Cf5.6e AMICA News Bulletin of the AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT COLLECTORS' ASSOCIATION

VOLUME 10 SEPTEMBER,1973 NUMBER 9

\ THE AMICA NEWS BULLETIN

AMICA SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Continuing Members: $12.50 Dues Published by the Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors' Dues § Association, a non-profit club devoted to the restoration, New & Lapsed Members: 12.50 distribution and enjoyment of musical instruments using perforated plus 5.00 Application Fee ~ paper music rolls. 17.50 Contributions: All subjects of interest to readers of the bulletin are encouraged and invited by the publisher. All articles must be received by the 15th of the preceding month. Every attempt will be made to publish all articles of general interest to AMI CA members OFFICERS at the earliest possible time and at the discretion of the publisher.

Advertisements: Personal ads by members are accepted and inserted in the Bulletin Board section at a rate of 5¢ per word, $1.00 minimum. Businesses and persons wishing more space may use the following guidelines: PRESIDENT - Advertising rate is $10 per quarter page or multiple thereof. Frank Loob

- Camera-ready copy must reach the publisher by the 15th of the preceding month. VICE-PRESIDENT Bill Mintz - All ads will appear on the last pages of the Bulletin, at the discretion of the publisher. SECRETARY Publication of business advertising in no way implies AMICA's endorsement of any commercial operation. However, AMICA Isadora Koff reserves the right to refuse any ad that is not in keeping with AMICA's general standards or if complaints are received indicating that said business does not serve the best interests of the members BULLETIN of AMICA, according to its goals and by-laws. Ginny BiIlings 1428 Uberty Street EI Cerrito, California 94530

NEW MEMBERSHIP AND MAILING PROBLEMS Anita Johnson 1302 Glenwood Grand Junction, Colorado 81501

TREASURER Cliff Burrous

AUCTION Gar Britten

BOARD REPRESENTATIVES Mel Luchetti, Northern California William Mintz, Southern California Jerry Talkington, Texas

Please direct all general correspondence to: AMICA INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS P. O. Box 1169 El Cerrito, CA 94530 Telephone: 415-237-3813 THE AMICA BULLETIN SEPTEMBER. 1973 PAGE 1

AMICA INTERNATIONAL BOARD MINUTES AN EDITORIAL COMMENT TEXAS CONVENTION, AUGUST 12, 1973 by Ginny Billings by William Wherry, Acting Secretary

The meeting was called to order by Frank Loob, Dear Friends, President, at 10:00 a.m. Retiring Board Members pre­ Surprise! I don't know who is more sur­ sent were: Barbara Whiteley, Dr. George Coade. prised about this Bulletin--you or me--but Re-elected members present were: Gar Britten, Frank for this month, at least, we're back in the Loob, and newly elected Membership Secretary Anita old harness. If news is scanty this month, Nickels Johnson (Anita and Steve Johnson, Jr. of Colo­ forgive USi we lacked time to prepare fully rado were married shortly before the Texas Convention, and to contact all the chapters. incorporating the Convention as part of their honey­ As most of you probably know by now, moon. Congrats. to them!). Approximately 34 AMICA AMICA has been unable to find a permanent members were also present. Bulletin Publisher to replace Hester A motion to waive the reading of the minutes of Zimmerman. Since we were faced with the the last Board Meetings passed. prospect of no September Bulletin at all, I TREASURER'S REPORT: balance in Treasury $5309.53. have agreed to fill in. A rundown of past expenses and income were quoted: The future of the AMICA Bulletin depends, 1971 1972 1973 as always, on you. We badly need your inputs INCOME: $6;T70 $~O $TT7300 and suggestions. What ideas do you have? Do SPENT: 7,340 9,650 (8/73) 8,900 you know of anyone who is willing, and able, AV. COST/MEMBER: $13.00 $13.10 $13.80 to assume the responsibility of this publica­ AVERAGE COSTS OF OFFICERS & SERVICING OF MEMBERSHIP: tion? Who would you LIKE to see as editor? Executive Secretary: $200.00 per month Regardless of how the Bulletin finally is Membership Secretary: $145.00 per month published, articles are needed ri~ht ~! -­ Bulletin: $640.00 per month. and in all of the old classificat10ns: Tech­ COMMITTEE REPORTS: nicalities, Rolls & Music, Instruments, General: Attempts to settle Powell-AMICA suit are still Biographical Sketches. We have hundreds of pending. By-law revision: liberalize election proceed­ new members this year who would appreciate ings; cut down 90-day and 60-day limits; basic information,' and we always need sophis­ MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE: Approximately 750 members to date ticated articles for our seasoned "pro's." We (Membership Secretary not present.) can also use original material for reproduc­ PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE: The present Publ isher, Mrs. ing, someone to handle a Question & Answer Hester Zimmerman, ends her duties August, 1973. Technical column -- the works. Start sending RESEARCH COMMITTEE:Mr. Q. David Bowers will be asked your contributions in to me, please. What to assume the Bulletin if he would like to. good's a Bulletin without your articles? AUCTIONEER: Two auctions have been held this year; the It's fun being back and having a chance third is coming up soon. to say hello to all of you again. Drop me a TECHNICAL COMMITTEE: The Winchester House Link Orches­ letter -- OK? ~~ trion has been completed and moved from the lumber room to the museum at the Winchester House, under the direction of Mel Luchetti. 1Itlltlltlltll.l-u-- CONVENTION COMMITTEE: Approximately 106 people attended the Texas Convention. $425 was sent to Texas from the L.A. Convention Committee, which was profit above all expenses.

AMICA Technicalities Book, $5.50 including UThey All Laughed When I Sat Down At The A.JGtA JlrmB mailing charges. Reprints of interesting Piano, But When IT Began To Play ... " technicalities articles which have appeared in the AMICA Bulletin, spiral bound with "or 61th cover. Send orders to: YOU CAN GET IT FOR FREEl Howard Koff, 2141 Deo Dara Drive, Los AMICA Bulletins, Bound Issues: 1969-1970 Altos, CA 94022 Did you know that AM ICA has a film that combined, $15.00. 1971, $15.00. 1972, $15. • you can use... for free? Great for parties, Spiral bound, with mylar cover. Send orders AMICA Sterling Silver Pins, $4.25, including chapter meetings, acquainting your philistine to: mailing charges. Lapel pin or tie tack with friends about the fun and frolic of player Mrs. Gladys Jones, 21 Mercedes Way, San AMICA design. pianos. It's a one-reeler on Super-8 film, Francisco, CA 94127 AMICA Stationery, $2.00 (letter size), $1.75 with sound. The title? "They All Laughed ... • (note size), including mailing charges. Fine When I Sat Down At The Piano, But When It ROLL LEADERS: AMPICO, DUO-ART, quality stationery with ornate AM ICA bor­ Began To Play..." WE LTE. Many designs, all authentic. For ders. Each packet contains 25 letters and Contact Ginny Billings, 1428 Liberty Street, order sheet, write to: matching envelopes. Send orders to: EI Cerrito, CA, if you're interested in borrow­ Nick Jarrett, 3622·21 st Street,-San Francisco, Robert Lemon, 4560 Green Tree Drive, ing it. Anticipate a delay, since only one CA 94114 Sacramento, CA 94823 copy of this popular film is available. PAGE 2 SEPTEMBER, 1973 THE AMICA BULLETIN

NOMINATING COMMITTEE: List of new officers: " ••• the Nominating Committee shall proceed to PRESIDENT: FRANK LOOB (LAST HALF OF 2-YEAR TERM) nominate at least one (1) candidate for each Director VICE PRESIDENT: BILL MINTZ and Office to be filled; and these names, together with TREASURER: CLIFFORD BURROUS the names hereinafter provided for, shall be presented SECRETARY: ISADORA KOFF to the club membership through the official club pub­ MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY: ANITA NICKELS JOHNSON lication not later than ninety (90) days prior to the BULLETIN PUBLISHER: PENDING next annual meeting and shall appear in each succeeding AUCTIONEER: GAR BRITTEN issue••• " NEW BUSINESS: A motion to change Article 5, Section 3, line 3 passed: Proposal for AUTOMATIC MUSIC FOUNDATION, INC. passed: Change "No member will serve as President without having served as a Director of AMICA" to "Any officer "The six undersigned members of the Founding of a Chapter or International may serve as AMICA Chapter of AMICA INTERNATIONAL propose setting up a President. " non-profit, tax exempt Foundation under the auspices A motion to change Article 5, Section 3, line 2 passed: of, but autonOllrJUS from, the Board of Directors of change "The term of office is for two years" to "Term AMICA INTERNATIONAL, INC. for the following purposes: of office is for one year." 1. To arrange and prolOOte educational programs A motion to change Article 9, Section 4, Paragraph B, to be presented to the general public to awaken an in­ line 12 passed: change ten percent (10%) to FIVE (5) terest in mechanical musical instruments and their MEMBERS: music; "Names of other candidates may be placed in nom­ 2. To arrange exhibitions or shows to display ination by petition only, naming any eligible candidate these instruments wherever interest is shown; or candidates, provided that said petition is signed by 3. To prollrJte comparison concerts of roll artists not less than ten per cent (10%) of the active club and to encourage new artists to cut rolls and membership eligible to vote for that candidate." concertize; The above by-law proposed changes will be submitted to 4. To ul timately build up a fund to establish a the general membership for voting. local mechanical musical museUm; 5. To legally establish a tax-exempt status to A motion by Hester Zimmerman, passed: encourage donations of funds or instruments to the "In view of the fact that the job of publishing FOWldation for a museum; the Bulletin has become vacant and is too much work 6. To foster and further the general aims of for one person, I propose the following: AMICA INTERNATIONAL and to encourage membership in same. 1. That the membership approve the appointment of The name shall be AUTOMATIC MUSIC FOUNDATION, INC. Q. David Bowers as official Publisher of the Bulletin Membership in the Foundation group shall initially and that he be authorized to expend funds as necessary be limited to those AMICA members who actively partici­ to produce the Bulletin in a professional manner at pate in the planning and execution of Foundation the rate of eleven (11) issues a year. objectives. 2. That an editorial board be drawn from the mem­ The six Founding members of this Foundation agree bership that would consist of one member from each to contribute equal allDunts of capital to finance the chapter and anll other members so desired from the mem­ initial projects, and to share equally any losses in­ bership at large to gather technical articles and other curred by Foundation activity. This initial investment news for presentation in the Bulletin." will be refunded to these individuals once finances An amendment to the above, passed: permit. AMICA INTERNATIONAL, INC. will not be financ­ "If Mr. Q. David Bowers will accept Editor job ially involved or liable in any Foundation activity; wi thin ~ budget as approved by the Board of Directors an annual financial report of Foundation activity will of AMICA." be submitted to the Board of Directors of AMICA INTER­ The Board Meeting was adjourned at approximately NATIONAL. Any profits derived from activities sponsored I :00 p.m. by the Foundation will be placed in a Museum Fund after operating expenses have been paid. Due to the lack of time and the fact that the new In the unlikely event that the Foundation be dis­ AMICA Board of Directors were not all present, or had solved, any and all assets would be turned over to airlines to catch, no meeting of the new officers took place. AMICA INTERNATIONAL, INC. to be used as its Board 1111111111111111 till should. see fit. As Founding Members of AUTOMATIC MUSIC FOUNDATION, INC. we wish to make it clear to the Board of AMICA ISN'T IT A SHAME! INTERNATIONAL that we contemplate no conflict of by Hester Zimmerman interest between the thlO groups•• • rather that we may Jeff Wisnia wrote requesting members to submdt the enhance the aims and reputation of AMICA." names of musical museums and displays for a planned Sincer~ly, Richard D. Reutlinger, President article for the Bulletin. He has received only one Sally Lawrence, Secretary reply. What's wrong with youse guys? He says he wants Linda Nielsen, Treasurer any and all; don't assume he aJ.ready has heard of the Dale Lawrence one you know of. Send any contributions to: Mel Luchetti Jeff Wisnia Al Nielsen A motion to change Article 9, Section 4, paragraph 155 Waban Hill Road North Chestnut Hill, Mass. 02167 B, 1ine 9: 1190 daysll to be changed to 1130 days. II passed: ~ THE AMICA BULLETIN SEPTEMBER, 1973 PAGE 3

