A wonder of the world, the 2011 Waldkirch Germany Music Festival is now in the history books.  Bob Brown (right) of Mills Novelty Company, with his friend---which one is the monkey?   

 

Click on any photo to enlarge the view!

George Collar of MNC (left) Annette of RM Auctions Hamburg, Germany (center) and Bob Milhous (right) enjoy a turn on the wonderful bronze Waldkirch tetter-totter!  The weather was exceptional and local friends were delightful.

 

As usual the great organs that venture to the Waldkirch festival entertained all over the town.  We do not know anywhere you can go and see so many truly great antique organs, all playing at their best.   Put this trip on your list for 2014, it only happens once every three years...

We had a great time visiting the Kessler collection.  Mr. Kessler (left) demonstrated many of the fine instruments.   The collection including many items from a large DeCap dance organ to Swiss train station music boxes and many more too numerous to mention.  We thought about a visit upstairs, but will save that for a later trip!  

 

Ursila Matter (right) demos one of her favorite monkey organs from her vast collection at this beuautiful swiss family home.  

 

The Matter collection of Switerland contains MANY items from the unique Hupfeld Phonoliszt Model C (only known example) to great concert orchestrions and organs.   This collection is truly OUTSTANDING as is the scenery of this Swiss Alps region of Interlaken.    Thank you so much for inviting us to see and enjoy your world class collection.

We want to add a special THANKS to Stefan Fleck and his staff for helping us with scheduling and numerious other tasks to make our trip more enjoyable. 

 

This large and impressive Welte Concert Organ is just finishing an extensive restoration at the Balen, Belgium home of Dannie DeBee.  

 

Our "behind the scenes" tour of the newly opened Swiss National Music Museum in Seiwin displayed everything from large Frei & Mortier Organs, to an impressive Welte Pipe Organ,  all playing with demonstrations by experienced staff.  Mr. Milhous examines the amazing and complex 200 year musical clocks.

 

Your dedicated Mills Novelty Co.staff have concluded it is their duty to attend this once every three year event. It's great to meet old friends and make new ones from around the world. The charm of the black forest contrasts sharply with every day life in America---At right you see George Collar and Gretchen Paupore checking out the old castle.

We came across this curious scene in the Paris area???   Looks like they are scrapping out an old tower!   Understandable with the price of scrap metal being what it is now days... 

 

 

 

 

Gretchen visited the Matterhorn and Neuschwanstein, the famous German castle of mad King Ludwig II.  He might have been nuts, but he sure know how to build a nice castle!   

Our THANKS to all our clients and friends in Europe for a wonderful musical experience.  We look forward to seeing many of you at the coming MBSI convention in Washington DC later this year. 

We leave you with this final photo of Zugspitze, the highest point in Germany, near Garmisch-Partenkirchen.  Double click on it to enlarge, natural beauty is also rare these days...bob