I have also thought for over 20 years that original literature should
be preserved.  In the days before computers I would have 10 or 20
copies professionally copied and then sell the copies at cost plus
a little to help fund the purchase of the next original item.  My
thinking was that if I had a fire or flood the information would still
survive even if the original did not.  I did try scanning tune lists
to CD-ROM but people here in UK seem to want only printed copies.

When I later wrote a will I appointed a 'Musical Executor' from within
Musical Box Society G.B. who shares my view on not throwing anything
out and on selling instruments or literature to fellow collectors if
possible.

I think _all_ readers of MMD have a responsibility to see that their
rare original literature does not get destroyed after their death.
Perhaps a donation before you die to the Archives of various societies
-- such as AMICA, MBSI, MBSGB, PPG, FOPS if you cannot afford the time
and effort to copy or scan them -- will ensure the information is not
lost for the future.

Have a serious think about this; do not be selfish.  I am not pleased
with others where I know their families have had a bonfire or paper
re-cycling session before I have asked what has happened to stuff!

What do others think?

Kevin McElhone, Northampton, England