A LEITER FROM THE PRESIDENT by Frank Loob

Our convention in Dallas was a success Please write--please volunteer--and and our new year ahead of us finds AMICA in a please let your wishes be known. new phase of development. Three years ago Together we will have more growth, more the Founding Chapter decided to go Internat­ success and a really great AMICA. It really ional and to foster a growth in membership is true that you get a great deal more out of and chapters, in order to have an appeal to a club if you contribute a little to start members outside of California. That we have with. achieved this goal is now a matter of fact. Please let us know how we can help We now have more than 700 members--a three­ each other. fold growth from 1970--and membership is still growing. Today we are like an adolescent who, in approaching adulthood, finds problems caused by the very fact of growth itself. We were unable to secure a Bulletin Editor from among those persons attending the convention and no volunteers have stepped forth. It has been our belief as your first club AMICA PARTICIPATES IN MBS CONVENTION officers that if we extended membership by Sally Lawrence rights and perogatives that in return the

club would gain new workers, new idea-people AMICA is sponsoring a program for the MUSICAL BOX and new material as our membership broadened. SOCIETY'S CONVENTION on Saturday, Septe~her 22, 1973 in San Francisco. Mel Luchetti will demonstrate Nick But this has been difficult to achieve. We Jarrett's seven foot Steinway Duo-Art grand, with rolls vitally need new people outside California to donated by the Koffs, the Burrous', and George Patter­ son and Robert Taylor. Robert Armbruster, Guest take over and to work for our mutual goals. Artist, will appear in the second half of the program. It is with a sense of defeat in these ob­ Robert Armbruster and his charming wife, Alice, jectives that I have asked Ginny Billings to will be coming to San Francisco especially for this program. Mr. Annbruster' s contributions to the music take over the Bulletin until more help can be world have been varied and illustrious. He is not only a Duo-Art recording artist, but a concert pianist, found. She has willingly agreed and this is conductor of the Chase & Sanborn Hour, the Cavalcade her first renewal of her Bulletins. of America, the Kraft Program, Cresta Blanca, and many other radio programs. He was also head of Music for I hope that all of you out there who NBC's Western Division, and was nominated for an Acad­ profit from the dedication of people like emy Award for the "Unsinkable Molly Brown." He Ginny will make yourselves available for work considers the Marlon Brando remake of "Mutiny on the BoWlty" his greatest film experience. We are all and for help in your club's activities. fortunate to be able to know such a distinguished a man as Robert S. Armbruster, and equally fortunate Otherwise your club will not broaden, nor to know his gracious wife, Alice. grow, nor fulfill what some of us see as a very great futu.re. =++++++++= PAGE 4 SEPTEMBER, 1973 THE AMICA BULLETIN

MECHANICAL MUSIC ments were dearly prized. The AUTOMATIC MUSICAL FOUNDATION PLANS FIRST PUBLIC PROGRAM Saturday, October 20 and dawn of automatic musical in­ struments came after the devel­ by Sally Lawrence, Foundation Secretary Sunday, October 21 opment of the striking clock in the 15th century, and by the The first program, THE RETURN OF MECHANICAL MUSIC, The happy occasion of the re­ 1920's self-playing pianos were being sponsored by the newly formed Automatic Music opening of Wheeler Auditorium within the financial range of most will provide a fitting setting for people, with major pianists and Foundation, can be seen at Wheeler Hall on the campus a nostalgic program we are call­ composers of the day recording of the University of California at Berkeley on October ing "The Return of Mechanical on paper rolls for mass produc­ 20th at 8:00 p.m. and October 21st at 2:00 p.m. All Music." The entertaining and tion in much the same way as unusual event, featuring auto­ today's recording artists. seats are unreserved. Tickets are $2.50 for adults, mated musical instruments from The instruments will include and $1.50 for students; they may be purchased at the the 16th century through the Gay bird boxes from the 18th century, door or by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope '90's, is being presented in coop­ pinned cylinder music boxes eration with the Automatic Music (among the oldest mechanical to the COMMITTEE OF ARTS AND LECTURES, University of Instrument Foundation, Inc., the musical instruments), a Mills Vio­ California, Berkeley, California 94720. working arm of the Automatic lano Virtuoso, a foot-pumped Wheeler Hall is located on the south side of the Musical Instrument Collector's upright player piano, an orches­ Join us in Wheeler Auditorium trion (expounded as a complete campus. Enter Sproul Plaza (Telegraph Avenue dead­ on Saturday, October 20 at 8 orchestra in one box), and a re­ ends into the plaza) and walk north until you have p.m. or Sunday, October 21, at producing piano (at their height passed under the iron arch and across a cement 2 p.m. See ad for ticket informa­ in the Twenties). The instruments tion. have been made available bridge. It should be the building on the right. The Mechanical instruments pro­ through the generosity of private ticket booth is inside the building. vided musical entertainment for owners, all members of AMICA. The loan of instruments by Mr. and Mrs. Carsten the masses long before rad io and The AMICA foundation is a television. The turn of the cen­ non-profit organization inter­ Hennington, William Wherry, Mr. and Mrs. William tury saw automatic musical in­ ested in educating the public Johnson, Al and Linda Nielsen, Dick Reutlinger and Mel struments not only in homes, but about the historical and cultural Luchetti is very much appreciated by the Foundation. as business attractions in restau­ significance of automatic musi­ rants, taverns, and hotels, and cal instruments, and in fostering Delights to tickle the ear and a silent movie are providing background music for the preservation and restoration on the agenda for the program, and much, much more. silent films. Earlier instruments of these antique items. Come along and bring friends and family for good, had been created to entertain the The meahanical instruments wealthy, and ornate music boxes were demonstrated in Zellerbach wholesome entertainment! and lifelike mechanical figures Auditorium two years ago to a 000, ,000 performing on musical instru- delighted audience. ****ff***** THE AMICA BULLETIN SEPTEMBER, 1973 PAGE 5

A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE & A PEACOCK ON THE ROOF (AT HOME WITH THE JOHNSONS AT WOODSIDE) by Bill Wherry, Reporter

