NEWS BULLETIN AMI C A OF THE AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT COLLECTORS' ASSOCIATION

VOLUME 17 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1980 NUMBER 1 INTERNATIONAL CHAPTER OFFICERS OFFICERS NO. CALIFORNIA Pres.: Phil McCoy PRESIDENT Vice Pres.: Isadora Koff Bob Rosencrans Sec.: David Fryman 36 Hampden Rd. Treas.: Bob Wilcox Upper Darby, PA 19082 Reporter: Sharon Bartlett VICE PRESIDENT SO. CALIFORNIA Bill Eicher Pres.: Francis Cherney 465 Winding Way Vice Pres.: Mary Lilien Dayton, OH 45429 Sec.: Evelyn Meeder SECRETARY Treas.: Roy Shelso Jim Weisenborne Reporter: Bill Toeppe 73 Nevada St. TEXAS Rochester, MI 48063 Pres.: Jim Phillips PUBLISHER Vice Pres.: Merrill Baltzley AMICA MEMBERSHIP RATES: Tom Beckett Sec/Treas.: Janet Tonnesen Reporter: James Kelsey Continuing Members: $1 S Dues 6817 Cliffbrook Dallas, TX 75240 MIDWEST New Members, add $S processing fee MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Pres.: Bennet Leedy Lapsed Members, add $3 processing fee (New memberships and Vice Pres.: Jim Prendergast mailing problems) Sec.: Jim Weisenborne Bobby Clark Jr. Treas.: Alvin Wulfekuhl P. O. Box 172 Reporter: Molly Yeckley Columbia SC 29202 PHILADELPHIA AREA TREASURER Pres.: Mike Naddeo THE AMICA NEWS BULLETIN Jack & Mary Riffle Vice Pres.: John Berry 5050 Eastside Calpella Rd. Sec.: Dick Price Published by the Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors' Association, a non­ Ukiah, CA 95482 Treas.: Claire Lambert profit club devoted to the restoration, distribution and enjoyment of musical Reporter: Allen Ford instruments using perforated paper music rolls. BOARD REPRESENTATIVES N. Cal.: Howie Koff SOWNY (So. On18rlo, Wnt NY) Contrlbutlonl: All subjects of interest to readers of the Bulletin are S. Cal.: Dick Rigg Pres.: Jeff Depp encouraged and invited by the publisher. All articles must be received by t~e Texas: Wade Newton Vice Pres: Bruce Bartholomew 10th of the preceeding month. Every attempt will be made to publish all articles Phil.: Bob Taylor Sec.: Mike Walter of general interest to AMICA members at the earliest possible time and at the Midwest: Bill Eicher Treas.: Stella Gilbert discretion of the publisher. SOWNY: Chuck Hannen Reporter: Jim Brewer Rky. Mt.: Dick Kroeckel ROCKY MOUNTAIN ADVERTISING New Jer.: Jeffrey Morgan Pres.: Robert Moore Iowa: Alvin Johnson Sec.: Sharon Paetzold • CI_1f1ed: 10¢ per word. $1.50 minimum. Boston Area: Sanford Libman Treas.: Carl Paetzold Northern Lights: Trudy Maier • Dllplay advertillng Reporter: Jere DeBacker Full page 7'12' x 10" $60.00 COMMITTEES NEW JERSEY One-half page horizontal 7'12' x 4"'" 30.00 Technical Pres.: Dan Schacher One-half page vertical 3%" x 10" 30.00 Mel Luchetti Vice Pres.: Richard Dearborn One-fourth page vertical 3%" x 4%" t5.oo 3449 Mauricia Ave. Sec: Richard Groman III Santa Clara, CA 95051 • Each photograph or half-tone $5.00 Treas.: Willian Dean Honorary Members Reporter: • We recommend display advertisers supply camera-ready copy. Copy that is Alf E. Werolin oversized or undersized will be changed to correct size at your cost. We can IOWA 2230 Oakdale Rd. prepare your advertisement from your suggested layout at cost. Pres.: Lee Zimmerline Hillsborough, CA 94010 Vice Pres.: Stan Peters • All copy must reach the publilher by the 10th of the preceeding month. Archives Sec/Treas.: Mary Lou Shimp • Cash must accompany order. Typesetting, layout or size alteration charges Jim Weisenborne Reporter: AI Johnson will be billed separately. Make checkl payable to: AMICA 73 Nevada St. BOSTON AREA INTERNATIONAL. Rochester, MI 48063 Pres.: William Koenigsberg • All ads will appear on the last pages of the Bulletin at the discretion of the AMICA Goals Vice Pres.: Charles Hazard publisher. Robert M. Taylor Sec.: AI Greco 1326 Spruce St. #3004 Treas.: Philip Konop Publication of business advertising in no way implies AMICA's endorsement of Philadelphia, PA 19107 Reporter: Ray Magee any commercial operation. However, AMICA reserves the right to refuse any ad that is not in keeping wtth AMICA's general standards or if complaints are AFFILIATED SOCIETIES NORTHERN LIGHTS received indicating that said business does not serve the best interests of the The Player Piano Group Pres.: Tom Olds members of AMICA according to its goals and bylaws. The North West Player Piano Vice Pres.: Gene Skarda Association. Sec.lReporter: Dorothy Olds Treas.: Trudy Maier

AMICA ITEMS AMICA STATIONERY: $3.20 (letter size), AMICA TECHNICALITIES BOOKS: $1.75 (note size), including mailing charges. FOR SALE Volume I (1969-1971), $5.50 postpaid; Fine quality stationery with ornate AMICA Volume II (1972-1974), $7.50 postpaid, borders. Each packet contains 25 letters and AMICA BULLETINS, BOUND ISSUES: Volume III (1975-1977), $8.50 postpaid. matching envelopes. Send orders to: Robert 1971,1972,1973 - bound sets at $15.00 each Reprints of interesting technical articles Lemon, 4560 Green Tree Drive, Sacramento, set. 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978 at $18.00 which have appeared in the AMICA Bulletin, CA 94823. each set. PRICES INCLUDE POSTAGE AND arranged and indexed into appropriate HANDLING. Spiral bound to lay flat. Send ''They All LlIUghecl When I S8t Down At categories. Send orders to: Jim Weisenborne, orders to Mary Lilien, 4260 Olympiad Drive, The Plano, But When IT Beg., To Play." 73 Nevada Street, Rochester, MI 48063. Los Angeles, CA 90043. This sound and color super-8 movie, produced by AMICA members, is available ROLL LEADERS: DUO-ART, Authentic. For for loan to AMICA members and chapters. order sheet, see the April 1973 Bulletin. Nick PLEASE MAKE ALL CHECKS PA YABLE TO For more information write to Howard Koff, Jarrett, 3622 21 st street, San Francisco, CA AMICA INTERNATlONAL 2141 Deodara Drive, Los Altos, CA 94022. 94114. Jnfernafional JlcJJrJ(8Jl

education is pretty spotty! As a youngster he was II. HO.." III"''' always building some sort of a contraption, not the least of which was a Regina disc music box rigged up EDWIII A. LlIIH with a string to operate it as a sort of musical alarm B' HAlVE' II. ..Ell. clock! Aviation was just beginning to amount to something Our newest Honorary Member, Ed Link, comes from a when he was a youngster, and the idea of zipping family of pianomakers. through the skies caught his fancy. But the cost of His father, Edwin A. Link, Sr., was associated with the lessons and air time was almost prohibitive and Schaff Piano interests in Huntington, Indiana, and he eventually his clever mind conceived the means to came to Binghamton, New York in 1919 to try to rescue provide flight training right on the ground. He the Binghamton Automatic Musical Company on literally combined airplane parts and player piano behalf of a group of creditors. The latter firm components to build his first aviation trainer, just fifty purchased pianos from various midwestern suppliers years ago! Today the business of flight simulation is a and then in its Binghamton factory converted them to giant one, encompassing all facets of aviation and coin-operated operation. They had gotten into space travel and it has been expanded into other fields financial difficulties, and Link's job was to try and bail as well-ship training, locomotive operation, power them out. Apparently he liked what he saw, because he plant operation, and others. All of this stems from Ed took control of the enterprise and changed the name to Link's fertile mind and his experience with player the Link Piano Company - later to become the Link pianos as a child! Piano and Organ Company. He's a true pioneer in the aviation field and has been His young son, then six years of age, was destined to honored many, many times by governments, grow up amongst the production and construction of companies and individuals for his accomplishments. both coin-operated pianos, orchestrions, and pipe He is a very humble man, but he once told this writer organs, and in the process he learned the trades of that of the things he was most proud, perhaps the piano-making and organ building. As a teen-ager he outstanding one came from recognition of the installed pipe organs in several locations around the equipment he'd designed and built by Winston United States, going as far as California and northern Churchill in a speech to Parliament during the Battle Michigan to work in the then-popular silent movie of Britain in which his trainers were acknowledged to houses to accomplish this task. have played a very significant role in savingthe entire nation! Ed was always more interested in technical matters than he was in school and as a result his formal Apparently Ed is about the only person left whose family was actively engaged in the construction of automatic pianos, and he's surely the only one left who is technically capable of building a complete pipe INDEX organ and who has demonstrated that fact in recent International AMICA 1 years. In 1967 he donated a large Link theater pipe AMICA Forum 5 organ (one that came from a local theater he had Rolls & Music 5 installed as a young man) to the Roberson Center, Instruments 8 Binghamton's educational and cultural center. Since Southern California 9 then, most of the great artists on the theater organ Texas 10 circuit have performed on it. Currently, Ed is planning Midwest 11 to add a roll-player so that visitors can at any time Philadelphia 14 have demonstrations of what the organ will do. Iowa 16 Ed also has reconstructed a big theater organ in his Boston Area 17 home studio, with a player attachment to go with it­ Biographical Sketches one of the four-tier machines well-known to player Teresa Carreno 18 enthusiasts. Technicalities 19 Original Bulletin articles, or material for AMICA's recognition of Ed Link, by way of Honorary repr~nt that is of significant historical quality Membership, is based on the fact that his family and mterest, are encouraged and will receive association is unique today. As a builder of automatic reimbursement in the form of AMICA pianos which have provided all of us with much membership dues discounts. (Chapter reports enjoyment and pleasure, he's enlightened the interests and Forum inquiries are excluded.) of all of us. From the Wichita Eagle, November 14, 1979. ROLL AUCTIOn SLATED FOR FEBRUARY 23 Contributed by Bill Pixley. The AMICA Founding Chapter will be holding a roll l'Iomllln. at 80 auction open to all members of AMICA on Saturday, February 23, 1980. Dmitri Tiomkin, whose rousing themes made him one "­ of Hollywood's best-know film composers, has died in Among the items so far listed are approximately 150 London, his wife announced Tuesday. He was 80. Ampico and Duo-Art rolls including some Jumbos. Tiomkin was nominated for 20 Oscars during his Also a 1927 Duo-Art catalog. career, and he won the awards for the scores of four Lists will be sent to any member enclosing a 30 cent films including "High Noon" and "The High and the stamped self-addressed legal size envelope, which Mighty." Tiomkin, who migrated from Russia after the should be sent to: 1917 revolution, had been living in London for several years on the royalties of such screen scores as Nick Jarrett "Friendly Persuasion" and "Giant," both released in 3622 21st Street 1956. San Francisco, CA 94114 Bill Pixley writes: Tiomkin made at least one Ampico TIME IS SHORT DO IT NOW! recording at Mr. Stoddard's request. As I understand, it was found in the Stoddard Ampico collection by Larry Givens who "issued" it for the first time several years ago. ERNST SCHELLING Ampico NI (Never Issued) - 2 (LOAN) ROLLS NEEDED 1. Menuette, D Flat 2. Oiseaux Tristes The New Jersey Chapter of AMICA has decided to present an Ravel-played by Dimitri Tiomkin "Ernst Schelling Soiree," to be presented in the local (cultural) theatre as an historical tribute to him, at his birth place. We do have some Schelling rolls, however we wo.uld like to buy or borrow more for this concert. If anyone can assist, the following Duo-Art rolls are needed: Benny Davis #7215 Nocturne (Ragusa - played by Paderewski-AIL the others were played by Ernst Schelling). #101588 Home, Sweet Home. wrote lyrics #5770-86-99 Sonata B Minor, Liszt. And the following WelteMignon rolls: for 'Margie'

