Andrew, et all, I don't know about that - BUT - eBay has told me on the phone that all pure ivory is completely banned - which apparently includes key tops. They did say that they are allowing items to sell - if - the item has less than 5% ivory. I tried to impress on them that they took away our "organized" way of selling and buying used key tops. Also, unlike anything else ivory, "used" keytops only come in certain shapes, thicknesses and patinas (rarely - not - white) and that our organization can give them those specs. And, hopefully, tried to impress on them that "used" keytops would be hard to get from the black market because of the previously defined specs. This could be "lip service" but, they said that they would take it to their management and pass it along to the right people, consult with all the necessary conservation groups as well as with PTG and the Reed Organ Society and take it under advisement. Of course, they could not give me any time frame of any decisions and/or contacts to follow up with. I've sent this idea (opening sales of keytops) to the home office of the PTG and Reed Organ Society, I'm hoping the home offices can come up with a way to lobby this reversal. Best regards, Duaine Andrew Anderson wrote: > Ivory key covers are *not* illegal within the US when their source is > known. African & Asian Ivory from a certain date onwards is banned. > Ironically this ban is hampering some government conservation efforts > (another story). Museums are still selling off their accumulated > ivory. It gets sticky when you try to import or export because there > you need to be able to document if the ivory on the instrument is > pre-ban or if it was sourced legally. Btw ivory from Siberia is also > for sale (from the frozen cousins of the elephant). In Europe bone > (cattle) key covers are becoming preferred and I have sold a European > piano so outfitted. > > Andrew Anderson
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