THE www.amica.org Volume 51, Number 4 AMICA July/August 2014 AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT COLLECTORS’ ASSOCIATION BULLETIN

ANNUAL CONVENTION ISSUE

FRESNO, CALIFORNIA: MAY, 2014

ISSN #1533-9726 THE AMICA BULLETIN AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT COLLECTORS' ASSOCIATION

Published by the Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors’ Association, a Visit the AMICA web site at: http://www.amica.org 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax exempt group devoted to the restoration, distribution, to enter the “Members-Only” portal, Current User Name: AMICA research and enjoyment of automatic musical instruments. AMICA was Password: Bellows@1963 founded in San Francisco, California in 1963.

VOLUME 51, Number 4 July/August 2014 AMICA BULLETIN FEATURES Display and Classified Ads Meet the Younger Generation ...... by Andy Park . . . .164 Articles for Publication Letters to the Publisher Nickel Notes: History of the Ampico ...... by Matthew Jaro . . . . 165 Chapter News The Thrill of Research ...... by Terry Smythe . . . .172 UPCOMING PUBLICATION Tubing a Steinway ...... by Mike Walter . . . .177 DEADLINES Letter Openers ...... by John Mottoros . . . .179 The ads and articles must be received My Piston Operated Player ...... by Steve Bentley . . . . by the Publisher on the 1st of the 181 Odd number months: The Rise and Fall of H.C. Bay Piano Co...... by Bryan Cather . . . .183 January July J.P. Seeburg: Seventy Years of Innovation . . . . .by John D. Rutoskey . . . . March September 186 May November 2014 Fresno Convention Reports ...... 195 Bulletins will ordinarily be mailed in 2015 Denver Convention ...... by Jere DeBacker . . . .210 the 1st week of the even months, for expected delivery mid-month. Glenn Thomas, Publisher 165 Kildee Rd. COLUMNS Belle Mead, NJ 08502 President’s Message ...... Phone: 908-431-0490 160 e-mail: [email protected] Editorial Observations ...... 160 Calendar of Events ...... 161 Reviews ...... 161 MEMBERSHIP SERVICES Membership Update ...... 161 Membership Dues: Call for Award Nominations ...... 162 USA Bulk Mail ...... $55.00 USA First Class ...... $70.00 On-Line Research Library ...... 163 Overseas ...... $70.00 Letters ...... 163 Canada-Mexico ...... $65.00 Chapter News ...... 212 Renewals – Additional $5.00 due if renewed past the Jan. 31 deadline In Memoriam ...... 222 Address changes and corrections Advertising ...... 223 Directory information updates Front Cover: Conventions pictures: Top Left: Yosemite (Lowell Boehland); Bottom Additional copies of Left: Andrew Barrett wins the pumper contest (Lowell Boehland); Top Right: Pope Member Directory . . . . $25.00 open house (Terry Smythe); Bottom Right: Mike Argain collection tour (Lowell Single copies of back issues ($10.00 per - Boehland) issue – based upon availability) Inside Front: Arto Roll Ad - Music Trades: March, 1917; Courtesy Terry Smythe Lyle Merithew & Sandy Swirski 416 Colfax Drive Inside Back Cover: Music Roll Suppliers San Jose, CA 95123-3403 408-227-9284 Back Cover: Seeburg G catalog illustration; Courtesy John Rutoskey [email protected] To ensure timely delivery of your BULLETIN, please allow 6-weeks advance notice of address changes.

AMICA Publications reserves the right to accept, reject, or edit any and all submitted articles and advertising. While the AMICA Bulletin offers accurate and historic information to its members, the bulletin, its publisher and the AMICA Board cannot be held responsible for contributions that may be considered by some as inaccurate, speculative, or of an OP/ED Format

Entire contents © 2014 AMICA International Printed by Engler Printing Co., Fremont, OH • [email protected] 157 AMICA INTERNATIONAL – INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS –

PRESIDENT PAST PRESIDENT EDITOR Alan Turner Tim Baxter Glenn Thomas 148 Kingsway Avenue 939 Briarcliff Rd NE 165 Kildee Road Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3M 0H1 Atlanta, GA 30306-4664 Belle Mead, NJ 08502 204-489-3075 404-377-1220 908-431-0490 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

VICE PRESIDENT TREASURER Jere DeBacker Joe Orens 9360 East Center Ave. #5A 8917 Wooden Bridge Road Denver, CO 80247 Potomac, MD 20854-2448 303-570-6243 301-340-6664 [email protected] [email protected]

SECRETARY MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Bob and Bonnie Gonzalez Lyle Merithew & Sandy Swirsky 26 Foremast Cove 416 Colfax Drive Corte Madera, CA 94925 San Jose, CA 95123-3403 415-924-6834 408-227-9284 [email protected] [email protected]

– COMMITTEES –

AMICA ARCHIVES CONVENTION COORDINATOR Tom Hutchinson Frank Nix 15361 Hopper Road 6030 Oakdale Ave. Sturgeon, MO 65284 Woodland Hills, CA 91367 573-442-6675 818-884-6849 [email protected] [email protected]

AMICA MEMORIAL FUND AMICA HONOR ROLL Ray Dietz Thomas & Donna Stengel 1250 Lanier Road 46 Court St. Martinsville, VA 24112-5212 Lancaster NY 14086-2302 276-638-8563 716-683-5309 [email protected] [email protected]

AUDIO-VISUAL & TECHNICAL WEBSITE MANAGER Vacant Karl Ellison 6 Lions Lane Salem, MA 01970-1784 978-740-5680 [email protected]

158 AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 AMICA INTERNATIONAL

CHAPTER OFFICERS FOUNDING CHAPTER LADY LIBERTY ROCKY MOUNTAIN Pres: John Ulrich - 510-223-9587 Pres: Vincent Morgan - 718-479-2562 Pres: Jere DeBacker - 303-570-6243 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Vice Pres: Karen Simons Vice Pres: John Dousmanis - 646 638-2201 Vice Pres: (vacant) Sec: Jack & Dianne Edwards Sec: Bob Stuhmer Sec: Louise Lucero Treas/Board Rep: Lyle Merithew & Sandy Swirsky Treas: Maryam Morgan Treas: Barry Weiss Reporter: Bob & Bonnie Gonzalez Reporter: Martin "Buzz" Rosa Reporter: Larry Emmons Board Rep: Vincent and Maryam Morgan Board Rep: Jere DeBacker BOSTON AREA Pres: Kirk Russell MIDWEST (OH, MI, IN, KY) SOWNY (Southern Ontario,Western New York) [email protected] Pres: Don Johnson - 248-650-1840 Pres: Glenn Roat Vice-Pres: Bill Koenigsberg [email protected] [email protected] Sec: Phyllis Konop Vice Pres: Liz Barnhart Vice Pres: Larry Weingartner [email protected] Sec: Hilda Merchant Sec: Shirley Roat Treas: Dorothy Bromage Treas: Alvin Wulfekuhl [email protected] [email protected] Reporter: Christy Counterman Treas: Holly Walter Reporter: (open) Board Rep: Liz Barnhart [email protected] Board Rep: (open) Reporter: Glenn and Shirley Roat NORTHERN LIGHTS (MN, ND, SD, MB, [email protected] CHICAGO AREA NorthernOntario) Board Rep: Mike Walter Pres: Jerry Biasella - 708-756-3307 Pres: Paul Watkins - 763-421-0672 Vice Pres: Richard Van Metre [email protected] SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Sec: Carol Veome - 773-338-1042 Vice Pres: Don Barton Pres: Don Henry [email protected] Sec: Mark Kraabel Vice Pres: Diane De Tar Treas: Joe Pekarek Treas: John & Sue Ellingson [email protected] Sect/Reporter: Shirley Nix Reporter: Curt Clifford Reporter: John & Sue Ellingson [email protected] [email protected] Board Rep: Paul Watkins Treas: Diane Reidy Board Rep: TBD Board Rep: Frank Nix PACIFIC CAN-AM HEART OF AMERICA Pres: Stuart Swanberg - 206 282-7376 TEXAS Pres: Bob Stout - 816-833-1556 [email protected] Pres: Rich Clayton - 972-369-0470 [email protected] Vice Pres: (open) [email protected] Vice Pres: Dan Davis Secretary: Halie Dodrill Vice Pres: Bill Boruff Sec: Mike Schoeppner Treas: Robert Wilson [email protected] Treas: Greg Moffitt Reporter: David Goodwin, Larry Sanchez Treasurer: Jim Quashnock Reporters: Dan & Carol Davis Board. Rep: Carl Dodrill [email protected] Board Rep: Gary Craig Secretary: Janet Tonnesen [email protected] Bulletin Reporter: Ken Long [email protected] Board Rep: John McCall j-mccall@sbcglobal .net

AFFILIATED SOCIETIES AND ORGANIZATIONS

American Theatre Organ Society (ATOS) Friends of Scott Joplin Northwest Player Piano Association President/CEO – Ken Double 1217 St. Croix Ct. Everson Whittle, Secretary 1815 DeFoors Walk, NW Kirkwood, MO 63122-2326 11 Smiths Road, Darcy Lever, Atlanta, GA 30318 Website: http//stlouis.missouri.org/fsjoplin Bolton BL3 2PP, Gt. Manchester, England Phone: 404-790-5400 E-mail: [email protected] Home Phone: 01204 529939 E-mail: [email protected] International Piano Archives at Maryland Business Phone: 01772 208003 Theatre Organ Performing Arts Library,University of Maryland E-mail: [email protected] Co-Editors – Mike Bryant and Don Feely 2511 Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center Reed Organ Society Editorial Office College Park, MD 20742 Jim Tyler, Editor, 3111 NE 165th Pl. Phone:301-405-9224 E-mail: [email protected] Vancouver, WA 98682 Fax: 301-314-7170 Organ Historical Society Phone: 206-619-6645 E-mail: [email protected] Rollin Smith, Editor, The Tracker E-Mail: [email protected] International Vintage Phono & Mechanical Music Society E-mail: [email protected] Associazione Italiana Musica Meccanica C.G. Nijsen, Secretaire General Pianola Institute Villa Silvia - Via Lizzano, 1241 19 Mackaylaan Clair Cavanagh, Secretary 47023 Cesena (FC), Italy 5631 NM Eindhoven, Netherlands 43 Great Percy St., London WC1X 9RA, England Phone: 0039-547-323425 Musical Box Society of Great Britain Fax: 0039-547-661264 Player Piano Group Alison Biden Duncan James (Secretary), E-mail: [email protected] St Giles Hilltop, Northbrook Close Website: www.ammi-italia.com 9 Christy Avenue, Chelmsford, Essex, Winchester, Hants. CM1 2BG, England. Australian Collectors of Mechanical Musical Instruments SO23 0JR, UK E-mail: [email protected] Peter Phillips - Editor E-Mail: [email protected] Smithsonian Institution 26 Alice Street Musical Box Society International Padstow, NSW 221, Australia Division of Musical History Russell Kasselman, Editor Washington, D.C. 20560 Phone: (612) 9773-4734 3420 Edgewood Drive E-mail: [email protected] San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Society For Self-Playing Musical Instruments Netherlands Pianola Association Phone: (805) 439-1934 Gesellschaft fur Selbstspielende Nederlandse Pianola Vereniging Cell/Text: (253) 228-1634 Musikinstrumente (GSM) E.V. Att. Jan van Hulzen, Member of the Board E-Mail: [email protected] Ralf Smolne, President Chopinrode 25 Website: www.irondogmedia.com Emmastr. 56 D-45130 Essen, Germany 2717 BH Zoetermeer, Netherlands Netherlands Mechanical Organ Society-KDV E-Mail: [email protected] Phone: **49-201-784927 A. T. Meijer Fax :**49-201-7266240 Carousel Organ Association of America Wilgenstraat 24 E-mail: [email protected] Editor/Publisher: Ron Bopp NL-4462 VS Goes, Netherlands (918) 527-0589 4725 Montrose Dr., Bradenton, FL, 34210 [email protected]

AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 159 President’s Message Dear AMICAns, Summer is finally upon us in the northern hemisphere after a long and arduous winter and late spring. I’m sure all AMICAn’s and their families and friends are looking forward to the musical events such as organ rallies that take place all over during the summer vacation period. These gatherings are great opportunities to showcase the automatic instruments we all love, let’s all make a small effort to promote AMICA to those attending who may not be aware AMICA exists. Membership renewals are coming along fairly well this year, but we are somewhat below the target numbers that we should be at in July. If you haven’t renewed yet, or know of people who haven’t, please remind them to do so soon. At this year’s board meeting in Fresno it was agreed that the “late fee” be eliminated. Speaking of Fresno, I want to take this opportunity to extend my personal thanks to all of the convention organizers, both visible and behind the scenes, for another splendid and interesting convention and gathering for our membership. Job well done!! Bravo!! Please take note of the request for nominations for AMICA’s annual awards which follows in this bulletin. Please forward any suggested nominations for the awards through to your local AMICA chapters. You may also send nominations directly to our new Vice-President Jere DeBacker at [email protected] Last, but certainly not least, I want to thank all those members who endorsed my nomination and election to the Presidency of AMICA. I pledge to do my utmost to serve all of our members and the organization as a whole to the best of my ability.

Musically, Alan Turner [email protected]

Editorial Observations Welcome to our annual “Convention Issue”. If you missed AMICA’s annual convention held in Fresno, California in May, you can catch up with the festivities with over 20 devoted pages in pictures and summary. By all accounts, this was a successful convention with a trip to Yosemite National Park, trips to several great musical collections, open houses, and the usual AMICA events such as a pumper contest, mart, and musical banquet! But don’t despair, we’ll do it all over again in Denver, Colorado, August 5-9, 2015. See Jerry DeBacker’s article about the great events planned, and mark your calendar now! This nearly double issue features full convention coverage, plus the usual complement of great content! In this issue, we begin a three-part reference quality article on the J. P. Seeburg Company, by John Rutoskey. Part’s two and three will appear in the next two Bulletin’s. We also add a new “Review” section where authors of publications, software, rolls, and similar media are invited to submit their work for review. Don’t forget the new “Calendar of Events” where members are urged to submit forthcoming AMICA events. In the next issue, we will also begin a series of articles chronicling most major roll perforating operations. AMICA gives you great value for your membership!

Regards, Glenn Thomas [email protected]

160 AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

Richard Brandle Cathy & Gerry Koolen 4907 Stony Ford Drive 9952 Powell Rd Dallas, TX 75287 Port Franks, ON N0M 2L0 [email protected] [email protected] Lyle Merithew & Sandy Swirsky Marianne Choy Gary Pelletier 13434 Banning St 1150 Evergreen Avenue Everett & Meta Polak Fontana, CA 92336 Plainfield, NJ 07060 1107 Sara Lane 909-899-6724 [email protected] Naperville, IL 60565-1604 [email protected] Robert Perry Dennis Taylor Kenneth W Fedorick 7 Factory Rd, Waimauku Cntr, c-16 3887 Quail Canyon Ct 1529 West Taylor Road Waimauku, Auckland 0812 San Jose, CA 95148 Las Cruces, NM 88007-5545 64 9 636-8256 408-219-4298 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Cyrus Kliewer Wayne Pesuit Christie Thorsteinsson 1630 Orchard Ct 2150 Portola Ave. Ste D #106 3 Seven Oaks Place Morgan Hill, CA 95037-3342 Livermore, CA 94551 Winnipeg, Manitoba R2V 0J8 [email protected] 925-454-1744 204-794-6465 [email protected] [email protected]

Reviews

AMICA Bulletin is pleased to inaugurate a “Review” section. Members may submit books, other publications, software, music rolls, CD’s, DVD’s, and similar media to be reviewed by a qualified member of the Board and / or Publications Committee. All submissions must be from the author / creator only, and will be retained by AMICA in its library. Reviews for accepted media will be published in this section in the Bulletin. AMICA may reject any submission for return to sender.

Calendar of Events

Event Date Location Sponsor / Add’l. Info. Jackson Organ Rally Sept.27-28, 2014 Jackson, CA AMICA, CA Chapters 2015 International Convention August 5-9, 2015 Denver, CO Rocky Mountain Chap. 2016 International Convention Summer, 2016 Princeton, NJ Lady Liberty Chapter

AMICA members are encouraged to send potential listings to the editor. Chapter meeting listings are encouraged, and will be automatically listed if the editor is aware of them. Events may be local or national, need not be exclusive to AMICA or be sponsored by AMICA. Events sponsored by affiliated organizations may be included if they have a direct or potential interest to AMICA members. In submitting listings, remember the “Bulletin received date” for readers is substantially later than your notification date to the editor.

AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 161 CALL FOR 2014 AMICA AWARD NOMINATIONS

As vice-president one of my duties is to chair the nominations committee for the awards AMICA gives out each year. Please do some thinking about worthy recipients and send your suggestions for nominations for both awards to your Local AMICA Chapter who will then pass those nominations up to me and the awards committee. Please submit your suggestions to your local AMICA Chapter at your earliest convenience so that we can meet the deadline of December 31, 2014 for the nominations for each of the two annual awards to reach me and the awards committee. Each Local AMICA Chapter should compile the award nominations received from their membership and submit up to three nominations for each award to me and the awards committee. Please try to get the nominations to me before December 31, 2014. Send these nominations to me by email at [email protected] If an AMICA member who is not a member of a Local Chapter would like to nominate someone for an award, please send that nomination directly to me at the above email address. Award by-laws and a brief description of the awards The awards are presented in the form of an engraved brass and wood plaque. In addition, the basic registration fee for the annual membership meeting for the year of the award will be waived for each recipient in attendance. The plaques may be accepted by any AMICA member designated by the recipient in the event the recipient cannot be present. The award shall be funded by the AMICA treasury. Mechanism of awarding: an awards committee will be appointed annually by the president. The committee will be chaired by the vice-president and have two additional members. The Board Representative for each chapter shall be asked to obtain from the membership of their chapter three nominations for each award each year. These nominations shall be submitted to the chairman of the awards Committee to arrive no later than December 31st of the year prior to the year the award is to be presented. At that time the committee will convene by mail/phone/email and select the three best candidates by number of ballot and/or outstanding qualifications. The awards Committee will present the lists of the three best candidates for each award to the executive Committee who will vote to select the final winners from these lists. The awards Committee Chair will then have the plaques made up and make arrangements for the presentation of the awards at the next annual membership meeting.

