The www.amica.org AMICA Bulletin Volume 48, Number 6 November/December 2011 Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors’ Association This ad prepared with the help of Rosanna Harris, with thanks ISSN #1533-9726 The AMICA BulleTIn AUToMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT CoLLECToRS' ASSoCIATIoN
Published by the Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors’ Asso- Visit the AMICA web site at: http://www.amica.org ciation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax exempt group devoted to the to enter the “Members-Only” portal, restoration, distribution and enjoyment of musical instruments Current User Name: AMICA using perforated paper music rolls and perforated music books. Current password: rewind (to end 2011) AMICA was founded in San Francisco, California in 1963. New password: treadle (from 1 Jan 2012)
VoLUME 48, Number 5 November/December 2011 AMICA BULLETIN
FEATURES DEADLINES Ads and articles must be received AMICA in England 2011 ...... by Shirley Nix ...... 300 on or before the 1st of these ODD AMICA in Pittsburgh 2012 . . . . .by Tim Baxter ...... 303 months: Nickel Notes ...... by Matthew Jaro ...... 304 January July Mechanical Music Today ...... by Marc Sachnoff . . . . . 308 March September Visit to the Popper Showroom . . by Q. David Bowers . . . 330 May November Duo-Art Organ Concertola . . . . . by Paul Morris ...... 333 Bulletins will ordinarily be mailed in Tribute to Larry Givens ...... by 3 Friends ...... 348 the 1st week of the even months, for expected delivery mid-month.
COLUMNS Terry Smythe 55 Rowand Avenue President’s Message...... 296 Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3J2N6 Vice-President’s Message ...... 297 204-832-3982 (email preferred) Editorial Observations ...... 296 [email protected] Letters ...... 298 80 Years Young ...... by Alan Turner ...... 299 MEMBERSHIP SERVICES AMICAn in the Spotlight ...... 313 Membership Dues: Web Sites of Interest ...... 313 USA Bulk Mail ...... $55.00 USA First Class ...... $70.00 Sutter Creek Organ Rally ...... 314 Overseas ...... $70.00 Call for AMICA Award Nominations ...... 315 Canada-Mexico ...... $65.00 Chapter News ...... 315 Renewals – Additional $5.00 due if 2011 Annual Reports ...... 321 renewed past the Jan. 31 deadline AMICAn Making Music ...... 345 Address changes and corrections In Memoriam ...... 347 Directory information updates Ads ...... Additional copies of 357 Member Directory . . . $25.00 Single copies of back issues ($10.00 per issue – based upon availability)
Lyle Merithew & Sandy Swirski Front Cover: ETUDE Cover December 1947 416 Colfax Drive San Jose, CA 95123-3403 Front Cover Border: Kroeger ad, Music Trade Review, December 1925 408-227-9284 Inside Front Cover: Announcement of new book by Q. David Bowers [email protected] Inside Back Cover: AMICA 2011 in England photos To ensure timely delivery of your Outside Back Cover: QRS Display ad, Music Trade Review, ~1928 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 © 2011 AMICA International Printed by Engler Printing Co., Fremont, OH • [email protected] 293 AMICA INTERNATIoNAL - International officers -
PRESIDENT PAST PRESIDENT EDIToR Tim Baxter John Motto-Ros Terry Smythe 939 Briarcliff Rd NE 110 Allen Ranch Road 55 Rowand Avenue Atlanta, GA 30306-4664 Sutter Creek, CA 95685 Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3J2N6 404-377-1220 209-267-9252 204-832-3982 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
VICE-PRESIDENT TREASURER Alan Turner Joe Orens 148 Kingsway Avenue 8917 Wooden Bridge Road Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3M 0H1 Potomac, MD 20854-2448 204-489-3075 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 Avenue 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 harold Malakinian Karl ellison 2345 Porest Trail Drive 6 Lions Lane Troy, MI 48098 Salem, MA 01970-1784 248-528-3111 978-740-5680 [email protected] [email protected]
AMICA ENDoWMENT FUND Richard VanMetre 1506 South Courtland Avenue Park Ridge, IL 60068-5333 847-318-7310 [email protected]
294 AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 AMICA INTERNATIoNAL Chapter officers FoUNDING CHAPTER Newsletter Editor: Bill Maguire Sec: Louise Lucero Pres: John Ulrich - 510-223-9587 LAND oF DIXIE Treas: Barry Weiss [email protected] President: Walt Gerber - waltgerber@bell- Reporter: Larry Emmons Vice Pres: Karen Simons south.net Board Rep: Jere DeBacker Sec: Jack & Dianne Edwards Vice President: Robert Soule Treas/Bd Rep: Lyle Merithew & Sandy Swirsky Treasurer: Tim Baxter SoWNY (Southern ontario,Western New Reporter: Bob & Bonnie Gonzalez Secretary: Danita Gerber York) Board Representative: Tim Baxter Pres: Glenn Roat BoSToN AREA [email protected] [email protected] Pres: Phil Konop Vice Pres: Bob and Kathy Singer Vice-Pres: Bob Hunt - 207-985-2308 MIDWEST (oH, MI, IN, KY) Sec: Shirley Roat Sec: Kirk Russell Pres: Don Johnson - 248-650-1840 [email protected] Treas: Dorothy Bromage [email protected] Treas: Holly Walter Reporter: Don Brown Vice Pres: Liz Barnhart [email protected] Board Rep: Bob Hunt - [email protected] Sec: Hilda Merchant Reporter: Audrey Cannizzaro and Bill Lukasiak Treas: Alvin Wulfekuhl [email protected] CHICAGo AREA Reporter: Christy Counterman Board Rep: Mike Walter Pres: Jerry Biasella - 708-756-3307 Board Rep: Liz Barnhart Photographer: Bill Lukasiak Vice Pres: Richard Van Metre Sec: Carol Veome - 773-338-1042 NoRTHERN LIGHTS (MN, ND, SD, MB, SoUTHERN CALIFoRNIA [email protected] Northernontario) Pres: Jerry Pell - [email protected] Treas: Joe Pekarek Pres: Paul Watkins - 763-421-0672 Vice Pres: Mike Choate Reporter: Curt Clifford [email protected] Sect/Reporter: Shirley Nix Board Rep: TBD Vice Pres: [email protected] Sec: Mark Kraabel Treas: Diane Reidy HEART oF AMERICA Treas: Barbara Watkins Board Rep: Frank Nix