Fantastic MBSI Annual Meeting Planned for Chicago!

The time has come for all mechanical music enthusiasts to reserve the
dates of August 27-September 1, 2002 on their calendars!  The Mid-Am
Chapter of the Musical Box Society International will be hosting the
53rd Annual Meeting of MBSI in the Chicago area at a large hotel in the
suburb of Schaumburg, Illinois.  Dr. Ron Bopp and the Annual Meeting
Committee are planning a spectacular event.

For those who don't know, the Chicago area is home to some of the
largest and finest collections of mechanical music in world, primarily
the collections of Mssrs. Gilson, Krughoff, and Sanfilippo.  This
convention will afford the rare opportunity to view and listen to the
beautifully restored mechanical instruments found in these wonderful
private collections.

The following are just a few of the many restored mechanical
instruments which will be demonstrated:

  Seeburg G, Seeburg H, Seeburg J, Cremona J, Double Mills Violano
Virtuoso, Single Mills with Drum attachment, Peerless Arcadian,
Peerless Wisteria, Coinola SO, Coinola CO, Coinola X, Style 45 American
Fotoplayer, Wurlitzer CX, Wurlitzer Mandolin Quartette, Wurlitzer 30A
PianOrchestra, Wurlitzer 33 PianOrchestra, Weber Otero, Weber Maesto,
Hupfeld Phonoliszt Violina,  Hupfeld Helios, Hupfeld Super Pan, Hupfeld
Sinfonie Jazz, Popper Felix, Philipps Monster Paganini, Welte Cottage,
Concert, and Briscovia Orchestrions, Bacigalupo monkey organs,
Wurlitzer 150, 153, 157, 165, and 180 band organs, North Tonawanda band
organs, Gavioli fair organs, Limonaire fair organs, and mammoth dance
organs made by Mortier and Decap.

A number of rare reproducing pianos will be demonstrated, from Steinway
Duo-Arts to an ornate hand carved Mason and Hamlin Ampico which was
displayed at the Chicago World's fair.  Many music boxes will be
demonstrated, from key-wind overture and variation boxes to Regina
changers and the large German upright disc music boxes.

Many of you have already purchased Art Reblitz's great new book,
"The Golden Age of Automatic Musical Instruments," which features
the instruments from these collections.  It's available at
http://www.mechanicalmusicpress.com/

This Convention gives you the special opportunity to actually see and
listen to many of the wonderful instruments depicted in this book.  If
you ever had a thought of owning one of the above instruments, this is
your opportunity experience fine playing examples.

But there is more -- much more!  Frank Rider is organizing a mammoth
mart to be held in the grand ballroom of the hotel.  Dealers, auction
houses, and collectors from around the world will be offering many
items for sale.  There will be many opportunities to socialize with
fellow collectors and mechanical music experts.  I am organizing a
continental style organ grinding fest in a large decorated tent
adjacent to the hotel.  This social event planned for several evenings
will feature costumed organ grinders and special entertainment from
Germany.

And yes, _beer and wine_ other adult beverages will be available!
Jim Krughoff is going to have a decorated Oktoberfest tent set up on
his estate with full Bavarian entertainment, libations, and cuisine
in-between concerts on the fabulous orchestrions in his collection.
Come in your Lederhosen!

Anglo Rulli is organizing a number of great workshops.  The convention
banquet will feature the exciting music of the 10-piece Chicago
Footwarmers Orchestra.  This great orchestra plays the authentic dance
band arrangements of the 1920's and 30's.

I have just scratched the surface in my description of the details of
what will surely one of the best MBSI Annual Meeting in years.  More
details and surprises will be posted on MMD as we get closer to the
Annual Meeting or Convention as some call it.  In fact I fully expect
this convention to sell out!  Many of you have thought about attending
an MBSI Annual Meeting.  Believe me, this _is_ the _one_ to attend!

What can you do _now_ to insure that you can attend?  Click on the
following, fill out the form, and become a member of MBSI today!

  http://www.mbsi.org/mbsappl.html

This will insure that you will receive the Annual Meeting registration
packet that will be sent out to members of MBSI at some point in the
next several months.  Once you receive your Annual Meeting registration
packet be sure to fill it out and return it quickly.

Tim Trager