Leo Ornstein Literary Award AMICA International Award Presented for contributing in some way in a literary effort to further and Presented for contributing substantially to the promotion of automatic promote the goals of AMICA - either by contributions to the music and AMICA as viewed technically, musically, archivally or from the Bulletin or by independent books, articles, etc. the contributions perspective of the general public must have been made in the past two years. Past Winners Past Winners 2014: Vincent Morgan 2001: (none this year) 2014: (no valid nominations) 1999: Jeffery Morgan 2013: Jim & Sherrie Krughoff 2000: Richard 2013: Matthew Jaro 1998: Robin Pratt 2012: Bill Chapman & Janet Tonnesen 2012: Terry Smythe 1997: David Saul 2011: John Motto-Ros 1999: Richard Reutlinger 2011: Hi Babit 1996: Harvey & Marion Roehl 2010: Robbie Rhodes 1998: Liz Barnhart 2010: (no valid nominations) 1995: Bob & Ginny Billings & Jody Kravitz 1997: Mike Barnhart 2009: Brian Dolan 1994: Richard J. Howe 2009: Jim & Sherri Krughoff 1996: J. B. Nethercutt 2008: Vincent Morgan 1993: Art Reblitz 2008: Kenneth K. Caswell 1995: Jasper & Marian 2007: Julian Dyer 1992: (no award presented) 2007: Siegfried Wendel Sanfilippo 2006: Yousuf Wilson 1991: Emmett M. Ford 2006: Blaine Thomas 1994: Mary & Ben Lilien 2005: Art Reblitz 2005: Kurt Morrison 1993: Charles Davis Smith 2004: Mike Barnhart & Ron Babb 2003: Rob Bopp 2004: Galen & Linda Bird 2002: Bob & Ginny Billings 2003: Ray & Nancy Dietz Jere DeBacker 2001: (none this year) 2002: Richard – Vice-President & Janet Tonnesen 2000: Denis Hall

162 AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 AMICA ON-LINE RESEARCH LIBRARY by Terry Smythe

New files added to our On-Line Research Library:

Ampico 1927 Supplement to 1925 Catalog.pdf Ampico Bulletin September1928.pdf Music Trades 19170317.pdf Ampico Bulletin April 1929.pdf Gulbranson Promo.pdf Music Trades 19170324.pdf Ampico Bulletin August 1928.pdf MastertouchCatalog.pdf Music Trades 19171306.pdf Ampico Bulletin December 1928.pdf Ampico Magazine January 1928.pdf Music Trades 19172006.pdf Ampico Bulletin February 1929.pdf Ampico Re-Enacting Piano Promo.pdf Music Trades 19172706.pdf Ampico Bulletin January 1929.pdf Doyle Lane Vancouver Week~1975.pdf Player Acrion Identification.pdf Ampico Bulletin July 1929.pdf (Courtesy Bruce Miller) Standard Service Manual.pdf Ampico Bulletin July 1929.pdf Music Trades 19170106.pdf Stoddard-Ampico Roll Catalog.pdf Ampico Bulletin June 1929.pdf Music Trades 19170203.pdf Volavy Tribute.pdf Ampico Bulletin June 1929.pdf Music Trades 19170210.pdf Who Was Who.pdf Ampico Bulletin March 1929.pdf Music Trades 19170217.pdf Ampico Bulletin May 1929.pdf Music Trades 19170224.pdf To access these files, please follow the Ampico Bulletin November 1928.pdf Music Trades 19170303.pdf log-in instructions in the Bulletin on Ampico Bulletin October 1928.pdf Music Trades 19170310.pdf the Title Page, top-right.

LETTERS

More Wurlitzer Style 180 Band Organ Information

My article on all Wurlitzer 180 band organs published in On page 24, information provided by Fred Dahlinger states the March-April, 2014, issue of the AMICA Bulletin tells that the organ "makes a very abbreviated appearance in what little is known about the organ (serial #3765) shipped the [1933] Little Rascals film Fish Hookey and is probably on April 29, 1925, to G. Merritt Jones, Ocean Park, Calif. the organ that provided sounds for a number of Hollywood Thanks to mechanical music historian Dana Johnson, I was films, being identifiable by the reiterating Deagan Uniphone pointed to the National Carousel Association's Merry-Go- Bells on the front." Roundup, v. 24, no. 2 (Summer 1997) issue, which is devoted to the Santa Monica Bay amusement area, which It still isn't clear what happened to the band organ was, in its day as important as Coney Island. and where it was when that happened. But if Ed Schmidt's recollection of what Herbert Vincent saw is reliable, fire On page 7 is a photograph of that 180 band organ shown claimed the organ, as it did so many things in the Santa playing in the open air next to one of the several C.W. Monica Bay area. Parker carousels in the Santa Monica Bay area. (See below) Parker advertised "A new Three Horse Abreast Matthew Caulfield Carry-Us-All, #316, was purchased by G. Merritt Jones for placement in the Fun Palace, Ocean Park, Calif. It was shipped June 27, 1925, Wurlitzer style 180 organ furnished. Price $11,500. According to information on page 10 of the NCA article, the carousel was purchased by Harry Hargrave in 1929 and moved to the Venice Pier. Although the caption of the photograph on page 7 suggests that the scene shows the organ and carousel on the Venice Pier, the setting could equally well be its original Ocean Park location, especially because both the carousel and the organ are shown as very exposed to the elements, whereas later descriptions talk of the carousel being housed in a building.

AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 163 MEET THE YOUNGER GENERATION

Editor’s note: The following profile is part of this continuing series originated in the March – April 2014 Bulletin

ANDREW PARK Douglaston, NY I became interested in all types of mechanical music when I was about eight years old. Starting with my Tuneyville, a train from Tomy that I bought at an X. train store at the mall. The interesting part of it is it plays music via plastic discs (records on the ads.) Soon, at age nine, I went to FAO Toy Store, and I saw a Porter disc player, based on the 15.5" Regina. It plays "Phantom of the Opera." Soon, I went to the Museum of Industry in Waltham, MA. It was at the age of eleven. While there, I saw two mechanized instruments: One is a player piano, and the other is a push-up. I saw a perforated paper roll, thinking few years later that it is the same technology that is played on carousel organs. A few weeks later, I went to the carousel at Rye Playland, but I wasn't allow to touch the inner workings of the McDonough 165 organ, including the same paper roll format with holes! I've searched on Google: "carousel organ," "carousel music," and luckily I found the term: "Band Organ." I went to Matthew Caulfield's site to listen to music off of a 165 band organ. It hasn't stopped me. Then I went on carousels at different places: Canobie Lake, Prospect Park, X. Whallom Park, Six flags Great Adventure (English model,) and much more. I'm a musician. I played the piano, organ, squeezebox, and much more. And now, I'm up to arranging music for band organs. Plus, did you know that I'm a good piano tuner with a keen ear? My arranging started about 2009, when I arranged "How About Me" for the 125 scale! Later on in 2010, I've arranged "Home for Christmas" for the 165 scale with the late Rich Olsen. I bet you heard it, with that erratic missing bass drum. I have perfect pitch. It doesn't mean that it isn't perfect to just tune one note on a piano or a band organ. It means to me that I could tune Equal Temperament by ear in just seven minutes. I've tuned pianos inside and outside NY, including the piano training facility in Vancouver, WA. I know about history of standard pitch. My arrangements, such as "Big Bad Wolf," "Brand New Key" and "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes," will have an impact, especially lots of people will know about Disney, Bobby Vee in the 60s, Melanie just by hearing all of the songs, Wurlitzer style, B.A.B style, and much more. But don't count on B.A.B. Oh, and how about "Hot Diggity Dog," or "Espana?" Same tune. Editor’s note: Andy Park is currently doing arranging for the Wurlitzer 165 band organ scale. More information about his work can be seen here: http://www.nickelodeonhouse.net/Wurlitzer-Music-Rolls.html. The pictures above were taken by Vincent Morgan at a recent AMICA Chapter meeting at Bill Edgerton’s house who can be seen with Andy in the picture. Andy can be contacted at [email protected].

164 AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 NICKEL NOTES by Matthew Jaro

A Music Trade Press Reader’s History of the Ampico This column will present a short history of the Ampico as a reader of the Music Trades, Presto or the Music Trade Review would see it. I love doing this sort of thing because it presents history as a living thing rather than dull statistics and overwhelming details. Formation of the American Piano Company The first proof of the non-existence of the American Piano Company was in the March 23, 1895 issue of the Music Trade Review (MTR):

This at least shows that company was incorporated after 1895. The real news was an announcement made in the June 13, 1908 issues of MTR:

Imagine the impact this had at the time! Big manufacturers like Chickering and Knabe, forming a combination called the American Piano Company!

The Electrelle Player System In 1910, The American Piano Company acquires the rights to the Electrelle player-system. This was an electro-mechanical system. The Electrelle could be installed in any upright piano. They expanded this line with a lever-actuated manual expression control system for both electric and pneumatic models. An editorial in September, 1910 indicates that the path towards reproducing pianos in America was inevitable and the American Piano Company held recitals to demonstrate the Electrelle system:

Artigraphic Rolls On May 20, 1911, the American Piano Company signed an agreement with Hupfeld to cut their Autographic rolls featuring famous artists. By May 27, 1911 the name was changed to “Artigraph.” Either that, or the term “Autographic” was a typographical error, since Melville Clark cut Autographic rolls.

AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 165 During the year 1911, the American Piano Company was involved in a complex suit against the Knabe brothers, claiming that APC had exclusive rights to the name Knabe. I think that the Knabes lost the suit, but things were so complex, I’m not sure.

Flexotone Also in 1911, the American Piano Company tried to steal the name “Flexotone” which was used in 1908 by Frederick Ives. The American Flexotone was a part of their Electrelle players. The Flexotone was a hammer-rail with three positions in order to add nuances of dynamics. It looks like the American Piano Co. kept using the name.

Introduction of the Reproducing Piano The following appears in the June 24, 1911 MTR: Note the name “Stoddard” is misspelled. This article references a June 3, 1911 article which is extremely interesting because it fully describes the reproducing concept a year before the Ampico was announced. I think this is the first mention of the American Piano Co. reproducing piano in the trade press.

166 AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 Rythmodik Rolls In March of 1912, the Rythmodik rolls were introduced. These were developed by our own Charles Fuller Stoddard. These seem to be ordinary 88-note rolls, but Stoddard made marvelous claims for them. Below is a Rythmodik ad and a picture of Charles Stoddard.

An article in MTR discusses the Rythmodik roll – (here is a small sample of the article, 4/20/1912):

Here is a sample from an article discussing the patent for the Rythmodik roll.

Now, dear reader, was the Rythmodik really much better than the usual roll or was it just hype? Please let me know.

AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 167 The Stoddard-Ampico George C. Foster, the president of the American Piano Co. states in his book Sketches of My Life that he and Ernest Knabe went to Boston in the fall of 1907 to meet Stoddard “who invented an electric reproducing piano mechanism,” which the American Piano Company took control of and manufactured under the name “Ampico” (from Doug Hickling)

Finally, on August 10, 1912, this announcement appeared in the MTR:

Soon after, the rave reviews kept pouring in, like this one from Sydney Silber, the pianist:

There are those that say that the inspiration for the Ampico system was the Hupfeld Meisterspiel DEA. This is because many DEA performances were recoded into the Ampico format. Also, remember that the American Piano Company had an agreement with Hupfeld to cut their Artigraph rolls. The DEA was designed by Robert Frömsdorf and appeared in November, 1907. Hupfeld introduced the concept of splitting the piano into bass and treble sections in 1902.

Lewis B. Doman There is a theory floating around that Lewis B. Doman and not Charles Stoddard invented the Ampico system. Doug Hickling, in the December, 1994 AMICA Bulletin wrote an article entitled: Lewis B. Doman: Did He Invent the Ampico? He mentions that Harvey Roehl, in this book Player Piano Treasury, stated “Just who deserves credit for the basic development of the Ampico mechanism is not clear … “. However, I looked in my second edition of Harvey’s book and any such statement was changed so that Stoddard got full credit, while Doman was credited with working on some features (like the unit valves). Doug does go on to say that Mr. Doman never claimed to have invented the mechanism, he concludes that -- “While acknowledging that Doman may have designed the unit block valve and that he may have done some production engineering on the Ampico system during its manufacture, it would appear that the claims that Doman did the basic development work on the Ampico are unfounded.”

168 AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 As an AMICA member, you can go to the AMICA web site and read this very interesting article from the December, 1994 issue.

In my researches into the trade press, there is a reference to Lewis B. Doman in 1898 !!!

The Amphion system was very important to the Ampico history because that company manufactured the Ampico mechanism from around 1917 to 1928. The Amphion Company absorbed Doman’s work on the “Maestro”:

Clarence Hickman and the Ampico “B” Alf Werolin wrote an article for the AMICA Bulletin of June, 1976 where he discusses Clarence Hickman, a principal developer of the Ampico “B” system. Dr. Hickman was an honorary member of AMICA. – This article is also reprinted on the AMICA website. In 1924 the American Piano Company decided to establish a fully equipped research laboratory in the new Chickering Hall in New York under the direction of Charles Fuller Stoddard, the inventor of the Ampico. Mr. Stoddard realized the need for a physicist and mathematician in undertaking more advanced research in the operation of reproducing instruments. Thus Dr. Hickman was employed to work on the improvement of the Ampico as well as on other aspects of automatic piano manufacture and operation. Dr. Hickman's work brought a high degree of sophistication to player piano technology and resulted in two monumental accomplishments: the development of the Ampico dynamic recording machine; and the improved Model 'B' Ampico. These developments, and other improvements to both the piano and reproducing mechanisms are well described and illustrated in Larry Givens' book on the Ampico. It is apparent from reading this historical account that Dr. Hickman made an outstanding contribution to the development of this reproducing piano.

There are very few references to Clarence N. Hickman in the trade press. Most are for Art Hickman, an early jazz band leader. In 1928, Mr. Werolin (see below) and Dr. Hickman were invited to attend a reading of a paper on “An Acoustic Laboratory for the Testing of Music and Other Steel Wires” by William Braid White for the American Iron and Steel Institute! Interestingly enough, the same William Braid White wrote the influential book entitled Piano Playing Mechanisms, which discusses reproducing pianos in detail. You can see from this sort of thing how very important the piano business was in the 1920’s. In 1931, Dr. White writes about piano actions and cites Dr. Hickman:

I don’t think that Dr. Hickman would have approved of an action that was good enough for amateurs but not for professional musicians!

Edward S. Werolin Alf Werolin cited above, was the son of Edward S. Werolin. Edward was the service manager for the American Piano Company in the 1920’s. Alf gave a great deal of Ampico material to Richard Howe, who in turn donated it to the International Piano Archives at Maryland.

AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 169 Edward S. Werolin was referred to as Edwin S. Werolin in the trade press. I wonder which is correct. Anyway, Mr. Werolin achieved some fame by organizing Ampico service courses in 1924 and beyond, that were very successful.

A little offshoot of the training classes was reported in a 1925 edition of Presto:

Alf Werolin, Edwin’s son even attended a post-graduate course in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1926 and his picture appears in Presto. Most of the articles referenced the schools which were conducted all over the country for many years.

An AMPICO training class in Pittsburgh:

Sale to Aeolian In August of 1932, the Aeolian Corporation (makers of the Duo-Art system) bought out the American Piano Company: Now, ironically, two rival systems were under one ownership.

170 AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 The End of Ampico The last Ampico mechanisms were installed in spinet pianos known as “Baby Ampicos” in 1938. The last Ampico rolls were made in the factory in 1941. Aeolian-American resumed production of spinet player pianos in 1957. The combined corporation, Aeolian-American was acquired in 1959 by Winter & Co. It declared bankruptcy in 1985. Wurlitzer acquired the Chickering brand name. (Thanks to Art Reblitz for this bit of history).

Ampico Researchers Throughout the years there have been many researchers that have contributed greatly to the history and workings of the Ampico reproducing pianos. Richard Howe wrote many articles on the Ampico for the Bulletin and collected a great amount of material. Jeffry Morgan was also very prolific. The Evolution of the Ampico by Howe and Morgan describes how features were added to the models throughout time (AMICA Bulletin, Nov/Dec, 1991). Richard Howe also wrote an article, entitled The Early Days of Ampico which discusses patents and the results of a library search. It’s interesting that Dick Howe could only look through three years of the Music Trade Review and had to do so by physically going to the Lincoln Center Library in New York. Thanks to modern indexing I was able to go through all issues to find exactly what I was looking for. In addition, Bill Koenigsberg is very knowledgeable, having restored many pianos himself. There are many others, and I apologize for my failure to mention them. The Pianola Institute has an interesting website: http://www.pianola.org/reproducing/reproducing_ampico.cfm

Of course, there are the following references: • Larry Givens: Re-enacting the Artist: A Story of the Ampico Reproducing Piano, Vestal, N.Y.: Vestal Press, 1970. The Ampico Smokestack • Elaine Obenchain: The Complete Catalog of Ampico Reproducing Piano Rolls, New York: American Piano Co., 1977. ISBN 0-9601172-1-0 (Available online from the AMICA Website). • The Ampico A&B, Duo-Art and Welte Service Manuals have all been reprinted, as have the Ampico Service Manual 1929 and Twelve Ampico Roll Bulletins. • The AMICA Website: www.amica.org has a ton of AMPICO literature thanks to Terry Smythe. As always, please feel free to contact me at [email protected]

AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 171 THE THRILL OF RESEARCH by Terry Smythe

No, The Thrill of Research is not an oxymoron! The Magic missing a few issues. AMICAn John and Power of the Internet has turned the traditional research Motto-Ros came to the rescue and model on its head. While some research continues to be provided me with the missing issues. At done by poring through dusty old documents, reading every this time, there are 420 issues of AMICA page, trying hard to find the magic words, the Internet Bulletins on line available to all members. The most current now makes it possible to do a bulk of your research by 6 issues are there, but temporarily hidden to preserve their dramatically swifter means. physical printed integrity. As each new issue is delivered to members, a year old issue is revealed on-line. AMICA’s On-Line Research Library now contains: Original Literature had its beginning with my personal * AMICA Bulletins back to 1964, collection. Over time, other members kindly loaned * Original literature - ~1,100 to date, documents out of their personal collections. A few members * Music Trades - ~350 to date, ~260 issues to come, with computer skills, graciously scanned items out of their * Billings Rollography, personal collections for our library. At this time, there are * Obenchain AMPICO catalog, about 1,100 documents now on-line, ranging from roll * Purple Welte book, catalogs, instrument catalogs, owner manuals, promotional * Piano Playing Mechanisms, by William Braid White 1925, literature, books, illustrations, and trade journals, etc., all * History Of The Player by McTammany 1913, scanned into a searchable PDF format * Duo-Art Roll Catalog 1927. Music Trades was a weekly trade journal serving the music industry In addition to these resources on our AMICA site, these are from about 1890. It competed some interesting sites out there on the ‘Net, such as: with the Music Trade Review. Music Trades had a much smaller * Google Books - http://books.google.com/ circulation, so are significantly rarer * Google Patents - http://books.google.com/ today than Music Trade Review. * Associated Book Exchange - http://www.abebooks.com/ From time to time, occasional * eBay - http://www.ebay.com/ issues may be found on eBay, * HathiTrust Digital Library - http://www.hathitrust.org/ Craigslist and/or Kijiji. AMICA’s * Chronicling America - http://tinyurl.com/c9qry8k collection of Music Trades emerged * Internet Digital Archive - https://archive.org/ when I spotted a single issue * Project Gutenberg - http://www.gutenberg.org/ auction on eBay, which I bid on and * Musical Box Society International - http://www.mbsi.org lost. However, I contacted the vendor, who turned out to be a personal friend of long-time AMICAn Mike Montgomery, AMICA On-Line helping the family dispose of Mike’s collection. I learned that Resources Mike’s collection included Music Trades for the whole of 1925, so a favourable deal was negotiated and AMICA AMICA Bulletins back to 1964 emerged as I perceived I may acquired 54 issues. Sometime later, another issue emerged have been the only member with a reasonably complete on eBay which I bid on and won. I contacted the vendor and collection. This is what got me started on my journey to learned he had acquired a large collection in institutional create an On-Line Research Library for AMICA. As I worked bound volumes, each containing 26 issues. Again, a my way through scanning my collection, I discovered I was favourable deal was negotiated and AMICA and I jointly acquired the whole of that collection, about 600 issues. To date, about 350 issues have been scanned and posted on our site, with some 260 yet to be scanned. Billings Rollography is a significant research effort by Bob and Ginny Billings, who graciously donated their work to AMICA. Bill still had some of his original computer files, which dramatically accelerated the process of converting the printed volumes into searchable PDF computer files. Their research produced a huge catalog of piano rolls by the QRS company, and an additional chapter about the Tel-Electric piano and its brass rolls. The Obenchain AMPICO Catalog is the result of Elaine Obenchain’s research into music rolls produced by the