Bill and Ann Johnson were hosts to AMICAns this June, opening their country home in Woodside to 25 mem­ bers and guests. Not only was there a PEACOCK on the roof, but a chimpanzee was walking down the street chaperoning a neighbor of the Johnsons'. Said chimp­ anzee awoke before anyone else and let the peacock out of its cage. At last report the oeacock took a stance on the peak of the Johnsons' roof and pretended to be a weathervane. Bill and Ann also raise hamsters, chinchillas, and have dogs and cats. In addition, they are building a three bedroom, two car garage and a basement stor­ age-workshop to their home, Probably the most picturesque-certainly the strangest-dwelling in the entire country, doing all the work them­ and one of the world's true wonders, is this 160 room mansion rambling over 6 acres, selves. It was suggested, This was the home Sarah L. Winchester, widow of the famed Winchester Rifle humorously, that everybody manufacturer's son, planned to perpetuate her life, Always a student of the ~ccult, should bring a tool of some the generous and sensitive Sarah, crushed by the death of her husband and Infant daughter, consulted a seeress who advised that so long as she kept a building project kind and perform an hour's going, she would never die. Striving for this promise of life eternal, she spent millions worth of labor for the and kept builders busy for 36 continuous years on her wonder house. But despite the Johnsons. However, the day prophecy, Death was not to be denied-and when, at 85, Sarah died, the clamor of was somewhat warm, so that hammer and saw was stilled. idea was quickly scotched. Bill Johnson has been taking a course on how to ate, drank, and enjoyed the scenery until 4:30 or so repair and tune pianos for some months now, and puts when Mel Luchetti announced he would be willing to everything in excellent order. A treat to see and hear show anybody interested the completely restored Link are: Stroud Duo-Art upright, Hupfeld "Pepita" contain­ Orchestrion he discovered in an outbuilding on the ing piano, two ranks of pipes, glockenspiel, bass drum Winchester estate in San Jose some time ago. AMICAhas and snare. The Hupfeld was playing a new arrangement, done all the work of rehabilitating this machine. "Espana," and there was even a Mills Violano-Virtuoso Naturally everybody which saw exhibition duty at the Oakland Museum (Dec­ wanted to see it, and possibly take a tour of Mrs. ember 1972 to February 1973), and a Pianolodeon circa Winchester's fabled 140-room spiritualist retreat. 1959-1960. According to Mel and the caretaker of the estate, San Francisco Chapter Presidents Dale and Sally the Link was purchased in 1924 and installed in a Lawrence spoke briefly about the 1973 Convention to be restaurant located on the estate at that time, re­ held in Texas this August and asked for a show of maining there ever since. After climbing over lumber, hands from those who are going. They gave a rundown molding, restaurant fixtures, and just plain junk, we on the price for round-trip fare. Also mentioned was came to the Link arising like Phoenix from the ashes! the Fort Bragg trip later on in August, after the Beautiful job well done, Mel! Eventually it will convention. Bob and Barbara Whiteley brought two be moved to a more accessible location near the en­ items to be auctioned for the White Elephant Sale, trance to the main house. which netted some ten dollars for the chapter. RIGHT The caretakers offered a tour of the mansion to ON, Bob and Barbara! But did you see what they were? any AMICAn present in appreciation for all the work They were a new invention guaranteed not to use any AMICA (or rather Mel Luchetti) did. So we did! form of electrical or mechanical energy, they didn't In a nutshell, the widow of the firearms manu­ pollute the lakes and rivers, and would not pollute facturer came West in the 1880's, purchased a the air if used correctly. In short, the ecologists then-existing 7-room farmhouse on the outskirts of San dream of a compatible labor-saving device In Harmony Jose, and motivated by a form of spiritualism proceeded With The Universe: two washboards! Also guaranteed to to build and rebuild nonstop until her death in 1922. develop and strengthen arm muscles if used correctly. The present 3-storey structure consists of 140+ bed­ ("The board will do the work... ") rooms, parlors, ballrooms, music rooms, meditation Everybody socialized, listened to the pianos, PAGE 6 SEPTEMBER, 1973 THE AMICA BULLETIN 111111·_111111_.111111:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: rooms, living rooms, reception rooms, garden rooms, web motif, with 13 spokes, naturally. All the many etc., etc., with numerous false doors, cupboards, porch and support pillars were installed upside down windows, hallways, staircases, .•• that would drive in the belief that evil spirits coming up out of the the uninitiated completely loony trying to negotiate ground would be foiled, as they would, too, by the it. The guides cautioned us not to stray from the false doors, windows, etc. group tour. Mrs. Winchester believed that number 13 Well, after more than an hour, our weary legs was her lucky number and made use of it extensively, carried us back to the starting point and the end of a like: 13 steps in a stairway, 13 doors in each room, pleasant day. All thanks to the Johnsons, Mel Luchetti and even 13 openings in a sink strainer! There were and the staff of the Winchester House. numerous stained glass windows, some in a spider orb

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

SEPTEMBER 30 At the home of Mr. & Mrs. E. L. Hanson, 340 El Portal, Hillsborough, Cal ifornia, phone 342-6271, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Hansons have a large collection of instru­ ments from the early 1800·s on to their beautiful Duo-Art Steinway grand. There will be a short roll concert, and refreshments will be served around 3:00. Members are invited to bring their favorite rolls. The Hansons also have a vintage car, and an interesting electronic organ. DIRECTIONS: 3rd Ave. is the main street of San Mateo and crosses E1 Camino; pass 3rd on E1 Camino; go 6 blocks toward San Francisco, and you will come to Santa Ynez. Turn left up into Hillsborough. Go for 7/10 of a mile, turn right at E1 Portal, and you are there. THE WDIlI."'S I.AllefST, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28 DD"EST "WEI.I.I'" At the home of Al and Linda Nielsen, 1624 Josephine Street, Berkeley, California, phone 843-1940, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Nielsens will hold open house. Their instru­ ments run the gamut from small music boxes to large orchestrions. They hope that you will drop in and hear their many instruments. There will be no formal III••I ililil 1 11111_1------meeting here, as this will be an open house. DIRECTIONS: Take Uni versity Avenue to Grove Street. Turn north on Grove to Cedar Street. Turn left on Cedar to Josephine, and turn left again. Their SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SCHEDULE OF EVENTS apartment should be in the middle of the block on SEPTEMBER 30 your right. Board meeting at 2:00 p.m. x SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24 OCTOBER 27 At the home of Nick Jarrett, 3622 21st Street, San Francisco, Cal ifornia, phone 826-8296, from 7:30 Regular meeting Saturday evening. Hosts are Jack and p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Johnny Perry. We will be able to enjoy the view from Nick's lovely home. He has two grand pianos, and there will NOVEMBER 17 be a special surprise. Nick would 1ike to know how Board meeting Saturday at 2:00 p.m.* many plan to attend, so RSVP, please. DECEMBER 8 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15 Hal iday meeting. Hosts to be announced. THE ANNUAL AMICA CHRISTMAS PARTY WILL BE HELD THIS EVENING. PLEASE RESERVE THE DATE. DETAILS WILL *Board meetings to be at the home of Cecil Dover, FOLLOW IN THE NEAR FUTURE. unless otherwise announced. THE AMICA BULLETIN SEPTEMBER, 1973 PAGE 7

~- ~- -- - ~I!I!I_!III! ~ 11 _ I Ii ••I!III! 1 ------_

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAPTER NEWS by Gene Dilthey, Reporter URSULA DOES IT ••.•• AGAIN! had joined AMICA International only a week earlier, became a member of the Local Chapter at this meeting. We were very happy on August 5th to welcome back Welcome aboard, AI! to Southern California, URSULA DIETRICH HOLLINSHEAD, After a pleasant impromptu program composed of a Honorary Member of AMICA, who came to make an appear­ wide variety of selections performed by Anita's ance on the Johnn ie Carson IITON IGHT" Show on NBC IS gorgeous and recently acquired Steinway Mediterranean National Network. Art Case "Duo-Art" grand, as well as performances on The show, which was presented locally on Tuesday, the Chickering Arnpico and other of the collection of August 7th, came as a result of the success of Ursula's instruments and musical boxes, we were served a delic­ appearance on WOAI-TV, San Antoniols NBC affi1 iate. The ious buffet supper prepared by Anita herself. Following ll I'TONIGHTII show was taped before a 111 ive studio audi­ service of the supper, Anita announced her plan to ence on Monday, August 6th. Ursula, who was her usual marry Steve Johnson, proprietor of "Johnson's House of witty self in the interview with Johnnie, then delight­ Flowers" in Grand Junction, Colorado. ed us wi th a performance of her own IISandman Is Fro 1iCll The announcement came as a complete surprise to in conjunction with a recorded performance of the same most of the AMICAns present, and was happily cheered number on a Steinway IIDuo-Art ll Reproducing Piano, by us all. To those of us who know Anita, and who have loaned to the Studio by Harold Powell for the occasion. had a chance to become acquainted with Steve, we [The roll, coordinated by Ginny Billings, was arranged couldn't be happier for them. They are both great by J. L. Cook, and coded by Mel Luchetti. Sally Lawr­ people, and deserve, as we know they will have, every ence was in charge of money-raising to finance it -­ l happiness. ed.] Ursu1a s performance was exceptionally well Anita jokingly informed us that Steve had pro­ received by the Studio Audience, and later by those of posed marriage as the only easily available way there us who saw it on the local re-broadcast. was to add the "new" Steinway (as well as the many Following her appearance here, Ursula was flown other choice items of Anita's many interesting collec­ back directly to Fort Worth, Texas for an equally suc­ tions - ed.) to his own growing "museum" in Grand cessful participation in the festivities at the third Junction. Steve countered with "The REAL REASON" for AMICA International Convention, hosted by the Texas Anita's acceptance: "To give herself 'proprietary Chapter of the club. rights' to certain items in HIS collection." The To those of you who enjoyeo the show, and also to sparkle in the eyes of both of them belied the state­ those of you who missed it but would 1ike to see it, II ments. why not send a note to the IITON IGHT Show - c/o NBC, Steve and Anita first met at the Second Internat­ 4300 Alameda, Burbank, California 91523, tell ing them ional AMICA Convention in Los Angeles last year. Their how much you enjoyed it, or how much you hope there romance may have been hampered a bit by the long might be another appearance! LET'S GET HER BACK! distance between Grand Junction and Fullerton, but as BONUS MEETING BRINGS SURPRISE the poets tell us: "Love will find a way." And so it did! Congratulations and Many Happy Years to the two The August "Bonus" .teeting, planned and offered of you! by hostess Anita Nickels at her home in Fullerton on The Johnsons (they were married on August 6th) the fifth of the month, carried with it a "BONUS AN­ will reside in Grand Junction, Colorado as soon as NOUNCEMENT" of another and delightful sort for the 30+ Anita can dispose of her home in Fullerton, and Steve members of the Southern California Chapter who attended. completes the alterations to their home in Grand Since it was an "extra" and "strictly social" Junction. meeting, there was no "official business" program, but We will miss seeing you as regularly as we have we did have the opportunity to welcome to the Chapter, in the past, Anita, but we're glad that your new home Mr. Alvin Berglund, of Walt Disney Productions. Mr. is at least close enough that we can see you BOTH Berglund, who comes to Los Angeles from San Jose, and occasionally. GOOD LUCK, AND GOD-SPEED!

