diff --git a/libs/pbd/pbd/properties.h b/libs/pbd/pbd/properties.h
index d4b5f64aea..c42aa026b7 100644
--- a/libs/pbd/pbd/properties.h
+++ b/libs/pbd/pbd/properties.h
@@ -83,6 +83,18 @@ public:
 		return _current;
 	}
 
+	T operator- (T const other) const {
+		return _current - other;
+	}
+
+	bool operator< (T const &other) const {
+		return _current < other;
+	}
+
+	bool operator> (T const &other) const {
+		return _current > other;
+	}
+
 	bool operator==(const T& other) const {
 		return _current == other;
 	}
@@ -99,6 +111,11 @@ public:
 		return _current;
 	}
 
+	/* allows calling non-const methods on _current */
+
+	T & call () {
+		return _current;
+	}
 
 	/* MANAGEMENT OF Stateful State */