172 AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 American Piano Co. for the Ampico A music rolls manufactured for the Duo-Art piano. A copy and B pianos. This entered our turned up on ABE Books at a reasonable price and I scanned On-Line Research Library as a the whole of it for AMICAns, into a searchable PDF format. consequence of personal initiative by Aggregate of AMICA Research files is available to AMICA member Thad Kochanny who members who send through a small portable hard drive, realized that Elaine lived nearby. containing a 2.5” laptop type hard drive with a minimum Upon Thad’s visit to Elaine, she kindly capacity of 500 gigs. This service is provided as an option to agreed to let AMICA convert her an array of CD’s, each at $25, in exchange for a donation printed book into a computer file to AMICA of $100 or more, made payable to “AMICA available to AMICA members, into a International”, and mailed to AMICA’s International Treasurer. searchable PDF format. How to Access - Within your favourite browser, be it Internet The Purple Welte Book, as it is affectionately known, is the Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, or Google Chrome, all will accept creation of Charles Davis Smith. Its proper title is THE AMICA’s internet address - www.amica.org Once into the WELTE-MIGNON, ITS MUSIC AND front end of AMICA’s web site, a login and password are MUSICIANS. Over a period of some required, and both are posted in our AMICA Bulletin’s 6 years, AMICAn Charles Davis masthead page. Be sure to use them exactly as you Smith prepared this monumental see them, as both are “case” sensitive. These will be history of the companies and automatically requested by the site as you click on individuals who produced the Welte- “Members Only”. Once through that member only restricted Mignon and a catalog of all known portal, you are invited to browse through AMICA Bulletins Welte-Mignon rolls. In 1991, Charles On-Line, Historic Videos, Historic Audios, Annual Meetings, asked Richard Howe to supervise and Original Literature. The Original Literature segment the completion of this very important of our site is the heart of our On-Line Research Library, project. In 1994, AMICA was approached and agreed to wherein there is now a vast amount of raw data. fund its publication. 300 copies were printed by Vestal Press, and AMICA earned significant revenues from the project, What’s Coming In The Future? - As each fresh issue of our consistent with its goals and objectives. All 300 copies were AMICA Bulletin emerges, a year old issue will emerge into sold, no more will be printed. AMICA holds the copyright. A the menu. The most current one year of our Bulletins are year ago, perceiving a continuing need to broaden access to hidden so as to enhance intrinsic value of our current printed this fine publication, Richard approached me to determine issues. In addition to periodic fresh issues of our AMICA how best to re-issue the book. As the original typewriter Bulletin, the dominant most important additions will be some magnetic tapes were no longer available, and the original 260 issues of Music Trades, progressively uploaded into our negatives no longer acceptable to contemporary publishers, library as I scan them. From time to time, additional items it was decided to scan an original copy of the book. AMICAn may emerge from members loaning items out of their Dave Kerr kindly made available his copy, and over a period personal collections, the sort of items that got me started of about 6 months, I scanned the entire book, resulting in it building our library. It will only get better. now available as a series of searchable PDF files on our site. Internet Resources Piano Playing Mechanisms, by William Braid White, was Google Books, by virtue of USA Copyright laws, is limited published in 1925. It is a fine research resource containing to documents older than 1923. It is nevertheless much detail about player piano mechanisms in the a useful research period 1900 to 1925. A copy turned up on ABE Books at a resource. Visit the site, reasonable price and I scanned the whole of it for AMICAns, do a search and be into a searchable PDF format. pleasantly surprised. It History Of The Player by does have a puzzling John McTammany, published shortcoming. Visitors in 1913, was his assertion the from outside the USA are sometimes limited to “snippet view” he invented the player piano of desired documents. In such situations, may be useful to and wished to world to know. appeal to an AMICA member living in the USA to do the He printed 1,000 copies and search/download for you. It appears that Google looks at distributed them free of a visitor’s IP Address, and determines USA or otherwise, charge to the music industry. reason unknown. A signed copy turned up on Google Patents has no such restriction, a search will turn up ABE Books at a reasonable patents through to current date. It is an invaluable resource, price and I scanned the whole particularly when combined with searching through Music of it for AMICAns, into a searchable Trade Review and Music Trades, which both have a column PDF format. for recently approved patents. These news items normally The Duo-Art 1927 roll catalog was provide a patent number and the name of its holder. Aeolian’s final printed full catalog of Searching may be done by number, name, subject or keyword. AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 173 HathiTrust Digital Library is a digital preservation journals is where the repository for public domain content. Moderately useful as “THRILL” emerges as the some of its documents are title of this suggests. restricted to subscriber One never knows what institutions such as fascinating, interesting items university libraries.From will emerge while searching time to time, I have been for something else. Many successful at downloading members of AMICA are also documents for our library. members of MBSI. Extremely Chronicling America is a service provided by the Library useful resource, well worth of Congress, containing a vast quantity of American the price of membership if newspapers prior to 1923. Very useful search capability. not already a member. No doubt, there are other internet researches that I have discovered, so I would appreciate hearing from other researchers about what Internet Digital Archive, otherwise they have found out there on the ‘Net. I can be reached at: known simply as archive.org, has a [email protected] large quantity of pre-1923 documents. Software Tools Has a puzzling shortcoming, as some of its pre-1923 documents are visible, The full Adobe Acrobat is the preferred software utility but not downloadable. Moderately use- to scan documents directly into searchable PDF format. ful resource. There are numerous Acrobat copycats out there, but none provide all the essential features. The current full Acrobat XI Project Gutenberg is an is quite pricey at $350. The most current version is not interesting service, somewhat required for full functionality for our requirements. I have patterned after Peer-To-Peer, found that version 7 will do everything we need, and by supported by a large number chance, Adobe has recently made it available as a freebie, of subscribers worldwide who but with no support. I’ve been using version 7, 8 and 9 scan documents for it. Upon over past 8+ years and never felt the need for support. subscribing, free, you will Recently, Adobe discontinued support for Acrobat 7, Creative receive a weekly email containing a long list of documents Suite CS2, and PhotoshopCS2, all now legally freely scanned by its subscribers. Each list is large of an infinite available on Adobe’s web site: variety, so sometimes difficult to determine if there is anything useful. Moderately useful resource. http://www.adobe.com/downloads/cs2_downloads/index.html Musical Box Society International, a sister association to or AMICA, has within its on-line research library, all of its http://tinyurl.com/d9mehtr own journals (Mechanical Music), the Music Trade Review weekly trade journal, and Presto, another weekly trade You will be required to setup an account if you do not journal. Both trade journals already have one. Don’t worry, it’s free and safe. You may served the music industry have to send this link a second time to turn up an Adobe 1885 to about 1945. The page inviting “I Agree” or “I Do Not Agree”. You will agree, Music Trade Review and of course. For our purposes, all I need are Acrobat 7 and Photoshop CS2, both downloadable off Adobe’s site for free, as an executable installation. Click on the .exe files and follow the on-screen instructions. On Adobe’s site, alongside each, are the critical registration keys. Do not forget to capture them also. Adobe’s free Acrobat Reader has significant shortcomings Presto are huge research from our viewpoint. It will only provide for searching, extract resources, perhaps more so text, display pages and print pages. It does not provide for than our own collection of Music extracting full pages in a variety of formats, creation of Trades in its present state. searchable PDF files from a scanner, assembly of PDF files There is likely about a 25% from computer files, creation of a search index, nor reduced content duplication within all PDF file size. For research purposes, the free Acrobat 3 trade journals, but a wealth Reader is not recommended. of information otherwise. In practice, most any scanner can scan documents up to 8 Searching through these 1/2” x 11”, and provide for a variety of DPI/colour settings. As

174 AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 I routinely scan documents, with some form of ultimate Microsoft has seen fit to make available a free utility publication in mind, I decide for every pages whether to scan (FileConverter.exe), available within their Downloads section in colour or B&W. All scanning done at a minimum 400dpi of Microsoft.com for high resolution. If the original document carries an Microsoft Word is a recommended text editor for eventual illustration, best to select “Descreening ON” to minimize risk publication because the common desktop publishing of a “moire” effect emerging, to be avoided at all costs for software is compatible with the ability to import such files, publication. The Acrobat interface provides a clickable retaining all file attributes, such as italics, bold, underline, selection for “Maximum quality” and “Run OCR”. Pay etc. Legal copies of Microsoft Office 2003 is routinely attention to “Save As” following each page scanned. Acrobat available off eBay at a very modest price. Within the Office defaults into stuffing every scan into memory, no temporary Suite is WORD, a highly recommended text editor. files. If by chance, your computer fails for some reason during the scanning process, all pages not saved will be lost Computer Equipment forever and must be repeated. Some pages containing an illustration of some sort may emerge containing a “moire” Over the years I have used both Windows and a Mac. I’m effect, in which case, rescan the page with “Descreening” currently wedded to Windows, not because its better, but my turned ON. Mac no longer supports PowerPC, denying access to my older scanners and printer, both work just fine with Photographs for our AMICA Bulletin should be submitted Windows 8. My main computer is a home assembled in their original unedited format/size. Please do not resize machine, reasonably powerful, 16 gigs of memory, 4.0 Ghz down to the size seen in print. Our Editor, in dealing with CPU, 2 C: drives containing Win7 and the other Win8 in SSD such resized photos, is faced with having to “Turn a sow’s format, all my files are in a pair of 2TB hard drives and my ear into a silk purse.”, a very difficult, time consuming backup in an external 3TB hard drive, and a matched pair of process. Same applies to scanning printed photos for same 27” monitors. The matched pair of Benq 27” monitors is likely purpose. Rule - high resolution needed. the best investment I’ve made for computer hardware, really Adobe Photoshop is included within the array of free CS2 find them useful. software off Adobe’s web site as above. It is an excellent graphics editor, does most everything needed for eventual publication. I also use PaintShopPro9, an old timer that s urprisingly happens to do a few functions better than Photoshop. Many, many illustrations extracted (scanned) from old catalogs require extensive editing to bring them up to reasonably good quality for publication. Original catalogs were nearly always printed with black ink on white paper that has aged to a yellowish color. Best to scan such My main scanner is an old Epson GT15000 large format documents in greyscale, makes for smaller files and easier (11 x 17), that fortunately is USB connection (and a useless editing, again at a minimum of 400dpi. LPT1 port). AMICAn Milton Schenk found it in a recycle bin, dirty, not working. On good terms with the proprietor, he Many digital cameras default into a low resolution (72dpi) as appealed for it, got it as a gift. He cleaned it up, got it working a means of increasing the quantity of photos that may be and donated it to AMICA through me. It has served me saved on a small SD media card that ordinarily comes boxed faithfully for many years, like some 50,000+ scans to date. In with a camera when new. The cost of media is dramatically its day, it was high-end, priced at about $1,500. Working inexpensive, making high capacity media cards very used ones can sometimes be found on eBay for couple affordable. A 32gig SD card is recommended, making it hundred dollars, very good value. possible to set your camera to store as few photos as possible (highest possible resolution). Knowing this scanner will die one day, I have been watching for an option to appear. While in a local Staples store Even after careful scanning, some adjustments in brightness recently, I spotted an Epson WF-7510 Large Format 11 x 17 /contrast/straighten/crop/increased resolution/Gaussian All-In-One for sale, as an Open-Box, for $99. As a scanner, it Blur/sharpen more, etc., may all be needed to bring an produces results as good as the Epson Gt15000. As a illustration up to good quality for publication. Best to printer, it leaves much to be desired, so I rarely use it for experiment with these software tools to learn how to use printing. When my GT15000 dies, it will be put into use, them effectively. dominantly for the hundreds of issues of old Music Trades As with Acrobat and Photoshop, document software, such as that AMICA acquired for our On-Line-Research Library. Microsoft Word need not be the most current version. Word Recently, an AMICAn in the southern US acquired another is a recommended text editor because it is favoured by the working GT15000 for less than $100, excellent value, watch desktop publishing software such as QuarkXpress and for similar items on eBay. InDesign. The most common is Microsoft Office 2003, which I don’t do a lot of printing, but for that I have an Epson is ordinarily incompatible with most current version of Artisan 837, a first rate All-In-One. It produces very high Microsoft Office (.docx vs .doc). However, in its wisdom, quality prints on Kodak photo quality paper for ink-jet.

AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 175 Knowing it too will die one day, I found another refurbed 837 WHY? off Epson’s Clearance web site for less than $100, excellent AMICA is guided by the following goals and objectives as value. For this printer, I have modified it with a Continuous extracted from our By-Laws: Ink System (CIS), with 6 bottles of ink sitting beside it with enough ink for a whole year, far superior to those dinky little ARTICLE II, OBJECTIVES ink cartridges. Document Preparation (b) To promote the acquisition and distribution of instruments, recordings, and technical and historical The process of research ofte n follows a variety of unrelated information concerning these instruments paths over time. This is often where the “thrill” emerges, as research in one direction often exposes additional (g) To educate the public about the historical and cultural unexpected results, always positive. Best to keep notes in significance of automatic outline form, sort of what you might produce as a Powerpoint musical instruments. slide presentation and have raw research nearby. Eventually it all comes together in a coherent manner. A topic of choice may seem somewhat overwhelming at first, but the trick is to AMICA will not ever have “Eat that elephant a meal at a time.” the resources to maintain a When scanning original documents as a source for research, physical library or Museum, into Acrobat for PDF format, be aware that Acrobat’s internal it supports these goals OCR engine is not perfect. Spelling errors will emerge. Help dominantly by means of articles is at hand with my old Microsoft Word 2003. Once scanned in our official AMICA Bulletin into PDF format, the text within can be selected/extracted journal, and by books. In recent and put into use as part of a research paper. But first pass it years, AMICA has supported through WORD and let its spell checker find the few OCR the publication of the Purple errors that emerge. I have found this approach to work quite Welte book, Violin Playing reliably. Machines, and the Encyclopedia of Disk Music Boxes. Other books underway include the Encyclopedia of Organettes, The full Acrobat has a great feature that is extremely helpful and the Encyclopedia of American Coin Pianos. All emerged in all research. For example, useful documents found on the from the kind of research discussed here. ‘net, or in our own research library, that contains numerous useful images. Acrobat provides for extraction of a page out All emerge in permanent printed form, adding to the body of of a PDF document into JPG format at up to 1200dpi. I have research in support of our commitment to the preservation of found that extraction at 600dpi works very well for research a unique slice of musical heritage. purposes, 1200dpi adds very little extra quality. Once a page is extracted in JPG format, it can then be passed through Photoshop for further enhancement processing for publication. I ordinarily make good use of straighten, crop, brighten/contrast, resize to higher resolution, GaussianBlur, SharpenMore, et al. The list of graphic editing tools is enormous, well worth learning how to use them. Again, the free Adobe Photoshop CS2 does everything needed. WORD is an excellent editor for developing the text part of your research paper. Absolutely do NOT embed your pictures into your text. Do indicate where a specific image file is to be placed. For publication purposes, desktop publishing software really likes a WORD documents, preferably in the .doc format (not the more recent .docx format). Desktop publishing software such as QuarkExpress or Adobe InDesign, both import .doc files very well, fully retaining all attributes such as bold, italics, underline, centering, indent, etc. They do not like embedded images, which all too often get really messed up in the import process. When providing an article or research paper to our AMICA Editor, best to send it through as a ZIP package containing the text file and all the companion pictures in their full size format. Absolutely do not resize pictures down to what you This article emerged from my workshop at the AMICA expect them to appear in print. 2014 convention in Fresno, CA...... ts

176 AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 TUBING A LATE STEINWAY DUO-ART GRAND PIANO by Mike Walter

About a year ago a friend of ours asked if we might be interested in having a late Steinway Duo-Art grand piano temporarily added to our musical instrument collection. We said “Sure” and it was brought over to our home and set up. The piano turned out to be a Steinway XR (6’2”) with an electric roll drive, sold in 1933. We found out that the piano had some work done to the player mechanism probably 20 years previously, but there were some inconsistencies with its operation in the spool box area.

After consulting with some Duo-Art experts, I found out that the Control Box in “our” piano was one of four possible devices, although there were no known tubing diagrams for any of the late model control boxes. It was suggested that I contact Bill Koenigsberg, for he had the same sized instrument from the same time period. I contacted Bill and spoke to him about “our” instrument and we discovered that both of our instruments were made in the Steinway factory at approximately the same time (by comparing the work numbers stamped onto the various parts of the instruments as they were made and assembled: J2054 and J2056). Bill suggested that I take notes on where the tubes from our piano’s control boxes went and then send the notes to him. (When Bill retubed his piano all the tubes were original and intact and it was an easier project to just replace the tubing. He thought that someone somewhere had a tubing diagram that could be consulted, if necessary.)

Bill discovered that by physically tracing the tubing, there were some surprises that he had forgotten. But all is now well. Both Steinway Duo-Arts are operating in the manner that they were intended to operate and no blood was shed in the process.

Attached is a tubing guide that Bill thought someone had made many years ago. Little did he know that he would play an important part in the process of making it.

ABOUT THE DIAGRAMS

The diagrams were made using MS Word, which seemed sufficient for this project. The small “o” indicates a tracker bar sized nipple coming out of the small or the main valve block.

The larger indicates a nipple larger than a tracker bar sized nipple.

When the main valve block is unscrewed from the metal back plate of the assembly, one is confronted with 17 tubes all connected to a wooden box that is approximately 5” x 2” x 3”. The box can be tilted forward a certain amount for limited access but no clear comfortable view is available. That is why I chose the “X-Ray view from the front of the Control Box” format. Using this method, one can identify where all the nipples are located, albeit they are behind the box.

Many thanks are given to Mel Septon, Geoffrey Kaiser and especially Bill Koenigsberg for their assistance in making this article possible.

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About the author: Mike Walter has had a love affair with player pianos since 1954 when a 1918 family heirloom "Sears & Roebuck" (Beckwith) was moved into his family's Dining Room. The original player mechanism finally died about 1976 and with a bit of guidance from two new-found friends, he was able to rebuild the player and it's still working today. He and his wife were introduced to the SOWNY Chapter of AMICA in 1976 and have had active roles at the local and international levels since that time. From the original Beckwith, they have enlarged their collection to include nickelodeons, player grands, jukes and other nickel grabbers. He can be reached at: [email protected].

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AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 177 178 AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 PIANO PROMOTIONAL LETTER OPENERS by John Mottoros

Collecting is a form of some kind of disease that has no boundaries on age or gender. The only cure might be lack of funds or death. As I get older, I want the things I collect to be somewhat useful and from which I get great enjoyment.

Many of us collect music rolls for the enjoyment of the music they provide, a very good reason! Additionally, I prefer them not behind a door, but to display them like reading a book – touching and feeling! It does take a lot of space to display everything, but they can be rotated.

Several years ago I purchased a letter opener labeled Davenport – Treacy Piano Co, from a friend who purchased it at a paper show. My wife and I use it almost every day along with a Wurlitzer opener. Others have been purchased from ebay, AMICA marts, and via a friend who finds them at paper shows. Since there are more than one place where mail gets opened, they are spread around and get used. I won’t buy more than I can use, as that would be called “collecting”!

The pictures show some of the most interesting openers from my collection. They are typically about 9 inches long, and some have a folding knife to cut string. Two have celluloid handles. They were manufactured during the early 1900’s as promotional items. All are in very good condition.

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Editor’s note: John Mottoros proudly admits to being a lifelong chronic collector. He is past president of AMICA, proprietor of Johnny’s Music Rolls, and may be reached at [email protected].

