hobby.  But it is hard to cart an orchestrion
to the local elementary school.  Let's broaden our scope a bit, guys!

Beatrice Robertson (on my soapbox one more time.)