Mellotronists

This is the photograph of the EBay Birotron from last August or so. I don't recall for certain what it went for, but I'm pretty sure it was a bit under $2000.00. According to the listing, it was a studio beast in LA all of its life, and if this was a valid and current photo of the actual unit in question, it certainly wears its age well. I was sorely tempted to purchase, primarily because of the RW connection, but I'm awfully glad I held out until I found my lovely little #886! I note with interest the tarp in the background, seems identical with the tarp used to photograph Mark II #123 - coincidence? Any detectives with answers?