B 1448 Mazurka C Major Op. 56, #2, Chopin Associated Press C 1444 :-.Jocturne B Major, Op. 62, #1, Chopin North Miami, Fla. C 1450 Soiree dans Granadt" Debussy Benny Davis, who wrote the lyrics C 1451 Tacatta, Debussy for such standards as "Margie," 1445 Etude, A flat Major, Op. 10, #10, Chopin "Caroline Moon" and "I'm Nobody's 1446 Etude F Major, Op. 25, #,3, Chopin Baby," has died at a convalescent 1447 2 Preludes, C Major, Op. 28, #1 & Bb ~1aj., #21, home. He was 84. Chopin Other songs Davis penned during a 1449 Prelude & Fugue, E Minor, Mendelssohn 7o-year performing and song·writing 1452 Au Chateau de Wiligrad, Schelling career include "Baby Face," "There 1453 Romance, C# Minor, Schelling Goes My Heart," "Goodbye Broad­ way, Hello France" and "Oh How I Please contact: William Dean, 15 Hahn Street, Miss You Tonight." \\'ashington, NJ 07882 Davis, who died Thursday, was a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame and a charter member of the New York and Los Angeles Friars clubs. His widow, Gilda, said he launched such stars as Martha Raye C. J. Per." dies and Buddy Ebsen in their show busi· ness careers. Donald Morgan of Australia writes that AMICAn C. J. Born in New York, Davis became a Perry died on November 22, 1979. Mr Perry was 78 vaudeville singer when he was 14 and years old and still active in the hobby, being in the continued as a singer until the 1930s, process of rebuilding a Duo-Art upright at the time of but he also wrote lyrics and music for his death. numerous songs during that period. He wrote the scores to Broadway plays, including "Artists and Models of 1927" and "Sons 0' Guns." In the 1950s he wrote the music for and pro­ December 31, 19i'9, DALLAS TIMES HERALD duc~ shows at the old Copa Cfty nlghtclub in Miami Beach, His last song. "Hurricane." was NEW YORK (UPI) - Riclla~ written about the University of Miami Rodgers, who compe!lSed the mUslc for football team about two yean -eo_ dC)Zens of BroadwaY.sDl8llhes includ­ Memorial services were set for iJ:lg ''Oklahoma,'' "So.Utb PacifiC" 'l\nd Sunday in Miami Beach. ''The King and I." died latE Sunday. He was 77. Rodgers. who also srored "The Sound of Music;" "Pal Joey,;I' "The Kmg and I," "State Fair," and "Car~ ousel,'" died al1Qut 10:30 p,~ in his apartment at the Pierre Hotel on Fifth Avenue. Richard Rodgers, F'amilyspokeswolll8n Allt;:e Regens­ burg said the exact cause of death was unknown. "Mr. Rodgers had composer, dead at 77 been ill recently and we d9n'!. know yet," she said. Rodgers' health began failing in Itn4 when he underwent a tracheot­ omy for cancer of the tbroat.ln 1979 he suffered a stroke. '~He was one of the bravest men I know," said Dorott"\y Hammerstein, widow of Rodgers' songwriting part­ ner Oscar Hammerstein II. "He w~ brave because he battled so much ill­ n~ and n,ever complained." "I know jf my husband were here he would regret it as ~h as we have." she said. "They wen;- very sue. resaful and very fortunate." . She said Rodgers "was very terri­ bly ill. It's sad, ,but its wonder::ful he's had such a very marvelous life." "I'm so saddened," said Sanuny Cahn, president of the Songwriters' Hall of Fame. "He Was just beyond genius. The word genius is used ~o easily. But when you speak of Rioh- ard Rodgers, the woro genius has so much meaning." Rodgers teamed with lyriciSts as collaborators Mld h1s musical tandemS were as popular in the mIddle 20th Century as Gilbert and Sullivan in their day. Rodgers firs'!; teamed with·lyricist Lorenz. "Larry" Hart, and then wrote a stri~ of successful ~res with Hamnterstem. His third collaborator was Stephen Sondheim. His last show on Broadway' was ,a 1979 revival of "I Remember Mama:' with Liv mlpumn Hi the leading role It ran for 108 per:fotm~· Survivors include: Rodgers' wite Dorothy, whQ would have been 1'Jl8I'f ried to Rodgers for 50 Yeat'll .next March 5; tW9 daughters, M$y Rod­ gers Guettel and LinNew York City to Dr. Williqm and Mamie Levy Rodgers, attended Co­ lumbia University and the Juill1ard SChool of Music. Richard Rodgers in his Manhattan office -AP photo

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steps. It could not have the tempo decreased by expanding the steps per measure, for example, thus stretching a whole note beyond the linear inch, unless Jlmica Jorum it were doubled to thirty-two steps. The reason for this is that you cannot go part way, as to increase to eighteen steps; eighteen is divisible by nine to indicate a half note value, but it is a terrible compromise between four and five steps to get a quarter note. A J. P. JOHnSOn ROLLS thirty-two step format would slow the speed to half, suddenly, and it was not practical to mix the two. (Re8DOOSe to Ouorum querv. IUlleno #9, 1979) So, the effect that editing had on the artist's recording BY DURRELL A_TROnG was that when the playing tempo indicated by the recorded lines slowed down or increased, it was Regarding the question about J. P. Johnson rolls, I can usually held constant. The options were to go to a only tell you how it was done at QRS. At one time I twelve step format which would speed the music by worked for QRS and knew J. Lawrence Cook well. 25% or go to a twenty-four step which would slow the Lawrence started with QRS in 1921-about the same music by one-third. There were no practical year that J. P. Johnson began his recording work at inbetweens. As in both alternates, the accuracy of the QRS. sixteenth value notes were already sacrificed. I think QRS used a line marker (same one as shown on page that you will find that these options were rarely 183, Player Piano Treasury). This always left some exercised. editing to do. The machine was not perfect; it recorded All of the above limitations would apply to other roll some notes that are not normally heard, as in a key companies that J. P. Johnson may have recorded for, brushed by. as they all used a two-to-one master roll. On the other I have not seen a comparison of before arid after on J. hand, Ampico rolls were the exception and used a P. Johnson, but I do have a first generation copy of a three-to-one master roll. This would take one-third copy that Eubie Blake made on this machine 'several longer production time, as in this case the master roll years ago. There are a lot of changes insofar as the would have to move three inches to punch one inch on errors are corrected, but any further than what is the finished roll. It did allow greater flexibility toward necessary is not altered. The finished production copy tempo changes and the recording artist's timing. sounds much better-but not better than a live performance. I put this line marker back into operation in 1956 as part of my work with QRS. It had not been in operation since 1929 and was stored in Lawrence Cook's garage ~ ~ in the meantime. As far as I know, the roll recordings of J. P. are aolls and JJ(usic- unedited for the most part. Lawrence never did comment, but he did go into detail about the recordings made by Fats Waller. Lawrence did edit the series of Waller recordings. According to Lawrence, "Fats" recorded four or five, and thereafter, Lawrence was familiar enough with his style, that he could "fake it." RecOrd RevlBUI That is, it was not necessary for Lawrence to do more "mUSICAL CLOCKS" Candide CE 31093 tha,n just casually look at the line marked recording, wher~s the first four or five were actually punched BY IIICK BARnES out from the lines and then edited. Nearly thirty years ago E. Power Biggs was Little is accomplished by the method of actually represented on record performing a set of pieces punching over the lines recorded, just to hear it. A entitled simply "The Musical Clocks" by Franz .Joseph good roll arrangner like Lawrence Cook had the Haydn. It spurred my interest and a little searching ability to hear the music in his head by visually uncovered the fact that these were pieces composed by following. Since a master roll had to be made, with Haydn specifically for a mechanical organ and since precise steps for the perforator to follow, an transcribed for the keyboard. Since the original overpunched line marked roll would never be in sync instruments, in some cases, were known to exist I with the steps required. wondered why they had not been recorded. Perhaps they were but it was not until recently I discovered this Putting a recording within the bounds of mechanical record. It was produced in 1975 by Vox Productions, steps severely limited the possibility for any tempo change. Tempo could be altered when the roll was Inc., 211 E. 43rd St., New York, New York 10017 and is issued on the Candide label. being played. Otherwise, to increase tempo on the roll itself, it would have required no less than sixteen It is not a record to be put on the turntable and with