ERVIN NYIREGYHAZI GIVES RECITAL IN NOVATO, CALIFORNIA by Bill Knorp

The magnificent setting for Ervin Nyiregyhazi's performed today••• and some of them have seldom sounded recital on July 29th was the home of Ron and Pam as if they contained such depth and musical meaning Antonioli. Seventy-five invited guests which included as that which came to light when played by this professional musicians, students and real music musical genius of the first magnitude. lovers listened with deep concentration while Mr. The program is as follows, the only change being Nyiregyhazi played a varied program of unusual master­ in the second half of the program where Mr. Nyiregyhazi pieces. Some of the compositions are not often performed a deeply moving and also dazzlingly brilliant PAGE 8 SEPTEMBER, 1973 THE AMICA BULLETIN

interpretation of Schubert's "Wanderer Fantasie," one the International Piano Library is well known. of the greats in piano literature. After the momentous musical program, the enrapt The superbly played encore was a "Romance" by audience was treated to superb hors d'ouvres and Tschaikowsky, an unbelievably beautiful and poetic champagne, and some AMICAns crowded around the 9 foot rendering of this well-known composition. Steinway concert grand to take pictures of Mr. The audience included the famous Metropolitan and Nyiregyhazi. At this time he graciously signed some of San Francisco opera tenor Frederick Jagel, and a num­ his Ampico recordings. ber of AMICA members were present, including John Lyon The experience was one of great musical importance (who flew up from L.A.), the Alf Werolins, the Stewart and a golden opportunity to hear one of the true Humes, Bill Reed, the Roy Peeks, and more. Also it was geniuses in the Liszt tradition. It was a truly pro­ good to see Gregor Benko, whose magnificent work for found and moving experience, and an unforgettable one.

Ervin Nyiregyh~i was born in Budapest on 19 January 1903 ..Both parents were musical. His father was in the chorus I of the Royal Opera in Budapest and his mother was an ex' cellent pianist. At the age of three and one half he was already LISZT: After a Reading of Dante beginning to compose and he could play almost any music he heard. At the age of eight, in June 1911, he played for the (Fantasia quasi Sonata) then new Queen Mary of England. Among his teachers was the famous composer and pianist LISZT: Sonetto del Petrarca No. 123 Ernst von Dohnanyi with whom he studied at Berlin in 1914. He performed with the celebrated virtuoso conductor Artur LISZT: 11 penseroso (after Michelangelo) Nikisch and the Berlin Philharmonic in October 1918, and with Pierre Monteux and the Boston Symphony in 1921. His LISZT: The Fountains of Villa d'Este early spectacular rise in the musical world is the subject of a TSCHAIKOWSKY: Valse in A flat Major book by G. Rev~ entitled 'The Psychology of a Musical Prodigy." BRAHMS: Ballade in G Minor He has been acclaimed the world over and recognked by many great musicians, among them Arnold Schonberg who LESCHETIZKY: Etude Heroique Opus 48, No. 3 wrote to Otto Klemperer: "The critic, Huneker, has described Nyiregyh~i as a 'New Liszt' and that seems to be true ... Intermission What he is able to get out of the piano in sound is incredible. I, at least, have never heard the like of it ... a playing of un' believable newness, power and conviction." From Musical II America: 'There is something uncanru1y gigantic about Nyire' gyhcizi ... He plays with a rhythmic verve and an exhilarat' SCHUBERT: Sonata in A minor Opus 42 ing sparkle that are a revelation even in these days of super' pianists." Moderato Quite naturally, NyiregyhW's great forte is music from the Andante 19th century, particularly Listt. Not only is he vibrantly 3.C' tive as a player, he is extremely fecund as a composer, his Scheno opera running into the hundreds. Mr. Nyiregyh~i is currently residing in San Francisco. Allegro Vivace

Steinway Piano Ampico Recordings

Songwriter Al Sherman, Services will be today at September 17, 1973 composer of such 1930s hits Mt. Sinai Mortuary. as "Potatoes Are Cheaper," Sherman's songs were ··You've Got To Be a Foot­ used on the late comedian Songwriter ball Hero" and "No. No, a Eddie Cantor's radio pro­ Thousand Times No." has gram in the 1930s, including died at the age of 76. "Cantor for President." AI Sherman Sherman. who wrote more Two of his SODS, Robert than 500 songs during his and Richard Sherrnan,have professional career. die d won Oscars for their song­ Dies at 76 Saturday after a one-day ill­ writing. ness at the Queen of Angels UnitetlPre" Hollywood Hospital. THE AMICA BULLETIN SEPTEMBER,I973 PAGE 9

ZEZ CONFREY by Roswell J. Parker Zez Confrey was born in III inois in 1895, and died in Lakeside, New Jersey on November 22, 1972. He was christened Edward Elzear, but took on the name of "Zez" after he became a star piano player. For many years, during his re­ tirement, he enjoyed I iving at Lakeside with his wife, Wilma. Previous to that he 1ived in Garden City, New York. Zez was an author, composer and ex­ tremely talented pianist. His style of playing could be recognized easily, and he had a special knack of transforming "arab" tunes into the style of the twenties. He composed about 100 songs, some of the best known being "Kitten on the Keys," "Stumbl ing," "Dizzy Fingers" and "Dumb-bell." Many of his tunes were recorded on records, and many on player piano rolls, some of which he teamed up with Max Kortlander and Victor Arden to make. "Stumbl ing" on a piano roll has appeared with al! three artists, as well as a solo by Zez himself, and both versions have the same QRS roll number: #1938. The Zez Confrey orchestra of about ten pieces was a weI I-known band that performed around the country and also made records. These can still be found in shops featuring nostalgia. Babe Ruth and Zez were personal friends; some time in the thirties they both starred in a movie, "HOME RUN ON THE KEYS." Zez also was a close friend of Paul Whiteman, George Gershwin and Adam Carroll. In the twenties the Mills Music Company publ ished a piano course en­ ZEZ CONFREY AND BABE RUTH titled "ZEZ CONFREY'S MODERN COURSE IN NOVELTY PIANO PLAYING." This achieved great success, and this pub! ication can today be found in Zez collections allover the country. Zez Confrey is survived by a widow and two sons still 1iving in the eastern United States. He was a fine musician, and his works will be sought after for many years to come. QRS ROLLS PLAYED BY ZEZ CONFREY: 762 By The Campfire (w/Kortlander) 893 At The High Brown Babies' Ba II 763 I Want A Doll (w/Kortlander) 899 Just for Me and Mary 773 Flower Garden Blues 918 That Thing Called Love 786 In Soudan 929 Yog i 1and 788 Johnny's In Town 932 Sahara 796 Flutter on My Broadway Butterfly 972 Karavan (w/Kortlander) 993 Tents of Arabs 797 Ruspana (w/Kortlander) 1004 My Gal 803 Razz-Berries 1026 Buddha 825 Some Sunny Day (w/Kortlander) 1051 Afghanistan 830 Ra iny Day Blues 1078 Desert Dreams 832 Egyptland 1093 The Crocodile 839 The Red Lantern 1123 La Veeda 840 Jerry (w/Kortlander) 1146 Cutey 873 Ca i ro 1160 The Japanese Sandman 874 Turkestan 1163 Purple Kose of Cairo 875 Dear Old Daddy Long Legs (W/Kortlander) 1164 Puttin' on The Dog PAGE 10 SEPTEMBER, 1973 THE AMICA BULLETIN

1175 Kamel-Land 1882 Play That Song of India Again (w/Arden) 1211 Underneath The Palms 1892 (When Mammy Sings) A Southern Lullaby 1262 Grieving for You 1896 Gee, But I Hate to Go Home Alone 1320 It's AllOver Now 1912 By the Sapphire Sea 1328 She Walks in Her Husband's Sleep 1923 Sing-Song Man 1361 Biddy 1932 Roaming 1401 Sunshine 1938 Stumbling (see text above) 1418 Dea r Litt 1e Ro se 1944 My Honey's Lovin' Arms (W/Robinson) 1447 Dream Street 1958 Oh, Sing-A-Lou 1458 Honey Rose 1959 On The Alamo 1467 Who'll Dry Your Tears When You Cry? 1969 Gypsy Lady, I Love You 1470 Toddle 1984 All My Life 1477 Patsy 1992 The Sneak 1499 Two Little Love Birds 2007 Lit t 1e Thoug ht 1619 My Daddy 2020 Blue 1633 A Baby in Love 2048 Suez 1634 110 2052 Tr icks 1643 Na-Lo 2064 Where The Bamboo Babies Grow 1675 If Shamrocks Grew Along the Swanee Shore 2073 Fuzzy Wuzzy Bird 1678 Mandy 'N' Me 2079 I'm Always Stuttering 1699 Jabberwacky 2097 A Picture without A Frame 1711 Fane ies 2119 Fall ing 1729 I Want You Morning, Noon & Night 2130 All Muddled Up (Syncopation) 1735 Hearts 2147 Burning Sands 1743 I Want My Mammy 2155 Rose of The Rio Grande 1756 Sal-0-May 2166 Fate 1770 Have You Forgotten? 2181 Somebody 1775 The Sheik 2205 Dreams of India 1779 Smi 1in' 2226 Gone 1800 Barearola 2254 By the Sha 1imar 1817 Cho-Cho-San 2335 Bebe 1823 Ty-Tee 2357 Dumbell 1824 When Bhudda Smiles 2372 Pickles 1837 My Song of India (w/Arden & Kortlander) 2464 Somebody Else Took You Out of My Arms 1843 By The Silvery Nile 2597 Where The Lazy Daisies Grow 1868 Never Mind 2700 Monavanna 9167 Sunshine from The Fingers (Late Roll)