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AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 179 180 AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 MY PISTON OPERATED PLAYER by Steve Bentley

Around 1972, I was in an antique store in North Vancouver When machining the pistons which were and saw my first player piano. I was fascinated, not so much 1 1/2" x 1/2" deep; care had to be taken by it playing, but the mechanism of the roll motor and driving machining with small cuts at a time, oth- the roll with its gears and chains. I was determined to have erwise the heat build-up caused the del- one of these. rin to increase in diameter, and at first had to wait to cool to Memory fades in remembering how I learnt more about room temperature for an accurate measurement. Player Pianos, but I soon ended up on the 'doorstep' of The ship I was working on at the time had a small "South Doyle Lane's establishment on Dunbar, Vancouver. He had a Bend lathe". All the machining for this project had to be done fine collection of instruments and was also reconditioning in my spare time off watch, when working a normal twelve older players with at least two assistants. hour day. I had purchased a small upright non player in 197l..... a The cylinder heads were machined with a protrusion in Weber, made in Kingston, Canada. This was in excellent the centre to locate later when mounting in the racks. A condition, and when playing it, the touch and response of the necessary groove with an "0" ring for the outside cyl. head piano action is one of the best I have ever encountered, seal, and a gland with "0" ring made for the push rod in the noting the height of the black keys relative to the white keys. centre. I acquired special "0" ring 'grease', the vapor of This should be a "standard" but in many pianos, it is not the which affected my eyes whilst working under the keyboard. I case. made small springs to use on the top of the pistons, for fast On my research in this time period, I learnt of the "Boyd response, especially when the roll was playing 'tremolo Pistonola" player piano, and that gave me an idea to make notes. I should have made more tests in this regard as it one myself. Little did I know then what it really would entail. might not be necessary to have them fitted. One reason is I chose from experiment and calculation, 1 1/2" brass that slightly more operating vacuum is required for the piston tubing, which would have a force on the piston of 1.3lbs. at operation To remove them now would be a "nightmare" 20" H20 vacuum. The problem was to obtain the brass The vacuum for normal playing is 21" to 24" H20. tubing at a reasonable cost. In the hardware stores in those I had visions of trying to make the 'piston player' without days, the brass tubing for plumbing of around 12" long was using valves. about 5 to 6 dollars each. I scouted most of the local scrap For the above, I used a 3" diameter copper tube with dealers with no result. Some dealers had short tubes but suitable mounting plates in each end to attach to the base of damaged. I spent more time 10 miles away at a few dealers the bottom piston rack. 90 half inch holes were drilled for the in that area, and was just about to give up, and tried one last brass nipples for the hoses between the pistons and this rough looking place. The owner, who reminded me of Fagin, vacuum chamber. Hose elbows of 1 1/4" diameter were fitted (and dressed like him,) in the 1948 movie "Oliver Twist." He at both ends of the 3" tube. Using two, with the "tee" for the had a 14ft. long brass tube in perfect condition, plus some vacuum motor, were for better equalization of the vacuum in shorter pieces in good condition, which gave me enough the chamber. This system was changed in favor of using material. valves produced by Doyle Lane, as mentioned below. First experiments were good, but the long run to the bass keys from the tracker bar, caused problems. In trying to dispense with valves, I fitted caps at the base of the cylinders for the tubing from the tracker bar. Machining 88 'caps' with "0" ring seals had then been a waste of time. I have still left them fitted to the cylinders. I should have spent more time in the experimental stage. I had two mounting racks made by a machine shop for the fitting of the piston/cylinders assemblies underneath the keyboard. With using 1 1/2 dia. cylinders on the two racks the spacing to operate the piano action worked out just fine. With this system, all the push rods are offset to align with the piano action which is 1/2" apart for each key. For example: every fourth cylinder is in its own line, 22 in line say at the View of the cylinder removed to show the piston top front rack .... 22 at the rear top. 22 front lower rack and and cyclinder head. so on. Total 88. Prior to assembly of the racks, I had to mark the distance of I had a machine shop cut the tubing in a lathe, 3" long, using each Key on the bed of the keyboard. A metal strip with a a collet chuck.. For the pistons and both cylinder head & 3/4" wood backing was screwed to the underside of the key base, I used 'Delrin' 1 5/8" Diameter, (then machined to fit bed. The piano action and all the keys were removed to do the cylinders) which is a composition of Nylon & Teflon. this. The holes were then drilled through the key bed then AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 181 Upper and lower piston racks. through the metal strip. The metal strip for the correct hole spacing was then used as a template. This was then used to View of the slave rods from the piston rack. drill the holes for mounting the pistons, with the two racks (One key was removed to show the detail.) clamped together. From this spacing, lines were scribed to To attach the tubing to the tracker bar, I had to use many offset the cylinders. books to act as a stand to rest the roll frame on; almost to Short "slave" rods approx. 2 1/2'' long with a small the height where it is to be attached to the key bed. delrin cap on top, used to hold in place and lost motion The linkages made from brass rods to operate the speed, adjustment. These were fitted with the piano action governor control and rewind took many hours as this was removed, and later adjusted for the lost motion, with really 'new' territory. the action in place. The piston push rods were connected I obtained from the Vestal Press, the Gulbransen Service with a rubber tube coupling to the slave rods. Manual. This gives the detail and adjustment of the fishing The racks were then fitted using threaded rods, and for pole mechanism and the roll motor. The valve adjustment practical purposes, every cylinder assembly had to be fitted and timing on the motor rotary valves is very critical. The individually and held in place by two 'allen' screws in the Gulbransen motor has six pneumatics arranged in three cylinder head. This was tedious work, working underneath pairs controlled by Two Rotating valves. the keyboard, to make sure each push rod and the offset Testing: Using an 88/note test roll, everything worked fine ones lined up correctly. with regards to the piston action and also using a roll with I had a board made up to accommodate all the 88 note tremolo. Only fine adjustments to the governor and linkages valves purchased from Doyle Lane, and a vacuum control were made for tempo and re/roll speed. The tempo has a cut out for rewinding. As the piano was not the player type potentiometer control and electrical circuit/control box. there was not enough depth to mount the roll frame in front This "Project" took around 18 months including overhauling of the piano rail. This then was mounted under the right the Gulbransen motor and the Roll mechanism. To complete hand side of the keyboard; behind this are the governor and one piston/cylinder/pushrod assembly, took around two and the roll motor. The last two items are made by Gulbransen half hours...... the tracking device is the fishing pole type, which is very reliable. Maintenance is required to keep the friction wheels Steve Bentley, North Vancouver, BC. Canada of this device clean from oil and dirt. Doyle gave me the roll [email protected] assembly, governor and roll motor. He had lots of parts in this regard, gathering dust on the shelf.

View of the Gulbranson roll frame. The long piston below is for View of my 88note piston operated player piano, Re-Roll, if the roll has a re-roll perforation. made from a conventional upright piano in 1973.

182 AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 THE RISE AND FALL OF THE H.C. BAY PIANO COMPANY by Bryan S. Cather

My own interest in player pianos was helped along significantly as a youngster when, in the mid-1970s, an older cousin in central Oklahoma inherited his grandmother's Drachmann player piano and got it up and running. In addition to helping fan the flames of my interest, my curiosity about how the piano worked led to the beginnings of an understanding of the inner workings of these machines. To satisfy my persistent and annoying curiosity, my cousin shared what he knew about the piano and how it worked, including that it was manufactured by the H.C. Bay Company. Fast forwarding over the next forty years or so finds me, after having made my living restoring players for a while, spending a good amount of my available time researching and writing on a wide variety of historical subjects. It has been my repeated experience that, when researching one topic, it is common to find information pertinent to another, unrelated topic of interest. Such was the case when, some time ago, working on another project, when I found myself scouring an online archive of Oklahoma newspapers. On one page of an Oklahoma City newspaper from the mid-1920s, a music store ad mentioned Drachmann pianos available at attractive prices. At the time, I made a mental note that this store may have been where my cousin's grandparents purchased their piano, and that at some point I should look into it further. The closer look I eventually took was far more interesting than I would otherwise have expected.

The H.C. Bay Piano Company began in 1909 as the Chicago Piano Bench Company. Under the leadership of Harry Christensen Bay, a native of Denmark born in 1869, the firm prided itself in being able to exactly match any piano finish, likely based in part of Bay's previous experience and skill in the furniture finishing industry. By the early 'teens the Chicago Piano Bench Company offered an extensive line of specially-constructed benches suitable for player pianos, and, toward the end of 1913 began building pianos under the Drachmann name in company's Lake street plant. In April of that year, a Music Trade Review article announced that the Drachmann Piano Compa- ny, with Bay as president, had acquired the rights to the Sonorus Player Action Company of Minneapolis, and would incorporate its action into their pianos. Sonorus president B.K. Settergren became superintendent of the new firm's Chicago plant. By 1915, the Chicago Piano Bench Company had formally changed its name to the H. C Bay Piano Company, reflecting a shift in the firm's focus. The new firm quickly outgrew its Chicago space, and, in January 1917 acquired the Bluffton, Indiana factory of the recently defunct King piano company. With this acquisition, the H.C Bay Company was positioned to become a major manufacturer of pianos and player pianos. By employing both the latest and best machinery and encompassing the most up-to-date production techniques, the H.C. Bay company and its Bluffton factory became a model for efficiency in the piano field. Focusing on a “one-style, one-grade” marketing concept, offering only the “basic” Drachmann piano and the “higher-grade” H.C. Bay “Solo-Concerto” piano each in only one style, the firm was able to keep unsold inventories low, thereby helping reduce the ultimate retail price.

AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 183 One notable early variant to this “one-style, one-grade” concept was the introduction in 1917 of the “Drachmann Key Control Player Piano” This short-lived offering did away with the usual key slip levers for controlling the player action, instead, through a complex system of levers, allowed for the same functions to be performed by several of the piano's black keys when the player action was in use. The “Drachmann Key Control Player Piano”, despite heavy advertising to the trade, does not seem to have been a success, for no mention of it appears in trade publications after about 1918. The author has never seen one of these pianos, and would welcome the opportunity to examine one. Please see the patent drawings at the end of this article for more discussion of the Drachmann Key Control Player Piano

By the early 1920s, the H.C. Bay company was doing well. The factory in Bluffton was expanded, and the firm began making its own piano actions and wound bass strings, after purchasing the machinery to do so from the John Church Co, makers of the Everett piano. Ultimately, virtually every component of the firm's product was manufactured on-site, helping to keep costs to a minimum.

However, market pressures were soon to spell trouble for the industry. A postwar buying boom following World War I ended, beginning a decline in overall player piano sales as the market began to reach saturation. This saturation, combined with increasing competition from the musically versatile, affordable and more compact phonograph, and from changes in home life and leisure time resulted in decreased piano and player piano sales, industry-wide in the early to mid-1920s. The situation worsened toward the end of that decade as radio dramatically increased its market share. Many firms sought to diversify in response to these pressures. Some manufacturers incorporated phonographs or even radios into their player pianos, while others developed a phonograph or radio manufacturing subsidiary.

The H. C Bay firm chose instead to expand its product line, introducing first a small, affordable grand piano, called the “Nita Grand”, in 1922, followed over the next few years by the introduction of several new styles of upright pianos, available in a variety of different sizes, models and choices of finish. By 1927, the firm had completely abandoned its “one-style, one-grade” policy and offered an extensive line of upright and grand pianos in both standard and art cases, as well as the “H.C. Bay Reproducing Piano”, a small grand fitted with a player action equipped to play the recordo-coded rolls issued by QRS and others. Still, this diversification of the Bay Company’s product line, even combined with the dramatic production efficiency provided by its factories in Bluffton, could not make up for lagging sales.

In a natural extension of the idea employed at the Bluffton factory of controlling all aspects of production in-house, the decision was made in the latter part of 1927 to open a number of retail outlets, as well as to dramatically expand wholesaling facilities in New York City. The idea that by efficiently controlling every aspect from initial production to retail sale and even delivery to the customer, the company could not only remain competitive but capture a larger part of the dwindling market made this new expansion very appealing.

184 AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 However, this retail expansion proved to be both too much too fast, and too little too late. Money borrowed to fund the retail and wholesale expansion could not be paid back as revenue from piano sales continued to decline, even as the first of the new retail showrooms opened in Chicago and elsewhere. The rapid expansion into the sales end of the business came too late to save the firm. Bills continued to mount in the early months of 1928, and, finally in June of that year the H.C. Bay Piano Company filed for bankruptcy. Harry C. Bay, apparently shaken by the ordeal, checked himself into the famous Kellogg Sanitarium in Battle Creek Michigan, as creditors and bankruptcy trustees poured over the firm's books. Eventually the factory was allowed to finish a number of pianos “in process” while other unsold pianos and other assets, including the factory itself, were sold to satisfy creditors. In what was perhaps a last-ditch effort to continue production, Harry C Bay withheld from bankruptcy investigators information regarding the value of property the company owned in Bluffton, including the factory as well as several smaller properties in town, ultimately resulting in Bay's indictment by the Chicago grand jury charged with investigating his actions related to the firm's demise. After the Bankruptcy of the firm that bore his name, Harry C Bay retired from the piano business entirely, and died in Oak Park Illinois at the age of 65 on July 27, 1934

POSTSCRIPT B.K. Settergren, who had come to the Bay firm with the acquisition of the Sonorus player action, formed the B.K. Settergren Co. in Bluffton, in 1923, to build small grands exclusively. What specific role Settergren may have played in the development of the “Nita Grand” for the Bay Co. is unknown, but his departure shortly after its debut raises questions. The Settergren Co survived in Bluffton well into the 1930s.

Drachmann Key Control Patent Drawings In examining the patent drawings for the Drachmann Key Control system shown below, it seems that, when the lever was moved extending the player treadles, a series of levers and devices in the key bed disengaged certain keys from the piano action, while at the same time engaging these same keys with various control mechanisms for the player action. Given the mechanical complexity of such a design, it is easy to understand why this system was not successful

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About the author: A Texas native, Historian Bryan Cather has called St Louis home for the past decade. With a background in local history, ragtime music and vintage technology, he divides his time between continuing his education, work at the Scott Joplin House State Historic Site, historical research and promoting ragtime music in St Louis. In recent years he has become a sought-after speaker at ragtime music festivals across the US, and has developed a reputation for tenacious and detailed research. A devoted fan of both ragtime music and player pianos, Bryan particularly enjoys opportunities to share his interest and enthusiasm with others. He can be reached at [email protected],

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AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 185 J.P. SEEBURG: SEVENTY YEARS OF INNOVATION (PART ONE) by John D. Rutoskey

The Origin of This Article For the 2013 MBSI annual meeting held in Chicago, I was asked to present a workshop on the history of the J.P. Seeburg Piano Company and its products. I was happy to do it, as I have always been a devoted fan of Seeburg coin-operated pianos. Actually, it was the later Seeburg “jukeboxes” that began my interest long ago in the company and its product line of music-producing equipment. Both to me are just as interesting, and I have collected and restored all types of Seeburg instruments for many years. My personal collection contains examples of some of the earliest Seeburg pianos, as well as 1930s through 1970s coin-operated phonographs, all the way up to the last 45 rpm vinyl record model Seeburg made before ending production in 1979. My original lecture was subtitled “Twenty Years of Innovation”, but given the chance to author this article, I decided to go further with the later history of Seeburg, and re-title it to “Seventy Years of Innovation.” While certainly this essay starts with the earlier developments of the piano company and its products from about 1909 to 1929, I will unapologetically include much detailed information about Seeburg phonographs as well, taking us through fifty more years, ending in 1979. Seeburg was first on the market with many great innovations in the coin-operated music industry, while others only copied. This is very important information about the company’s entire story, which overall is really the scope of this article. I suppose you could say I endeavor to tell the company history of Seeburg as seen through its products. Before proceeding any further, I must state that the original lecture from which this article was created was never meant to become a printed piece. However, my workshop presentation brought several favorable and flattering comments. Eventually, I was asked if I would be interested in preparing the material as an article to be published by AMICA. While presenting, I used only brief notes, and very little was written down. I wanted the workshop to seem free-styled and informal, and not have the appearance of just reading words on a page. The lecture was illustrated with photographs using a Power Point presentation as I spoke, glancing at my notes briefly between slide changes. So, to prepare an actual article a lot of writing had to be done. I owe a great deal of gratitude to others who have helped compose this essay, gather and check facts, provide photographs, etc. Most of the material you will read here on Seeburg’s piano era was supplied to me and merely edited by myself to the confines of the article, and with that I must thank Art Reblitz for nearly all of the technical data and research. He has collected and organized huge amounts of data pertaining to Seeburg pianos, and was only gracious enough to lend much of it here for publication. Additionally, Mr. Reblitz, who is today perhaps the most well-known and respected author and restorer in the field of mechanical music, with legendary noted historian and author Q. David Bowers, are creating the most complete volume on the subject of coin-operated pianos ever assembled. To Art Reblitz’ research, Bowers has added incredibly detailed history gleaned from a lifetime of study and the digitization of several music trade publications, sponsored by NAMM (The National Association of Music Merchants). The Reblitz-Bowers Guide to Coin-Operated American Pianos and Orchestrions is currently nearing the layout stage, and will be doubtless the most complete and beautiful work on the subject to date. It does not need to be said that every coin-operated piano enthusiast will want to own a copy. After my lecture was completed, I had prepared a nine-page handout to be given at the door to each workshop attendee when they exited. It contained data facts and figures relating to dating Seeburg pianos by serial number, different brands of pianos Seeburg used over the years, a timeline of mechanical and cosmetic design changes, technical variations in design, and other such highly detailed statistics. By courtesy of Art Reblitz, who over many decades of study has compiled and made available this data to the public for use, I was permitted to publish this information into the handout. Because this data is available freely online at the Mechanical Music Press web site, it will not be reproduced here. This site has grown tremendously over the past few years by the enormous efforts of Terry Hathaway, who has designed layouts, organized data, enhanced photographs digitally with fine results, and also maintains the site. He has a great deal of respect from me for his work, both on the current site, and his past experience and work on the subject of mechanical musical instruments dating back for decades. Interested readers are referred to the incredible web site at www.mechanicalmusicpress.com to see the Seeburg data referred to here, plus hundreds of other articles, stories, data, and photographs relating to automatic pianos, orchestrions, band organs, roll data, and much more.

Please visit the web site and take note of the Mechanical Music Registry there. This portion of the site is dedicated to keeping records on known instruments of many different brands, not only Seeburg. Mr. Reblitz has done an unbelievable job documenting many hundreds of coin pianos over the past four decades, taking detailed notes and photographs about their changing mechanical features and cosmetic differences, and publishing it all for anyone to view. You can also submit your own pianos to be included in the registry. Do yourself a favor and go spend a few hours there!

186 AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 J.P. Seeburg, an Industry Leader J.P. Seeburg was an innovator in the field of coin-operated pianos, and the history of his company is an interesting one. The following is a study of its first twenty years during the era of coin piano production, including a view of the later years of phonograph production and their design innovations. It began producing coin-operated pianos for public use beginning in 1909. Sales were immediate and very successful. Simpler, keyboard-style upright pianos were first, followed soon by more ornate cases with art glass, and then larger orchestrions began to be made in 1912. Seeburg soon became a respected leading company in the area of automatic coin pianos. Seeburg had natural artistic inclinations, which were also further improved with a formal art education, and this attribute combined well with his business acumen. During the first two decades of the twentieth century, the company built attractive, very musical, well-engineered products, and enjoyed great success. J.P. Seeburg was born Justus Percival Sjöberg on April 20, 1871 in Gothenburg, Sweden and was educated at Chalmers Technical School, graduating in 1887. At the young age of 16, he immigrated to American by boat, settling in the Chicago area, hoping to find better work opportunities which were sometimes scarce in his home country. At some point the spelling of his surname was altered to “Seeburg” perhaps in an apparent effort to make it more pronounceable to people of the United States. Seeburg found work in the Smith & Barnes Piano Company in Chicago as an J. P. Seeburg, shown here in a apprentice, thereby increasing his skills in the piano business. He remained with that publicity photo, which was first firm for a few years before moving on to the Bush & Gerts Piano Company. After this, published in 1914. he moved on to the Conover Piano Company (later, becoming The Cable Company). At Conover, he was the manager in charge of production of one of their house brand pianos, the Kingsbury, and Seeburg stayed at Conover for eight years. In 1892, Seeburg became a citizen of the United States of America, and in 1895 he met and married his bride, Adalfine Bylander, who was also from Sweden, and were then living in Rockford, Illinois. In 1903, Seeburg formed a piano action company with a partner, Fred Kurtz, supplying piano actions and parts for regular pianos to the trade. For reasons unknown today, Seeburg did not stay with the Kurtz-Seeburg Action Company, having only been involved in it for approximately two years, until sometime in early 1905. By 1907, the name had been changed to the Kurtz Action Company, as evidenced from articles in trade papers from the time.