- 5 - favorite slippers and pipe settle down to relax and compositions are very predictable as far as what one enjoy. But for the enthusiast of mechanically would expect to hear in the way of an arrangement. reproduced music who is interested in the the history However, this roll, US #41614 played by the ever­ of this art the record is a gold mine of a number of very popular artist Absolutely Nowan Listted, is very rare mechanical musical instruments. At least I feel different. The song is played in marimba waltz style this to be the case. Twenty-four of Haydn's short which really livens it up from the traditional form of pieces for these instruments are played on two playing this piece. The roll has words with three original machines. The pieces on the earlier verses and even interludes. This is one roll I'm glad I mentioned Biggs record are heard here as they were didn't pass up playing. originally heard by Haydn himself although the mechanisms seem to be running a bit fast and there are "That Little Boy of Mine" -A one-step of which the some mechanical noises. But the student of composer is unknown, copyright by Milton Weil ornamentation of music of this period will be Publishing Company in 1931. The roll is Capitol #5914 interested, as the cylinders were pinned by a friend played by John Matthews who sounds much like and student of Haydn's so we may surely assume that Capitol recording artist and AMICA member Jack the composer approved. The two instruments played Honnert. The style is very lively and some of the best date from 1792 and 1793 and one was a gift from Haydn arrangements came from Capitol during these years of to Esterhazy. There is a charming ottavino by the late 1920s and early 1930s. The song has a good Bidermann of Augsburg also represented on the disc melody and good words. Another good Coinola style playing three airs of the day. The ottavino is a small master. You can't beat that with a cardboard core. virginal type instrument with plucked strings and, in "Those Were The Days" -A popular song from 1967 this case, operated by a pinned barrel. In the British written by Gene Raskin. This song was first recorded Museum is a manuscript of Henry VIII's musical onto record disc by Mary Hopkins on Apple Records instrument inventory listing 22 virginals including and produced by Paul McCartney. The roll is Play-Rite one that "goethe with a whele without playinge #80937 played by Walter Erickson. This arrangement uppon." This inventory predates the ottavino on the is versatile and interesting. There is only one place in record by nearly a hundred years but the instruments the roll that seems to run astray, an Indian war dance were probably similar. - effect as a variation on the theme. Other than that, the There are a number of other instruments represented. arrangement is pleasing, good, and full. There is a serinette, a vogelbauer, more clocks with pipes or bells, a street organ and a music box. The disc is well recorded and the jacket notes are very complete and informative. The record is a must for the serious devotee of the ancient art of mechanically produced BOOII RIUI., music. uLEOPOLD STOKOWSKI: A PROFILE" (BU Honoraru AmICAn. Abram Chaslns) BY EmmETT m. FO" PIAno ROLL REVIEW Abram Chasins, Duo-Art piano roll artist, composer, BY DAn TUTTLE pianist, author, Honorary Member of AMICA, friend and colleague of Leopold Stokowski, compiled a half 88-NOTE ROLLS century of close association to write an excellent book to reveal the private and musical life of the orchestra Slow and Easy" -A nice little foxtrot with a blues conductor, showman, phonograph recording artist, theme with words written by Henry Williams and Duo-Art pipe organ roll artist and participant in music by Norman Spencer. The songwas pUblished by motion pictures, radio and television. Daniels and Wilson, Inc. in 1919. The roll is QRS #922 and is played by Pete Wendling. The style of this song The book covers Stokowski's organizing and is much like its title-slow and easy. This writer is developing orchestras (especially the Philadelphia used to listening to selections with a little more pep so Symphony), his love affairs and marriages, his this piece is not your common foxtrot or blues. dedications and contributions to music and his However, I consider it to be a true blues arrangement. ambivolent behavior towards colleagues and friends. This performance by Pete Wendling is nothing less than excellent. The words are somewhat humorous I welcome this book with much interest. My first being written from the point ofview of a proper lady of recollection of Stokowski was as a student when the 1919. A sample of the lyrics- "Sit me down here in the phonograph recordings of his transcriptions of Bach shade, I'd like a little beer, (I mean a lemonade)." for orchestra appeared on the market. There were reams of articles, both pro and con about the "The Old Rugged Cross" - Every once in a while one transcriptions and the opinions of musical authorities may run across something a little different in the way and the press referred to his "disregard for the true "­ of a standard or sacred piece such as this composition Bach." Let me state the 78 rpm recordings of which is written by George Bennard. Most sacred Stokowski's transcriptions brought the music of Bach into the life of many students through the Music However, whatever the preferences of enthusiasts Appreciation courses in grade and high school and insofar as reproducing piano systems per se are colleges. ' concerned, there is little dispute among scholars that Olga Samaroff, a prolific piano roll artist who had the Welte system rolls are the most important -../ established a name in the concert world, was married historically because of their further reach backward in to Stokowski and through her friendships and time during a period in which performance traditions influence helped her husband in his career. His second were rapidy changing. Welte experts have, however, marriage to Evangeline Brewster Johnson, after Olga been aware of two disturbing aspects ofthe Welte rolls: divorced him to return to her career, was another viz: (1) the transfers of red rolls into the licensee factor in gaining him more advancement. configuration were not always carried out with sufficient accuracy, and (2) more importantly, many of In 1908, before becoming famous as a conductor, the most desirable red rolls were never transferred at Stokowski wished to put his days as organist of St. all. For example, it was noted in an article appearing Bartholomew's Church in New York in the in the May, 1978 issue of the Bulletin that few of Egon background. It was at this time he made the Duo-Art Petri's red rolls were ever transferred to the Licensee pipe organ rolls listed in the 1925/28 catalogs. format, and many other samples can be cited. Indeed, Welte fans who are not familiar with the entire red roll The press spent much time covering his three catalog may be astonished at the treasures which exist marriages, especially to Gloria Vanderbuilt and in that form. From time to time, it has been proposed to p~'eviously his romantic association with the motion set up modem apparatus to transfer red rolls to picture actress, Greta Garbo. Attention was also given Licensee, but like the weather, everybody talks about to his hair and his hands which he used to conduct the it but nobody ever does anything about it. But now, orchestra instead of a baton and the lighting which someone has, and to a most exciting degree. Richard was directed upon him when he was on the podium. Tonnesen's remarkable computer-controlled copying He was credited with improving the sound of the system was briefly discussed in the Texas Chapter orchestra in the seating arrangement of ,the players. news section of the December 1977 issue of the Bulletin. It was immediately clear, from the Many who were young during Stokowski's musical spectacular accuracy and versatility of this system, reign will find the book truly interesting in recalling that it could be adapted to convert red rolls to Licensee. his musical activities-they will be long remembered. Thus, during one of Ken Caswell's flying visits, a get­ The young generation will find his life and work together was arranged between Ken, Richard, and Bill exciting and inspiring, Flynt who, in addition to being a fine music roll arranger, has great expertise in the technical aspects (including sophisticated electronics) of piano roll coding, transfer, and recutting. Ken was most enthusiastic and offered to provide some of his rarest red rolls for a transfer / recutting project. Subsequently, a tracker bar (kindly loaned by Terry Smythe) was mounted onto Richard's roll-reading frame, Ken brought a load of rolls and left them in my care, and the project was started. The results are simple astonishing. The last of thirty­ one rolls (listed in the accompanying table) are now being processed and proofread against the originals (which in some instances are Welte red roll masters) by Ken. These new Licensee format masters are to be used to prepare a limited edition recutting under the supervision of Bill. This initial edition is already well WELTE RED ROLL TO LICEnSEE subscribed, but some thought is being given to dOUbling its size. Welte enthusiasts who may wish to conVERSion PROJECT participate in this subscription should contact Bill right away at (214) 278-8093 evenings or (214) 272-3561 BY diM PHILLIPS days. IfBill is not available, I can be contacted at (214) For some years, the Welte system was thought by 384-9055 evenings or (214) 699-3049 days to pass along information to Bill. many to be perhaps a somewhat less accurate reproducing system than either Ampico or Duo-Art. It is possible that yet another group of rare redrolls There will always be lively discussions on this point, may be processed while Richard's system is set up for but it now seems clear that a carefully rebuilt and the current project. Those readers interested in adjusted Welte reproducing piano is capable of very providing rare red roll masters on a loan basis in high quality performance and I would have to state exchange for a free Licensee copy should also contact that perhaps the finest reproducing piano I have yet Bill. heard is Ken Caswell's superb Feurich upright. WELTE RED-ROLLS to be transformed to Welte Licensee format:

·COMPOSER TITLE ARTIST ROLL NO. Beethoven Rondo, Op. 51 Reisenauer 330 Rondo Capriccioso Reisenauer 326 Waldstein Sonata, 1st Movement Carreno 372 Waldstein Sonata, 2nd & 3rd Mvts. Carreno 373

Chopin Sonata, B-Minor,Op. 58, 1st & 2nd Mvts. Samaroff 1472 Sonata, B-Minor, 3rd & 4th Mvts. Samaroff 1473 Waltz, Op. 69, #1 Stavenhagen 1030 Ballade, Op. 47 Carreno 369

Dandrieu Les Cascades W. Landowska 956** Debussy D'un Cahier d'Esquisses Composer 2734 DeFalla Pieces Espagnoles, #1 & #2 Composer 2770 Durante Divertimento, G-moll W. Landowska 957**

Granados Piece de Scarlatti Composer 2782** Goyescas, Part 3 Composer 2785

Handel Variations, D-moll Hofmann 3029 Horowitz Moment Exotique Composer 4119**

Liszt Sonetta del Petrarca Carreno 368 Hungarian Rhapsody #10 Reisenauer 324 Hungarian Rhapsody '#12 Friedheim 198 St. Francis Walking on Waves Stavenhagen 1032 Chant Polonaise (Chopin) . Stavenhagen 1035

Mahler Funeral March, 5th Symphony Composer 769 Soprano Air, 4th Symphony Composer 770

Mendelssohn Presto (Charakterstucke, Op, 7) Lhevinne 1299* Scherzo Scharwenka 232*

Scarlatti Pastorale W. Landowska 958

Scriabine Preludes #13 & #14 Composer 2069 Desir Composer 2071* Preludes Op. 11, #1 & #2 Composer 2067 Prelude, Op. 20, #1 and Mazurka, Op. 40, #2 Composer 2072*

Ravel Valses, Noble & Sentimental Composer 2888**

* These rolls were transformed to Licensee format by the Welte factory, but their accuracy is open to question. ** These original rolls are lined factory masters.

splendor in the creation of the motion picture palaces throughout America. Every city had one or more, Jnsfrumenfs ranging from a small to a huge "palace" creating a stream of music, dreams and laughter to the '= generation wanting to escape the boredom of home and work and to live in the make-believe world of the Hollywood films. THE REPRoDUClliG PlAID THE THEATER III The reproducing piano had its part. Many ofthe movie BY Eftlftlm ftI. FOlD palaces had a grand piano in the lobby or the mezzanine playing rolls for the patrons as they The Golden Age of the movie palace was a period in strolled into the theater or sat in magnificent chairs American history of a rush of architecture of fantastic and divans in the mezzanine between features.

- 8- The Ampico and Duo-Art shared their popularity with ardent music lover and his roll collection included the the movie audience. The cases of the grands were classics, standards, and many accompaniment rolls. ornate, often in the period design which was found Duo-Art advertisements listed "Roxy" as an throughout the interior of the theater. Some cases of "enthusiastic booster" for the Duo-Art. the grand pianos were painted in the Vernus Martin -./ style of gold and white with pastoral scenes. Piano roll artists, Ohman and Arden never performed to share the spotlight with the reproducing piano, A majority of the motion picture houses presented though they were often billed to play the piano. Eubie musical programs prior to showing the film. The Blake, appearing with Noble SissIe, probably never Capitol Theater in New York experimented by thought about using their piano rolls on the stage of featuring Percy Grainger to begin a week's the theaters. engagement at the theater playing the first movement of Tchaikovsky's B flat Minor concerto four times After the depression, when the motion picture palaces daily. Mr. Grainger would play the piano alternating lost their appeal and attendance dropped, music with the reproduction of his performance on the programs were discontinued. The orchestras, artists, Ampico. The audience was estimated at 12,000 persons vaudeville acts and other performers were no longer for the first day's performances and many were turned billed. The reproducing pianos were idle, often away. In 1921 a music week was begun to celebrate the needing repair and maintenance, and were shoved Fifth Anniversary of the Rialto Theater. One of the back stage to serve as a place to hold stacks of folding important features was the grand piano with the chairs, coats, boxes and other assortments of junk. Ampico playing of Rachmaninoff's recording of his C Finishes were marred by rough handling, ringed by sharp minor Prelude accompanied by an orchestra soft drink bottles and spillage and marked by burning conducted by Hugo Riesenfeld and Leon Vanderheim. cigarette butts. Mice and moths took over to add to To creat more interest, a film showing the composer their destruction. making the roll was shown. A great deal of time could be spent in searching for the pianos and their present locations. Many may have been destroyed when the motion picture palaces fell to the wrecking ball.

8. {Bali/orIlla

=

RIGGS HOST AnnUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY BY WILLIAM TOEPPE

The AMICA Southern California Chapter held its annual Christmas Party and election of officers at the home of Dick and Millie Rigg in La Habra on the evening of Saturday, 15 December 1979. During the formal part of the meeting, the following were elected as chapter officers for 1980: President Francis Cherney Vice President Mary Lilien Treasurer Roy Shelso In the list of acts between 1927 and 1935 at the Capitol Secretary Evelyn Meeder Theater, Percy Grainger performed on stage Board Rep. Dick Rigg ~ pantomiming his composition "Country Gardens" Reporter Bill Toeppe while the Duo-Art Pianola did the playing. Members and guests were entertained by the Knabe "Roxy" (S. L. Rothafel) built the Roxy Theater in New Ampico, the Mills Violano Virtuoso and by the York-a massive "palace." In the theater was a Duo- musical boxes and clocks. The Knabe was restored by --./ Art grand and another was in his office-studio. Itwas a Dick and during the restoring process, the case was Steinway of a Spanish Period design. Roxy was an converted to an art case by the addition of moldings to the original case.

-9- c7'ezas

=- '=

AMICA-TEXAS CHRISTMAS PARTY BV MERRILL BALULEV Again we were fortunate enough to have good weather for the Christmas party which took place at the home of Tom and Carole Beckett in north Dallas.

Southern California AMICA 1980 officers: 1. to r.­ After signing in, most of us made our way to the Francis Cherney, Mary Lilien, Bill Toeppe, Evelyn kitchen where a selection of hors d'oeuvres and wine Meeder and Dick Rigg. Not pictured-Roy She1so. was offered. Next came the decision of what to see first in the fine collection of pianos, music boxes and other related musical items. Dick Rigg's pipe organ is still silent but we could all I decided to make my way to the upstairs gameroom look at the pipe chamber with the pipes partially where a nicely restored Steinway XR Duo-Art was installed. In preparation for installation of the organ, playing. Also in the room was a Cremona nickelodeon the house has been enlarged to accomodate the with violin pipes and a few feet from this stood a large console, pipe chamber, blower, etc., and although the model railroad with Lionel trains. I soon realized the organ installation was not complete for this year's evening was going to be hours too short. Christmas meeting, the redecoration of the house was essentially complete. Tom demonstrated his recent installation of the Peterson digital tape player in his pipe organ. He is Francis Cherney acted as Santa Claus and handed out now in the process of recording his library of fragile the gifts at our annual gift exchange. Duo-Art Reproducing pipe organ rolls but can also record live playing or from a secondary roll system that allows him the unique possibility of turning "A,", "G," and 55-note piano rolls into automatic self­ registering reproducing organ rolls (tapes) to suit his own taste. The whole recording system is fairly compact and records to standard cassette tapes which can be played back with the automatic registration switched off, if desired, giving the option of making other choices of stops from the console while the music is being reproduced to allow alternate versions of the same music.