or more - for which he ar­ SEPTEMBER 18, 1973 ranged the music and con­ ducted the orchestra includ­ Hugo F. ed "Oh, My Papa" and "I'm Walking Behind You" by Eddie Fisher, "Don'tLet the PAUL WHITEMAN Winterhalter Stars Get in Your Eyes" and "Wanted" by Perry Como, the Ames Brothers' "You, PALAlS ROY Al ORCHESTRA Dies at 64 You, You" and "Naughty Lady From Shady Lane" .\n Exp~rinlcnt Greenwich, Conn and Mario Lanza's 'The 't()d~rn Loveliest Night 0 f the in \tusic Hugo F. Winterhalter, Year." whose lush arrangements of Winterhalter was born Au­ 7 t 7 en N f R t. Y.'... popular tunes in the 1950s gust 15, 1909, in Wilkes­ C,£()f{GE CER~H\VI:'l helped 11 records sell more than one million copies, died Barre, Pa., and studied at of cancer yesterday. He was the New England Conserva­ 64. tory of Music. He began his A~OU~N..CONCER~. H~~.L 1 career as an arranger for "There was a time there many of the big bands of the when everything he touched 194Os, including the Dorseys TU~~~.~~~ruary 12, 1924 turned to gold," said a man (Tommy and Jimmy), Count ..•..•.. _ ..... - From SSe to $2.20 'at RCA Records,w here Win­ Basie. Vaughn Monroe and terhalter spent 13 highly ~.: Ray Scott. • & .. - _ t t, productive years as music tt ,'••••• , ••••• In 1950, after a two-year director from 1950 to 1963. stint as music.al director for The "gold" records - the Columbia Rerords, Winter­ recording industry's term halter moved to RCA. for those that sell a million New York Times THE AMICA BULLETIN SEPTEMBER, 1973 PAGE 11

A SURVEY OF AMPICO POP ROLLS SEQUEL & ERRATA by Vernon Brown

Since the publication of A SURVEY OF AHPICO POP 5.1.41 labels label ROLLS in the July AHICA Bulletin, two items of in­ 5.2.10 RAG - Furth RAG-Furth-Furth terest have come to 1ight: an additional Ampico roll, 5.2.26 ELL EL long lost, has been found. And the identity of another 5.3.23 in a dark in dark of the pseudonyms can now be included. 5.3.24 AHPICO-ARTIGRAPHIC In response to the suggestion that every Ampico AMP ICO=ARTIGRAPH IC owner check his library for the missing rolls, 5.3.27 51450* 514530* Maurice Willyard of San Jose, California wrote to say 6.1.12 AHPICO-ARTIGRAPHIC that he has a copy of 537730. This increases the num­ AMPICO=ARTIGRAPHIC ll ber of known Ampico rolls by one, and the complete 6.2.7 ce1ebrated • ce1ebrated .11 label information provided by Hr. Willyard will be 6.2.29 a dark dark appreciated by all of us looking forward to the publi­ 6.3.3. 5711F 57114F cation of the master Ampico catalog. As 537730 is a 6.3.5 FRENCH FRENCHY pop roll, as expected, this changes the number of 7.1.8 Lambert-Edgar Fairchild Lambert known 1917 pop rolls from 53 to 54 (page 6, column 1, 7. 1. 13 artists artist line 3) and the total number of rolls covered by the 7.1.23 Shipment Shipman survey from 2080 to 2081 (page 3, column 3, line 11). 7.2.45 boxes box Host important, in the graph on page 20, 5377x can now 7.2.45 labels label be deleted from the 1917 column. If anyone else comes 8.2.20 boxes box across any of the other rolls 1isted as missing on the 9.1.2 non-pop rolls non-pop word rolls graph, please write to me and I will see that suitable 9.1.8 become 2, 3 become 1, 3 corrections are made and published and that the infor­ 9.2.47 WITH UKULELE WITH A UKULELE mation is entered in the master lists. 9.3.6 appear appears The chart AN AMPICO WHO WAS WHO on page 4 of 10.1.23 NO.1 MANDA NO.1: 1.MANDA SURVEY can now have Il un known II removed, thanks to Bill [This one is my typo.] Coverdale who wrote with the information that Judge, 10.3.30 (Ralph Rainger) Ralph Rainger Jr. was actually Ray Perkins. It so happens that Bill 11.1.3 BIND BIND BING BING corresponded with Adam Carroll on just this subject a 11.2.20 Berner Bergner few years ago, and Bill reports that Carroll seemed 11.2.34 100005-100255 100005P-100255V positive about this at the time. (Bill helped with [1 1 m now of the opinion that all other aspects of SURVEY, and he must be about the only Ampico roll numbers should include person I didnlt ask in my search for the identity of letter suffix when present. The Judge, Jr.) letter (or its absence) often has There are, alas, a number of printerls errors in information value, in some cases SURVEY. Some are insignificant and self-evident, but identifying earlier or later rolls others must have been a source of considerable confus- with the same numbers or earl ier or ion to Ampicophiles and others interested. Please get later versions of the same roll.] out your July Bulletin, first enter the items mentioned 11.3.11 8, SERIES 8. SERIES above, and then make the following corrections: 11.3.17 MEDODIES MELODIES 12.1.29 BOY BOY-Arden & Carroll PAGE, COLUMN, LINE INCORRECT CORRECT medley medleys 3.3.37 areas: eras: 12.2.4°1 FEELING 1 FEELIN I 3.3.40 2xxxx 2xxxxx 12.3.15 4.1.14 Hold* Holt* 13.2.27 ROMBERT ROHBERG 4.1.29 Victor Arden, born Fillmore Ohman. 14.2.19 Rackenbach Rickenbach[my typo] One box is omitted from the chart 15.3.46 2xxx 2xxxxx here, and two lines of print are 17.2.6 roll: roll; telescoped. There should be two 19.3.4 of Austen of Richard J. Howe, lines (two boxes) at line 29. Line Austen 29 should read: Victor Arden, born 20. The 1936, 1937, and 1940 boxes in the graph Louis J. Fuiks, both names used. should also be shaded (indicating reason to And the inserted line should read: believe never issued). And there should be a Phil Ohman, born Fillmore Ohman. small space between the 1926 and 1936 boxes 4.3.4 etc etc. and between the 1937 and 1940 boxes (to 4.3.7 indicates a suffix indicates indicate that the years are not consecutive suffix at these points). 5.1.40 boxes box PACE 12 SEPTEMBER, 1973 THE AMICA BULLETIN

LET'S GET TO WORK AGAIN! QRS ROLL NUMBER RESEARCH PROJECT CONTINUES by Ginny Billings

Last year the Bulletin had several open-ended 1057 2337 2774 3234 3440 4652 4903 7030 7119 research projects going, including making up a complete 1059 2338 2911 3235 3444 4810 4905 7046 7124 list of QRS rolls, from #100 through #1000, and listing 1060 2347 2958 3237 3448 4811 4906 7048 7127 all the various roll companies we could discover. The 1061 2360 2969 3245 3464 4813 4909 7050 7128 idea is that, although finished and pol ished articles 1063 2364 2971 3248 3481 4815 4911 7051 7129 by AMICA members are needed and greatly appreciated, 1092 2370 2974 3255 3494 4820 4919 7053 7130 there is also much to be gained by pooling the resour­ 1114 2371 2976 3256 3505 4821 4920 7054 7133 ces of the membership in on-going research projects. 1197 2375 2984 3257 3545 4823 4922 7057 7136 The 1972 Bulletins carried the QRS roll 1ist, in as 1212 2377 2986 3258 3566 4824 4923 7058 7139 complete a condition as we could make it, and the AMICA 1267 2384 2990 3259 3567 4830 4924 7060 7141 membership sent in any additions or corrections that 1270 2385 3009 3264 3598 4833 4928 7062 7142 came to 1ight. These were also publ ished in the Bulle­ 1431 2388 3031 3276 3636 4839 4932 7063 7143 tin, and it was the responsibil ity of each member to 1541 2390 3035 3278 3758 4842 4935 7065 7148 up-date his own master list. Letls get going on it 1549 2410 3037 3283 3769 4844 4942 7068 7149 again! If you donlt have the master list, write to 1550 2440 3038 3303 3785 4849 4944 7075 7155 Ginny Billings, and 11 11 send you a copy. SASE please. 1987 2456 3039 3308 3791 4856 4949 7078 7156 Do you have another project in mind that we can 2033 2468 3048 3312 3806 4869 4954 7079 7157 all work on1 Let me know about it; the research 2037 2487 3049 3323 3984 4870 4956 7086 7160 capacity of 700+ members is fantastic! 2043 2499 3059 3345 4001 4872 4957 7087 7163 We still need titles for the following QRS 2050 2503 3060 3355 4002 4876 4960 7088 7165 numbers: 2057 2543 3061 3356 4124 4878 4962 7089 7166 153 21'24 2564 3062 3358 4141 4880 4964 7093 492 2194 2610 3064 3360 4244 4881 4965 7099 614 2225 2636 3066 3364 4269 4882 4970 7100 791 2235 2641 3067 3374 4510 4884 4974 7102 Since my last Bulletin in 1972 I have received 838 2236 2656 3068 3379 4585 4885 4998 7103 some additions to the list that I havenlt yet passed 909 2246 2657 3088 3381 4586 4886 5277 7108 on to you. Look for them in a later Bulletin. 934 2267 2658 3117 3393 4589 4888 7002 7111 HELP NEEDED: IS THERE ANYONE OUT THERE WHO WOULD 1052 2284 2692 3151 3405 4590 4891 7005 7112 BE WILLING TO HELP ME BRING THE ADDITIONS AND COR­ 1053 2285 2715 3152 3414 4593 4895 7008 7113 RECTIONS RECEIVED TO DATE ON THE QRS LIST INTO ORDER1 1054 2294 2733 3153 3415 4608 4896 7020 7114 THIS INVOLVES GOING THROUGH THE 1971-72 BULLETINS AND 1055 2307 2762 3222 3420 4628 4897 7021 7115 MAKING UP A MASTER LIST, WHICH WE CAN PUBLISH AS AN 1056 2310 2770 3224 3426 4638 4902 7022 7117 ADDENDA TO THE ORIGINAL LIST. 1771771177 NEW RECORDINGS NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE AMPICO AND DUO-ART by Nick Jarrett One of the highlights of the Texas convention was we find "That's All" and that favorite of bad pianists Bill Flynt's roll-recoding demonstration. Using a mod­ the world over, "Warsaw Concerto." "Sleigh Ride" ified grand piano (one of the lesser makes, I hasten might just as well come in a red box and must surely to assure you), he has fitted each note with contacts have been played by the ghost of Felix Arndt. which are scanned electronically, in much the same Efforts were made at the British Piano Museum to manner as a TV tube. Any note, or pedal, that is produce new recordings for the Duo-Art, but the music depressed, is recorded on an Ampex digital tape re­ was of a more demanding nature, and the results were corder. The cost of such equipment has been dramatic­ none too good. Bill's are the first commercially­ ally reduced recently, and the perforator was built available new reproducing recordings for some 35 years, for a cost of $300, excluding Bill's labor. realizing one of AMICA's oldest goals, and I wish him Bill is an accomplished pianist, and after a few every success. Copies may be obtained from Harold bars of his playing were put on tape, he connected the Powell. tape to the perforator and out came an SS-note roll. This was put back on the piano and sounded like some­ PETE WENDLING LISTS AVAILABLE thing from Artona or Mastertouch (i.e. desperately in Last year we included with the Bulletin a nearly com­ need of editing). Bill then goes to work with Scotch plete list of all rolls played by Pete Wendling on tape and a sharp knife, corrects the errors, and sends various roll labels. The list of his QRS rolls, both a copy to Bill Malone to produce a proof copy. This by number and alphabetical listing, is still available. then goes back for final cleaning up, and expression If you would like a copy, write to Ginny, and enclose coding is added. a stamped, self-addressed envelope. The musical selections vary from delightful schmaltz to pure percussion. Among the former category @@@@@@@@@@ THE AMICA BULLETIN SEPTEMBER, 1973 PAGE 13