The Marquette Piano Company

Before long, Seeburg, together with Axel F. Larson, of Crystal Falls, Michigan, and others formed the Marquette Piano Company in 1905. The factory was located in Chicago, and Seeburg was made foreman of factory production. In the early days of the company, Marquette produced player actions to sell to other piano companies for installation in their own brands of player pianos. Soon, however, Marquette started to build their own player pianos using pianos supplied to them by Smith, Barnes, and Strohber. During this time, Seeburg was assisting Marquette designers in producing their own brand of coin-operated piano. By 1907, these very early electric roll-operated pianos came to the market, and the Marquette line of “Cremona” branded pianos was born. Seeburg also pioneered the style “A”

Marquette Piano Co. made pianos for home use before producing coin- A service chart issued by Marquette circa 1910 points out the operated pianos for the commercial trade. various components in an early Cremona coin-operated piano.

AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 187 roll for the first Cremona coin piano. This roll, adapted from the QRS 65-note, 6 per inch player piano roll, became the standard of what would become a thriving Midwestern industry, setting the Chicago-area coin pianos apart from the Eastern industry where each manufacturer made its own proprietary rolls. Seeburg was always very interested in fine art, architecture, and artistic, tasteful classic furniture design. He studied art at the Chicago Art Institute in 1906 under a course instruction for decorative design for a three-year term. Most, if not all, of the Seeburg piano cases were designed by J.P. Seeburg himself, and built to his specifications. Seeburg was especially fond of the use of art glass, and was the first to incorporate it into his designs for pianos and orchestrions, starting about 1911.

The J.P. Seeburg Piano Company By 1907, Seeburg created his own business, the J.P. Seeburg Piano Company, and by way of an arrangement with Marquette, took all of the coin pianos that Marquette could produce. He put these pianos out on location in carefully-selected businesses in the Chicago area, where they immediately became a hit. The demand was so great in fact that Marquette had trouble producing instruments quickly enough. Seeburg resigned from the Marquette firm in 1908 to give full attention to the operating business. A large showroom was opened in the Republic Building in downtown Chicago, showcasing the pianos he represented, as well as other musical instruments. At this point, Marquette was still producing the “Cremona” brand pianos, and would continue to do so for the next two years, as Seeburg continued to purchase its entire factory output.

Seeburg used a fleet of technicians on motorcycles to take care of a quickly growing route of electric pianos.

Soon, service and regular maintenance needs grew too great for one man to handle, so Seeburg introduced a fleet of men on motorcycles, who would travel from location to location changing rolls and handling the repairs and general upkeep of the pianos which were rapidly growing in number. The demand for new pianos was so high that there were not nearly enough being produced by Marquette to place in all the interested locations. Over time, nearly 500 pianos were installed and operating in the Chicago area. In 1908, the showroom in the Republic Building was relocated to the seventh floor of the same building for a short time, as the company grew in size. Seeburg excelled at service. A route man would visit an establishment once or twice a week, change the music roll, clean the case, and take care of any necessary repairs. Often times a customer could choose any particular type of music he wanted on his piano. The cash box would get emptied, and 20% of the income would go to the store owner. A piano installed in a prosperous location could earn $50 a week or more in nickels — or 1,000 tunes a week! In a small factory Seeburg set up on Clybourn Avenue in 1908, he began producing his own line of coin pianos in an effort to help meet the demand for them which was growing rapidly. Seeburg’s first pianos were purchased from Smith, Barnes and Strohber (formerly Smith and Barnes, the company where Seeburg had worked previously, and also had supplied pianos to Marquette). In December 1908, the first Seeburg-branded piano was ready for the public, and was displayed proudly in their Republic Building showroom. Seeburg brought two prior associates from Marquette with him into his new firm, Oscar Nelson and Peter Wiggen, both designers who would become his engineers and factory managers. Patents granted for their mechanical designs and innovations were assigned to the J.P. Seeburg Piano Company. At this point, Seeburg was producing three instruments per week on average. As Seeburg pianos were completed at the Clybourn Avenue factory, they were moved to the warerooms in the Republic Building and displayed for sale. Seeburg liked to sell

188 AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 to distributors, as these were the customers that would purchase larger numbers of pianos to put on a location route. Seeburg pianos were very well designed and housed in high-quality pianos, with simple player mechanisms that didn’t get out of order easily. They were played hard for long hours, often continuously, with little attention needed. Service calls and breakdowns were kept to a minimum by this, and Seeburg was very fortunate to have an extremely successful coin piano on the market very early in the game.

The Republic Building where Seeburg first set up their showrooms to the public and trade.

The new electric pianos continued to sell very well. Seeburg not only sold pianos to the Chicago area, but to other areas of the country as well, mainly through distributors of coin-operated amusement devices, piano companies, and others involved in the entertainment of the public. Marquette was still involved in the coin piano manufacturing of the “Cremona” line, but no longer selling instruments to Seeburg. Seeburg’s new pianos in their unique, patented design cases with fine wood finishes and detail were attracting the public eye, and much attention and praise was laid on the new company for the beauty and quality of their Early style A pianos had clear glass in the upper portion through which the piano action could be seen. The model products. shown here with 3 glass windows dates from 1909, and As was the case with the Marquette instruments, Seeburg pianos looks nearly identical in appearance to the Cremona style 3 made by Marquette. played a style “A” music roll, usually consisting of ten selections, sometimes a couple more or less. These rolls played one selection for each coin inserted, then shut off between each tune. At the end of the last tune, the piano would re-roll, and the tunes would start over. The style A roll is a 65-hole roll, 11¼” in width, wound on a large cardboard core. The piano had 58 automatic playing notes, C to A, from the 88-note keyboard. The balance of the holes was used for various functions such as operating the soft and sustaining pedals, re-roll, forward to play, and shutoff. They also allowed for an additional instrument to be controlled, such as a set of pipes, as well as operating the mandolin attachment automatically. Style A rolls were manufactured by a special coin-operated division set up at QRS Music Rolls. Very early rolls were labeled “S” rolls for “Seeburg.” Later, the designation became simply “A.” For reason unknown, Seeburg didn’t use Smith, Barnes & Strohber pianos for very long. Sometime in early 1909 it used several different brands of pianos until Seeburg started to build pianos in its own factory around 1921. Haddorff, Seybold, Edmund Gram, and at least one piano of unverified make were used in Seeburg instruments during this time, some concurrently. It is not unusual to find a 1915 Seeburg G orchestrion using an Edmund Gram piano, and an Art Style C of the same year fitted with a Seybold piano, for example. All of these Seeburg instruments had the Seeburg name stenciled on the fallboard, and also used a cast overlay on the iron frame inside to cover up the true identity of the piano maker.

In 1910, Seeburg moved to larger showrooms in the Steger Building. At this time, the Clybourn Avenue factory was enlarged as well, by leasing Seeburg patented its beautiful case designs. an additional floor. In May 1911, it leased an additional floor to create Shown here is the August, 1912 patent granted for the Style F, designed by J. P. Seeburg.

AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 189 additional 9,000 square feet of manufacturing space at a different building located at 415 South Sangamon Street. This grew to 32,000 in additional space leased by years end for manufacturing mechanisms and assembling instruments. In June 1911, the Seeburg showroom was back in the Republic Building. This time they were on the ninth floor, directly across from the elevators. This gave everyone getting off and on the elevators an eyeful of interesting instruments and an earful of popular music. Style A and B pianos with their clear glass fronts lined the walls, but also a brand new, beautiful, mahogany Art Style C piano was placed in the glass window to be viewed by all passers-by. Most original Art Style C pianos were made in oak cases, but there is a particular subtle beauty to the early mahogany version of this piano with its fine finish, delicate swan art glass scene depicting Lohengrin, and post lamps. This model in mahogany is quite scarce today with only a few known to exist, and is most likely the first coin operated piano to have art glass depicting a vignette scene. Mr. Seeburg, quite fond of the work of Louis Comfort Tiffany, was inspired to use intricate and detailed art glass in his pianos and is credited as being the first to use it in this manner.

The beautiful Art Style C piano with mandolin attachment, shown here in mahogany finish from an original catalog illustration, is Style B pianos, which are numerous in their variations, are today regarded as the first coin piano to feature the use of basically the same as style A. The difference is that style B art glass scenery. The tall post lamps are top heavy and easily Cases usually feature more elaborate woodwork detail, and damaged. Late production of this model omitted them, replacing always more intricate, colorful art glass designs. Shown here is them with a wooden cap. Art Style C pianos today are mostly an exceptional example. found in mission oak finish, with very few mahogany examples known to exist. The first style E pianos with pipes were also produced using this case style.

190 AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 The preceding five pictures show scenes from a Seeburg brochure dating from about 1915, showing various factory departments busily making components for Seeburg pianos. Notice that one of the images depicts brand new Art Style C pianos being completed.

The First Seeburg Orchestrions Larger instruments soon followed, with the introduction of the famous style G orchestrion in 1912, and the impressive style H and J Solo Orchestrions soon after in 1913. These machines played new types of orchestrated rolls, also produced by the QRS coin piano division. These were the SS and SSS roll, to be used on the style G, and the styles H and J respectively. Very early on, like the style A roll, the “SS” and “SSS” designations were dropped, and these rolls were renamed style G and style H. All fully-automatic multi-tune Seeburg coin-operated pianos played either a style A, G, or H roll. This simplified music roll production, and a steady volume of music was always available. (In the early days of Chicago coin piano roll production by QRS, the style letter of certain rolls designated the company using them: “S” for Seeburg, “O” for Operators, “M” for Marquette”, “L” for Lyon and Healy,” etc. The “S” designation was changed to “A” when that style became the standard for different coin piano makers.) The story of the development of the style G orchestrion is an interesting one. In 1911 J.P. Seeburg visited the showrooms of M. Welte and Sons and ordered several of the large Brisgovia orchestrions. Seeburg had recently obtained the rights to represent Welte instruments in his showrooms, and wanted to purchase several different models to display in the Republic Building. At the time, the Seeburg line had no orchestrions, so the Welte instruments with pipes and percussion provided a welcome addition to the other machines he offered for sale. Shortly thereafter, trade announcements stated that Seeburg was soon to unveil a new orchestrion featuring pipes, drums and other effects, in a tall case. Examination of the orchestrion shows that it has similar musical features and nearly the instrumentation of a Welte model A1 Brisgovia. This leads to speculation that engineers at the Seeburg firm dissected the Brisgovia, and used its musical concepts (including drum expression, two tympani beaters plus bass drum and cymbal beaters, one reiterating snare drum beater, triangle, individual lock and cancels for each extra instrument, and a very similar note scale) to create the style G orchestrion. Obviously, this worked out well for Seeburg, who could now produce their own orchestrions in-house, and in a much more compact case that included a keyboard. Additionally, music could be obtained much easier, cheaper, and faster, featuring the latest in American tunes, instead of waiting for weeks to get music rolls from Germany.

AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 191 Seeburg G Orchestrions. Left image shows interior view of an early Seeburg style G orchestrion. The two ranks of pipes, flute and violin, are positioned just behind the art glass in the front doors, with the drum shelf following directly behind. The right image shows a very rare and early design of an existing Seeburg style G orchestrion, serial number 16325 from 1912. Note that it features hanging lamps, an unusual feature. The inside art glass windows depict an owl and an egret, while the outer doors have mirrored panels. This orchestrion was once owned by the Sawmill Saloon in Duluth-Superior, Minnesota.

The Seeburg G orchestrion proved to be one of Seeburg’s most popular, and is highly prized for their beautiful cases and sparkling musical arrangements. Instrumentation consists of a piano with mandolin attachment, violin pipes, flute pipes, bass drum with tympani effect, snare drum, cymbal, and a triangle. They were produced almost to the very end of automatic piano production, an impressive stretch of time. It was made in two different case designs over the years, although both appear very similar on first glance. Seeburg G orchestrions which are built around Gram or Seybold pianos (typically before 1920) have taller front doors, and decorative, carved brackets at the tops of the front legs supporting the keyboard. Later style G orchestrions have shorter front doors with slightly extended art glass areas above the torches, and no brackets on the legs, which on these post-1920 (which always contain a Haddorff or Seeburg-built piano) style G orchestrions are much thicker and taller, extending through the top sides of the keyboard, as in the style F piano. Inside, slight mechanical changes and pipework variations will be found over the course of production. By far the most common art glass design features a flaming torch in relief in each of the outer art glass windows. Other art glass design variations exist, however they are much rarer. About 100 style G orchestrions are thought exist today. As of 1916, Seeburg had leased additional factory space at East Erie Street, giving it an additional 10,000 square feet of manufacturing area. At the end of WWI, Seeburg had produced roughly 10,000 coin pianos, an impressive number by any measure. Many of the smaller firms, such as Berry-Wood, North Tonawanda Musical Instrument Works, Peerless, and countless others didn’t make it much past the war for one reason or another and simply vanished. Marquette’s fine line of “Cremona” pianos diminished and became rather insignificant by 1920. Seeburg’s attention to quality and mechanism reliability, great sounding musical arrangements, top level customer service, and an aggressive sales and marketing department created a strong force which put it at the top of the game as it entered into the 1920’s.

Photograph of the East Erie Street factory. Seeburg had leased 10,000 square feet of additional manufacturing space here by 1916.

192 AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 Exterior views of early and late Seeburg style G orchestrion with typical torch art glass, the most commonly encountered variation. First produced in 1912, it quickly became a best seller for Seeburg. It was popular from 1912 to 1920, although production continued into late 1920s. In this comparison view, the two different but similar case designs may be compared. Their beauty and fine musical capability make them very desirable today. Visit Mechanical Music Press web site for additional detail on the style G orchestrion, as well as all Seeburg piano models. (Photographs courtesy of Art Reblitz, Reblitz Restorations, Inc.).

A glimpse of the pipes and percussion layout is given in this peek behind the art glass doors on the upper portion of a Seeburg H Solo Orchestrion. The large beater on the bass drum always operates The most elaborate keyboard-style orchestrion together with the cymbal. The two smaller beaters may be used ever produced in America, the Seeburg style H separately for a softer bass drum hit without using the cymbal. They Solo Orchestrion. It used a special 15" wide style may also be operated in a quick alternating fashion, which in H roll that allowed the pipes and xylophone to play conjunction with the percussion expression effects possible in the interesting solo arrangements with the piano acting style H orchestrion, achieves a very realistic kettledrum, or tympani as accompaniment. effect. The single-stroke xylophone is in front. (Photographs courtesy of Art Reblitz, Reblitz Restorations, Inc.)

AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 193 Two pictures of the stunning and rare style J Solo Orchestrion. Using the same H roll as the style H, this model contained 34 violin and 34 flute pipes and a single stroke xylophone, but lacked the percussion of the style H. This instrument features a walnut case and art glass depicting the Illinois State Capitol. It was restored by Reblitz Restorations, Colorado Springs, CO.

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End of Part One. Parts Two and Three will be published in subsequent issues of the AMICA Bulletin. I gladly invite comments about this essay, and I may be reached at [email protected] Acknowledgments: As mentioned near the beginning of the article, I must thank Art Reblitz and Q. David Bowers for generously sharing their extensive research and writings on the Seeburg Company. Also, thank you to Ron Rich, a former Seeburg employee, who helped greatly with details regarding Seeburg Select-o-matic phonographs. Thanks also to the late Tony Miller, whose internet information site about Seeburg Select-o-matic phonographs is without equal. I invite interested readers who wish to learn more about these machines to visit his site at http://www.west.net/~jay/fmillera/fmillera/index.htm

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About the author: John D. Rutoskey is a collector and restorer of automatic musical instruments, specializing in coin- operated pianos, orchestrions, and phonographs. He lives in Baltimore, Maryland.

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VISIT THE AMICA WEB PAGE at www.amica.org

194 AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 THE FRESNO CONVENTION by Shirley Nix

The 2014 Convention in Fresno is over, and has become a fond memory for those who attended.

It was a very busy Convention, with a few very long days, but filled with fun, music, and great company. It started on Wednesday with the Board meeting, and went on from there.

Thursday was an early welcome breakfast, then onto the buses to one of two fantastic destinations. Two of the buses went to Yosemite National Park, one of the prettiest places in the country, but perhaps I’m biased? While there we had a leisurely stroll to the base of Yosemite Falls, which was running at the usual fantastic rate, even though California is in the midst of a long drought. This was a great photo opportunity, and our group certainly took advantage of that.

From the Falls we boarded the buses again and went to the Ahwanhee Hotel for lunch. The Ahwahnee was built beginning in 1926, and 1,000 tons of structural steel, 5,000 tons of building stone, 30,000 board feet of lumber and $25,000 worth of kitchen equipment along with all the furnishings were delivered over primitive roads to the site, since it was not allowed to take any building material from Yosemite National Park because all natural resources were protected, as they still are today.

Ahwanhee is a Native American name taken from the first residents of the Valley, meaning “Land of the gaping mouth”. The Hotel was built with an Indian theme, still carried out today in the dining room and lobby.

During World War II the Ahwahnee was host to the United States Navy as a rest and relaxation hospital for Naval personnel.

Entering the dining room where we had lunch was amazing. The room is huge, with rock walls and open beam wood ceilings. The staff met us in black tie apparel, and treated us like royalty. After lunch it was time to visit the gift shop. This is another spot that really got the attention of the AMICANS. It was hard to get them out and back on the bus. We do love to spend money.

The third bus left for visits to the wonderful collections of Mike Argain and Rick Shaw. Mike is one of the finest restorers anywhere, and his collection consists of the most amazing American nickelodeons and European instruments anywhere in the Western United States. Lunch was on his patio with music playing from inside. After lunch we moved inside to enjoy all the instruments. Perhaps the favorites were the Hupfeld and Weber, huge instruments playing a great range of music to perfection. The American machines, too, were some of the nicest seen anywhere. Many thanks to Mike and his helpers, Jerry Pell and Josh Rapier.

Rick’s collection, too, was great. It ranges from music boxes, all newly restored in time for our visit, American nickelodeons, and a range of other collectibles. The railroad lanterns got a lot of attention, and the china cabinet held a treasure trove, too. Rick has been working hard to get everything ready for us, and it showed. His partner, Darryl Smithey, demonstrated one room while Rick did the others. It was a lot of fun, and we appreciated all their efforts, their hospitality, and their great assortment of “goodies” to snack on.

We are indeed fortunate to have people like Mike, Rick, and Darryl who are willing to have bus-loads of people coming to view their collections. It’s a lot of work to get ready, and we really appreciate their time and efforts, as well as those of the Sunday Open House people.

The third visit of the day was the Forestiere Underground Gardens in Fresno, California. This is an unusual manmade creation built by Baldasare Forestiere, an immigrant from Sicily, over a period of 40 years from 1906 to until his death in 1946.

Foresiere emigrated from Sicily to Fresno, and found the temperature in the summer to be unbearable, so he decided to use some of his Sicilian knowledge of the tombs to build a home underground. Fresno has a hard pan layer quite thick, which acted as the roof.

He hand dug 23 acres by hand, using a pick, shovel and wheel barrow as his tools. He worked during the day as a laborer, came home and dug his home, probably most of the night. Talk about a project.

AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 195 It’s quite a fascinating experience to wander the rooms and see how he designed and built a home, all underground. He was an avid gardener, also, and had a variety of fruit trees and grapes growing through holes to allow them to reach sunlight.

On Friday the buses switched tours.

Thursday night was the time to visit the Warnor’s Theater for an organ concert, tour of the theater and a showing of “The Sound of Music”. This was sort of an odd coincidence, since our table favors, which had been designed at least two years prior, would play “The Sound of Music”. We had no idea that would happen.