L. to R: Grosvenor Fattic, Pat Cherney and hostess Millie Rigg.

Petersen digital tape playerfor the pipe organ atop the 10-roll Concerto1a player cabinet.

- 10- Hunger pains set in soon and all proceeded again to 6'6" Ampico grand. Bill also played his own hand-cut the kitchen area where Carole, Becky Newton, and and edited Ampico roll of "Chopsticks" that had a bit . Janet Tonnesen's beautifully prepared buffet dinner of classical flavoring to it. This was very good and awaited. It included baked chicken breasts, italian cut hopefully will be available to us at a later date. green beans, rice and mushroom pilaf, and ambrosia Our thanks to the Becketts and their co-hosts the j salad followed by pumpkin and minced meat pies and Newtons and Tonnesens for a well-planned and fun lemon pound cake for dessert. party. Shortly after dinner the business meeting was held and new chapter officers were elected for the coming year and they are: Jim Phillips, President; Merrill Baltzley, Vice President, Janet Tonnesen, Secretary/­ Treasurer; James Kelsey, Reporter and Wade Newton as Board Representative. Bill Flynt then introduced the fact that a major breakthrough in the recutting of rolls is occurring right here in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. Richard Tonnesen of Richardson, Texas, has perfected a way to reduce the size of the large Red Welte roll to conform with that of the smaller Welte Licensee, and then to recut the complete roll in the AMICA MIDWEST CHAPTER MEETinG smaller size. I believe this is accomplished by using a 10 ton hydraulic press and a tracker bar with very Vandalia, Ohio - 1·2 December 1979 small holes-but Richard says no, that's not the way it's done! A complete explanation is given elsewhere BY MOLLY YECKLEY in this Bulletin. Thanks to Richard Tonnesen, we'll all Have you ever seen a ten minute blizzard? someday be able to enjoy Red Welte music. Immediately upon arrival at my motel in Vandalia it began to snow - but more than snow as the wind blew, visibility became zero, and the fluffy white tried to pile up as the wind tried to send it along east to Pennsylvania. It stopped after only ten minutes and the temperature fell out the bottom of the thermometer for the rest of the weekend. Since we don't depend upon the weather to have a good time, we enjoyed our usual camraderie and jollies as AMICAns looking for another weekend thrill. We found it again. (For how many more years can we keep this up?)

Steinway XR restored by Carole Beckf!tt.

Following the business meeting was the gift exchange. As the names were drawn, the participant could either keep the gift or swap it unopened for any other opened gift, maximum trades-3. Several items changed hands many times and one of the most popular gifts was two bottles of wine that ended up with Wade and Becky Newton. Jim Phillips got a piano wall clock, Ed Ward listens to the 1925 Chickering Ampico "A." Carole Beckett a box of Sees candy, Richard Tonnesen Note the brown bag full of rolls Ed brought to piaYt\ a jumbo Ampico "A" roll, myself a clay wine cooler. Many other musical and/or interesting gifts were Lawrence and Margaret Frazer welcomed us at six exchanged. p.m. for a buffet that must have taken days ahead to Bill Flynt entertained by manually playing many prepare. The food was simple (for Margaret, that is) in Christmas carols and old-time favorites on the the form of a tossed salad, cold meats, a broccoli Becketts' very ornate Italian Renaissance Chickering casserole designed to impress broccoli-haters and

- 11 - desserts that were varied and caloried. Margaret loves mood that brought home to all of us what AMICA to cook and her selections showed it. Both salad stands for. He played, reminisced, and dazzled all of us dressings begged to be tried and I don't recall ever with his recall of the famous 1924 Paul Whiteman tasting any more delicious. And if you haven't eaten concert that introduced George Gershwin's mud pie for dessert ... I suspect this is old hat to "Rhapsody in Blue" to the world. Henry, along with Margaret, but I noticed she handed out many copies of Gershwin and Ferde Grofe, was responsible for the her recipes. popularity of that work. In fact, I have a copy of a 1924 '-­ Etude Magazine that discusses popular music and A remark made by Lawrence during the evening told names the members of the Paul Whiteman Orchestra, me what I had suspected - giving an AMICA meeting and we all know who "H. Lange" is! Mr. Lange just can be inspirational. He finally got around to the happens to have an original program of that evening restoration of his 1883 6'3" Weber in a rosewood case in his briefcase full of memories and he willingly after having it in his possession for ten years! Aha, passed it around for us to marvel at. He also had a you say, that was before reproducers and players ­ picture of himself seated at a piano which was an exact true; but Pianocorder saved the day ... or the piano, duplicate of Frazers' Weber, right down to the perhaps. It had the original ivories and that was extremely fancy carved, curved legs! The picture was probably all that was left untouched. The sound heard taken in Chicago about 1912, Henry recalls. would be lost on, say, a Horowitz, he of the brass­ tipped steel hammer school), but the tone was lovely Henry ignored his doctor's advice and played for well and AMICA Honorary Henry Lange gave us a over an hour, to the delight of his listeners. To hear program on it that we will long remember. him is to hear the past come to life, yet his playing is never dated. We cautioned him to play only slow-and­

I easy numbers so as not to exert himself, but that's like S telling a cat not to purr! Henry, we thank you sincerely and hope that the love that flowed out to you was more healing than all of the pills and doctors in the world.

\

Tom Cruse, Alberta Favret, Liz Barnhart, Molly Yeckley - refueling.

Left to right: Charles Kegg, Jim Weisenborne, Alvin Wulfekuhl - their favorite pasttime?

We had many guests at this meeting and I can't tell you all of their names, but two people remain in my memory - Tim Needler and Charles Kegg. There was a very tall organist from Columbus, and a man with a fascinating name from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, and oh why I can't be responsible and write names down just because I'm having a gleeful evening I'll never know. hy did I remember the two names mentioned? Well, Tim Needler wrote and asked about joiningthe chapter over six weeks in advance and that gave us a chance to exchange about five letters beforehand, and Charles Henry Lange enjoyed playing the lovingly-restored Kegg works for Schantz Organ Company in Orrville, 1883 Weber. Ohio, and has a beautiful singing voice and is involved with the Palace Theatre in Canton, Ohio, about six Mr. Lange's health did not permit him to attend the doors down from my father's paint and wallpaper Philadelphia Convention last summer, and his doctor store and has known about AMICA "for years" as he told him "nothing strenuous" but dear Henry was in a said, but never made it to a meeting before now. Oh!

- 12- The tall organist plays elegant ragtime and Tim being unfamiliar with Ampico "A" controls (What a Needler can play anything on the piano if you hum a snob remark!) found that Somebody had turned the few bars, he says ... that wasn't meant to come out that widget that controls the top range of the piano so that way. He doesn't say he can play anything; I do, it would only murmur pleasingly and just a turn ofthe because I heard him do it with Pauline Alpert's thingie allowed it to be heard at full voice. A fine "Dream of A Doll" along with Jim Weisenborne after reproducer. as it happens, with a full range of power hearing the first few measures. He would have us and I DO wish that people who prefer hearing believe that he doesn't read music, but nobody but themselves talk to listening to pianos would remove Pauline can play her "Dream" like she does, anyway: themselves to another room, since moving the piano to (you may recall an earlier statement of mine that she another room seems the more difficult to do. has six fingers on each hand, obviously ... no one can play like she does with only ten!) Well, once we get the About 50 people returned again on Sunday morning fingering figured out perhaps ..... for the business meeting, again at the Frazers. What can be said about business meetings that interest people who aren't chapter members or likely to become so? We elected officers for 1980 with one exception, about which more at the end of this report. The same people will continue to serve, as they have been terrific, have Gotten Things Done, and we all feel safe and secure with them at the helm. After the meeting the Frazers fed us again! This time it was brunch with eggs and a most delicious assortment of sticky buns, sweetrolls and all tho'se things we eat while saying to ourselves. "Eat hearty for tomorrow you may diet." This was our first chapter meeting at the Frazers, although both were active during the Dayton 1978 convention, with Lawrence preparing instruments and Margaret designing the convention logo and applying it in copper to the tops of the miniature pianos used as Business Meeting. table decorations for the banquet. They weren't at the convention, as it happened. because a trip to Japan coincided with the convention dates. If / you have assumed that we played the piano and sang somewhere during the evening, let me tell you it was Pianos. A very ordinary-looking upright in a room off true - we gathered around the Chickering "A" the living room proved to be a wonderfully-toned Arilpico in the upstairs family room (for very large Aeolian Duo-Art and Bennet Leedy found some rolls family) and went through everything from Christmas that really showed it off. The Hazelton 5'10" Welte was carols with harmony to ragtime with syncopation to garaged. It played. but only just, and Lawrence will be marches with laughter. Jim Weisenborne and I tackling that one next, he says. The potential is probably bored most of the people there with our certainly there! version of "American Patrol" and something-by­ Sousa but it is ~ch fun to do that we really didn't notice too awfully much. Why are duets like tha.t only fun for the players? I truly tried not to pound out the bass beat which so 9ften shows how much difficulty the duetists are havihg in staying together! I can't end this part without saying that feathers really flew - my dress had ostrich feather cuffs and some of the less­ disciplined ones flew off at the least provocation :.",or improvisation, if you rather. ~ We finished off with some sightreading of the "Kashmiri Song" as sung by Charles Kegg and that song always stays in my mind ever since I heard the . Robert Armbruster Duo-Art roll of it. The words to it are almost morbid, but the melody is haunting, melancholy and wistful and I always seem to read the music through a blur of eyes. Other readings at sight were of "Camelot" and sheet music from the '20s, so we Henry Lange shows Jim Prendergast some of his had as varied an evening of music as we always do ­ mementos. and of course we played the pianos with rolls. too. ./ While listing to the Chickering, I was thinking what a A fine and lively weekend was provided for us and we nice, pleasant, fairly docile reproducer it was. and I thank everyone who worked so hard to make it

- 13- succeed. A word of thanks goes to the Frazers' daughter and son-in-law for their "being there and helping" unobtrusively - and presenting Henry Lange with a Panasonic portable tape recorder on 4llil~lelpRia Saturday evening was a thoughtful gesture which he appreciated greatly. Thanks to Bill Eicher, Henry now has a piano, and keen ears heard him say he had nothing to record on, hence the tape recorder! Now if only we could talk Mr. Lange into a telephone - well, he probably wouldn't write his lovely notes any more TRIP TO HARVEY ROEHL'S and we would certainly miss getting those in the mail! VESTAL, n.Y. We delight at his'presence and hope to see him at many more meetings, and conventions. BY MIllE IADDEO