DOUG HICKLING RESEARCH EFFORTS CONTINUE

Those of the Bulletin1s readers who during the and even some unvoiced metal pipework. past year have noted the absence from the Bulletin of At this point I am most interested in locating my articles and contributions might be interested in former employees in Aeolian1s New York organ recording know ing that my r"esea rch act ivities have cont i nued un­ studios as well as former employees of Estey, Kimball, abated. At the suggestion of a number of readers who and Skinner who might be famil iar with the residence enjoyed the series on the Welte-Mignon Corporation1s organ activities of those firms. I would be grateful residence organ activities, I am endeavoring to write for any leads which AMICA members can give me to such a book on reproducing residence pipe organs. persons or for the loan of original reproducing pipe I have located several former employees in the organ memorabilia. I would also appr~ciate the organ factory of the Aeolian Company who have sent me assistance of an AMICA member in or near New York City over 200 pages of their recollections, as well as who would be able to check certain street addresses to numerous interior photographs of the factory, original determine whether former organ factories and studios Aeolian pipe scales and voicing tools, pipe blueprints, are stfll standing.

THE WELTE - SIMONTON LEITERS 1947-1951 edited and contributed by Doug Hickling Part I

·AllOOSt two years ago the Bulletin published a Heavy snowfall today and the rooms ice cold. SO I letter 'from the late Edwin Welte to his longtime write this letter in the kitchen where we have a kit­ friend and benefactor, Mr. Richard Simonton of North chen-hearth which is heatable with coal or wood. Mrs. Hollywood, California, in which Mr. Welte described Welte is just running around in the town to find some­ how he and his family were going to observe Christmas body to place a little stove in the bedroom. I do not among the dire circumstances they had to endure in think that such things do happen in the American or post World War II Germany. English zone." 11-18-47 Mr. Simonton has kindly permitted me to read all "We cannot escape our destiny, when we see and of the approximately 150 letters sent to him by Mr. hear about the lives of other people we are satisfied Welte during the early postwar years, and I have made again. The conditions here in regard to food, clothing copies of those letters in which he set forth matters and housing are intolerable. We have a excellent arch­ of historical interest. I have cross-referenced these bishop in Freiburg, who does everything possible to letters by subject and the excerpts set forth below help. He showed a great deal of courage during the are reprinted verbatim with the exception that obvious Nazi-period." 11-18-47 spelling errors have been corrected. These letters "The greatest of pleasure I experienced in life were all written in English and it is clear that Mr. are your kind letters and your magnanimous help to my Welte had a pretty fair grasp of the language-­ family and myself. We all three hope that we will once especially when one considers that he had not lived in again be able to show our gratitude." 11-18-47 the United States since 1914. "We are very happy to have you soon here as our guests and I am sure you will feel at home and the EDWIN WELTE ON THE PROBLEMS OF LIFE IN POST WORLD WAR cooking of Lilo [his daughter] will be better than in II GERMANY: a hotel at present. We are only afraid that it will be "Our fine old city [of Freiburg] was within 20 a great change the social life in Los Angeles and in minutes time and without any defense by an aerial at­ destroyed Freiburg. You undoubtedly know the American tack to 2/3 destroyed, with it also completely the book "Going With the Winds.· It describes the destruc­ factories of M. Welte and sons with everything in it. ' tion of social life after the C~vil War. Such condi­ My private house was saved. I live now in three rooms tions prevail now here. The main reason is the lack of of it, with my wife and daughter. The rest of the food. Not even coffee-parties are given. No flour, no house is occupied [requisitioned without rent] by a bread and coffee is immensely expensive. No automobiles French officer and his family." 4-30-47 to make excursions into the lovely Blackforest. We will "It is impossible that the present conditions can do everything possible to make your stay in Freiburg be continued another winter. No matter how they vote agreeable as possible." 9-4-48 now our population will turn bolshevik if the great powers treat us like cattle, just to cover their act­ EIMIN WELTE ON THE WELTE PHILHARMONIC ORGAN: ual political aim••• As I have told you, it may 'Sound "A few years before the war I had an organ built funny to you, we have by far not enough to eat." in my music roam. When we had an urgent order of im­ 4-30-47 portance to fill, we took it out and sold it. Acciden­ "The French officer cut off the radiators of my tally a few rolls were forgotten to take back to the apartment to save coal for the first floor. Naturally factory. These sixteen rolls are now the only ones there is only one furnace in my house and no stoves. left. Enclosed is a list of same." 4-30-47 PAGE 14 SEPTEMBER, 1973 THE AMICA BULLETIN

"In Germany I included in the contracts with the Welte-Mignon dealers that these instruments and and myself were both glad to meet. Talked everything Philharmonic Organs are not allowed to be sold in any about size and place of the organ as if the order was public place, but only in private houses. This 'system given already. We then celebrated with several good in connection with the maintaining of highest musical drinks our new friendship. Would this not have been a perfection was the solid foundation of the reputation splendid start for a new American citizen? I went home of my instruments." 12-12-47 to Freiburg to get back as quick as possible and was "You did not mention how you liked the pieces. I caught by the war." 1-23-48 only know of the No. 1826 as shipped. This is a wonder­ "1895 in fall I had to place and tune a orches­ ful fantasie of Bach played by Karl Straube, our most trion in the private residence of the manufacture~ of famous organist for a long time. He died a few years "The Battle Ax Plug" a chewing tobacco, the name of ago. He held J. S. Bach's position at the Thomas whom I forgot, in Louisville. I stayed a day longer to Church in Leipzig. Nos. 936 and 937 of Tschaikowsky make a trip to the Maumoth cave, of which I was told are hand signed rolls and must be considered as the in school. The first day a long walk and the next day most perfect samples of this kind of roll." 12-28-47 a longer one. OVer night I stopped too in the Mammoth "The picture shows a corner of my music room cave hotel which was at that time very primitive. The before I rebuilt my house toa house with two apart­ cave is wonderful but in those days the walk through ments. In the first floor was the hall, the parlor, it dangerous." 3-11-48 and music room and the dining room. Below the music "Chicago, Auditorium Annex Hotel where I was so room, in the basement I had an organ built in about often. In the rear was a quiet reading room or hall in the size of yours in Los Angeles. Unfortunately there which I gave Welte-Mignon performances every day at, I was no room for keyboards and so what you see in the believe, five o'clock. You could not see the piano, but photo is a console only for music rolls. I could buy on the tables were place little elegant programs with two old pictures and had our draughtsman design the description of the Welte-Mignon. It was a very refined console. Musically it was not an absolute success. The way of advertisement. Later on Wurlitzer did a similar tone outlet for the organ underneath the console was thing with his organs in hotel halls, but not quite the not large enough. People however thought it sounded same. In one of the books you kindly sent me was a excellent." 8-1-48 picture of Orville and Wilbur Wright. I will never "The visitor of organ concerts given on reproduced forget how I left one day the Auditorium Hotel I saw historical organs are probably of a different kind than the people rush towards the Lake and look in the sky. those who buy organ music on discs. Very few owners of There was one of the Wrights flying. Lyon and Healy in Welte Organs had more than a limited number of classic Chicago was one of the finest music stores I know." original organ compositions on their organ rolls. They 3-11-48 preferred any kind of composition if it was sounding splendid on the organ and was played perfect. "8-24-49 EDWIN WELTE ON HIS AMERICAN EXPERIENCES: "You say that you investigated a patent situation in Washington. This reminded me of a 8 day patent in­ vestigation I made in Washington on the Welte-Mignon patent 1904·. The second time I was in America. We had a large exhibit at St. Louis." 11-20-47 "I did travel in America every fall and spring. Did you see my fine factory building I built in Pough­ keepsie between Albany and New York? With a siding of the New York Central R. R. It could be seen from the boats on the Hudson and from the N.Y. Central. I thought Poughkeepsie would be my final home." 11-20-47 "It must be beautiful in the IOOuntains near Los Angeles. I saw them from the distance when I went by train from San Francisco to Los Angeles and then via AMPICO GRAND A MODEL DRAWER FOR SALE. Practically complete from a Knabe; El Paso to Denver. At that time I thought I would never also some upright Ampico parts, and a complete Welte grand system. ALAN BERGSTROM, leave America again except for a short visit to see my 325 Bodego Avenue, Petaluma, CA 94952 parents." 12-12-47 "I dreamed of all such beautiful things [fine FOR SALE: WELTE-MIGNON Original 1927 grand in semi-art case with matching bench. homes] when I left New York May 1914. Just before I Piano near mint condition. Reproducing mechanism needs rebuilding. Piano was with left I was in Detroit to talk to Henry Ford who was original owner for 46 years and has not been mistreated. Complete with 12 rolls. $1800. just building hi~ new home in his wonderful estate. DAN ADAMS, 1209 Indiana Avenue, South Pasadena, CA 91030, (213) 256-8657 Ford was a Welte-Mignon customer or mine already and I had met him before. He was just when I arrived taking CECILIAN PUSH-UP PIANO PLAYER FOR SALE, c. 1906. Red mahogany, fine condition, restored and plays beautifully. Complete with rounded glass roll cover. 163 small rolls; his lunch at the Ponchartrain hotel. He told me in his 26 large rolls; 19 small rolls in wrong boxes. $1000. J. BRATTON, 2209 South Cherry friendly way that he wants an Organ. I should go out Street, D~nver, Colorado 90222. to his new place and see his architect and talk every­ thing over with him. He told me that his architect Mr. BULLETIN! For Sale: 150 Ampico rolls in very good condition (both rolls and boxes), Van Holzt is also from Freiburg and that the archi­ Wurlitzer CX-1912 vintage, Wurlitzer automatic piano, Wurlitzer 105 Band organ and tect's mother is still living there••• I immediately Coinola-midget. For details write: Edwin O. Swanson, Bay Electric Co., Inc., Menominee, Michigan 49858. went in the car of a friend to~estate. V. Holzt THE AMICA BULLETIN SEPTEMBER, 1973 PAGE 15

