In response to Kevin McElhone's posting [140714 MMDigest], I couldn't
disagree more!  Now is the time to collect, not the time to sell!

Prices are low and maybe they are not going to rebound to what they
once were.  The modern children barely know what a piano is, let alone
understand the difference between a café barrel piano and a Steinway
reproducing grand.  This means that an instrument that you wish to
own is affordable and can be obtained for very little money.

As for heirs, mine have been instructed to do whatever they want
with my collection.  Piano rolls still are available on eBay and the
instruments play beautifully so they can continue to enjoy them for
a long time.

To me, Kevin's panic is absurd.  For the last twenty years I've heard
that the bottom is dropping out.  I say bring it on!  I've got a
Steinway and Mason & Hamlin and several choice music boxes in my
collection and I couldn't have afforded them thirty years ago.

Eli Shahar
Sonora, California