Stan F.avret took the pictures, so I'm in them. One of On Saturday, November 17, the Philadelphia Chapter these days I'm going to take his camera away from boarded a chartered bus and headed up to Vestal, New him and take HIS picture with it so you can refresh York for a weekend visit with Harvey and Marion yourself with his good looks. Roehl. The Roehls are well known by just about all of us in the hobby primarily because of their business which is appropriately called "The Vestal Press." For years they have offered collectors an in-depth selection of books, original catalogue reprints, records and all sorts of "interesting little gadgets" associated with the collecting of automatic musical instruments. They have been one of the important stimulants that have helped our hobby to grow and prosper. We arrived at 2:00 p.m. expecting to spend the afternoon enjoying what had already been described as a magnificent collection. Unfortunately our lifestyle too often uses these flashy superlatives and most of us have grown to attach much less importance to the word "magnificent" than Webster intended. To put it simply, we were definitely not prepared for what Left to right: Tim Needler, Charles Kegg, "The tall we were to experience. organist, " Jim Weisenborne, Molly Yeckley probably laughing better than she is playing. - ,;;~p.,~. ? .... ~'~"".-~,,~\n:.~ __ As I said before, I would "tell all" at the end of this report. After writing of chapter meetings for almost four years and having great fun (accuracy never reared its ugly head) I thought it was high time for someone else to take a whack at it. Dead silence greeted my announcment that I was not going to stay on - but after lots of squirming in chairs and averting of eyes, Ahti Petaja's dear wife Dorothy spoke up and said she thought Ahti might like to do it. Ahti said he would "for the next two meetings at least" (I put it in print so he can't back out), and after that we'll see ... The only requirements are a camera with black and white film if Stan can't make it to a meeting (boy, did I depend on Stan!) and a willingness to type off a page or two double-spaced so Tom Beckett can read it - funny, I never seemed able to get it down to less than five The Roehl collection had achieved what all collectors pages, though; and a sense of fWI, pride in the aims of someday hope for - a thorough cross section of AMICA, enjoyment of people of all sorts, types and musical americana. Using a term borrowed from the piano persuasions, and a sense of the worth of neumismatic field, one might say that Harvey and preserving the past while living in the present and Marion have all the "Key Pieces." From music boxes looking forward to the future - see, anybody can to reproducing grands to orchestrions to band organs, qualify as a chapter reporter. Why don't YOU try it? the Roehls have certainly assembled some of the finest instruments in the country and have housed them all AMICAbly submitted, in a nostalgically decorated addition to their home. Molly Yeckley, past Especially impressive are the two big orchestrions; a AMICA Midwest Reporter Wurlitzer "LX" and a Seeburg "G." I also don't want to as of 1 January 1980 miss mentioning Harvey's pride and joy; a beautifully

- 14 - restored 57 key Gaviolli Fair Organ that belted out a then introduced to the man who was responsible for new arrangement of "California Here I Come" and left the installation and also the genius behind the us begging for more. development of a new era, electronic player system wired into the console, Mr. George Melnick. George What made experiencing this collection so enjoyable along with assistance from Andy Jerosik and Dick Ide was knowing the stories connected with their put together an instrument- that has to be one of the acquisition. Harvey is quite a good speaker and as a electronic marvels of our era. Essentially what he did result the afternoon was over before we knew it. At was to design, build, and interface a computer with the this point we decided to go into Binghamton, have organ console. dinner, and return that evening to see the rest of the instruments. Dinner turned out to be a sumptious Now this is no small project even for a computer seafood smorg,a,sbord which left no one feeling engineer like George. To begin with the organ was in hungry. (Some of us had to be rolled to the bus.) terrible condition when it arrived from its interim resting place, a chicken coup, somewhere in Michigan and had to be completely rebuilt even before work on the player could begin. It all took several years of his spare time (lots of help from Andy and Dick) and donations of money or equipment from local businesses. You can tell though that they all are very pleased and proud of the results. With Andy at the console we were all treated to a mini concert. First he would playa piece and then George would play it back again using the computer's duplex tape decks. I have to tell you that there was absolutely no difference between the "original" performance and the taped "playback." The computer controls every stop, key, pedal and swell shutter with unerring precision. The performance left all of us sitting in disbelief. It isn't very difficult to imagine all of the advantages a recording system like this could offer. An organist could pre-tape a concert at his Back at Roehls' we were treated to a Laurel & Hardy convenience (editing out any mistakes), for replay at silent movie, complete with photo player any time in the future. A duet can be performed by accompaniment and "Hot Hands Harvey" at the taping one part in advance and then playing the / controls. That photo player really put life into the film second part while the first is being replayed. This causing someone to inquire why they ever called them feature would also allow any two fingered virtuoso, silent movies in the first place. Following the movie, like myself, to set down and turn out a reputable the group had the opportunity to listen to the Roehls' rendition by simply re-recording first the melody, then three (3) fine reproducing pianos. A Steinway Duo­ the accompaniment (with emphasis on the re-record) Art, Knabe Ampico and Bauer Welte Mignon. It was until all the elements of the finished piece were on the past 11 o'clock before anyone could be persuaded to tape. Live performances by a famous organist like board the bus for the motel. Virgil Fox could be shipped all over the world and replayed on similar units installed in theaters. The Sunday morning, bright and early, everyone somehow player and its multitude of possibilities are definitely managed to make it to breakfast on time. I guess it was intriguing. because we were all anxious to find out what the surprise was that Harvey had waiting for us in Binghamton. So immediately after breakfast we boarded our bus and followed Harvey into the quaintly beautiful city of Binghamton, N.Y., finally stopping just opposite a huge brick building that looked like an old movie house. We all entered through a pair of side doors and found ourselves standing on a stage, looking out over the seats of what was indeed an old movie house. It was then that Harvey explained that we were looking at the finished efforts of a community project started several years ago: the restoration ofthe theater and the installation of a unique Robert Morton, self playing Theater Organ. .Harvey began telling us about the project and as his story unfolded, we soon got the impression that the theater restoration was really secondary to the organ project and was mainly done to provide the perfect setting for this magnificent Robert Morton. We were

- 15 - After the concert we were given a guided tour through the organ chambers and the blower room below the stage. Everyone was full of questions and many of us wanted to hear our favorite pieces played. Yours truly asked George Melnick if any classical organ music had been recorded. "What do you have in mind?" he asked. "Oh, I was thinking of sOIllething along the line of 'Tocatta and Fugue,''' I replied. George grabbed a tape, placed it on the deck and the forboding strains of Bach's masterpiece filled the theater. A smile spread across George's face. "What else would you like to hear?" he joked. That's the kind of day it was.

Our dauntless officers for 1980- 1. to r: Al Johnson, Mary Lou Shimp, Lee Zimmerline and Stan Peters.

temperatures were unseasonably warm with abundant sunshine, though the breeze was a bit cool. In marked contrast to our other December meetings which were held in spite of snow, ice, wind and sub-zero temperatures!

Lee's Mason & Hamlin Ampico is always such a joy to listen to. With an exceptional library of Ampico rolls and oftentimes a history of the music, this makes each meeting here a memorable one. As always, time passes too quickly when you're Stan Peters called the business meeting to order in his having fun and before anyone wanted to, we all had to own inimitable style. The main order of business being board the bus for the trip back home. We expressed our the election of officers for 1980, plans were also appreciation and thanks to the Roehls' for a weekend finalized for our February meeting at which time we none of us will forget. will commence restoration of a push-up player for the THANKS AGAIN HARVEY AND MARION Oskaloosa Historical Society.

CHRISTmAS AT THE ZIMMERLInES BY AL JOHnSOn

Once again Lee and Shirley Zimmerline very The "light" refreshments. graciously welcomed many enthusiastic AMICAns and guests to their lovely home near New Virginia, Iowa. As we arrived our ears perceived a few After the business meeting we were favored by a & arpeggios of a last minute tuning to Lee's Mason & recital by Mic.'lael Branscom on the Mason Hamlin. Hamlin, assuring u's of an afternoon of fine listening Michael is from Bloomington, Minnesota and is a pleasure. student at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. He is on the Speech Team, sings in the Nordic Choir and also Our influence over the weather is still holding true to has his own radio program. He performed the form! We may have over-done it this time. The Beethoven "Sonata in E Flat, Opus 81," a Chopin

- 16 - Nocturne, and finished with the "Maple Leaf Rag." I'm was held at the home of Marvin and Zelda Horovitz in sure I speak for everyone when I thank Michael for Winchester, Massachussetts on Sunday, November 11. taking time from his busy schedule to entertain us. A more appropriate site for an AMICA meeting could hardly be found since their home is the remodeled carriage house of the old Pond estate. Most AMICAns are familiar with the high quality Ivers and Pond piano. The festivities commenced at 6:30 p.m. with the marvellous music of a Marr Coulton Theater Organ which was recently rebuilt and installed by Marv, ably assisted by Alan Pier. Several members of the American Theater Organ Society also attended this meeting bringing the total to about 50 attendees. The organ console is still undergoing restoration so most of the music originated from either the "0" roll player or the 88-note player installed in the pipe chamber on the second floor. They keyboard has been removed from the console and sits on the floor of the pipe chamber, temporarily connected for tuning. We got a preview of how the console will sound when one of the ATOS members sat on the floor and played Stardust. There will be more about this giant automatic instrument later. Abundant refreshments were provided by our hosts and brought by many individuals. There was a general rush from the street toward the front door as people tried to dodge the raindrops which poured from the skies all evening. During the first few hours piano rolls were bought, sold and traded. Organ records and books on automatic instruments were on sale and several notes of larger items were on the bulletin board.

./ Michael Branscom at the Mason & Hamlin.

Shirley had prepared a buffet befitting royalty including fruitcake, punch, coffee and a host of other culinary delights. What a pleasant way to end an afternoon! Good food, beautiful music and a houseful of AMICAns to trade stories with. Thank you Lee and Shirley for a memorable afternoon. Meeting schedule for 1980: February 10 - Richard Parker, Oskaloosa, Iowa. April 13, August 10. December 14 - (locations not presently chosen).

JJosfon cflrea

unconSOLED THEATER ORGAn PLAYS ROLLS Marvin Horovitz and his "0" roll player in the pipe BY BILL KOEniGSBERG chamber. As with most pipe chambers, this one is just too cramped to get usable photos of the pipes with The Fall Meeting of the Boston Area AMICA Chapter ordinary camera lenses.

- 17 - The business meeting began promptly at 8:00 p.m., led The meeting dissolved into the rainy evening some by President Alan Pier. Alan introduced Marv time after 11:30. All of us were richer with new friends, Horovitz who briefly explained the history and rolls, memories, and especially good music in a restoration of the organ. After the officers reports and marvelous atmosphere. old business items were covered, the slate of new officers for 1980 was introduced. Unamious election installed William Koenigsberg, President; Charles Hazard, Vice President; Al Greco, Secretary; Ray Magee, Reporter; and Phil Konop as Treasurer. It was decided that the next meeting will be held at the home of Beverly and Bill Koenigsberg in Concord, JJioorapRical Massachussetts and the Spring meeting will be at the home of Mrs. Steeves in Bedford, New Hampshire. ~ltefcRe8 Next there was a short session of technical questions and answers for the aid of those who had instrument restoration problems. The meeting was adjourned and automatic music filled the air again. A surprise to many members was that the 1923 Chickering Ampico grand in the downstairs living room has been TERESI CIRREIIO: BY THE BRICE OF ODD connected to play with the organ. Not to worry, it can BY MADA MILlIIO_1 still deliver a fine performance from the Ampico rolls when the tape is removed from the tracker bar. As (leu.... bU Emmett M. FOrd) others have frequently noted, Ampico rolls are very suitable for organ players because the note extensions This excellent, fact-filled book by a friend and student produce sustained chords. What is less well known is of Carreno, Marta Milinowski, was published in 1940 that "0" roll arrangements can do things with a with a reprint in 1977. Publication was in celebration theater organ toy counter that the best of theater of the 75th anniversary of Vassar College and in organists would find impossible. The roll players are honor of Henry Noble McCracken in the 25th year of connected so that the bass notes are played on the his presidency. Miss Milinowski was an alumna of accompaniment keyboard and the treble notes on the Vassar College. solo keyboard. The "0" roll turns on and off various ranks of pipes and operates the swell shutters. The Regardless of the large file I had and the research on five ranks include Tibia, Flute, Vox Humana, the life of the great pianist of her time, I was amazed to Salicional, and Trumpet. In addition there is a read so much of her intimate life. reiterating xylophone and orchestra bells. Ithas taken The book begins with the Carreno family in Spain and Marv about three years of his spare time to bring the later in Venezuela where the parents established a organ to its present state. His work was interrupted for home of musical atmosphere. coronary bypass surgery during the summer of '78 but that didn't seem to slow him down much. Now he Teresa was born December 22, 1853 and as she showed devotes several hours to jogging each week and early talents, her wise parents began her instruction at expects to complete the console in a few months. His the age of five. Her public appearances brought advice to those in the rebuilding hobby: Keep the attention and the realization by her parents that the project going with a few hours'minimum each week. If child needed the right musical training. Her you fail to maintain this schedule you may get bogged grandmother even sold her property to finance a trip down and find it very hard to get underway again. to New York where Teresa met the famous Louis M. Gottschalk. When the console is complete in its crimson and gold trim, Marv has plans for a dummy representing the The book takes us through her early childhood years Phantom of the Opera to preside at the keyboard when on the concert stage to provide a living for her family. rolls are played. This figure will not look out of place At one time she was married to Eugene d'Albert. He since Marv and Zelda'a home already abounds in influenced her playing to the extent of correcting some carousel animals and an enormous wooden Indian faults. Her first marriage to a violinist ended in guards the living room. divorce, as did her subsequent marriage to the opera singer, Tagliapietra. It was not until she married her Later in the evening member Mark Novak played brother-in-law, Arturo Tagliapietra, that she found Scarlotti, Bach, and Chopin on the piano. What made it happiness in her husband's care and devotion. dOUbly enjoyable was that the selections were lovely, Children were born of her first three marriages - none not available on rolls, and played to perfection. are living - Herta d'Albert Weber died several years Listeners remained absolutely silent during the ago in Vienna. playing and then burst into applause at the completion of each piece. Rolls can be very impressive on a Teresa was known to move the immense Weber grand reproducer but here was an example of the personal (furnished by the Weber Piano Company) into the touch being truly delightful. desired position on the stage herself, and she was famous for the effortless, smashing chords in the