Pres: Bob Stout - 816-833-1556 Reporter: Jerrilynn Boehland [email protected] Board Rep: Paul Watkins or Mark Kraabel TEXAS Vice Pres: Dan Davis Pres: Rich Clayton - 972-369-0470 Sec: Trudy. Moffitt PACIFIC CAN-AM [email protected] Treas: Brian Graham Pres: David Goodwin - 360-403-1970 Vice Pres: Michael Barisonek Reporter: HC and Marlene Beckman [email protected] [email protected] Board Rep: Gary Craig Vice Pres: Mark Baratta Treasurer: Janet Tonnesen Secretary: Larry Sanchez [email protected] LADY LIBERTY Treas: Mark Smithberg Secretary: Suzanne McCall Pres: John Dousmanis (646) 638-2201 Reporter: TBD [email protected] Vice Pres: Vincent Morgan - 718-479-2562 Bd. Rep: Dan Brown Bulletin Reporter: Ken Long [email protected] [email protected] Sec: Bob Stuhmer RoCKY MoUNTAIN Board Rep: John McCall Treas: Maryam Morgan Pres: Jere DeBacker - 303-570-6243 j-mccall@sbcglobal .net Reporter: Martin "Buzz" Rosa [email protected] Board Rep: Vincent and Maryam Morgan Vice Pres: Ken Hodge Affiliated Societies and organizations American Theatre organ Society (AToS) Carousel organ Association of America Netherlands Mechanical organ Society-KDV President/CEO – Ken Double Editor/Publisher: Ron Bopp A. T. Meijer 5705 80th Street North (918) 527-0589 Wilgenstraat 24 St. Petersburg, Florida 33709 4725 Montrose Dr., Bradenton, FL, 34210 NL-4462 VS Goes, Netherlands Phone: 281-798-6205 [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Northwest Player Piano Association Friends of Scott Joplin THEATRE ORGAN Co-Editors – Everson Whittle, Secretary 1217 St. Croix Ct. Mike Bryant and Don Feely 11 Smiths Road, Darcy Lever, Kirkwood, MO 63122-2326 Editorial Office Bolton BL3 2PP, Gt. Manchester, England website: http//stlouis.missouri.org/fsjoplin 3111 NE 165th Pl. Home Phone: 01204 529939 Email: [email protected] Vancouver, WA 98682 Business Phone: 01772 208003 Phone: 206-619-6645 International Piano Archives at Maryland Email: [email protected] E-Mail: [email protected] Performing Arts Library,University of Maryland 2511 Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center Pianola Institute Associazione Italiana Musica Meccanica College Park, MD 20742 Clair Cavanagh, Secretary Villa Silvia - Via Lizzano, 1241 Phone:301-405-9224 43 Great Percy St., London WC1X 9RA 47023 Cesena (FC), Italy Fax: 301-314-7170 England Phone: 0039-547-323425 Email: [email protected] Fax: 0039-547-661264 Player Piano Group Email: [email protected] International Vintage Phono Adam Ramet, Bulletin Editor Website: www.ammi-italia.com & Mechanical Music Society 42 Park Road, Westcliff on Sea, Essex, UK C.G. Nijsen, Secretaire General Email: [email protected] Australian Collectors of Mechanical Musical 19 Mackaylaan Instruments 5631 NM Eindhoven, Netherlands Smithsonian Institution Peter Phillips - Editor Division of Musical History 26 Alice Street Musical Box Society of Great Britain Washington, D.C. 20560 Padstow, NSW 221, Australia Alison Biden Phone: (612) 9773-4734 St Giles Hilltop, Northbrook Close Society For Self-Playing Musical Instruments email: [email protected] Winchester, Hants. Gesellschaft fur Selbstspielende SO23 0JR, UK Musikinstrumente (GSM) E.V. Netherlands Pianola Association email: [email protected] Ralf Smolne Nederlandse Pianola Vereniging Emmastr. 56 Att. Jan van Hulzen, Member of the Board Musical Box Society International D-45130 Essen, Germany Chopinrode 25 Rosanna Harris, Editor Phone: **49-201-784927 2717 BH Zoetermeer, Netherlands 5815 West 52nd Avenue Fax :**49-201-7266240 email: [email protected] Denver, CO 80212 Email: [email protected] Phone: 303-431-9033 Fax: 303-431-6978 Email: [email protected] AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 295 President’s Message This issue will contain the first descriptions of our 2012 convention in Pittsburgh (see page 303). Your convention chairman (me!) is working hard to insure a fun and inter- esting experience. I know it is not possible for all of our members to attend the conventions, but I think it is one of the most important things we do as a group. Besides the necessity of con- vening to conduct AMICA’s business affairs, the ability to speak face to face with folks remains critical, even in our well-connected world. None of Skype, e-mail, or similar tech- nologies can replace an in person, one-on-one interaction. Maybe there’s a technical issue you want to vet, and the gal who knows so much about it is just across the room. Perhaps you need to discuss local chapter issues. Or maybe you are just reveling in the great compa- ny of friends from years past or chatting up someone new. And if your world is like mine, there’s not a lot of people outside of AMICA with whom you can discuss reproducing piano repertoire, nickelodeons, Aeolian player organs, etc. For folks without a local chapter, the annual convention plays an even greater role in making these important and enjoyable connections. So I would say: try to get to the convention if you can. The convention hotel is itself a destination, situated alongside an historic train depot in downtown Pittsburgh, right on the banks of the Monongehala. We are opening the convention to our brothers and sisters in MBSI and COAA to increase vitality within the hobby and to insure a great turnout, all while giving us the chance to demonstrate our legendary AMICA hospitality. One final request: this convention is being staged without the assistance of a Pittsburgh-area chapter. If there is anyone within a few hours of Pittsburgh that would be willing to either help at the convention, and/or lend an instrument for the hospitality room, would you please contact me at your earliest convenience at the e-mail address below. We are looking for a pedal pumper, a Duo-Art or Welte-Mignon (we have an Ampico A), and, if possible, a nickelodeon or something else lively and interesting.