REFLECTIONS THROUGH A BRASS TRACKER BAR by Thomas M. Steuer

Back in its heyday, the reproducing grand marked of shoe strings, replaced the action, tightened the the zenith of player piano technology, and no self­ player, then rolled my cuffs down to hide the missing respecting mill ionaire of the teens and twenties was shoe strings, and collected my five bucks. The owner without an Ampico, Duo-Art, a Welte, or one of a dozen was elated, and I was excited about my first assorted glorious names in the same category. Those professional job. instruments continue to be the pi~ce de resistance for Since then, I have rebuilt over 125 various types the devotee, but for the average"American they're all of players, and the income I received from that work but unheard-of. came early in my career, when I needed it badly for a The strength of the player piano industry always sheer existence. In the meanwhile, of course, I've was -- and once again continues to be -- the family learned to use real bridle straps, along with other upright for the kids to pump on. professional tools and parts. But the learning was Part of the current interest is obviously nostal­ fun. " gia for a time that was more leisurely and in reflec­ As one gets into rebuilding, one learns what to t ion appeared to "have a greater "fun" qual ity. But a acquire and what to stay away from. The first player I greater part of it is, as one piano manufacturer encountered in my childhood was a Gulbransen that the claimed in its advertisements of years ago, "putting whole neighborhood pumped away on. Our favorite roll, the U into mUsic." What greater satisfaction is there by the way, was "The Prisoner's Song." So when I pur­ than making music, and simply by pumping? chased my first player, an identical Gulbransen to the Many collectors learned about players in the same one I knew as a kid was the ideal purchase. I'll never way I did -- by trial and error, making mistakes until forget the excitement of its del ivery to our house -­ one learned the right way to do things, with a little nor the disappointment when I learned that the Gul­ help from an old pro, who used to be a builder or bransen with its sealed valves is one of the hardest technician in the "good old days." to repair. I confess that I didn't try. Having bought I recall, about a dozen years ago, when 'I first it for $35 del ivery included (this was back in 1960), started to work on players, I was asked to make a house I was able to fix it up a bit, make it look good, and call to help a faltering Stark. Noticing the problem sell it for $100. to be broken bridle straps, I assured the owner that I Because even the $35 investment was a cost I could handle the problem, but preferred to fix the could not easily afford, I decided to take the $100 piano with no one in the room. Because I had no bridle and buy two upright players -- one to keep and one to straps on hand, I replaced the broken ones with pieces sell. They were easy to repair, and I sold them both,

The author, Tom Steuer, working on an upright single­ expression Duo-Art, which he converted to full-expression, foot and/or electric. PAGE 16 SEPTEMBER, 1973 THE AMICA BULLETIN

Part of the fun of player pianos as a hobby is find­ ing the rolls. These Duo-Arts, in mint condition (except for the boxes) were bought at a garage sale for 50¢ each! time when I needed "the money worse than the piano). Among the uprights, my favorite -- without a doubt -- was the Straube and its kin, the Hammond. While 1 ' m sure there must be a few pianos in existence from that factory which today are dogs, l've never seen one. Next, for consistency, comes the AEolian and/or the Kimball -- both good pianos, as far as piano and player technology are concerned. The old Apollos with the spring-wound roll motor are off-beat but easy to repair, and the end result is usually excellent. Eventually, when my rebuilding days reached a peak, I began to innovate as I went along, putting to­ gether some of the best parts of various players. The height of this was an instrument that I converted into a nickelodeon, and today some Chicagoan has a red player with bl inking lights, a custom-glass front, and a brass nameplate on the fallboard with the legend, "ORCHESTROLA -- Mfg. by T. M. Steuer," Pushbuttons in front of the keyboard actuated drums, triangle, wood­ block, and rinky-tink. Like most collectors, not all of the pianos were meant to be sold. I rebuilt many to keep, but soon converting the profits into four uprights. By this discovered that my favorite was the next piano. The time the garage was beginning to get a bit crowded, fun, I found, was not in keeping, but making something and I was becoming the neighborhood oddball. of it- In the five years that followed, I must have An outstanding example was a Weber with a double turned out just about every brand of player ever made, tracker bar -- one for 65 note rolls and the other for including some of the exotic ones. Surprisingly, the 88 note Themodiste-Metrostyle rolls. I picked up that ones that were hardest to sell were the most desirable piano for $25, and even five years ago I was concerned ones, electrics of any style, particularly grands, and that I had paid too much: not only had it served as even the cherished baby Ampico spinet (which some room and board for mice and moths, but the case was lucky soul got for $800, in perfect condition, at a badly chopped. The end result was that it became one

"The Master's Fingers At Your Keyboard" appeal to Tom Steuer and his wife, Leah, as they listen to Rachmaninoff perform "The Flight of the Bumble Bee" on the family's Marshall & Wendell Ampico B grand. THE AMICA BULLETIN SEPTEMBER, 1973 PAGE 17

of the best pianos to come out of my workshop and I A CHILD'S EYE VIEW later traded it for another Weber, but this time an unrestored Duo-Art upright. Last year, before the AMICA exhibit at the Oakland At one given time, I've had as many as six players Museum, AMI CAn and program contributor Linda Nielsen in my personal collection, but deciding that there are asked her grade-school pupils for their concepts of more important things in 1ife, I've sold everything automatic musical instrumentation. She described off except for two instruments -- a Marshall & Wendell various automata to them, and then asked them to 1929 Ampico B and a 1916 Weber Duo-Art. These two draw what they imagined the instruments to look like. grands, back-to-back, are enough to keep anyone happy, The children later saw these first-hand, as mentioned and I consider them my prize for the number of years I in an earlier Bulletin article by Bill Wherry, spent rebuilding for fun and fortune.

AMICANS TO THE RESCUE!

I have recently purchased a player piano (Virtuolo No. 77851) for which the player mechanism is missing. I am trying to find out what type of player mechanism is required for this piano and was referred to you by the AEolian company. Could you please give me any information you might have? Thank you very much. John W. Jewett, Jr., Ohio state University Department of Physics, 174 W. 18th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210.

RAPID ROLL REPAIR RIG by Jeffry Wisnia

Here's an easy and very useful project for a rainy Sunday afternoon. Build yourself one of these, and know freedom from yards of brittle buckl ing paper festooned allover your floor -- a roll repair rig! The picture shows the general arrangement of my rig, and here's how you can build one 1ike it. Locate a homeless pumper stack and purloin its takeup spool and the music roll chucks. Get a rectangular piece of 3/4" plywood or chipboard with Formica or other plastic laminate glued to it. My board measures 13" by 24" and was made from a kitchen sink countertop cutout. If you make the board the same width as the inside of the \ spool box, your parts that came from the music roll