Friday night after the tour was time for the pumper contest, with Andrew Barrett winning the much desired “Footsie”. It was a close contest, with each contestant endeavoring to be the winner, and take home the prize…”Footsie”! This is always an enjoyable part of any convention, and this year was no exception. Larry Norman, who actually placed second this year, presented his much anticipated yearly spectacle of course.

Saturday was time for workshops in the morning, with presenters Eliyahu Shahar, Diane Detar and Wayne Johnston, Tockhawok, Stephen Kent Goodman, Terry Smythe, and a visual presentation on Svoboda’s Tavern. Halie Dodrill took over for Liz Barnhart doing the needlework project.

The workshops were followed by the Mart, where fortunes can be made, or at least shift hands.

Saturday evening was the banquet, with the Paul Price Orchestra providing music during dinner and for dancing afterwards. During the break the table favors were handed out, a scale model of the Coinola Cupid. These were made over a two-year period, mainly by Frank and Shirley Nix, Bill Blair and his caretaker Brittany and Jack Conway. These people were working every week at least one day for the entire two years.

Sunday morning was the farewell breakfast, which included a short business meeting, an election of officers, with the changes being Alan Turner taking over as President, Jerry DeBacker as Vice-President, and recognizing our new editor, Glenn Turner. All other positions remained the same. The slate of officers was unanimously accepted.

After breakfast there was an optional tour going to Stephen Kent Goodman’s home, the city of Clovis for antiquing and lunch, and down to Visalia for a visit to the home of George and Annabelle Pope. (Rick Shaw’s aunt and uncle). At the Pope’s everyone was welcome to ride the merry-go-round and enjoy their very eclectic collection, which includes old cars, vintage clothing, advertising automata, music machines and other interesting things.

Our thanks, too, go to those who registered and attended the events with enthusiasm and good spirit. We know it was hard getting up so early for breakfast for two days, but you did it and didn’t complain. You are what makes a convention, and you are much appreciated. Give yourselves a nice, big pat on the back and a round of applause!

Now we hand over the reins to the capable hands of Jere DeBacker and his crew. We know they will have another wonderful convention for us next year. See you all in Denver!!!!!!

196 AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 2014 FRESNO CONVENTION REPORTS

AMICA Board Meeting Attendees, Fresno, 2014 - July 10, 2014

NAME CHAPTER Tim Baxter President John Motto-Ros Past President Founding Alan Turner Vice President Northern Lights, Winnipeg Bob Gonzalez Secretary Founding Bonnie Gonzalez Co-Secretary Founding Joe Orens Treasurer At Large Glenn Thomas Editor Lady Liberty Terry Smythe Northern Lights, Winnipeg Lyle Merithew Membership Secretary Founding Sandy Swirsky Membership Secretary Founding Vincent Morgan Lady Liberty Maryam Morgan Lady Liberty Ray Dietz Memorial Comm. CH Carl Dodrill Pacific Can-AM Liz Barnhart Midwest Jere DeBacker Rocky Mountain Bill Chapman So. Cal. Frank Nix So. Cal. Paul Watkins Northern Lights, Mpls. Richard Thomas Observer ********************************************************************************************************************************

CALL TO ORDER: 9:02 am, Fresno, California postage for “catch-up” Bulletins. Ray Dietz suggested late renewers order back copies as anyone else would and ATTENDEES: See attachment drop the late fee. Joe Orens feels that we must be President, Tim Baxter and Host Chapter Representative, consistent in whichever policy is adopted. The decision Frank Nix, welcomed the Chapter representatives. was to let the Membership Secretary study the various options and make the decision. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: m/s/p Joe Orens/Liz Barnhart/pass We are losing about 5% of our membership each year. We gain fewer new members than we lose. Our total CORRESPONDENCE: No correspondence membership drops between 50 and 100 each year. MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY’S REPORT: Sandy and Lyle OFFICER’S REPORTS: A motion was made to accept the have submitted a written report. Sandy discussed the officer’s reports. m/s/p Clayton/Dalton/pass increase in postage. Rates have soared for overseas mailings. Discussion on raising dues for foreign members. TREASURER’S REPORT: Accounting report attached. We Glenn Thomas suggested sending PDF copies via email are on a cash basis and all Chapter funds are consolidated to foreign members. Tim explained that some members with National funds to form one report to the IRS. Our feel PDF copies would be sent around and we might lose principal expense is the Bulletin and postage, about members. We lose money sending Bulletins outside the $60,000 per year. Other expenses included web site U.S. A member who renews late receives “catch-up” design and an ad in Hemming’s Motor News. It is difficult copies. That postage is very costly because it is not at the to tell how effective the ad will be because the books bulk rate. are passed around. Most Chapter activities are near break-even financially. National has about $70,000 in Alan Turner is not opposed to a slight increase for those reserve to cover minor losses if a certain recruitment outside the U.S. John Motto-Ros feels that we should leave effort should lose money. things the way they are since we are at break-even overall. The consensus is that dues should remain as they are. Ray Dietz asked how Memorial Funds were handled and Joe Orens explained the accounting system. Discussion Sandy discussed the $5 late fee. She feels we should drop on how cash basis “snapshot” can show a loss when it because many don’t pay and it angers many others. Paul expenses are showing but revenue will appear the Watkins suggested we explain that the $5 fee is for following year.

AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 197 PUBLISHER’S REPORT: Glenn Thomas asked Terry MEMORIAL FUND: Sandy Swirsky agreed to take over to begin the report. Terry presented a draft of the the duties of the Memorial Fund Chairman. Ray Dietz Encyclopedia of Disk Music Boxes. It will have 41 has received the donations and written thank you letters for chapters in about 800 pages. Donations of $1,000 from many years and now wishes to be relieved. Sandy stated fourteen people have helped finance the work. We will try that since she receives the funds and keeps such records, for one volume at a price of under $100 per copy. it would be easy to write a letter at the time. Dave Bowers has completed the manuscript of the WEB MASTER REPORT: President Baxter reported that Encyclopedia of Organettes. This book should appear next he has been working with a web site developer to update year and be similar to the book on violin playing machines. and improve the content of the AMICA site. The developer’s fee is reasonable and we will get free hosting through our Encyclopedia of American Coin Pianos may appear late tax-exempt status. When completed, chapters will be able next year as a “coffee table” book rich in photos. to post activity reports or event dates to the site. MOTION: Approve AMICA International sponsorship of the John Motto-Ros reported that Jack Edwards would like be Encyclopedia of American Coin Pianos. (M/S/P replaced as the person who fields questions coming Smythe/Turner/Unanimous) through the site. A discussion centered on what we should Lyle Merithew suggested book sponsorships at $100, do when a caller thinks his item to sell is worth more than it $250 and $500 be made available with the names actually is. Joe Orens suggested saying we are not published in the Bulletin. The Fourteen $1,000 donors will appraisers, but current prices are xxx. Joe Orens agreed have their names printed in the book. The topic was to take over the duty of site gatekeeper to field deferred until later in the meeting. incoming questions and direct them to a more expert member for reply. Tim Baxter agreed to be backup to Glenn Thomas commented on publishing the Bulletin. He Joe as needed. John MottoRos agreed to take questions thanked Terry Smythe for his continued assistance. He concerning orchestrions and reproducing pianos. also mentioned the need for quality content for the Bulletin. We compete with three other publications for articles, SOCIAL MEDIA: Alan Turner reported that there are 247 MBSI, COAA, and Rosanna Harris. Finally, he welcomed members on Facebook. They usually post videos of player feedback on new things he will add to the Bulletin as it pianos. The Facebook account has required little effort to evolves under his editing. keep going. Glenn Thomas has agreed to establish an AMICA Twitter feed account. Terry Smythe suggested some of the Committee Chairmen take on a regular column for the Bulletin just as the Glenn explained how Twitter can be used to our benefit. President and Vice President do. President Baxter stated ADOPT-A-PIANO COMMITTEE: Tim Baxter reported no that this topic should be left to the Publisher. progress this year. A discussion began concerning Paul Watkins asked if publishing four rather than six restoring instruments that would be seen by the public. The times a year would be better. Glenn said most other Founding Chapter is considering contributing toward the organizations published six times and he preferred that restoration of another instrument at a museum in Virginia number. A discussion followed concerning various methods City, Montana. The Founding Chapter is also in contact of Bulletin distribution, including PDF and eBook. President with the Disney Family Museum in San Francisco to see if Baxter mentioned the copywrite virtues of eBooks like an instrument can be placed on display. Kindle. Glenn said he generally favors offering members a Paul Watkins reported the Northern Lights Chapter placed choice of hardcopy or digital versions and supposed a nickelodeon in the Minnesota Transportation Museum. about 50% of the members would switch to digital. The instrument receives great visibility and is used for Publisher Thomas said he would explore the various special events. options and report on his analysis. ARCHIVE COMMITTEE: Tom Hutchinson (Archives) has CONVENTION REPORT: Frank Nix reported that Denver sent the remaining archive material to Lyle and Sandy. would host in 2015 and Princeton, NJ for 2016. Princeton is With all past Bulletins now on the web site, the position of half way between Philadelphia and New York City. There Archive Chairman is no longer needed. are many collections and attractions in this area. Seattle may host in 2017. MOTION: Abolish the Archive Committee. (M/S/P MottoRos /Orens/Unanimous) Frank mentioned the possibility of a future meeting in Canada. John Motto-Ros explained the purpose of the Honor Roll Committee which is to recognize the contributions to President Baxter began a discussion of combining the hobby by various people. After a brief discussion conventions with MBSI. The consensus is that continuing of whether this function should be maintained, President as we do is best for now. Joe Orens suggested that fixed Baxter stated it should be continued. The current Chairman dates are needed so people can schedule around the wishes to be relieved of the position and President Baxter activities of other organizations. President Baxter stated he would take the position. Two persons per year expressed that overseas conventions should be infrequent will be recognized. Hi Babbitt and Richard Tonnesen will be because most members can’t take the time or expense.

198 AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 recognized this year. Several names were mentioned for Glenn Thomas opened a discussion on fundraising. Like future years many other organizations, we should appeal to our membership for tax deductible donations. We should STATUS OF RESEARCH LIBRARY: There are over 3,000 decide whether to appeal for a specific purpose or for documents in the library and the number is growing. Terry general use. Glenn Thomas has agreed to chair a said that with the advent of the internet as a research tool, committee to develop a strategy for fund raising. Joe we need to let others know that this material is there to be Orens and Tim Baxter have agreed to assist. used. A discussion began about public access to the material. At this time, a person must be a member to It was agreed that a telephone conference during the year access the material. We have gained two new members would be good for Executive Board members and any who joined to gain access. The current policy will remain in Chapter representatives. Tim Baxter has the ability to place for now. Glenn Thomas will control access connect everyone together. No schedule was set for calls. by non-members on a case-by-case basis until a firm Joe Orens will represent AMICA on the ivory ban issue. policy is agreed. The issue goes beyond piano keys to many other musical OLD BUSINESS: The ad in Hemming’s did generate phone instruments. It is a political issue at this time and other calls. Many were off-point but a few were and a few organizations are also involved. became members. Hemming’s is effective because readers Paul Watkins led a round of applause for Terry Smythe and are mechanically inclined and the magazine is both digital Glenn Thomas for all the good work accomplished. and hardcopy. John MottoRos agreed to continue as promotion and advertising committee chairman. Alan Turner led a round of applause for Tim Baxter for his service as President. Sales of publications scanned into the Research Library on eBay have been delayed due to work demands on Alan Alan Turner introduced Jere DeBacker as the next Vice Turner. Terry Smythe will work with Alan to get that project President. moving. A motion was made to adjourn. M/P Orens/Unanimous NEW BUSINESS: The AMICA chapter map printed in the Adjourned at 12:10 pm Directory is incorrect. AMICA MEMBERSHIP MEETING Sunday, May 18, 2014 Meeting convened at 8:10 AM • The Bulletin is now being edited by Glenn Thomas. The membership thanked Terry Smythe for his many years Officers Present: Alan Turner, Vice President; Joe Orens, as editor. Treasurer; Bob & Bonnie Gonzalez, Co-Secretaries. • Frank Nix stated that the 2015 Convention will be in Alan Turner, Vice President chaired the meeting in the Denver, CO. The convention will run from August 5 to 9 absence of Tim Baxter, President. at the Magnolia Hotel. Princeton, NJ will be the site of The minutes of the previous meeting were approved by the 2016 convention. Frank also offered some acclamation. suggestions for Day Trips in the Fresno area for those staying in the area for the day. Joe Orens, Treasurer, reported the financial position of AMICA. The organization operates on a cash basis and the finances of the chapters are consolidated into one report. Awards: The total AMICA international revenue (National and Chapters) for fiscal year 2013 was $122,712.05 and the • Alan presented the President’s Award to Richard Randall total AMICA international expenses (National and for his work in roll re-cutting. Chapters) for fiscal year 2013 were $117,768.04. Net • Vincent Morgan was presented with the AMICA assets of AMICA International at the beginning of fiscal International award. year 2013 were $190,306.18. Net assets of AMICA International at the end of fiscal year 2013 were • Leo Ornstein award: none presented $195,250.19. AMICA International remains financially sound. • AMICA Honor Roll: Hi Babbitt and Richard Tonnesen Alan Turner reported actions taken at the AMICA Board Meeting held on Wednesday, May 14. Elections: • Lyle Merithew and Sandy Swirsky have assumed the By acclamation Alan Turner was elected President. responsibility for the Memorial Fund from Ray Dietz. By acclamation Jere DeBacker was elected Vice President. • The Archives Committee has been dissolved. Terry Smythe will assume some of the duties from the Alan Turner asked for a moment of silence in honor of committee. those members who have passed away.

AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 199 Question was asked about how many paid members are Frank Nix passed the AMICA Banner to Jere DeBacker. in AMICA. There are 987 paid members. The membership watched a DVD presentation outlining Old Business: none the wonders of Denver, CO. New Business: It was suggested that a group take the Larry Norman moved to adjourn the meeting. train to Denver next year. Time 8:51 AM

OFFICER / COMMITTE REPORTS President’s Report Conventions are a great opportunity to solidify existing It has been a privilege to serve as your President in this, membership and when we go abroad we reduce my final year. I have been well-served by all of our officers significantly the number of people that can participate. and thank them for their service. President Transition Publisher My term as President will conclude at this year’s annual The most significant event for AMICA this year was the meeting, and I am pleased to hand the reins over to Alan transition in the position of publisher, from Terry Smythe to Turner of Winnipeg. I know Alan is looking forward to Glenn Thomas. Terry has done an outstanding job these serving AMICA in this capacity and I wish him all the best. last several years and I hope you will join me in thanking him. Terry continues on as our “archivist-without-portfolio,” President’s Award seeking still to enlarge the enormous repository of historical The recipient of the AMICA President’s Award for 2014 material we have amassed and which we make available is Richard Brandle of Dallas, Texas. Richard has been a to members. Glenn brings an enormous amount of quiet but critically important presence in our hobby for over enthusiasm to the job, as well as a great deal of writing and 30 years. Richard’s contribution has been to create the editing expertise. Terry’s shoes will be hard to fill, but Glenn software and utilities that many use to have rolls punched has made a great start. by people like Richard Tonnesen, Bob Billings and Dave Saul. If you’ve enjoyed the offerings of these roll recutters Convention policies (and others), you owe a debt to Richard Brandle. Richard At this year’s board meeting, I will ask the board to review started by helping get Richard Tonnesen’s first perforator our convention policies in terms of frequency and planning. on line in the early 1980s. He eventually transitioned More specifically, I would like to re-evaluate our present his software, known as “Wind” from early Macintosh to model of “local chapter puts on a convention every year.” Windows and still supports it today (and by “today” I mean To some extent, we have been changing this model up in – “today” – based on enhancements requested by me, the recent years anyway. nickelodeon community and Ed Gaida of Gaida’s Music Rolls, he has sent upward of five new revisions to Wind While putting on a convention is a lot of fun for a chapter since this time last year; one was received by me (or individual), it is also a lot of work and the real threat yesterday!). Richard worked for many years at IBM (where of chapter/member “burn out” has been brought to my he earned patents for several inventions), but is now attention on several occasions. It may be feasible to retired and enjoys several hobbies in addition to sometimes share the burden with a sister organization, or mechanical music with his lovely wife, Carol. It is with shared by two or more chapters. Also, in the age of instant great pleasure that I present the 2014 AMICA President’s internet communication, it is possible to do conventions Award to Richard Brandle. in cities where we don’t have a large presence (i.e., Pittsburgh, 2012). In such a case, convention-planning Respectfully submitted, duties may be shared by individuals from several chapters. Timothy Baxter, President These are some ways that I believe will insure we can have well-attended and well-planned annual (or semi-annual) Vice-President’s Report meetings. The worst thing that can happen is that all the It has been an honor to serve as your Vice-President again work of a convention is done but there are too few people this past year and I am looking forward to the coming year to enjoy it to justify that work from any sort of cost-benefit as your President as being even more interesting and analysis. We have been on the cusp of this problem a few exciting. The role of Vice-President is two-fold: first to act times in recent years. I do not think we have had a “bad” as liaison to the Chapters and second to chair the awards convention to date; quite the opposite in fact. But I would committee for awarding the Leo Ornstein Literary and like to keep it this way. AMICA International Awards. I have continued to write a short column in the AMICA bulletin encouraging our In addition, I have long felt that overseas conventions membership to recruit new members as well as think should be very infrequent and carefully vetted by the about ways to (re)kindle interest in our hobby. membership; the extra expense and time usually means that the opportunity to attend is reserved for retirees. The AMICA Facebook Group is active and generating 200 AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 some really interesting posts, if you haven't already Past President / Nominating checked it out, please do, I think you'll find if of interest. The Group currently has about 235 members and is Committee Chairman Report growing steadily. Using social media, such as Facebook, can be an additional forum to announce items and events This past year, I have continued communication with most of interest to fellow AMICAn's. If you have a Facebook other international officers, as well as many general account, you can find the AMICA Group by searching for members. "AMICA -Automatic Instrument Collectors' Association". I look forward to seeing more of our membership joining Made initial contact with new Bulletin Editor, Glenn the Facebook Group in the upcoming year. Thomas, who was subsequently selected to replace Terry Smythe. Terry had requested to be relieved of the Editor Another project I was tasked with this past year was the duties last year. selling of the Music Trades publications that AMICA had acquired for the on-line library. I was unable to achieve this As Nominating Committee Chairman, selected members to due to unusually high time commitments at my "real" work. serve on the Nominating Committee in search of a new I pledge to continue this commitment in the upcoming year, Vice President. As of this date, we have no volunteers for soliciting the help of Terry Smythe. this position. If none are received prior to the convention, this will be an agenda item for this year’s Board Meeting. CHAPTER LIAISON The role of Chapter Liaison is challenging. I am working to My expenses have been minimal; therefore, I am not billing enhance its effectiveness but I need more input from the AMICA for them. Chapters. It would be great if Chapters could send me notices of upcoming activities such as meetings, concerts Respectfully submitted or special events they may be holding. This information JOHN A. MOTTOROS could be sent to me by email (preferred) or snail mail at the Past President address below. I am looking forward to hearing from all the Chapters of the great events and initiatives they are Membership Secretary’s Report holding or sponsoring. Payment of 2014 dues: As of April 12, 2014, we had 987 paying members/households (This includes Affiliates, Alan Turner Founding Members, Gifted Members and Honorary 148 Kingsway Members)renew, of which 3 were paying or gifted Winnipeg, Manitoba, CANADA members. A member can be an individual, a family or an R3M 0H1 organization. 23 members have chosen not to renew at email: [email protected] all. 90 members still have not renewed or notified us of their intentions for 2014; hopefully this deficit will decrease. AWARDS Despite numerous appeals in the bulletin and by email, I New members and rejoining members: In 2012 we had received only one nomination for the awards this year. I 78 new and rejoining members (January 1st through again appeal to the membership and all the Chapters to December 31st.) In the calendar year 2013, 81 people consider nominating people for the two awards. Please joined. So far this calendar year 2014 (January 1st through pass your nominations on to the new Vice-President as April 12th) we have 22 new and/or rejoining members. We early as possible for inclusion in the awards process for the have 5 fewer new /rejoining members than at this time last upcoming year. year.