All the best for the holidays and a Happy 2012,
Tim Baxter [email protected]
Editorial observations A stunning surprise was sprung on me on the occasion of my recent 80th birthday. While Eleanor and I were attending the AMICA Convention in the UK, our daughters Heather and Linda, quietly, discreetly contacted friends and family with an invite to a brunch/party. A number of AMI- CAns were also contacted who expressed kind regards, very much appreciated. Our Vice-President, Alan Turner, who happens to be a neighbor, attended and insisted that the next issue contain a brief report of that delightful event, attended by about 50 people. My sincere thanks and appreciation to those who were contacted and responded with best wishes, Made my day! This issue contains obligatory reports from our officers and committee chairs. Ordinarily, this issue would also contain our convention photos. With well over 2,000+ photos of this event, this issue could easily be several hundred pages deep. As a consequence, it will contain just a few, with the bulk appearing in the next issue, Jan-Feb 2012. Our Sep-Oct issue contained a fine article by Ray Fairfield, about the restoration of his Cre- mona nickelodeon. What made that article very special was his real-time documentation with before/after photos. That article represented a huge commitment and discipline, very much appreciat- ed. An appeal to all is extended for similar articles, which really add to the richness of our journal, that which binds us together. For this issue, a number of members have contributed a variety of articles that, for the first time, leaves me in the position of actually having a couple for a future issue. Wonderful birthday present!
Enjoy!
Terry Smythe [email protected]
296 AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 Vice-President’s Message Greetings one and all! It is with great pleasure that I am able to say that this year's AMICA convention and tour in England was Ship-Shape and Bristol Fashion, a great success! First and foremost I must extend my personal and AMICA's thanks and appreciation to all those who participated in making this year's convention interesting and jam-packed with sights and activities. In particular, Liz Barnhart, Julian Dyer and Boz Oram who, among many others working behind the scenes, joined forces to bring this monumental task together while manag- ing to keep all of us on time and loaded into the coaches with very few glitches and not losing one of us! A job very well done! Thank You All! Near the end of the first week of the tours and convention in England an impromptu meeting was held with the members of the board and committee members who were present. A number of topics were discussed, among which was our ongoing effort to maintain the cur- rent membership as well as brain-storming ideas to entice new members into AMICA. A num- ber of ideas were brought forward which will be explored over the next few months and this upcoming year. One idea of particular merit (and one that I could act upon immediately) was the following: Many of our membership have videotaped their instruments and posted the recordings on YouTube. The suggestion was to use those YouTube Videos to advertise (this is free) AMICA and provide a link to the AMICA website for those people who are watching and following our videos to see what AMICA is about. It is our hope that some of these people visiting the AMICA web- site will be interested enough to become members of AMICA or at least to find out more about what our hobby is about. If you have videos posted in YouTube please consider adding something like the example I have provided below to your profile to generate new interest in AMICA. I posted the following in my YouTube Channel profile, which I hope will direct some people to check AMICA out online. My YouTube Channel is located at http://www.youtube.com/user/AlanWTurner
If you enjoy the music that I have posted on my YouTube channel, which was all recorded and played back using technology from the 19-teens, twenties and thirties, you may consider checking out the Automatic Musical Instru- ment Collectors' Association (AMICA) at http://www.amica.org AMICA is an organization that has the following objectives: (a) To provide an organization for collectors of automated musical instruments, such as roll operated player pianos and pipe organs, orchestrions, nickelodeons etc. (b) To promote the acquisition and distribution of instruments, recordings, and technical and historical information con- cerning these instruments. (c) To encourage the preservation and restoration of automatic musical instruments to the highest possible standards. (d) To discourage the destruction and dismantling of restorable automatic musical instruments, or the irreversible modi- fication of original instruments. (e) To acquaint collectors with services and repair opportunities. (f) To encourage and assist in the production, distribution, and preservation of recordings - both reissues and new per- formances. (g) To educate the public about the historical and cultural significance of automatic musical instruments. In addition, AMICA works to encourage interest in the hobby, to entice people to start collecting and/or appreciating these wonderful (and historic) instruments and ultimately to join the ranks of AMICA International as members, thus keeping this aspect of the world's musical history alive for future generations. AMICA is truly a world-wide organization with members in 17 countries around the globe. Our member- ship ranges from those with very modest collections to those with collections of museum quality pieces. During my time as a member of the organization (and only having a somewhat modest collection), I have been made to feel welcome at every member's home that I have had the honour to visit. I believe the music and this hobby transcend language, cultural and economic barriers! More information on AMICA can be found on our website at: http://www.amica.org Another avenue for promotion of AMICA (again free for the using) is to take advantage of Social Media services such as Face Book, Twitter, My Space and the like. Terry Smythe alluded to this in his Editorial Observations in the May/June 2011 edition of the bulletin. This is technology that AMICA as an organization that hopes to continue well into upcoming century and beyond should embrace and exploit to our benefit. Finally, I would like to draw your attention to the Call for Awards Nominations article which is printed at the beginning of the Chapter Reports section of this bulletin. It is that time of year again where I am appealing to the membership of AMICA for nom- inations for the Leo Ornstein Literary Award and the AMICA International Awards. Musically, Alan Turner Vice-President AMICA International
AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 297 letters Subject: amica article - Cremona Restoration the body was moved or not. Date: Thu, 06 Oct 2011 12:09:52 -0700 John Davis' e-mail address is From: Jstevens
Greetings: Present, past and perspective members of the Subject: Blind Tom Boston area chapter of AMICA Date: Fri, 02 Sep 2011 07:24:22 -0400 From: Vincent Morgan
298 AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 80 Years Young TERRY SMYTHE – Editor of our AMICA Bulletin by Alan Turner international vice-president Terry Smythe celebrated his 80th birthday in grand style! over 50 of terry’s family and friends joined together on sunday, october 30th, 2011 to celebrate this wonderful occasion with a surprise brunch, held at the star Conservatory Restaurant in Winnipeg, Canada. Five local aMiCan’s were pleased to be among those in attendance. the company was delightful, the food delicious, and terry was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and well wishes. terry’s daughters shared birthday messages sent from around the world, including many from his aMiCa friends and colleagues. a beautiful flowering plant was displayed with congratulations on behalf of aMiCa, and Tim Baxter, president of aMiCa international who sent the following mes- sage: “On behalf of myself and AMICA members every- where, many happy returns on this great day! You’re more vital at your age than many at half your age! Thanks for all your hard work and keep at it; it will keep you young.”
