The E-Sylum:  Volume 6, Number 21, May 25, 2003, Article 3

JOSEPH J. MICKLEY AND THE TURK

  Karl Moulton writes: "I too, read with interest the letter to the
  editor in the May 19th edition of Coin World about Joseph J.
  Mickley and "The Turk, Chess Automaton" by Dr. Gerald M.
  Levitt.  While he offered no information about this connection,
  from my research about Joseph Mickley, I can only presume
  that "The Turk" played a catchy musical tune in order to
  generate the crowd's interest before it was ready to "play"
  chess.  Most likely, Mickley did some musical repairs to the
  "Turk" at one time or another.  Perhaps Dr. Levitt will
   elaborate further."

  [I don't recall ever reading anything about The Turk playing
  music.  There are two recent books about The Turk.  In
  addition to Levitt's 2000 publication, "The Turk: The Life and
  Times of the Famous Eighteenth-Century Chess-Playing
  Machine" by Tom Standage was published in 2002.  Perhaps
  the answer to Mickley's connection lies in one or both of them.
  -Editor]

  Moulton continues: "Most people involved with American
  numismatics only know the Mickley name in regards to
  numerous, albeit incorrect, stories regarding Mickley's various
  coin collecting endeavors.  However, long before he became
  a serious coin collector, he was a musical repairman and
  maker of piano-forte's in Philadelphia.  That was his life's
  occupation, and he was very good at his chosen field.
  Interestingly, it was through his association with people in the
  music field (Herr Joseph Plich) which ultimately allowed him
  the financial freedom to pursue his interest in coin collecting
  after May 1841, when he first visited the US Mint with his
  older brother."

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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