- 18 - introduction of the Tschaikowsky concerto. revision she found them far from true to her style. She Chickering also furnished her a piano on one of her tried to have a number recalled from publication, United States tours as did Steinway & Sons in 1900. unwilling to allow experimentation at such a price.* In 1917 she taught at the Chicago Musical College and Carenno made no phonograph recordings. ~ a South America tour was planned. While on the tour At the end of the book is a Postlude by Dr. Walter she became ill and returned to New York where her Neimann in honor of Carenno's sixtieth birthday. A doctors found she was suffering from diplopia, a chronology and many photographs are in the book. partial paralysis of the optic nerve. Though Carreno's Miss Milinowski did much traveling in Germany and strong will created a determination to continue with Venezuela, contacting surviving members of music, she was unable to assimilate. She sat at the Carenno's family and others who knew the pianist Steinway and began to play the "Harmonious along with much research in books and periodicals. Blacksmith" variations (Duo-Art 6020) but had The book was a result of Miss Milinowski's devotion difficulty finishing the composition-her last tryst with music. At seven o'clock on June 12, 1917, the great and friendship to Carreno; it could be called a living pianist was dead. monument. Mme. Carreno's ashes were taken to Caracas and put in a dignified bronze urn made by the Venezuelan sculptor, Nicholas Veloz. A ceremony was held in 1938 during which the Military Band of Caracas played Beethoven's "Funeral March" and President Contreras unveiled the urn draped in the colors of Venezuela and the United States. Jose Antonio Caleano made the address of dedication. In the evening, a concert was given in her memory in the Teatro Municipal, where Carenno often played *From "Teresa Carreno: By The Grace of God" by Marta Milinowski, page 380, Da Capo Press, New York, 1977. Permission granted by Roy Chernus, Assistant Editor.

~ ~ ~ ~ crecRnicalifies

APRECISiOn METHOD OF SETTinG UPRIGHT DAMPERS 8¥ CRAI8 8ROU8HER In 1916, while in Germany, she was a "pioneer" in the In player work, more than anything else, dampers can making of rolls for the Duo-Art, the Welte, and the be a real problem. If the only problem is the time it Ampico. Reproducing mechanisms brought her little takes to remove a player action and replace it after satisfaction. In the first place the ordeal of playing for damper work is done, those dampers have cost you and the making of the master roll was nerve-wracking. your customer more than would have been necessary She was overcome by stage fright unknown in a whole had they been set according to a sure method the first lifetime of concerts. Herta once accompanied her for time. And for reproducer owners whose delight is moral support on such an occasion. The lights which getting the most precision music from an upright, you went off and on, the three men who sat busily taking know that unless the dampers in an upright are quite notes, the mystifying machinery, all combined to precisely set, they will not do the difficult jobs that the upset her, so that the initial roll was a complete grand dampers can do with ease. failure. When finally, with perspiration standing out in beads from every pore, she had completed her work, Here is a technique that I have developed and used for her relief was such that she suggested a pleasure trip years and which seems to produce good results with on the Rhine for recuperation. The results of her no complaints. The row of dampers when set in this recordings disappointed her. In spite of hours spent in way will move off the strings in perfect unison, and as

- 19 - slow as you wish to operate the damper rod, they will with the proper tool to just touch the damper toe after appear to be one solid piece. blocking up the sticker in that position. Use this new hammer line to gauge each spoon adjustment. Go back In order to get the best job possible, I recommend and check your settings. Now check them again. starting with new dampers. This method would be Replace the action in the piano and check it out for a more difficult if you began with your old dampers good "rough" setting. whose indents have already been pressed into the 7. Now for the fine touches: using your left hand, heads by the strings. Completely regulate the action barely lift the damper rod hook and as it approaches before you begin. the damper levers you will see a ~ew eager dampers 1. Check the action for loose or broken parts­ budge before the others do. So raise it up the full especially check the damper lift rod behind the damper amount and gently bend those eager dampers toward tails to be sure it is tight and lifting absolutely the string using a damper wire bending tool. Recheck. straight. You may need to shim one of its hinges to If it looks good, go to the next one in tum. You are correct slight misalignment. While making this bench judging by a majority rule in this case. If over 80% of check, to see if all the dampers in general lift at the your dampers all seem to act simultaneously with a same time when the damper rod hook is raised, you damper rod nudge, you did a good gob with the rough can also shim under any damper tails individually setting. To correct for an overadjustment, you will that are late to start. Damper springs are usually need to bend that damper back toward you and then graduated in 3 weights, the weakest being in the treble. bend it in again like before. This fact allows the damper rod to lift from one end Be artistic, enjoy your work, and try not to spill your only without excessive bending. Do not change one set drink all over your action and when you are finished of springs without changing them all and pay your dampers should move with great precision. attention to the dampers where one set of springs stop What's more, they will stay that way. And if you are a and another weight spring begins. technician, your damper action work tells a great deal 2. Put the piano action in place and hook up the about the rest of your work, and your attention to sustain pedal rod and adjust. Align all dampers on details, so don't skip over them. The most rewarding center with their strings. Be sure the action is secured part comes when the player is reinsatlled and a roll with its nose bolt nuts. with a lot of pedalling effects is played. You will hear 3. Bend the damper wires of only the end dampers of subtlties that you probably didn't think your piano each section while still in the piano so that:·(a) they was capable of handling. Since this method has damp the string well, (b) they are aligned with the worked well for me, I would like to hear from anyone string, (c) they raise 3/16" with the damper pedal. who would care to try it and get their comments. (Forget about playing the keys for now) 4. Remove the action. Measure the amount of deflection on the guide dampers you adjusted to see how much the string deflected them when the action was in place. This deflection will usually vary nEW MEMBERS between 1/8" and 3/16". 5. Bench the action. Prop the damper rod up so that the Ruby Ahneman: 3645 Harriet South, Minneapolis, dampers move back 3/16". Bend the damper wires to MN 55409. 1926 Fischer 5' Ampico. Referred by Trudy line up with the guide dampers of each section that you Maier. have previously set. You may have to bend some to be vertical as well as haVing their heads line up. This is Carl Arvidson; 11 Watson Drive, W. Simsbury, CT the critical point. It takes a little practice to be able to 06092. 1921 Franklin 5'3" Ampico; 1923 Fischer 5'3" see one of your soldiers out of line, and when I began, I Ampico. would use a taut string, but as I got more practice, I learned how to eyeball their centers. A light weight straight edge used alternately between adjustments John W. Behonek: 245 East 87th Street, New York, NY will also work. Suit yourself, but get this part right. 10028. 1926 Mason & Hamlin 6'1" Ampico.

If you have a question at this point whether or not your guide dampers are either true vertical or properly Lowell & Jerrilyn Boehland: 5152 Luverne Ave., positioned, it is best to put them back into the piano Minneapolis, MN 55419. Referred by Trudy Maier. and check again. I find myself always double and triple checking everything and often I will find things Music Department: Buffalo & Erie County Library, not quite right. Another way I trick myself is by Lafayette Square, Buffalo, NY 14203. leaving the job for awhile. Then I sneak back a few hours later and go through the motions on it again. I find that I disagree with myself quite often when I do Jim A. Caterina: 242 West 4th Street, New York, NY that but it saves a lot of time in the long run. 10014. 6. Face the hammers and dampers and actuate each "end of section" sticker upwards to push its hammer toward you. When the hammer has traveled 11/4" (5/8" Donald & Margaret Crane: 2805 W. Avenue N8, from the string line), bend the spoon on the whippen Palmdale, CA 93550. 1927 Marshall & Wendell 5' Ampico. Referred by Anita Nickels Johnson. Ray & Diana Croteau: 900 Wedgewood Ave. Sarnia, Earl & Nancy Mueller: 4954 36 Avenue North, St. Ontario, Canada N7V 3E7. 1925 Mason & Risch upr Petersburg, FL 33710. 1920 Haines Bros. upr Ampico; plyr; 1922 & 1924 Heintzman upr plyrs; 1926 H. C. Bay Music box. Referred by Warren Knapp. Solo Concerto upr plyr; 1924 Stanley upr plyr: 1910 ,./ Weber 65-note upr plyr; 1927 Stevenson upr plyr. Referred by Terry Smythe and Fred & Claire Richard J. Nicholls: RD. #7, Box 17, Oswego, NY Kingsmill. 13126, 1926 Fisher 5' Ampico.

Carl De Nunzio, Jr: 427 16th Street, Conneaut, OH James & Judith O'Reilly: 25 Marlin Avenue, East, 44030. 1932 Marshall & Wendell 5' Ampico B; 1926 J & C Edison, NJ 08817. 1928 Stroud upr Duo-Art; 1931 Story Fischer upr Ampico. Referred by Molly Yeckley. & Clark upr plyr. Referred by H. R. Trauger.

H. C. and Lilly Dobbrunz: 4401 Polk Street, Frederick H. Pongrace: 2101 N, 18th St. Apt. 1028, Hollywood, FL 33021. 1926 Haines Bros. 5'8" Ampico. Arlington, VA 22201. 1921 Chase 5'8" Artecho. Referred by Reid Welch. Michael & Mary Potash: 375 Linwood Avenue, H. Craig Doennecke: 4930 Charles Page Blvd., Tulsa Newtonville, MA 02160. 1920 Sterling upr plyr; 1881 OK 74127. 1913 Remington upr plyr; 1920 Angelus upr Clariona hand-crank reed organ; Music boxes. plyr; 1972 Wurlitzer Spinet plyr. . Referred by Bill Koenigsberg.