Congratulations terry on this milestone, and know that aLL your friends in aMiCa wish you many more healthy and happy birthdays to celebrate over the next few decades! Cheers, aMiCa Board of Directors
AMICAns Alan Turner, Terry and Eleanor Smythe, Morley and Marlene Golden
Ed Note: Within our unique slice of musical heritage, we have another octogenarian, who shared his 80th birthday one day after Terry. Bill Flynt, of Dallas, Texas, who has done much Terry’s daughters, Linda and Heather over the years for our special interest. He may be contacted at: (authors of the surprise event), Bill Flynt
AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 299 AMICA in england, 2011 by Shirley Nix This year the Convention was held in England, and what This is a very imposing monu- a trip it proved to be. Summer seemed to have forgotten England ment, and the audio sets were really very this year, with rain and cold weather more or less the norm, but interesting as we walked the trail. One the itinerary and the good company proved to be more than a could almost imagine the above theories of match for that. origin having some merit, since these huge Shirley Nix Right at the start we need to thank Julian Dyer, who stones were brought from Wales, a few headed up the whole trip and found some really fantastic spots hundred miles away, and evolved between 3,000BC and 1600 for us to visit. Of course, special thanks also to Liz Barnhart, BC. What a massive undertaking, especially for prehistoric peo- who acted again as registrar, handled the money, and many of the ple. These stones would be a huge job even today. headaches. Thanks also to Boz Oram and Linda Paskins, our Then it was on to Salisbury, for free time to tour and tour guides who arranged the travel details for us. The hotels shop in this medieval city. We had two hotels in this spot, since were great, as were the meals and buses. Salisbury is not large, nor are the hotels. The trip started on Monday, when the buses picked us In the evening we were able to visit the magnificent up and took us to Kew Gardens, where we were free to roam this cathedral for a private recital on the “Father Willis” organ. For huge area on our own. It’s a lovely place, and one of the high- those who wished, they could arrive earlier for a choral presenta- lights for me was the Queen Charlotte’s Cottage, which was built tion by a visiting choir from Innsbruck. solely as a picnic spot-inside. All the lovely grounds available The cathedral is a very imposing structure. It was built for them and the picnics were held upstairs in the cottage. in just 38 years starting in 1220, and houses one of the four This is acknowledged as one of the world’s foremost remaining original copies of the Magna Carta. It also houses botanical gardens, with 55 acres, and a really impressive “treetop Europe’s oldest clock, from 1386, which has ticked over 5 mil- walk”. It seemed most of our hearty AMICA members managed lion times. to take this walk, even though the elevator to the top was out of Wednesday was the day many were here for - the Great order, but what are a few stairs? Dorset Steam Fair for the day. This is probably the largest show From the gardens back to the bus for a short trip to the of its kind in the world, set on 600 acres of land. The displays of Kew Bridge Pumping Engine Museum. We had visited this the steam engines are just mind boggling. These huge machines are restored to perfection, and are driven and worked throughout museum back in ‘93 when we had our first AMICA convention the day, as was evidenced by the smoke and fumes. There were in England, but there was quite a change this time. The original tractors from very small to very large and some pulled very beam engines of 1869 were up and running and the whole place heavy loads, some cut lumber, and some powered the fairground had been changed. We were thrilled to see the 100 inch engine organs. running. Mixed in with the engines and tractors are the fair- Then it was on to the Musical Museum at Brentford, ground organs, which of course were the items of most interest to which had been located in an old church last time AMICA visit- most of us. This year they didn’t have as many as usual....only ed. After 40 years in the leaky church the museum is now in a 40 large and larger organs! This was an organ lover’s paradise, new building specially designed for the collection of automatic with organs everywhere it seemed. There were Gaviolis, includ- musical instruments. The instruments were demonstrated, much ing the first book playing organ delivered to England. One Gavi- to our delight, and a buffet dinner followed. oli had a setting for the organ complete with a waterfall and When we had been fed it was time for the pumper con- flowers, a stream and fountains. There was a huge Verbeeck, a test, which is always a lot of fun. There were several contestants, 101-key Mortier, a Dean organ, a few Bursens, a very small including Terry Smythe who admitted he had never played a DuWyn, a small Bruder, a few Marenghis, and just on and on. pumper before. As an interesting sidelight..one of the organs was owned The judges “chewed on it” for a while and decided the originally by a showman who was married to England’s champi- winner was Al Rustad. Since “footsie” didn’t make it over the on sword swallower. Several of the organs also had displays of pond this year the award was a diploma, appropriately dubbed by showman wagons, which were used as we use trailers today. Julian Dyer as “a flat footsie”. What a fabulous way to spend a day. Tuesday we left London, driving to the West Country For those brave hearts there were also fairground rides, via a great detour through the countryside villages filled with some stomach lurching just to watch, and two carousels. Of charming thatch-roofed cottages. We also went through a very course, food courts were everywhere, and there were booths with upscale, be it rural, area where Madonna used to ride her horse, just about anything you wanted, from souvenirs to clothing. and where rockstar Sting has his mansion. There were two scheduled pickups, one in the afternoon Our final destination was the UNESCO heritage site Stone- and one at eight p.m. so we had the choice to go back to the hotel henge, where we were supplied with headsets pointing out the and spend more time in Salisbury or to stay until evening. It was different sites and telling of the different theories of the origin. a long day, with lots of walking, but well worth the effort. These ran from giant men bringing the stones from Wales, Merlin On Thursday we drove to the West Somerset Railway using his magic at the bequest of King Arthur, and the latest for a train ride to Minehead. This is a preserved steam operated being, of course, aliens from another planet. branch, which took us through some lovely scenery for a relaxing ride.