The awards committee this year (John Motto-Ros, Frank Dues Payments: The deadline for dues payments is Nix, Terry Smythe and I) considered the nomination put January 31. The procedure this year began with email dues forward for the two awards listed below. The nominee is a notices sent to everyone in early November 2013 (over great choice and indeed an ideal recipient. 800). In early December all remaining renewal letters (those who did not pay after receiving an email and those AMICA International Award who had not had a notice) were sent. Reminder notices via The AMICA International Award this year will be given to email were sent in early February and then all remaining Vincent Morgan for his ongoing and tireless support of notices were sent reminders via regular mail in February. AMICA both locally in his Chapter and indeed for his support of AMICA International. Reminder notices sent in February had a request for a $5 late fee, which many people do honor. This helps defray Leo Ornstein Literary Award the extra costs of mailing bulletins when people do not No nominations. renew by January. Respectfully submitted, Alan W. Turner, Vice-President, There was a good response to the email solicitation of Winnipeg, MB, CANADA dues as this was the first time we had tried it. This reduced

AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 201 the number of mailed letters by about 300. Sending the * The manuscript for Encyclopedia of Organettes is reminder notices by email also helped lower mailing costs. complete and layout is under by new member Eveleyn As of April 12, 2014 90 members have not responded or Mishkin. paid their 2014 dues. * The manuscript for Encyclopedia of American Coin Payment Methods: AMICA accepts cash, checks, credit Pianos is about 90% complete and layout will be done (not debit) cards and PayPal. Joe Orens receives the by member Terry Hathaway. PayPal notices and forwards them to the membership secretary. * With his velvet touch, Q. David Bowers has persuaded 14 committed members to each pledge $1,000 (or more) as a Gift memberships have been made available for one year tax-exempt donation to AMICA, in support of publication of from piano technicians for their clients. Encyclopedia of Disc Music Boxes. He is considering a similar appeal for the other two books. Advertising: in the renewal letters a coupon for a free 30 word classified advertisement is included as part of the * Our On-Line Research Library now has within it some renewal. 1050+ documents, books, pamphlets, monographs, owner's manuals, catalogs, etc, in addition to the Billings Respectfully submitted, Rollography, AMICA Technicalities, and all AMICA Bulletins Sandy Swirsky & Lyle Merithew back to 1964, in total summing to ~2,800+ documents at Membership Secretaries time of this Board Meeting.

Publications Committee Report AMICA Bulletin For the very first time, the Publications Committee is no At time of transition to our new Editor, Glenn Thomas, I had longer a committee of one. We are joined by a new Editor, completed 24 issues of our AMICA Bulletin, most recently Glenn Thomas, a new Book Administrator, Janie Johnston the whole of 2013 in full color. Glenn took over our AMICA and two additional members doing book layout - Evelyn Bulletin, with its Jan-Feb 2014 issue. Mishkin and Terry Hathaway. Cost Considerations The Publications Committee is guided by the following as Prior to Sep-Oct-09, our AMICA Bulletin was limited to extracted from our By-Laws: an average of 4 color pages, they being principally the covers. By containing the layout labor of each issue to ARTICLE II, OBJECTIVES ourselves, we have been able to gradually increase the (b) To promote the acquisition and distribution of quantity of color pages, such that the whole of 2013 has instruments, recordings, and technical and historical been totally color, while still maintaining our average information concerning these instruments cost within a manageable range. From the attached spreadsheet, the only exception to this has been the (g) To educate the public about the historical and cultural Nov-Dec-13 issue which was combined with a new 2014 significance of automatic musical instruments. Membership Directory.

ARTICLE IV, Similarly, our postage costs have been reasonably Section 8. PUBLISHER. The Publisher shall be ex-officio managed, more recently by attempting to achieve an chairman of the Publications Committee. The committee average annual page count of 52/issue. Greater than 52 shall be responsible for the publication of the official pages tended to bring the postage costs into the next journal of the Association, and any other publications as range. As a consequence, we will attempt to maintain an authorized by the Board of Directors. average page count of 52.

Achievements Over the years, there have been occasional inquiries about * Full color issues of our AMICA Bulletin, introduced in the possibility of offering a reduced membership dues by 2013, continue, hopefully into the foreseeable future. electing to receive the Bulletin in the form of a PDF by email. Our affiliates have faced similar inquiries with marginal * Member Q. David Bowers continues to author significant adjustments, at most a dues reduction of only $10 in favor of new books, Encyclopedia of Organettes, Encyclopedia this option, if at all. Our AMICA Bulletin is what binds us of Disc Music Boxes, and Encyclopedia of American together. For many of our members, this is their only contact Coin Pianos, the latter shared with Art Reblitz. All to be with AMICA. Now that our AMICA Bulletin is now in full color, published by AMICA. each issue becomes ever more significant in the eyes of our * The manuscript for Encyclopedia of Disc Music Boxes members. Each issue is a keeper/ambassador. is complete, and layout is underway, likely at 60-70% complete by time of Board Meeting. 2014 Goals * Complete layout, then publish Encyclopedia of Disc Music Boxes,

202 AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 * Continue nourishing our On-Line Research Library, with relieves the burden of making certain any video we host ~200+ issues of Music Trades yet to be digitized. will be forward compatible with whatever new devices hit the consumer market (think Google glasses - you didn't * Continue with AMICA Bulletin all color. see that one coming a year ago did you?).

Recommendation There is an all-new website being developed with a fresh That the Board support continuation of our present dues look, and Tim Baxter is heading this effort with a company structure, relative to all members receiving a printed copy that develops websites for free for non-profit organizations of our AMICA Bulletin. such as ours. This has proven to be a slow, complicated and time-consuming process. Once this new site is up, Respectfully submitted, announced and running, I'll be stepping down as your Terry Smythe website manager. But until this time I'll keep the existing Chair, Publications Committee www.amica.org website maintained and relevant. [email protected] Respectfully submitted, Memorial Committee Report Karl Ellison For the year 2013, 21 donations were made to the AMICA Website Manager Memorial Fund in the sum of $1,080. The Membership Secretary sent out the Thank you notes Treasurer’s Report to the members that donated. AMICA National had revenue in fiscal year 2013 of Donations are received when dues are paid. $64,985.82. National membership dues in fiscal year 2013 were somewhat greater than membership dues in Respectfully submitted, fiscal year 2012. The year-to-year variation in membership Sandy Swirsky & Lyle Merithew dues primarily is due to the number of members Membership Secretaries renewing on or before December 31st. AMICA National had expenses in fiscal year 2013 of $55,512.48. The total Website Manager’s Report AMICA International revenue (National and Chapters) for This year has been relatively quiet for the website fiscal year 2013 was $122,712.05 and the total AMICA manager. I have been maintaining links to Terry Smythe's International expenses (National and Chapters) for fiscal historic documents (Visit the "Members Only" link; you year 2013 were $117,768.04. At the beginning of fiscal year won't be bored), and, updating music and our Bulletin as 2013 the net assets of AMICA International (National and they are published. Chapters) were $190,306.18 and at the end of fiscal year 2013 the net assets of AMICA International (National and One key change to our frontpage will be to post a group Chapters) were $195,250.19 - a net increase of $4,944.01. photo of each chapter, rotated between chapters every AMICA International remains financially sound. so often. This will show visitors that it's the people that make this happen. As John Motto-Ross said "... show real Respectfully submitted, people, just enough machines get their interest, and note Joe Orens the ages from young to old". That's a big promotional draw in itself! Convention Chair Report 2014 is in Fresno. I apologize for the confusion in January about the website's 2015 will be in Colorado, August, in a great venue in a password. We choose and published a password "bellows" beautiful setting. before we knew that our website host vastly tightened 2016 will be in Princeton, NJ with great collections and lots up their password-strength requirements as of Jan-1. to see and do. Consequently we were forced to beef-up the simple 2017 is still open. Looking for a chapter to host. password we planned to include at least one punctuation mark, different casing, and a number - turning "bellows" Submitted, Frank Nix into "Bellows@1963". Going forward the passwords will regrettably be complicated, but the good news is you Honor Roll Report generally only have to enter it once a year when it In the previous year we have received no new nominations changes. for the AMICA Honor Roll. We have in our possession some files on Honor Roll members that should be properly To be consistently compatible with all browsers and archived and made available to AMICA members. Once hand-held devices accessing the multi-media portions of again due to illness we request that the Honor Roll the AMICA website, I choose to move all of our videos chairman position be taken over by an interested and to YouTube - to a private channel, so that the general enthusiastic member or members. browsing/searching public will not find them. But they're Submitted, Tom Stengel linked to our "Members Only" portion of our site. This

AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 203 204 AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 2014 CONVENTION IN PICTURES Photos by Lowell Boehland, Terry Smythe, Wayne Pesuit, Paul Watkins Hotel, Hospitality, Meeting, Banquet

AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 205 Yosemite, Underground Gardens, Warnors Theatre

206 AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 Mike Argain and Rick Shaw Collections

AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 207 Pumper Contest, Workshops

208 AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 Open Houses (Pope, Swirsky-Merithew, Goodman)

AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 209 AMICA 2015 CONVENTION - DENVER, CO - AUGUST 5-9, 2015 by Jere DeBacker

IT’S OFFICIAL!

Save the Dates, August 5 – 9, 2015 for the annual AMICA International Convention in Denver, Colorado. The headquarters will be The Magnolia Hotel at 818 17th Street, Denver, CO 80202. Phone 303-607-9000 or 888-915-1110. This is a downtown Denver hotel in a totally renovated 1929 building. The hotel is undergoing a second complete renovation this year and will be like new, luxurious and comfortable next year in 2015. Click on this link to see the Magnolia Hotel. From the Home page, go to the About Us link and then click the Hotel Amenities section to read the long list of inclusions in our hotel package. http://www.magnoliahotels.com/denver/magnolia-hotel-denver.php It is a great boutique hotel with a stellar location that is large enough to meet all our needs and small enough to be intimate and personal for our AMICA friends and instruments. Following is a brief history of the building and the hotel. The First National Bank building (1929) was 17th Street's first "skyscraper," being the first to exceed 9 stories. Its facade was covered with cement in the 1960s to "modernize" it, and then it sat vacant in the 1980s. After a full restoration started in 1993, it is now the elegant Magnolia Hotel. The Magnolia Hotel is located in the landmark First National Bank/American National Bank building, and is recognized as a downtown Denver historic property. The hotel opened in 1996 at a cost of $20 million, after three years of extensive renovations to the 85-year-old building. The building was meticulously restored to reflect the appearance of the original structure, including terra cotta details and the addition of a replica corner clock. We’ll have a (real American, not Continental) complimentary breakfast from 6-9 a.m. weekdays and 7-10 a.m. weekends, an evening reception every night from 5:30-6:30 and milk and cookies every night from 8 – 10 p.m. The Magnolia Hotel is located just one block from the magnificent 16th Street mall, with over a hundred restaurants, shops and galleries of all kinds, movie theaters, entertainers, historic architecture, horse drawn carriages, a free shuttle bus, and superb people watching. Within easy walking distance from the hotel are some of the country’s best museums, the Denver Mint, the late 19th Century Colorado State Capital building and always a view of the Rocky Mountains. The Kirkland Museum www.KirklandMuseum.org, The Molly Brown House Museum www.MollyBrown.org, and the Clyfford Still Museum www.ClyffordStillMuseum.org are among the most interesting museums in downtown Denver, along with the Denver Art Museum, www.DenverArtMuseum.org which is always spectacular inside and out. Coors Field, where the Colorado Rockies play Baseball is just blocks away, so if you’re a sports fan, plan to attend a game. It’s a really beautiful new field. Come and enjoy Denver and then there is the AMICA Convention. Do you like music? Do you like beautifully restored instruments? Like some different activities in a unique western part of the country? We’ve got lots planned and more things still to come. The exact schedule will follow, well in advance of the convention, but here are some highlights. For those not attending the Board of Directors meeting, there will be some walking tours of the downtown Denver area, highlighting the history and architecture of the “Queen City of the Plaines”. Some of our entertainment and programs for the convention will include, Jacqueline Schwab with her incredible piano playing style, highlighting the music of the early 20th Century. Jacqueline has played music for all the Ken Burns Documentaries that you’ve seen on Public Television over the past decades, and she has played at the White House and the Smithsonian. www.JacquelineSchwab.com Scott Kirby, known as the world’s greatest interpreter of Scott Joplin music, as well as a composer in his own right, and artist will perform. We’ll have some more Cowboy Poetry and a Chuck Wagon Dinner. We’ll have a Raconteur or two who will tell us some stories with piano music to accompany the stories. We will have a formal concert, shared with the public, focusing on the Player Piano, its music, its history and some marvelous music and entertainment from 100 years ago. We expect to have a trip to the mountains to see and ride the Carousel of Happiness www.CarouselofHappiness.org, and of course we’ll have a banquet with live music and dancing! The Queen City Jazz band, complete with singer Wende Harston on vocals, is confirmed for our banquet. www.QueenCityJazzBand.com The focus of this convention will be the instruments, the companies, and the man, Melville Clark. Have you ever heard a Melville Clark Art-Apollo, a Solo-Apollo, or an Apollo~Phone? You will in August of 2015 if you come to Denver. Melville Clark was the first person and company to install the player mechanism inside the piano cabinet

210 AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 to build the player piano that we all know. The Melville Clark Apollo Player Pianos were the first to include all 88 notes in the player system. He started the QRS Music Roll Company, and he was instrumental in standardizing the 88-note player system and the 9/inch standard player roll that we still know today. His company built pianos that would play as many as five different size rolls, and remote player systems that could be installed in any piano. Melville Clark lived until 1918 and he brought a tremendous wealth of innovations, ideas and fine high quality pianos to the world of Automatic Music. He was truly a leader in the field 100 years ago and the pianos his company built attest to his very high standards of quality. We will celebrate his legacy with some gorgeous original and completely restored instruments, unique and special rolls and celebrity musicians. Other instruments you will have the opportunity to see at different venues and open houses: 1919 9’6” Steinway Duo-Art Reproducing Grand, Restored and working beautifully 1925 6’2” Mason & Hamlin AAR Ampico 1930 Chickering Ampico B Reproducing piano 1927 Gulbranson Recordo upright 1922 Cable Orchestrion 1920’s Louis Maas Pipe Organ with MIDI player system 1920’s Reproduco Pipe Organ/Piano Combination 1901 Aeolian Circassian walnut Orchestrelle 1929 Seeburg C Nickelodeon Cabinet Style 1919 Cremona G Nickelodeon 1914 Wurlitzer CX Orchestrion Voigt 82 Key Café Organ 1927 Sohmer Welte-Mignon Licensee Reproducing grand piano Florentine style, Polychrome walnut finish.

Looking forward to hosting you in Denver in August of 2015.

AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 211 BOSTON AREA CHAPTER Reporters: Phyllis Konop, Photographers: Phyllis Konop and Dorothy Bromage President: Kirk Russell

Sunday, April 27, was our Open House/Reception at the 119 Gallery in Lowell, MA. at 1:00 p.m. The Gallery is small and offers its facility to artists of all kinds including various performing musical groups. The instruments we donated for the display were open to the public April 13 – May 10.

This was quite an undertaking for our small chapter but we feel it was very successful. Diedre Christiansen, Director at the museum, and the folks she works with were positive Ginger Christiansen showing young visitor a cob roller organ. about this endeavor from the start. Kudos go to our His mom stands by taking picture President, Kirk Russell, for making this event a success.

We were delighted to see so many visitors walk through the exhibit, trying the hands on items, asking questions about them and our AMICA organization. And we enjoyed showing how our automatic instruments worked and sharing a bit of history about them.

A glass display cabinet showed off our small music boxes. Some were table favors we had received at both AMICA and MBSI conventions. Some were unique music boxes that members had acquired over their years of collecting.

Kirk Russell put together a video describing our hobby and noted that mechanical instruments have been in existence for hundreds of years and in some instances thousands of years, siting wind chimes, Aeolian Harps and chiming clock towers. Many examples of instruments were shown and then he proceeded to show how musical notation is turned into self playing mechanical music. This video was available for people to watch in a separate room.

Dorothy Bromage manned the “kid’s toys” table and Dorothy Bromage preparing plastic sign holders encouraged the youngsters to try them out. Also displayed on the table were magazines, pictures and books about our instruments and collections.

Along the walls as you entered the museum, blown up photos which had been taken at some of our meetings were on display. Thanks to Kirk for doing that. In the main display room hung large poster examples of instruments and advertisements for player pianos and other collectibles.

Chris (Owen) Christiansen’s street organ (Hurdy Gurdy) was of particular interest to adults and children. Also of special interest was a player piano, for sale, provided by Kirk which was eventually sold. Visitors enjoyed pedaling and listening to the rolls.

Later in the afternoon there was a lull in the amount of visitors and we held a brief meeting.

212 AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 Chris (Owen) Christiansen demonstrating his street organ to a visitor Display case full of members’ table favors from conventions and functions

Jack Breen conversing with a visitor Joe Malyndziak taking a turn at the Weber Pianola while Steven Buckman and Kirk Russell look on

10 air cylinder music box MIRA disk music box

AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 213 HEART OF AMERICA CHAPTER Reporter: Don Davis President: Bob Stout

On May 3rd, Heart of America AMICA members visited the Deanna Rose Farmstead near Kansas City. Newly opened barbershop and blacksmith shops were toured. Along with many other member organs, Mike and Sandy Schoeppner debuted their newly acquired forty-nine key Limonaire fairground organ. It was first brought to America by an unknown Florida collector, and in the 1980's was later sold to a Midwest AMICA member and collector. It made many appearances in parades and at Heart of America Chapter organ rallies during the 1990's. With just minor tuning and touchup, it was ready for the spring meeting at Deanna Rose. Then on June 21st Rick McDowell hosted a gathering at the C.W. Parker Carousel Museum in Leavenworth, Kansas. Rick arranged for tours, carousel rides and for an indoor space in Mike and Sandy Schoeppner seated on their new Limonaire organ the museum to demonstrate club members' with other AMICA members small organs. He also coordinated a delicious pot luck dinner complete with homemade ice cream. More information about the C.W Parker Carousel Museum can be found at http://www.firstcitymuseums.org/carousel_main.html.

AMICA members at C.W. Parker Museum. Jim Fletcher entertains

C. W. Parker Carousel horse Carol Davis and Rick McDowell ride the C.W. Parker Carousel

214 AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 LADY LIBERTY CHAPTER Reporter, President: Vincent Morgan Photographers: Buzz Rosa, Vincent Morgan, Keith Bigger, Allen Dreyfus

27 members and friends of the Lady Liberty Chapter gathered at the home of Bill and Ann Edgerton in Norwalk, CT on Saturday, May 10, 2014. This was our first actual business meeting in a year and 5 months. Not to fear though, we have had several public events during that time. The lack of meetings was due to schedules, shrinking venues and weather.

Following a wonderful lunch we went directly to the most important business - the instruments. As Bill introduced each instrument the group gathered, either closer or further away depending on the decibel rate. Cameras flashed and videos rolled as the people wanted to capture every second. Several guests had never before seen anything like what was before their eyes and ears. With eyes wide open, ears tuned in and enthusiasm seeping through their pores, the people literally Host Bill Edgerton with 1896 Gavioli. drank in every note of every instrument.