Robert & Patricia Hagaman: 4814 Sandy Drive, Kenneth & Dorothy Reiman: W. 2516 Providence Monroeville, PA 15146. Ave., Spokane, WA 99205. 1926 Seeburg E .w/pipes; 1924 Seeburg E w /xylo; 1905 Coinola A roll nick; 1924 Wurlitzer 146 band organ; juke boxes. Walter F. & Lois Harwood: 6102 Greenmont, Houston, TX 77092. 1926 Knabe 5'2" Ampico. Timothy & Sheryl Rook: 175 Circular Street, Tiffin, OH 44883. 1916 Francis Bacon upr plyr. Referred by Mark Heisser: 223 E. Oakland Ave.. Columbus, OH Milt Cooperman. 43201. 1929 Marshall & Wendell 5' Ampico; 1918 Widdefield upr plyr. Referred by Gary Shipe. J. Stephen Smith: Rt, 2 - Box 254, Rembert, SC 29128...... ' . 1889 Steinway 6'1" Victorian grand. Referred by Haden Donald & Linda Kroenlein: RR #2, Moweaqua, IL Vandiver. 62550. 1934 Chickering 5'10" Ampico B; 0 roll orchestrion; Music Boxes and Phonographs. Referred by Harvey Roehl. Roy S. Smith: 510 Jaggard Street, Altoona, PA 16602...... , . Lester upr plyr. R. Lee Lanier: 7500 Freret Street, New Orleans, LA 70118. 1969 K. Kawai 5'9" Pianocorder; 1920 Beckwith W. C. Visser: Kerkstraat 30, 5126 G. C. Gilze, N. upr plyr. Referred by Cliff Gray. Brabant, The Netherlands. Kastner & Co. Castronome; 1926 Hupveld Animatic Clavetist.

Leon & Catherine Levy: 2112 N. Sedgwick, Chicago, IL 60614. 1921 Marshall & Wendell upr Ampico; 1924 Deane & Carole Wiley: 274 N. Meridian Road, Glen Knabe grand Ampico; Italian upr barrel nick; Western Carbon, IL 62034. Kohler upr plyr; Walworth upr plyr; Electric G roll nick. Referred by Bill Kavouras. Johns & Sons barrel piano.

David & Jane Maloney: Box 239 - 15365 Norwood Jay & Sue Wright: 504 Curryer Road, Middletown, OH Ave., Blude Ridge Summit, PA 17214. Referred by Mike 45042. 1922 Chickering 5'8" Ampico; 1926 Kurtzman Naddeo. 5'7" Welte (Licensee); 1927 Weber 5'8" Duo-Art; 19790 roll orchestrion; Referred by Bill Eicher.

Michael & Sandy McDaniel: RR 3, Box 380-A, Shelbyville, IN 46176. 1928 Symphonique 5'2" Ampico; Thomas \\'urdeman: 9201 Clinton Ave. South, 1921 Marshall & Wendell home -built 0 roll nick; Misc. Minneapolis, MN 55420. Instrument dealer & music boxes and phonographs. technician. Referred by Bill & Trudy Maier.

John & Kathy Metras: 15372 Marty Street, Glen Ellen, Roger Zeefe: 5100 St. Clair Ave" Cleveland, OH 44103. CA 95442. 1900 Bechstein upr plyr; 1900 Angelus 65­ 1918 Steinway upr Duo-Art. Referred by Harvey note upr plyr; Jardine Automelle upr plyr Roehl. w / expression. CLASSIFIED FOR SALE: Mandolin attactments - fits all upright pianos. Easy installation. $18.00 postpaid in U.S. W. F. Knapp, 2819 53rd St. FREE LISTS: All types rolls, cylinder records and machines. N., St. Petersburg, FL 33710. Discs, cobs, catalogs & literature. Mechanical music and much more Our 22nd year. . VI & SI'S ANTIQUES, 8970 Main St., FOR SALE: 1926 GULBRANSEN player, mint restored, all Clarence, NY 14031. manufacturer's tags intact! Unbelieveably clean original condition "- throughout. $3500. Antique Autorchestra Co., 450 West 4th Street, FOR SALE: World's largest stock of music boxes, nickelodeons, Beaumont, CA 92223, (714) 845-7536. orchestrions, band organs, organelles. Also tremendous selection of rolls and discs. Slot machines, arcade machines, old posters, AUCTION: AMPICO, DUO-ART, WELTE & 88 NOTE ROLLS. cash registers, clocks. Large illustrated catalog $5 (subscription SHEET MUSIC: 45 & 78 RPM RECORDS. WRITE FOR LIST. I. L $15 for next 6 issues). Or, send for free brochure describing our CORDELL. 2240 LORAIN ROAD, SAN MARINO, CA 91108. stock and services. Complete worldwide shipping facilities. Or, visit us. Just 15 minutes from Disneyland. American International Galleries, 17792AB Fitch St, Irvine, California 92714 (714) 754­ PIANO ROLL AUCTION of Ragtime, Blues, Popular, 88-note and 1777. Reproducing. Free list. Rolls (AM), Box-367, Port Washington, NY 11050.

FOR SALE: ALWAYS a very large stock of orchestrions, monkey organs, music boxes, fair ground organs, automata, etc. Be a AUCTION: Am breaking up my library of Duo-Art rolls collected subscriber to our free mailing list. Retonio's Mechanical Music and since 1942. Many rare. Write for list. George Allen. 50 N. Main St., Magic Museum, Blumenrain 16, CH-9050, Appenzell Medford, NJ 08055. SWITZERLAND (071) 87 25 44. WANTED: ALL kinds of mechanical musical instruments. We pay FOR SALE: Wurlitzer 146 band organ, restored. Coinola "K" high prices for oUtstanding music boxes, orchestrions, automata, midget cabinet orchestrion with violin and flute pipes. Seeburg KT. barrel organs, etc. We specially look for: Mills Violano, Hupfeld Seeburg E with xylophone restored. Large Jules Jaccard cylinder Violano, Chordeophon, Encore BanjO, Eroica disc changer, music box $995 and other items priced to sell. Stafford (914) 897­ orchestral disc boxes, working models, merry-go-round with 5592. horses, interchangeable orchestra table music box, very large orchestrions, etc. Retonio's Mechanical Music and Magic Museum, Blumenrain 16, CH-9050, Appenzell SWITZERLAND SCOPITONE- 159-page manual filled with the history, (071) 87 25 44. schematics, film listings, and restoration hints for the French and American Scopitones. Regularly $29.50. Current sales promotion $16.50. I also have American machines available for sale. Gerold WANTED: Urgently want for immediate confidential cash Koehler, 1002 Forest, Joplin, MO 64801. (417) 781-2120. individual music boxes, nickelodeons, orchestrions, as well as collections. Immediate decision, immediate payment. And, we take care of shipping. Send a Polaroid snapshot and brief description of "- STEINWAY grand piano 6'1" Style "M" Duo-Art player, custom what you have. Thinking of selling? Think of AlGI. American made walnut elaborate art case with inlaid marquetry, completely International Galleries, 17792AB Fitch St., Irvine, California 92714 rebuilt and refinished, genuine ivory keys, virtually a new piano. (714) 754-1777. With 50 rolls $25,000. Also Steinway style "L" grand 6'4", Duo-Art player completely rebuilt and refinished, walnut case 18,000. Box 171, Alpine, NJ 07620. Telephone (201) 768-2261. BUYING: AMPICO, DUO-ART, WELTE & OTHER TYPE OF ROLLS. DESCRIBE AND PRICE. ALTMAN 8970 Main Street, Clarence, NY 14031. WURLITZER bell actions, pipe chests, trap actions; Seeburg parts; Wooden violin pipes. All EXACT reproductions. Highest quality restoration work available. SerVing collectors nationwide. Write for WANTED: Player piano, "fixer-upper," any repairable condition. information. ANTIQUE AUTORCHESTRA CO., 450 West 4th Stanley, 8776 Elden St., La Mesa, CA 92041. Street, Beaumont, CA 92223. (714) 845-7536. WANTED: Collector pays realistic prices for: Grand/baby grand FOR SALE: Marshall & Wendell Ampico "B" grand reproducing player pianos • nickelodeons. circus organs • large music boxes • piano, 4'8", William & Mary art case, with art bench. Excellent etc. Any condition. Send want list. I can find you anything. Paul unrestored condition. This is the same as the piano displayed on Manganaro, 121 Valley Brook Ave., Lyndhurst, NJ 07071. (201) the cover of Givens' Re-enacting The Artist. This is a full "B" 438-0399. mechanism, made in 1931. Price $5,300.00. Bill Koenigsberg, 77 High Pine Circle, Concord, MA 01742. 1-(617) 369-8523. WANTED: Music roll brake on right side of spool box for Ampico "B." Vacuum pump for Ampico (any model, upright or grand). Coin FOR SALE: Complete Ampico A mechanism less stack $600 or piano or Violano for addition to my collection. Donald G best offer. Will consider parting out. Mike Eisenbise, 2900 64th St., Kroenlein, RR#2, Moweaqua, IL 62550. Ph. (217) 665-3258. North St. Petersburg, FL 33710. (813) 345-6299. WANTED: Coinola push-up Orchestrion (Bowers' Encyclopedia, FOR SALE: 1921 Weber Duo-Art in beautiful 6'3" walnut case, page 545), anc classic Red Welte Rolls. Pierson, Box 466, Billings, with bench and rolls, looks and plays like new, $7500. 1920 Apollo Montana 5910::' Art-Echo grand, unrestored, with bench and rolls, $2200. 1933 Apollo Recordo grand, player rebuilt. $3500. Pianolodeon, plays WANTED to fill a special request: Welte Philharmonic pipe organ well, with rolls, $160. 1926 Orthophonic Victrola-Radiola 7-3, $350. with roll playing mecahnism; Wurlitzer Mandolin (not Concert) 1929 Victor RE-45 Radio/Electrola, $150. 1939 Capehart 408H PianOrchestra rolls; Mills Violano Virtuoso (single or double with remote control, $500. (213) 884-6924 evenings, (213) 956­ model); Hupfeld Phonoliszt-Violina; 1/4 hp. 1725 rpm Wurlitzer 7410 office. motor. Please describe. American International Galleries, attention Dave Bowers, 17792 Fitch, Irvine, CA 92714. CLASSIFIED i\i\1PICO Model A Switches (Brass not alum,) WANTED: 58-Note Aeolian Grand Rolls for my Orchestrelle and Model A or B Valve Seats any others which will play (Wilcox & White. etc.). I would Model A or B Valve Plates appreciate hearing from others who have the instruments. Berry Kessinger, 2751 Sorrel Way, Eugene, OR 97401. Phone (503) 342­ Model B Ball Bleeds 3555 DUO-ART WANTED: Piano rolls for Mills Novelty Co. 65-note Magnetic Aeolian replacement Cross Valve Expression Piano. Contact: 1. Inman. 633 E. Ponderosa. Reedly. CA Plates (Stainless Steel not plated 93654. (209) 638-9343. steel.) ALSO WANTED: Cremona parts-need stack, motor and drive assembly Automatic Punches for roll repairs for Cremona "A" nickelodeon. Also, spool frame for Emerson­ Angelus 65-note player and Artecho rolls. H. Glen Guyer, 1320 or Roll Editors. Grand Ave. San Marcos. CA 92069. (714) 744-6080. Replacement Tips (specify size) la~ge ~tamped, ¢el6-add~e~~ed WANTED: Information. service manuals, advertising materials, MAIL 60~ eu~~ent L~¢t P~~ee¢. etc. on the VICTOR ELECTROLA #1070. Dave Clemens, 33421 envelope & Spinnaker Dr.. Laguna Niguel, CA 92677. ALSO, w~~te and adv~¢e u¢ 06 you~ ¢pee~al need~ and ~nte~e~t~. WANTED: Ampico A pneumatic striker stack for 1923 Fischer EXPANDED CATALOG eom~ng ¢oan. grand reproducing piano or one which can be modified to fit Carl ArVidson. 11 Watson Dr., W. Simsbury, -T 06092. ROBERT STREICHER P.O. Box 39 Pond Eddy N.Y. 12770