300 AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 When we arrived in Minehead, a seaside resort, we had The extension tour continued on to Ipswich, where we free time to explore the town. Unfortunately the weather didn’t stayed for the night. cooperate too well, and many of us spent a lot of the time in cof- Sunday it was on to Thursford, which many may fee shops watching the rain. remember from the previous England trip. In the afternoon we visited the private collection of This is another magical place, with the wonderful Bernie and Anne Brown. When we arrived they had set up a organs, and the two carousels, one featuring three-abreast gallop- lovely afternoon tea for us (the rain had stopped, fortunately), ing horses and the other with gondolas and rolling track. The lat- with tea and cakes. We sat in the backyard and enjoyed this and ter is probably the only one of its kind still in existence. then went inside in groups to see their collection. This is a very Started by George Cushing, who fell in love as a teenag- interesting collection, with many reed organs, harmoniums, er in 1920 with the fairground sights and sound, from the steam music boxes, and other rare items not generally seen. engines to the fairground organs. He bought a used steam trac- We had a buffet dinner at the hotel and then had the tion engine and worked it as a contractor. As internal combus- evening free to explore the village of Bristol, or just to relax. tion and diesel engines came to favor he could not stand to see Friday was perhaps the most unusual trip of the Conven- his beloved steam engines scrapped, so he began buying every tion, with a visit to the “Big Pit”, a coal mine in Wales. On the one he could, making many think he was mad. When he began way the road was lined with heather, and goats were roaming to restore these beautiful engines it was regarded as a joke by free. The ride into the area was worth the trip on itís own, but the “normal folk”. He also began collecting fairground organs, and the result is the magnificent Thursford collection. best was yet to come. The organs are quite lovely, with the huge 98-key This is the remains of a working coal mine, and the trip Marenghi with the chariot, two horses and driver on the facade into the hole was really a trip into another world and time. The probably at the top of the list. Others are the 121-key DeCap, the tours are run by retired miners, and they really knew the story De Leeuwin well. “Lion”, a 112-key Mortier, two 101-key Hooghuys, a It was, in a way, a shocking experience to learn how the 112-key Carl Frei, a lovely Wellerhaus, and a Wurlitzer Theater miners worked mostly in darkness, along with the horses who organ. All the organs were played for us, and both carousels pulled the ore trains and the children who stood in total darkness were available. to open the fire doors as the carts approached. The lights were Later in the day we rode to the North Norfolk Coast, turned out so we could get the full impact of total darkness. Of where a steam train festival took place. We could wander down course, we didn’t have the rats and cockroaches to keep us com- to the seaside, shop, or ride on a train. Again, the rain came pany as the inhabitants did in the heyday of the mine. down, but it didn’t dampen our spirits, just our clothes. When the tour was over we were free to visit the other Monday we went to Stowmarket to the Museum of East buildings on site where the repairs were done to the equipment, Anglian Life, where all aspects of life can be seen by way of and the shower rooms, which were a later addition, which made reconstructed houses, barns, windmills, and other things relative home life a little easier. to the area. This was another really interesting place, with lots of We boarded the buses again and started off to the city of photo ops. Bath, but one of the buses had mechanical trouble (it wouldn’t If it’s photo ops you were interested in, our next stop go!), so our bus had to turn around on a very narrow road, go was the well-preserved Medieval town of Lavenham. This was a back and load up as many as we could on our bus. The bus com- very wealthy area in medieval times, being a trading center for pany sent out a mechanic and the bus was repaired very quickly wool. Many fine and expensive buildings were built here, and and didn’t give us any more trouble on the trip. when the wool market collapsed there was no money in the area We had a couple of hours to explore Bath. The original to replace them with more modern structures, so they survived. Roman baths are available to visit, and the town itself has many Many of the buildings, built in the 1300’s, are suffering from the interesting sites. fact that the wood originally used for beams was wet wood, Tonight was our farewell dinner, since this was the end which twisted when it dried, leaving the houses with some really of the original tour, and about half were going home or on to outlandish bends and leans. As I said, really a photographic spot. other tours from here. Tuesday included a journey through the fens (a unique The farewell dinner was aboard Isambard Kingdom wetland landscape) for a visit to the museum at Strumpshaw, a Brunel’s famous ship, the SS Great Britain. fascinating place started in the 1950’s, a third-generation muse- This was the first ocean-going iron ship. It had been sit- um with steam engines and musical instruments. There is also a ting and rotting in the Falkland Isles for a long time, but was theater organ. finally returned to England, where it was restored. It was built From there we went to Great Yarmouth, another seaside almost 170 years ago, and is another trip back in time. resort, quite full of arcades with various games of chance The dining room is quite a fantastic place, with all fix- designed to take your money. Since it rained quite heavily again, tures as close to original as possible. The engine is viewable, and it was easy to partake of the games and lose your money. When the whole ship is in a special building to keep the hull from rust- the money was gone it was time to find a good coffee shop to ing further. It was quite a visit, and a lovely way to end the first take shelter in. That evening we were treated to a traditional, and part of the trip. I must say great, fish and chip dinner at what is, I am told, a quite famous fish and chip restaurant. The next day the buses drove through some fantastic Wednesday found us visiting Bressingham Gardens, areas, stopping in Swindon for lunch and more exploring. Then which is a world-famous garden with fine floral arrangements it was back to Heathrow to drop off those leaving us. laid out in the 1930’s by Alan Bloom. This was as pretty a place
AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 301 as you ever want to see, and the flowers were just gorgeous. A huge area, and each one more beautiful than the last. Just to add to the fun of the gardens, there is a merry-go- round and a couple of trains which ride around the gardens. When we left the gardens we went on to Bardwell, where there is an 1820’s built windmill. The owner also has a Ruston traction engine, and is able to disengage the sails and drive the machinery to grind the corn. Unfortunately, the wind- mill suffered greatly when the remains of a hurricane hit the area and the top was blown completely off, landing on the steam engine, but fortunately not the house. The owners are restoring the windmill, most of it done and slowly coming back into shape. The owner told us he “owns the air space” around the mill, so when a developer tried to build a tall office and commer- cial building he was able to stop the project. The townspeople sided with him, since they want the windmill to stand where it is AMICAns who took the extended tour, enjoyed the Thursford and to continue to operate. collection, started by George Cushing On Thursday we sadly realize that the last day of the tour had arrived. The buses headed back to London with our first stop at the Cotton museum, where the late Robert Finbow started the eclectic collection of mechanical music. This is now run by small but active group of enthusiasts. We saw reproducing pianos, barrel organs and pianos, and much larger instruments. There were collections of all sorts, and “eclectic” hardly does it justice. Phonograph records and sheet music were on the walls and ceilings everywhere, and display cabinet after display cabinet housed the unusual and rare items. There were toys, movie memorabilia, china heads for storing tobacco, and just too much to mention. One of the rare pieces is a Hooghuys monkey organ, only one of three left in the world. It was really meant for fun and enjoyment here, and enjoy it we did. One of many, many fairground organs at Our last stop was the Musical Museum at St. Albans, the Great Dorset Steam Fair, but this one the dream of one of the earliest importers of mechanical music in recognized our presence. Neat! the UK, Charles Hart. We wandered through, enjoyed the demonstrations, and really appreciated the lovely instruments. The St. Albans is home to a huge Mortier organ, a Bursens, a DeCap, music boxes, cob organs, a Mills Violano, pianos, and a Wurlitzer organ and a very rare Rutt organ. Anoth- er great visit. Then it was back to the Hotel in London, and home for most. The memories of this Convention will last forever, along with those of other trips.