) PAGE 18 SEPTEMBER, 1973 THE AMICA BULLETIN

chucks will mount just right. If you have a choice, the rough work by the time I get done with the left get a dark colored piece of plastic laminate; the edges edge. of the music roll will show up better than they do If you mark a permanent 1ine across the middle of against the gray colored stuff I had on hand when my the board exactly at right angles to the direction of rig was built. The smooth plastic laminate permits the roll travel, you'll be able to use it as a guide mending tape to be peeled off easily, and does~'t when cutting across the roll to " sp1ice" on a new scratch deeply when a razor blade is used to tri. sur­ leader. While youlre making sawdust building this rig, p1us tape .Ital so c 1eans ea s i1y• cut a couple of pieces of Iione by twos" or similar stock about ten inches long and sand off any sharp Make four wooden brackets to hold the takeup spool edges. These can be kept with the rig and used as and music roll chucks. These will be attached to the paperweights when working on the leader section of a edges of the board with glue and some long screws, roll. You should also make up a piece of Masonite to after you drill shaft holes and mount the chucks. slip under the roll if you do any repairing that re­ Fasten some wood feet or tall rubber buttons under the quires the repunching of perforations, as the plastic board to elevate it so the music roll and takeup spools laminate isnlt the worldls best surface for this clear the surface the rig sits on. operation. You can use one of the takeLip spool bearings from A final note regarding the replacement of missing the original spoo1box to hold the right hand (as it sat chunks of roll leaders. You can borrow some paper from in its original position) end of the takeup spool. Re­ the tail end of the roll by removing it from its spool move the 1eft ax1e pin'· f rom the takeup spoo1 and re­ and taking a few inches from the blank supply there. place it with a longer piece of 3/1611 or 1/411 rod Tear a patch from the borrowed paper and glue it to epoxied in place. This shaft passes through a hole in the back side of the leader. Tearing the patch piece the bracket which you could 1ine with bushing cloth if produces feathered edges which donlt show as badly as you're fussy about details. a cut patch, and while the color of the paper wonlt be The music roll drive chuck shaft also uses the exactly right itls probably going to be closer than bracket wood for a bearing, but add a thickened block anything else you have on hand. to the bracket before drilling the hole so the bearing is long enough to prevent wobble. Make a pair of cranks to fit the takeup spool and music roll shafts, or try the electronics industry for some of those fancy knobs with crank handles on them. Keep the cranks small; you don't need much torque on the rolls and a small crank is easier to turn rapidly when you want to move along fast. The layout described puts the two cranks at BUSINESSES, BUYERS AND SELLERS--TAKE NOTE diagonally opposite corners of the board. I usually Are you involved in a business that provides a service start with the board in front of me with the takeup to AM ICA members.? Parts suppI iers, arrangers, tuners, spool on my right, repairing the left edge of the wood finishers, ro·t1 repairers, piano action special­ entire roll first. Then I turn the whole board around ists, player action special ists, researchers, roll and repair the right edge while winding the roll back on its spool. Since most really bad damage usually auctioneers, new or used roll sellers, recutters -- all of you can benefit from taking advantage of the shows up on the left edge of a roll (due I guess to inexpensive ad rates in the AMICA Bulletin. the loose spool end there), I'm usua 11 y through wi th There are presently well over 700 people who receive the AMICA Bulletin monthly, although its exposure is considerably greater than that. (Friends of AMICAns read it, and several libraries carry it.) Each of these people is a prime potential customer for your L business or sale item. 1\1 Our rates are more than reasonable: a quarter-page ad I E in the Bulletin, camera-ready, costs only $10.00 an Newcomer prl}Y{;S issue. (For a small extra fee weill make up your ad S he JS already artist. V for you.) If you donlt require that much space, $1.00 C TemperamE'nt and i'l' tellc('tuality 51wwn in buys you a few 1ines. Compare a full-page ad at $40.00 H I re~i\'a!, says Prof. El­ to the equivalent space in other publ ications•.. itls A son, - Bosii..i/i Doii)' a steal! T Adz:cni.)'ey, Friday, October 20, 1916. AMICAns arenlt only interested in musical automata-­ most of them 1ike other period items: antiques, old Z books, vintage cars, just to name a few. Try us. Your ~usiness will help the Bulletin, and the Bulle­ K tin will help your business! For further details, aUN~.CE"'EN"'· DA~:f:", M.\ Y¥::R 'io~',: '';l~y refer to the inside page of the front cover of this I l'imn BuiH:UI l'e..- \ EeJdwiu !'ift1.O U,c.:l Bulletin. •

THE AMICA BULLETIN SEPTEMBER, 1973 PAGE 19

NICKY CHRISTOFf LOS' CALLIOPE (PRlHC.'PLE OF OPERATION)

LIG-H1S IHDICATIHGt Y\ PLAyED MELO!>:"; BERKELEY} CALIF. MARCH 25) '~70

o· - -·0 REVI5ED: FEB.2c}, 1972 0·-- ..- 0 ~--- -- 0 0-- ---0

0··- ---0 XYLOPHONE

COMPRE.SSED A\~ TANK

------. ------ELE.CTR: PANEL WITH FUSES; L.E.ecE.ND: ---TUBE. (CONTRIBUTED BY BILL WHERRY) MAIN SW,TC.U. ----waRE

Special Departntents at Lyon aTlU.' rt~. Pianos and Pianola-Pianos Gramophones and Records Tuning and Repairing No place in the County offers such a fine and large You cannot do better than come to our Gramophone stock of personally selected High-Grade Pianos and Showrooms and Audition Rooms to select a Gramophone; At your se.·vice, a special staff of highly-trained Pianolas at such low prices, either for cash or we hold a large stuck of the newest models which Tu.oers, Pianola Experts and Repairers capable ~ deferred payment. The latest nt:\V models can be have been tested and can be guaranteed, while the attending to the most exacting requirements of 1111 tested side by side, ensuring a satisfactory choice. stock of new Records is ove.· 15,000 to choose from. instruments. Efficiency and satisfaction guaranteed. Lyon and Hall, Ltd., 1 and 2 East St., Brighton, and 22 Church Rd., Hove '~hon.1 B ....hton 50 'Phone I P.O. 8a8 \ \ PAGE 20 SEPTEMBER, 1973 THE AMICA BULLETIN

ERNEST G. CLARK...... T...... CONTRIBUTED BY: BiZZ Burkhardt

CLARK ORCHESTRA ROLL COMPANY IlANUFAC"I'URERS OF MUSIC ROILS FOR REPRODUCING, AUTOMATIC PIANOS AND ORCHESTRIONS. Telephoae 492 DE KALB, ILLINOIS Oct.24,194l.

Wm,R.Kavanaugh,M.D. 903 Hanselman Bldg. Kalamazoo,Mich. Dear Mr.Xavanaugh: I am sorry that the pamphlet was not enclosed with the blue pr1nt,as intended,but will see that this one get~started,and hope Uncle Sam will carryon. The diment10ns are g1ven,also the weight when boxed for shipping. If the transfer companies would carry these pianos without boxing,it would be lots more convenient for the shipper,for the boxing is quite a job, nowadays , with so few,if anY,of the larger pianos being ~8de,for they have t~ make a special box for sh1pment,and this would be extra,over the price submitted to you in my letter. The blue print· was sent so that you could get an idea of the range of the piano and xylophone. As I said before,I think you would have lots of fun in showing the 1nstr~ent to your fr1ends,and you could also use it for dancing,1f it was in a place with enough room for action. I will be glad to give you more information if wanted. Yours very truly, ~~O-y~lL Clark Orchestra Roll Co.

Bill Burkhardt Nelson-Wiggen has sent in two 5-X Orchestra. photocopies of Mr. The doctor to Clark's business whom the letters transactions. were written de­ These are quite cided not to buy significant, Bill the piano as he says, as they already had a were written just coin piano and I'The Shop Where Harmony Reigns" before the com­ was called into pany went out of the service for business. WW II at about The piano dis­ the, same time cussed in the the second let­ letters is a ter was written. THE AMICA BULLETIN SEPTEMBER, 1973 PAGE:

ERNEST C. CLAJUC. P..... aDei T......

CLARK ORCHESTRA ROLL COMPANY MANUFACTURERS OF MUSIC ROLLS FOR REPRODUCING, AUTOMATIC PIANOS AND ORCHESTRIONS.

TelephoDe 492 DE KALB, ILLINOIS

Nov.8,1941. Dear Mr. Kavanaugh; Putting aside formalities for the sake of giving you some information,I looked into the matter of shipping the instrument via Corey & Evans,and the necessary crating to carry it through to destinationjand found that the same style of box would be called for,that these pianos were sent to us in,several years ago. It will have to be a special box,the same we used to have to ship our uprlght,pianos in,when we were operating as the Melville Clark Piano Co. The lumber will run about $8.50,made up of the cheapest matched flooring, cleated for carrying the load ;and consisting of six panels something like my rough drawing inclosed. The back panel is the one,that we fasten to the piano with lag screws,and the rest of the box is nailed together in a substantial way to afford protection.J.n transit. You may have trouble in deciphering my drawing,but I know that you w111 be able to get something out of it any way. I am the only workman who wil~~. operate on this job,if called for.but I want you to get the piano in good'.~ for future use ,and righ't now I enjoy playing on it,but the tuning needs attention to put the piano and xylophone in harmony ,--some of the notes are a little sour at times. I am enclosing labels of every thing we have in stock of the 4X rolls,and among them,foreign music that 1s of the catchy style. These label are not representing rolls found in the bUlletin,but were,and still are good rolls. Referring again to the box. As I remember,now,our pianp boxes cost,knock~d down,but in panels ready to nail together,about $10.00 and 812.00, so the price would run about the same on this job. If you want me to carryon and get the piano in shape to sh1p,8S above,and you have decided on some rolls,just let me know your plans and I will try to cooperate to the best of my ability. Yours cordially. Clark Orchestra Roll Co. ~~

"The Shop Where Harmony Reigns" ...... ·...... • e .• ··... :::~ ··... ·.. ··... ··.·... ··... ·.. ·::::..: ··... ·.. ··... ··... ·.. ··... ··.. ·.. ·.. ··... ·.··.·. ··... ·.··.. ··.·... ·.·.·.. ··... ···... ·.. ··.. ··... NEWS YOU'VE BEEN WAITING TO HEAR: ·.·.. ··... ··.. AMJP>ITCO & D1IJO ...AJl\T ···... ·... ··.. ··. AT POPULAR PRICES! ·.·. ··.. (Available in late 1973) ··.. ·.···... ··.·.... Send for the latest QRS BULLETIN and ·. ··... the Complete QRS CATALOG ·... ·.. 3000 Titles - Old and New! .··.. ··... ·. ··...... ·. ·. Q·R·S MUSIC ROllS, Inc...... Tel 716-8854600 "·. "" " .. "" " " " " .. ·...... " " " It·.·.·.· . 1026 NIAGARA ST.·BUFFALO, N.Y.14213

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