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!!! PLAYER PIANO OWNERS - RE-CUT YOUR STANDARD POPULAR ROLLS $25 00 PER TITLE {jjor the p(o .... ADDITIONAL COPIES $5 00 EACH NO MINIMUM ORDER OR QUANTITY That's right! Now you may order just one re-cut of Tuned and untuned percussions your favorite popular standard roll (20-30 feet). Don't pay for unwanted copies. Frayed edges are no problem for use in all automatic instruments for us, We use a full quality, lint free, 3 pI. dry waxed paper for our re-cuts. All old rolls are returned along with your new re-cuts - packaged in new boxes for Single and duplex spoolframes your protection and storage, Be certain to include any special instructions for multiple copies. Allow 6-8 for A,G,and 0 rolls and all weeks for delivery. No reproducing rolls at this time, please. wurlitzer scales MANY SATISFIED CUSTOMERS!! Clip and return with order - Custom fabrication in wood and CRAIG'S PIANO SHOPPE 1753 BALKAN PLACE TOLEDO, OHIO 43613 (419) 726-1154 metal of one or a thousand parts Phone I_I _

Complptp Add",;; __~ _ Piano and orqan supplies and hardware Total # Rolls to be Re-Cut_ x $25.00=$ _ Total Additional Copies_ x $ 5.00=$ box-1 094 -~­ - -:-----l Postage & Handling $ 3.~ _ II Iubbock, texas TOTAL (Check or Money Ord"r MUST accompany your order) $ ~~~~~""777-L--79408~ SEND YOUR ROLLS INSURED AND SPECIAL Mechanical Systems, Inc. 4th CLASS SOUND RECORDING RATE THE GREAT CANADIAN NICKELODEON COMPANY 85 Midpark Road London Ontario Canada N6N IB2 (519) 685-0540

Is proud to present to our friends in the U.S.A. and Canada the opportunity to purchase our Model "0" Nickelodeon at prices only obtainable by a production build of lOO units. We are presently producing this well-tested Model "0" for a large Canadian Pizza Parlour chain. \"ie have incorporated many INSTRUMENTATION outstanding features never before available in coin pianos. All are part of the finished Nickelodeon and not accessories. Piano, Mandolin, Bass Drum & Tympani, Snare Drum, Woodblock, Triangle, Rhythm Cymbal, Glockenspiel (or Our nickelodeons begin with a reconditioned vintage piano Rosewood Xylophone). right out of the Roaring '2Os for that authentic coin piano sound. Music is the fabulous "0" Roll which is readily available. Our player stack is built up from hard Canadian Maple. The valves are of the removable Wurlitzer style, allowing for Attractive Canadian Prices. complete service in the field. All valves are located in the stack Tape cassette recordings available $15.00 refundable. and are labeled for easy identification, ie: drums, triangle, coin count, etc. Please give this information to your local tavern, restaurant or Legion hall. \-\le use the outstanding CoinoJa Tracker Bar for trouble-free operation and easily obtainable parts. NOTHING makes dining out more enjoyable than a lively Nickelodeon. The operating features were designed to fit into the requirements of any restaurant or tavern . Just take a look at these features.

• Coin operation for 5¢ - 1O¢ - 25¢ added and subtracted in our solid state control center.

• Free performances may be performed at any intervals up to 99 minutes apart. This feature lets customers hear the piano come alive for 1 tune, then watch those coins roll in to keep the old piano playing.

• Our Nickelodeon controls the taped background music normally playing, turning it off when the piano begins to play ann turning it back on at the completion of its performance.

• Remote switches may be located anywhere for special free plays or continuous plays.

• Announcement or Pause control, momentarily stops the Nickelodeon for special announcements.

• Each instrument contains stained glass upper panel, plexiglass lower panel, clear molded keyboard cover, industrial casters and solid state control center.

BEST WISHES FOR THE NEW YEAR! /~~~X~~~~X~l

SPACE DOES NOT PEIlMIT a detailed description of ~ everything we have, but here are some samples and brief descriptions which we can use as a starting point. ~ IS ANYBODY LISTENING? Additional information is available by telephone or mail: )( Is anybody listening? Or, more properly, is anybody r~lng? Fisch~r studio upright Ampico. From the 1930s Choice )( )( In today's age of Increased expenses in almost every sector, unrestored. Stock 7-Amp-1978 $3.495 )( we have to be careful with every penny spent - whether it be Chick~ring Mod~1 A Ampico grand. Choice unrestored. for advertising, shipping, postage, or whatever. Any other 7-Amp-2001 $4,200. l business or professional person, group or organization, has to Chick~ring upright Amplco, Pneumatically rebuilt Plays do the same, What does this have to do with the AMICA great! 7-Amp-2005 $4.995. Bulletin? Read on ... Haines art cas~ Model AlB Ampico grand. Choice ~ unrestored. 7-Amp-4006 $5.495. Chickering Model B Ampico grand. Restored several For several issues we have been presenting full-page or years ago. Walnut with maple inlay case. 7-Amp- l multiple-page advetrisements offering reproducing pianos. 5670 $11,995. music boxes. orchestrions. and other items for sale to AMICA Knab~ Mod~1 B Ampico grand. Choice unrestored. 7- readers. During the same period we have sold tens of Amp-6130 $9,995. ~ thousands of dollars worth of these items, The question is: Were Marshall 81 W~nd~1I upright Ampico. Pneumatically )( the orders from AMICA readers? As so much of our business is rebuilt several years ago. 7-Amp-12123 $4.995. )( )( done on the telephone and by people who come to visit us Stroud upright Duo-Art. Choice unrestored. 7-Duo- )( personally when their travels bring them to Califomia, it is not 1977 $1.495 ~ always possible to know where the order originated. Stroud upright Duo-Art. Restored. refinished. 7-Duo- Advertising in the AMICA Bulletin is not cheap. Do our ads pay 2004 $4.995 their way or don't they? This month we hope to find out! Read Weber Duo-Art grand. Choice unrestored. 7-Duo-2006 some more. .. $4.995. ~ W~b~r Duo-Art grand. Restored and refinished. 7-Duo- Below we list some mighty fine values in reproducing pianos 3105 $9,995. Anyone of them. when restored (by you or else we can Web~r ornate art cas~ grand. Unrestored: plays 7-Duo- l I arrange to have it done for you at reasonable cost) would be 4481 $8,995. worthy of a home in a fine collection. Each instrument Hupfeld Phonoliszt upright, Choice unrestored. 7-Hup- normally comes with a supply of a dozen rolls included in the 8765 $1,495 ~ W~lt~" cabin~ main price. Here's our deal: If you see an item of interest. give K«yboardless "Iled piano. Choice us a call or write to us. Mention that you specifically saw it unrestored. 7-Wel-4100 $3.750 ~ listed in "The AMICA Bulletin" and not only will we give you a Welte Vors~zer. Beautifully restored. 7-Wel-101 $5.995 special deal (perhaps an attractive cash discount to help "Iled W~lt~" upright. Choice unrestored. 7-Wel-8915 you with your restoration. perhaps some help with the moving $2.795 ~ expense. or perhaps we will dream up something else), we will St~inway-Welte "Vert~grand." Choice unrestored in rich give you a dozen extra Ampico. Duo-Art. or Welte rolls to go case. 7-Wel-0962 $5,995 with the instrument! Obviously, these rolls have value - at least $50 to S60 if not more. So. all you have to do is mention "The SO, THEilE'S A SAMPLING of our stock. Color Polaroid l AMICA Bulletin" and on top of the other special deal we will snapshots are available at $1 each, refundable. to show make you when you buy the instrument, you get this special the appearance of any item. And, as noted. we will be ~ roll bonus. happy to give you additional details by telephone or letter. If we find that many AMICA members take advantage of this ~ challenge, then we'll know that "somebody out there is THINKING ABOUT ADDING a nice Amp/co, Duo-Art. or listening." and YOU'll see more full-page advertisements here Welte reproducing piano to your collection? We have for in the future. If there is nothing but silence. and if our mail box you the right instrument at the right pricel While ~ isn't helpfUl either, then we will go back to small "reminder" reproducing pianos have always sold lickety-split at our )( type of ads rather than large and detailed ones. Here are the regular prices, and things are always moving here. this )( )( instru nt h 'I bl month we'll make you a special price. We're in a trading me s we ave aval a e: mood, and you can take advantage of it! Give Bonnie )( Tekstra or Dick Rigg a call today or write - and L~'s Mak~ a Deal! l ~ AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL G1LLERIES, INC. 17792-AB Fitch • Irvin~, CA 92714 • (714) 754-1777 ~ Complete worldwide shipping facilities at low cost. Showroom-warehouse open Tuesday through Saturday 9 to 4, Large 132-page illustrated catalogue #13 just released. $5; or, better yet. send us $15 for ~ our next six issues! )(~~)()(~~)()(~ ~~)()(~~)( AUTOMATIC MUSIC ROLL CO.

P. O. BOX 3194, SEATTLE, WA 98114 PHONE (206) 633-3664 '-

AMR PRESENTS THREE NEW AMPICO RECORDINGS

217051 THREE LITTLE FISHES Arranged and Played by LIBERACE. Liberace cleverly begins $8.00 this recording in his own style and then this novelty tune is cleverly adapted and played in the style of three different noted classical composers of the past, Schumann, Brahms and Liszt. The last rendition of Liszt is in the style of the Hungarian Rhapsodies. 217003 I. MUSKRAT RAMBLE (Dixieland Jazz) This is one of the liveliest Dixieland Tunes in $11.50 a great arrangement by 1. Lawrence Cook. Now available for the Ampico. 2. THAT'S A PLENTY (Dixieland Jazz) Another one of the liveliest Dixieland Tunes ever written. A Special treat with the Ampico coding. These two superb recordings arranged and Played by J. Lawrence Cook offered here on one Ampico roll. 217013 I. MAGNETIC RAG: 2. SOMETHING DOIN'. Played by the COMPOSER-SCOTT $11.50 JOPLIN. For the first time, Scott Joplin actually plays your own Ampico Piano!! Some­ thing Doin' was written (in collaboration with Scott Hayden) in 1903 while Joplin was living in St. Louis. The 1903 rags are prevailingly songlike; even the rhythmic "Something Doin" has a beautifully flowing second subject. SfECIAL PRICE!! - Purl-hase all three new Ampico rolls for $27.50 (Add $2.50 for Shipping and insurance).

50203 STODDARD AMPICO TEST ROLL. The complete words and directions are $20.00 printed on this roll. We have 6 copies only of this roll left on hand. 70403 AMPICO B TEST ROLL For Use With Service Manual 1929. The complete words and directions .are printed on this roll. Only one copy of this roll is left on hand. 30033 TESTER C 25 NOTE REPETITION. Only one copy of this roll is left on hand.

VISA and MASTERCHARGE ORDERS ACCEPTED BY MAIL OR PHONE

ORIGINAL ROLLS VARIOUS TYPES

(A) So you have an Ampico and not many Ampico rolls. Do you want one of the largest collections of Ampico rolls? 1800 Ampico rolls. 98% are in excellent condition, boxes and labels are excellent. All different titles. All original rolls. Phone for price. (B) 400 Original Welte Licensee rolls. All in excellent condition. This collection consists of the best rare recordings, around 25 purple seal rolls. A superb collection. Phone for price. (C) 100 Original Duo-Art rolls. 98% in excellent condition. All different titles. $ I 500.00 pp. (D) 90 Estey Resident Organ Rolls-$1000.00 postpaid. (E) 23 Kimball Organ Rolls. Excellent titles, never played. $350.00 postpaid.

ORIGINAL LITERATURE ( F) 1927 Duo-Art Roll Catalog-Excellent Condition. $150.00 postpaid. (G) 1925 Ampico Roll Catalog-Excellent Condition. $75.00 postpaid. (H) 1930's Billboard Magazines-Some without covers. Have 1SO all different titles. $3.95 each. Minimum order 20 magazines. Price includes postage. pp. (I) Specially Sleeted List of 250 Best Selling Welte-Mignon Rolls, Licensee. 10 pages. $15.00 (J) October, 1925 Ampico Roll Bulletin, Excellent conditic.n. This bulletin with the January, 1925 Catalog supplied a complete list of rolls to that date. - $20.00 pp. (K) 4 PAGE Brochure "The Gold Seal Library of Ampico Recordings. - $15.00