Julian Dyer at Stonehenge Our AMICA Convention 2011 souvenir, a delightful reminder of our time at the Great Dorset Steam Fair
Ed Note: The vast number of photos of the convention would have caused this issue to expand beyond reasonable expecta- tions, so next issue, Jan-Feb 2012, will contain a proper photo spread. ts
302 AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 AMICA 2012 Convention Mini organ Rally on the grounds during Pittsburgh, PA, USA a wonderful outdoor catered lunch and after Dave’s concerts. a tour of the July 11 – 15, 2012 grounds will include viewing the clock please plan on attending the 2012 Convention in Pitts- tower with its 1907 seth thomas tower burgh, PA, an exciting city with attractions galore, many within clock and roll-playing schulmerich car- walking distance of our convention hotel. illon, the Blackwood gyrocopter, and an our convention hotel, the Sheraton Station Square, is antique radio collection. situated at the premier location in the city: on the Monongahela (4) a riverboat dinner tour of pittsburgh’s three rivers Riverfront in downtown pittsburgh overlooking Fort Duquesne and stunning skyline. and the golden triangle, where the allegheny and Monongahela of course we’ll feature workshops, the Mart, the Rivers meet to form the ohio River. the hotel is part of the pumper contest, collection tours and a fabulous Banquet with Station Square shopping complex, which comprises 52 acres of live “period” music. indoor and outdoor shopping, dining and entertainment. Being if you have any spare time (or would like to take a day among pittsburgh’s largest tourist destinations, it attracts more on either side of the convention, which is recommended), you than three million people annually. station square incorporates would be well-advised to visit any of: the former “grand” station of the pittsburgh and Lake erie Rail- road, with some of the original structures such as the freight • the Warhol Museum house building and the elegant concourse being converted into • the Carnegie Museum of Natural History (the restaurants and a shopping mall. (if you ever saw the movie biggest and best dinosaurs, and much, much more) “Flash Dance,” a portion was filmed at the grand Concourse • the Carnegie Museum of Art Restaurant). station square boasts a stop on Pittsburgh’s Light • the National Aviary Rail System (“pat”), as well as the docks for the Gateway • the Duquesne and Monongahela Inclines (and Clipper River Fleet and “Just Ducky” Duckboat tours. the breathtaking view of the city from atop Mount our planned activities include visits to the following: Washington) • the Nationality Rooms at the University of (1) Frick Art and Historical Center, including Clay- Pittsburgh ton, the man- • Bayernhof Museum – Former home of Mr. sion of pitts- Charles B. Brown, iii – 19,000 square feet featur- burgh industri- ing mechanical instruments, music boxes and other alist henry collectibles (likely to be on the “collection tours”) Clay Frick, •“Just Ducky” Duck tours on vintage WWii and the Car amphibious transport and Carriage Museum. the the hotel rate is $119 a night, and the convention regis- m a n s i o n tration fee of $365.00 will include all attractions as well as two includes a breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners. the convention will be Welte Cottage open to members of MBsi and Coaa at no additional charge (or Orchestrion aMiCa membership requirement). restored by to make a hotel reservation, call 1-800-325-3535 and Durward Center in a rare “original installation” location. mention the aMiCa room rate. (2) Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, We look forward to seeing you in pittsburgh!! where we will take in over 17 distinct botanical experiences, sincerely, including a palm Court, Butterfly house, orchid Room and for- Tim Baxter, Your Convention Chair mal outdoor garden. the phipps Welcome Center is the first Useful links: LeeD-certified building in a public garden and boasts a fabulous sheraton station square: http://www.sheratonstationsquare.com/ Dale Chihuly chandelier. Frick art & historical Center: http://www.thefrickpittsburgh.org/ (3) Blackwood, a 35-acre estate in Butler County built phipps Conservatory and Botanical garden: in its entirety by two of aMiCas most enterprising members, http://phipps.conservatory.org/ Don Fink and Ben Blackwood: http://www.thefrickpittsburgh.org/ Robertson. our visit will gateway Clipper: http://www.gatewayclipper.com/ include a concert by Dave Duquesne incline: http://www.duquesneincline.org/ Wickerham on Black- Carnegie Museum of art: http://www.cmoa.org wood’s meticulously Warhol Museum: http://www.warhol.org restored 3 manual, 20 nationality Rooms at pitt: http://www.pitt.edu/~natrooms/ rank Wurlitzer theatre national aviary: http://www.aviary.org/ organ with gold-leaf Just Ducky tours: http://www.justduckytours.com/ “waterfall” console. We will also be treated to a
AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 303 Nickel Notes by Matthew Jaro In this column I would like to feature a prominent nick- (larry Givens). This gave Dick the elodeon, orchestrion and band organ collection in Annapolis, idea that maybe it would be possible for Maryland. This collection belongs to Richard and Cheryl him to rebuild a reproducing piano. He hack. I think this is appropriate since there are very few articles acquired a Stroud upright Duo-Art written about specific collectors, and collections are at the center reproducing piano and rebuilt it with Matthew Jaro of mechanical music. A collection and collector are the focus of some additional help from friends like all activity, acquisition, selling, restoration and last but not least: John Grant. It took about six months of work part-time. He home construction. When a collection fills all available space, the taught himself to do everything from the pneumatics to the refin- collector can either add on to their house or decide not to add ishing. more instruments to the collection. The Hacks are currently in the The next machine was a Mills Violano which the Hacks middle of an ambitious and beautiful construction project in also acquired from Bill Edgerton. That needed refinishing and order to provide a stunning setting to display their instruments. total rebuilding. Mark Reinhart was knowledgeable about Violanos and lived very close to Annapolis. Dick also read Mike Kitner’s book on restoring the Violano. The book and advice from Mark enabled Dick to complete the Violano project in about nine months to a year, part time. Getting Serious
The wonderful aspect to all of this activity is that Cheryl likes the machines and music as much as Dick, and she falls in love with instruments that the Hacks will then acquire. They are really a team interested in mechanical music. Their local friends introduced them to both AMICA and MBSI and the Hacks became members right away. The Hacks went to their first convention, MBSI in Philadelphia in 1983 and acquired a cylinder music box from nancy Fratti. It played 48 Cheryl and Dick Hack in front of their beautiful Mortier organ tunes, all operatic and they basically just fell in love with the tune card. elton norwood repinned all six cylinders and rebuilt the music box. It is a Conchon music box. Beginnings After the Violano, the Hacks got really carried away, and worked on three machines at once: a Knabe Ampico “B”, a I love asking collectors how they got interested in Weber Unika, (which they acquired in pieces with no tubing), mechanical music. The Hacks were putting their first addition and a reproduction Wurlitzer Harp. Cheryl heard Bob Gilson’s onto the house and they were staining some oak boards. Dick’s harp and fell in love with it, so Dick decided