After every instrument had been heard at least once, we conducted the business meeting, which was kept to a minimum. One of the main discussions was concerning the collection of the late Randolph Herr, an AMICA member active in our chapter since 1970! As of the time of the meeting the estate was still in probate. Not a lot is known about the details of the collection other than there were numerous pianos (one a 9 ft. Steinway Duo Art), numerous cash registers and typewriters, a Welte Vorsetser, many piano rolls, roll cabinets and antique ice boxes. All was inherited by his brother, who is interested in disposing of the entire collection. Among the many instruments in the Edgerton collection that we listened to included the following: • 52 key Foucher-Gasparini, built in 1908 • 43-keyless Gebruder Bruder, built in 1949 • Large Art-Deco Decap Cafe or Dance organ, built in 1952 • 89-key Gavioli fair organ, built in 1896 • 52-key Limonaire Freres, built in 1916, once named "The Rhinocerous" • Large Dufner barrel pipe organ, built in the 1870's • 1905 Orpheus, a 22-note piano that plays the same cardboard discs as does an Ariston organette • Piano Melodico, an Italian instrument using reiterating hammers to create a mandolin band effect • 1860s barrel piano from the Polan estate, of the type often used on city streets Several attendees captivated by a workshop. • 26-key Gavioli Harmonium barrel organ that has reeds.

There were also cylinder and disc music boxes of various sizes and makes.

AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 215 Bernhard Dufner First timers: D. Ann Lupinek, Sohel Mujub Alam, Larry McGowan, Paul de Camp, Gail Bahuk

Following the business meeting more instruments were played, guest Larry McGowan played the piano—with his hands! Wow! Then many of the people went to Hildebrandt's, a nostalgic diner from the 1920's. Following that we gathered at nearby Chaminade High school where the New York Theater Organ Society was putting on an organ concert and 3-hour silent movie. Those who were still able to stand then went to the home of Bob Stuhmer to listen to new arrangements on his Pell 65 key organ, with 186 pipes, bass and snare drums, and glockenspiel, which was built from a kit by Bob Stuhmer and Bob Yorburg. I think that some members collapsed into bed long after midnight with visions of organs dancing in their heads and ringing in their ears. What a full, full day!

June 21, 2014 was a bright, sunny day in NY City and perfect to celebrate one of our member's 13th birthday. Seventeen people from our chapter descended on the lovely home of John, Jill and Ian Fraser who live on Staten Island. This was a special event. We conducted no business. We were there to encourage the youngest member of AMICA and celebrate his recent 13th birthday. As John and Jill showered us with a terrific barbecue, we showered Ian with piano rolls, musical birthday cards and genuine praise. We ate until we could eat no more. Then it was time for piano music. At first Ian played a couple requests from his own collection. Then the rolls began to pile up on the coffee table behind him. He began to play them one-by-one. Then another family arrived with more rolls. People began to sing to the music. We learned to not believe every label. One box was labeled "VINO", but it held—piano rolls! The mood was broken with the words "ICE Our hosts, the Fraser family with Ian's player piano. CREAM AND CAKE!" Reluctantly, we began to file outdoors for a wonderful chocolate birthday cake and two flavors of all the ice cream we could eat. Then came the ice cream sodas! Finally, we couldn't take it any longer and had to return to the player piano and Ian's new rolls. He played, we sang. He played some more and we sang some more—until we simply couldn't continue any longer. As we said our good-byes we were each handed a bag of popcorn and a box of Cracker Jacks to eat on the way home. Wow! What a day! In our car everyone except the driver fell asleep, exhausted. Well, we aren't sure if the driver stayed awake or not as there aren't witnesses. 216 AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 Ian, who was one of the four young men featured in the March/April edition of the Bulletin, is home schooled. As such, his mechanical music projects and ventures all qualify as school projects. A few years ago he obtained a Celestina crank reed organ and has played it in rallies and public events numerous times. He joined COAA. At the combined COAA and AMICA organ rally in Coney Island last year Ian and his family joined AMICA. Then several months ago he bought a player piano that had not worked in many years. Within an hour of delivery he had it repaired and working! His next project is to build a John Smith Topsy organ. We can't wait to see and hear it.

The group enjoying the meeting and party Player piano pumper contest?

A good time was had by all Happy birthday to our chapter's and AMICA's youngest member, Ian Fraser!

AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 217 MIDWEST CHAPTER Reporter: Christy Counterman President: Don Johnson

The weekend of May 2 – 4, 2014 brought members of the Midwest Chapter of AMICA together with those from the Mid-Am MBSI for a fun weekend in Marion, Ohio. We started out Friday evening at the collections of the Marion County Historical Society downtown. The former post office building was converted into a museum now known as Heritage Hall, which showcases industries of Marion’s past, as well as President Harding’s local history. We visited the Wyandot Popcorn Museum with the largest collection of popcorn memorabilia in the world, Wyandot snack foods is still a large company in Marion. Featured was a 1927 Model TT Cretors concession truck, one of seven in existence. The museum The entire group at dinner at The Colonial House Restaurant. brought in several actors dressed as historical figures to share their stories with us.

Saturday saw us divided into three groups to tour homes and to visit Todd Goings’ Carousels and Carvings. Tour guides Ralph and Dan showed us their restoration jobs in progress, the machine shop, the wood carving, decorative painting and even a complete carousel set up inside that belongs to Michigan State University. It is a 1916 Herschell Spillman, with dogs and chickens as well as horses to ride. They were proud of their restoration of the Coney Island B&B carousel, where 15 people worked to bring it back to life. The majority of carousel work in the U.S. is done in Ohio by only two companies.

Our group went to to the home of Mike and Linda Perry for the first stop. They have a great collection including a whole room of organettes, in which Mike was happy to demonstrate many unusual kinds. They have a Scopitone, the early music video machine, a Link 2E with the great roll unwinding mechanism and a working 1928 Violano in all original condition. The largest machine was a huge band organ built in 1970 that never had a facade, and we could see the pipes and mechanism easily. Mike and Linda were very knowledgeable and had interesting stories about the history of many of the instruments.

Next was a trip to Dave VanOosten’s home, situated on a scenic quarry on a street just across form the Harding house, site of the front-porch Presidential campaign. The music room was packed with instruments, lighted by stained glass lamps and framed by stained glass windows old and new. The latest acquisition was a single-leg Weber Duo Art grand from New York. He has a Schiller Welte, and a Marshall & Wendell Ampico A to round out the piano type collection. There were phonographs, a Seeburg L, a Link and an Aeolian Orchestrelle to entertain us as well. The center of the room Mike Barnhart and Bob Andersen check out some vintage tunes was highlighted by a huge chandelier from the in Dave VanOosten's music room Renaissance Theatre.

218 AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 After everyone finished touring around town, the whole group met at the Colonial House for a Mart followed by a dinner and entertainment. The MBSI group held their business meeting, and Sunday morning the AMICA group did the same. Members who didn’t have far to travel could go to open houses at Dave’s and the Perry’s on Sunday before heading for home. We had a great time visiting new places while learning about and enjoying interesting mechanical musical instruments. Thanks to our hosts for a fun and informative weekend!

Alvin Wulfekuhl enjoys popcorn wagon conversion at the The Perry’s Arburo organ, completely restored, featuring 160 pipes Wyandot Popcorn Museum

Can't we all relate to this warning sign? Dave VanOosten's Seeburg L from Bob Andersen chats with a Civil War Svoboda's Nickelodeon Tavern in soldier at Marion County Historical Society Chicago Heights

AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 219 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAPTER Reporter, President: Don Henry Photographers: Ed Cooley, Don Henry

Our April 26, 2014 meeting was held in the beautiful mountain town of Wrightwood, CA. We joined forces with our local MBSI chapter for a meeting at the lovely home of our good friends Jerry Pell and Diane Minzey. This is the first combined meeting that we have attempted in many years, and our thanks to both Jerry and Diane for making this event a great success. Wrightwood, located 80 miles from Los Angeles, provided us with glorious weather, with just a hint of a chill in the air, reminding us Southern California people that there really is such a thing as winter out there.

We had an excellent turnout with about 70 people in attendance. The afternoon started off with a wonderful array of snacks, appetizers and beverages. Of course, the deviled eggs disappeared in a hurry. I must confess, I may have had more than my fair share.

Afterwards, we held our business meetings where the upcoming AMICA convention was discussed briefly along with the 2015 MBSI convention preparations. We also talked about having more combined meetings in the future which received a favorable response from almost every member of both groups. Neither of our treasurers were in attendance, so we concluded that they joined forces, drained the treasury and are currently in Switzerland hiding out in a chalet in the Alps. This has yet to be confirmed however.

Admiring the 67 keyless Bruder

The rest of the afternoon was spent enjoying the music machines. Jerry enthralled us with his fabulous 67 keyless Bruder, as well as the Western Electric Selectra, and some selections from the Artrio-Angelus reproducing piano. Andrew Barrett and his friend Ryan Wishner also entertained us with some masterful piano playing, at times playing in unison on two different pianos. These two young men are true artists and we are so glad that they have an appreciation and love of mechanical music and the rich history that accompanies it. Hopefully they will be the ambassadors for future generations of mechanical music enthusiasts. Seeburg Style C piano and Wurlitzer 105 band organ

220 AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 As evening rolled around, a group of about 15 or so meandered down to the local cantina, Mexico Lindo, where we discussed the day's festivities over jumbo margaritas and fabulous Mexican cuisine. Most of our happy group began their descent back to the city, but a few stragglers (yours truly included) managed to follow Jerry and Diane back to the house for a little more music and conversation. Andrew and Ryan were amongst the diehards and delighted us with more piano magic which included some obscure and rarely heard ragtime tunes. By 10:30pm, all had gone home with the exception of one who refused to leave until the following morning (again, yours truly). Thanks again to Jerry, Diane, and Darwin for their hospitality and generosity!

Andrew Barrett and Ryan Wishner tickling the ivories Chairman Don Henry photobombing our host and hostess

Peggy Cooley and friends, Charlie Davis, Weldon and Mary Clegg, Dueling chairmen Dick and Phyllis Goetz

Jerry Pell, Diane Minzey, and Darwin The goodie table

AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 221 IN MEMORIAM

the Thomas Museum. We even had one “Christmas Blaine Thomas Meeting” there in March, it having been postponed Blaine Thomas, trusted friend of all because of an enduring Kansas blizzard. No matter, we in the Heart of America Chapter, enjoyed the dance organs, nickelodeons, band organs, passed away on January 3, 2014, at rare musical boxes, Steinway Duo-Art piano, and the age 90. Magnificent Dutchess, a 101-key Mortier, the only remaining example of its type. Also on display was a Blaine was born, raised, and restored soda fountain, rows of jukeboxes, a 24-foot-long educated in Manhattan, Kansas. shooting gallery, trade stimulators, mechanical advertising, He served in the US Air Force during and extensive ephemera from days gone by in Manhattan, World War II and returned to Riley County, and the State of Kansas. Manhattan to start Thomas Sign Advertising, which he operated until Blaine added a truly creative and artistic side to his business his retirement. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, skills. Shown here is an example of the Chapter name Armeda. badges that he designed. We will remember him every time we wear these at our meetings. As his sign business prospered, he also developed a deep interest in mechanical music, coin-op, carnival, soda fountain, and historic artifacts. His collection grew to fill an entire room of the business, and eventually overtook most of the building so the sign business moved across the street. The Thomas Museum was not as well-known as it might have been, as Blaine was not the type of person to promote himself. Blaine won the AMICA International Award in 2006. At his memorial service, many who knew him learned for the first time of his quiet aid and assistance to all types of persons in need. Editor’s note: This tribute, prepared by the Heart of America The Heart of America Chapter enjoyed many meetings at Chapter, was submitted earlier, and should have been published in the March / April Bulletin.

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222 AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 ADVERTISING GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT ALL ADVERTISING IN THE AMICA BULLETIN All advertising should be directed to: Glenn Thomas 165 Kildee Rd. Belle Mead, NJ 08502 Phone: 908-431-0490 e-mail: [email protected] Ad copy must contain text directly related to the product/service being offered. Extraneous text will be deleted at the Editor’s discretion. Advertisers will be invoiced, with payment to AMICA Treasurer. Telephone ads will not be accepted due to high risk of errors. AMICA reserves the right to edit or to reject any ad deemed inappropriate or not in keeping with AMICA’s goals and objectives. The BULLETIN accepts advertising without endorsement, implied or otherwise, of the products or services being offered. Publication of business advertising in no way implies AMICA’s endorsement of any commercial operation. AMICA PUBLICATIONS RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ACCEPT, REJECT, OR EDIT ANY AND ALL SUBMITTED ARTICLES AND ADVERTISING. All items for publication must be submitted directly to the Editor for consideration. CLASSIFIED AD RATES FOR AMICA MEMBERS: 1-100 Words ...... $20.00 Non-member rates are double for all advertising. DISPLAY ADVERTISING Double Page ...... $200.00 Full Page ...... $150.00 Half Page ...... $ 75.00 Quarter Page ...... $ 50.00 Business Card ...... $ 30.00 Non-member rates are double for all advertising. Special 6 for 5 Ad Offer - Place any ad, with no changes, for a full year (6 issues), and pay for only 5 issues. Payable in advance. Photographs or halftones $15.00 each Loose Sheet or Insert Advertising: Inquire Display advertisers supply camera-ready copy. Copy that is oversized or undersized will be changed to correct size. We ordinarily do not prepare advertisements from raw content. PAYMENT: Advertisers will be invoiced. Make check payable to AMICA INTERNATIONAL. Typesetting and layout size alterations will be billed if required by professional service. DEADLINES: Submissions must be received no later than the first of the odd months (January, March, May, July, September, November). The Bulletin will be mailed no later than the first week of the even months. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Amazing 1926 6' Steinway Duo-Art Reproducing Grand Piano, and bench. Recently fully restored and rebuilt insides, by certified and reputable technician - Tom Ahearn. Exterior is in very good condition! Our Grand will rock your world with music unmatched by any other piano, with inflections and sound as though you were listening to the masters in person. To play it personally, the keys respond only as a Steinway can and is a pleasure to play. Wonderful instrument. Also available are roughly 450 rolls to be sold separately although we will send several with purchase, of the buyers choosing as a gift. Asking $28,000. Located in Port Orchard WA. 98367 [email protected] 360-521-6434 (6-14) (6-14)

AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 223 CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Wurlitzer Band Organ Style 165 Rolls. Newly arranged rolls just released. Great selection of contemporary and traditional music by talented arrangers! Also many duplicate older rolls available. Glenn Thomas; 165 Kildee Rd.; Belle Mead, NJ 08502; 908-431-0490; [email protected] (6-14) Fresno 2014 Table Favors for Sale. We have a few of these beautifully made table favors left. They are an accurate 1/8 scale model of a Coinola Cupid. (A cabinet piano playing an "A" roll, manufactured by Operators Piano Company of Chicago around 1920) They have "stained glass" windows, lights, and play a one-minute chip recorded from the actual machine. The music is "The Hills Are Alive With the Sound of Music", which was appropriate for the Convention Trip to Yosemite and the Movie at the Historic Warnor Theater. Hint: Great gifts for Christmas, birthdays, etc. The price is $75, includ- ing packing and shipping anywhere in the U.S. Email Frank at: [email protected] (F-4-14) The MBSI invites our fellow AMICA collectors to join us October 7-12 in Weston, Florida to see outstanding collections, hear amazing musical machines, learn at workshops, buy/sell at the mart and make great friendships. We all love seeing and hearing nickelodeons, coinop music, self-playing pianos, music boxes, clockwork music, orchestrions and self-playing organs. Come join us! Find out more https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFPd5AsdZYI and register at http://mbsi2014.org/index.html. Thanks, Wayne Finger (F-4-14) (4-14)

KNABE AMPICO MODEL A GRAND

Restored in 1970’s, but needs another for proper performance. Complete except for two small drawer covers. Painted, but walnut or mahogany veneer in good condition. Owned by collector and never abused. Soundboard and bridges good. Many Ampico and 88n rolls included. $5,000 or b.o. Bryson Kershner; 215 407-6340; [email protected]; Valley Forge, PA.

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224 AMICA Bulletin - July/August 2014 Please visit these suppliers of rolls

Tim Baxter : Meliora Music Rolls David Saul: Precision Music Rolls Welte-Mignon (Licensee), Ampico, Duo-Art, 88 note. 1043 Eastside Road, El Cajon, CA 92020-1414 www.melioramusicrolls.com email: [email protected] [email protected] www.PrecisionMusicRolls.com

SB-"O" Rolls series. Dick Hack: Hack Mechanical Music Play-Rite Music Rolls 2051 Chesapeake Road, Annapolis, MD 21409 1536 N. Palm St., email: [email protected] Turlock. CA 95380. U.S.A. (410) 279-5859 Cell Days (410) 757-2164 Home Evenings Steve Bentley Phone. (209) 632-5784. Kukral Collection: Fax. 209) 667-8241. Welte-Mignon and 88-Note Rolls email: [email protected] 216 Madison Blvd., Terre Haute, IN 47803 Phone: (812) 238-9656 503-741-0960 (cell) Joyce Brite: Player Piano and email: [email protected] Mechanical Music Exchange http://www.mmdigest.com/Exchange/ John Motto-Ros http://www.mmdigest.com/Exchange/rollpage.htm “Nickelodeon Rolls” email: [email protected] “A” “G” “O” Rolls & Boxes 110 Allen Ranch Road, Sutter Creek, CA 95685 Julian Dyer 209-267-9252 88-note and Duo-Art rolls www.johnnysmusicrolls.com 5 Richmond Rise, Wokingham RG41 3XH, e-mail: [email protected] United Kingdom www.pianorolls.co.uk Keystone Music Rolls email: [email protected] P.O. Box 650, Bethlehem, PA 18016 [email protected] Ed Gaida Music Rolls http://www.keystonemusicroll.com PO Box 8174 San Antonio, TX 78208 Gnaw-Vol-ty Rolls [email protected] Stephen Kent Goodman http://www.gaidamusicrolls.com www.gnaw-vol-ty.com E-mail: [email protected] Brian Stahl: Piano Ticklers Music Rolls Fax: 866-828-2165 Ampico and 88-note recuts P.O. Box 220, Elizabethville, PA 17023 D.C. Ramey Piano Company, LLC. email: [email protected] A, G(and 4X), H, M, and O rolls www.pianoticklers.com 17768 Woodview Drive Phone: (717) 599-1369 Marysville OH 43040 708-602-3961 Rob Deland: Blues Tone Rolls www.dcramey.com www.bluesrolls.com email: [email protected] email: [email protected] "Pipes of Pan Music Rolls" Leedy Brothers Music Rolls Rolls for organettes and other devices Ampico, Welte Lic. 88 Note 207 S. McCrary St. 4660 Hagar Shore Road, Coloma, MI 49038 Woodbury, TN 37190 [email protected] 615-563-5814 pianorollcenter.com http://www.popmusicrolls.com Phone: (269) 468-5986 email: [email protected]

Larry Norman: Rollertunes AmpicoRolls.com 88 note, and a few reproducing rolls Ray Smith, Proprietor www.home.earthlink.net/~rollertunes 630 Broad Street email: [email protected] Shrewsbury, NJ 07702 Phone: (540) 721-7188 732-747-1000 [email protected] Robin Pratt: Artists' Choice Music Rolls Welte-Mignon (LIcensee), Ampico and 88note roll Lewki Music email: [email protected] old 88note, Ampico, Duo-Art, Welte Phone: (419) 626-1903 PO Box 1945 Westminster, MD 21158 516 Pierce Street, Sandusky, OH 44870-4725 443-487-1810 www.Lewki.com QRS Music Technologies, Inc. email: [email protected] 1026 Niagara Street, Buffalo, NY 14213 Lew & Kiki Marshall Phone: 1-800-247-6557 - Fax: 1-716-885-7510 www.qrsmusic.com Presenting a three-part reference article: J.P. Seeburg: Seventy Years of Innovation By John D. Rutoskey

SEEBURG G ORCHESTRION