to build one for her parents came to visit and said: “You need an antique wall tele- to celebrate their anniversary. In order to build the harp, Dick vis- phone for your new room”. Not knowing about antiques, the ited Bob Gilson, who took his harp out of the case and let Dick Hacks accompanied Dick’s parents to an antique mall and picked take measurements and make drawings. It took a couple of years out an antique oak telephone. It happened that the dealer also to finish all three pieces. sold Edison phonographs. They acquired an Edison phonograph Around this period of time the Hacks acquired their first while they were there. Armed with the phonograph, the Hacks Welte (it’s almost like you could just buy Weltes at Wal-Mart), wanted to meet people in the area that they could talk to about which was close to a style 3. It was a barrel machine so it really the machines. They ran into a collector in Annapolis that also had didn’t fit the standard style numbers. They acquired it from a music boxes, reproducing pianos and jukeboxes. collector in England. It sat for a long time, while they were wait- Their first mechanical music machine was a Regina 15 ing for Durward Center to restore it. It was weight driven and ½ inch music box. This was around 1980. Dick fell in love with Durward said that there is no room for the top pully for the the mechanical aspect. He was amazed at how well a machine weight. Cheryl said, “Just cut a hole in the ceiling”. Durwood could play music mechanically. Dick was in electronics his said “Really?” – He couldn’t believe it. It turns out that the whole life, so to get music that played mechanically was some- Hacks wanted to redo the ceiling anyway. Durward rebuilt the thing quite different. The Hacks acquired the music box from Welte and Dick built a temporary roll player to test the machine. Bill edgerton’s Mechanical Music Center in Connecticut. They During the time that machine was being worked on, the Hacks would drive from Maryland to Darien, CT to check out what Bill acquired the machine they have now. When the first Welte was had and then drive all the way home – in a single day! sold they gave the temporary roll player they built to the new The Hacks acquired books from Bill Edgerton on owner. The first Welte is in a museum in Japan now with most of rebuilding the piano (Art Reblitz) and rebuilding player pianos the roll player still in use.
304 AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 The second Welte came from France, in Aix-en- Provence. It’s equivalent to a Style Five. It was also a barrel machine which they converted to rolls. house Construction
By 1985, the Hacks finished the addi- tion of their downstairs DeCap 92 key dance organ music room, to house sale. He watched the prices continually fall, and decided this the ever-increasing col- would be a good time to buy an organ . lection. The room was actually built for the Seeburg G first Welte. This was an Welte Orchestrion area with thirteen foot ceilings dug out from what used to be In the Trader there was a Seeburg G that came up for crawl space under the house. The house had to be propped up sale, very reasonably priced. When Dick called immediately he with steel and a ramp was dug from the waterfront side down found he was the second person in line. Someone had already into the new music room. About 150 yards of dirt were hauled bought it. The lady who owned the Seeburg said her brother-in- out. To get the instruments into the new room, they took off the law had a Seeburg G he might sell (all God’s Children have See- front of a three stage fork lift truck, had brackets welded onto the burg G’s!). One problem was that it was converted to play “A” fork lift part, and they had that bolted onto the wall. They made rolls! Fortunately, most of the original parts were available. The up an electrically operated hydraulic system. Now machines Brother-in-law said, “Yes, I’d like to sell the Seeburg G but I could be lowered from the front deck into the basement. have to test the market first. I’ll call you when I set a price.” Dick would call him once a month, but the price he wanted was still Professional Restoration too high, given that in addition to the roll problem, the glass was broken, the case was cut on the sides, etc. The Hacks went back Dick’s first professional restoration was about 1993. A and forth with the owner for about a year. Finally the Hacks went friend wanted a Pierre Eich Solophone restored and he couldn’t on a vacation with the kids, and the Seeburg owner called his find anybody who would do it quickly at the time. He wanted to business to say he was going to sell it this weekend and could see how it would work to do a job for somebody else. What got Dick top an offer that he got? Dick never got that message. Dick started in doing restoration as an occupation was that he Since the owner didn’t hear back from Dick, he figured he was really enjoyed doing the work for his customer. The Solophone is no longer interested and he sold the machine. The machine went still playing today as good as when he restored it. through two other owners and Dick finally wound up acquiring it Dick owned a TV and appliance store, but the nature of several years later. Bill emerson rebuilt the glass and Dick did that business was changing, so he went into full time restoration all the rest of the restoration work. There was a lot to do. The in the mid to late nineties. pipes, drums, etc. were all gutted since it was now an “A” roll When he closed the store, a building went up for sale in Baltimore that was reasonably priced. So Dick and John Grant together acquired the building. That’s where the major restoration projects are done with smaller jobs being done at the house. Instrument Acquisition
The next major piece was a DeCap 92 key dance organ. Bob Brown brought a Mortier organ to a rally in Freemont, Ohio. The Hacks were now interested in dance organs. They vis- ited haning and White, nearby to see what they were selling, and acquired the DeCap. The Hack’s room wasn’t ready so Han- ing and White had to keep it until the room was ready. Around this time Dick was watching every issue of the Antique Trader and memorizing the mechanical music ads. In fact, this was how Dick found out about the Haning and White Seeburg G Orchestrion
AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 305 piano. The pipe chest and drum shelf came from Mike Ames. They had to find pipes, and then had a reproduction bass drum made by Dana Johnson. Dick found an original snare drum. I commented to Dick, “It’s amazing you bought that machine with all that work required.” Dick said “The Worse they are, the better I like ‘em”. He said you could get machines like that for reason- able prices if you are willing to do the work required. He said that since restoration started out as a hobby, he didn’t really count the time as an expense. Now that he does restoration profession- ally, he realizes that time spent on a wreck takes time away from paying projects. Organs
Mike Kitner told Dick that he had a Wurlitzer Style 153 band organ to sell from an estate. Dick said, “That sounds like an Mortier 86-keys dance organ interesting machine”. They had been acquiring a lot of pieces They acquired a Bursen organ, advertised on MMD. lately, and so he told Cheryl that there is a 153 for sale, mostly Dick had difficulty reaching the owner. The owner said “I’m glad complete, all in pieces with the paint peeling off, and the price is you talked to me, because I have ten other people interested in real reasonable. Cheryl said, “well, we ought to buy that”. Cheryl that organ, but you are the first one to actually talk to me. The was really enthusiastic about this. The organ sat around for about owner was a piano technician who acquired the organ in the sev- ten years until they got it playing. In this time period they enties and totally took it apart and put it in storage, until the time acquired a Ruth 36 organ, that still needs to be completed. The the Hacks acquired it, five or six years ago. When it arrived, it Ruth was acquired from Haning and White. Dick brought Mike was in 75 different pieces. A lot of those pieces were boxes of Kitner with him. They noticed that the organ had a lot of work parts. Even the chassis of the organ was cut in half, because they done to it that needed to be done over. thought they needed to do that to get the organ out of the build- ing. Dick said, it had to have been gotten into where ever it was, so it should have been able to be gotten out. There was no tubing, so Dick retubed it in metal, as it was originally. Strangely enough, considering all the parts that came in, the organ wasn’t missing a single part. The latest Addition
The Hacks had a philosophy that you acquire something first and then worry about where to put it. But when they acquired the Mortier, there was no solution. The façade wouldn’t
Wurlitzer 153 band organ On Ron Bopp’s Bumbling Bruder tour seven years ago, Henk Veeningen in Holland had this Mortier organ for sale. The facade hadn’t been painted but the organ was restored. Cheryl went over to Dick and said “did you see the Mortier organ for sale?” Cheryl then said “I think we should buy that”. Rosa Patton (formerly Ragan) painted the façade to the Mortier, the Ruth 36 and the Wurlitzer 153. Rosa is the premier painter having done projects such as the Glen Echo carousel, horses and 165 band organ. The painting is glorious, to say the least. During the process of stripping the new paint off of the 153, Rosa found enough of the old painting so that she was able to recreate the original look. It was also amazing that the original artwork survived until the owner before Dick had it repainted. They acquired it from an estate and they were told that the façade was out being painted, so they would get a freshly painted façade when they got the organ. Of course, Rosa had to strip all of that and restore it to its original glory. Bursens dance organ, art deco style 306 AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 fit in the garage since the ceilings were only eight feet high. Any- way, they knew they needed more space because they were run- ning out of room. They designed the latest addition and put the maximum square footage that the county would allow them, for a new music room, a quilt studio for Cheryl and an elevator. The county was fussy because of septic capacity, even though the addition wasn’t to be used for living space. However, the county figures that if you have more square footage then you will have more people, one way or another; so they just blindly apply the rules. But, Dick said, and I totally agree, that they were able to get a pretty good addition out of it. The county required the Hacks to sign an agreement that they wouldn’t do any more addi- tions (so what happens if they buy more instruments?) Dick says there’s still room for another piece, or two or three. The addition has required over a year so far and is almost complete. This space of time has enabled the Hacks to consider carefully what they want to do, and even make some last minute decisions to greatly improve things. The hupfeld Phonoliszt Violina
The latest acquisition was the Hupfeld Phonoliszt Violi- na. Dick was called out by Bob Brown to repair the lighting of a façade of a very large dance organ in Phoenix. Bob knew that Dick was always interested in Phonoliszts, and he knew that Mike Ames wanted to sell some of the things in his collection, among which was a Phonoliszt. So, instead of coming home after the job, Dick went directly to California to look at the Phonoliszt. He came home, talked to Cheryl about it and decided to acquire it. Conclusion
Now, the Hacks have a fabulous collection of automatic Hupfeld Model B Phonoliszt Violina musical instruments that are displayed in a gorgeous Arts and Crafts setting, with stained glass windows and meticulous wood work. I have always felt that it is important to provide a beautiful setting for beautiful instruments, and Dick and Cheryl Hack have certainly done so.
Dick Hack contemplating his next restoration
Ed. Note:
Matthew Jaro may be contacted at: [email protected] 1920's Seth Thomas weight driven tower clock mechanism Dick hack may be contacted at: from a church in Pennsylvania [email protected]
AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 307 Mechanical Music Today By Marc Sachnoff
Most people think that the technology behind the I always wanted to be an Electri- mechanical music machines we AMICA members enjoy stopped cal Engineer at least since the age of 4 or being developed around 1930. But that is not the case. A rich 5. I loved electricity and working with it. variety of music machines has been developed in the years fol- I repaired radios and TV sets. My dad lowing the golden era using technology not available to the folks said when I was in my early teens I used at Wurlitzer, Aeolian, Seeburg or Regina. to tell him, “When I grow up I’m going to Marc Sachnoff Of course there have been several revivals of the origi- build a piano that plays from a tape.” I nal technology of pneumatic roll and book operated instruments. always had that in mind and planned to do so when I was done The player piano craze of the 1950s with Crazy Otto and The Old with my education. In college I developed a plan of buying a Piano Roll Blues, and the resurgence of interest in the early player piano at beginning of Summer, repairing it and selling it 1970s because of the hit movie, The Sting, are just two examples before school started. This was in lieu of holding a typical sum- of times when new instruments and the rolls to play them were mer job. I did this every year for several years in a row. manufactured. But the technology introduced during these short periods of renewed interest was, by and large, the same as was MS: Did you get involved in understanding piano roll tech- used in the first decades of the century. nology? This column will investigate and celebrate the advances Wayne: Oh yes. I made a trek to New York in 1961 to QRS to and innovations in modern technologies used for the same pur- meet Max Kortlander and J. Lawrence Cook. This was about one poses that mechanical music has always served – to entertain, to educate, and to promote the joy of music, music delivered in a month before Max died. He had a large office in the factory with mechanical context. a Steinway Duo-Art. J. Lawrence Cook had a recording piano To start our examination of mechanical music today and I spent some time with him. He was very nice and he even we’ll look at the computer operated reproducing piano. The first invited me to his home in Harlem. In his basement he had anoth- person to make the commercial leap from pneumatically operated er recording piano for making nickelodeon rolls. He let me watch pianos to computer driven solenoid operated pianos was Califor- him arrange using that piano which had organ-like stops for hold- nia electrical engineer, Wayne Stahnke. Wayne has been invent- ing notes down. He would play a chord and then depress the ing, designing, and building elec- footplate and it would go “ka-chunk” as the perforator punched tronic reproducing pianos since the holes into the paper. I even had him sign some of his rolls for early 1970s. He is known for his me. designs of the Bosendorfer SE, his Telarc recordings of the Rachmani- MS: How did you get interested in reproducing pianos? noff’s 35 AMPICO rolls on the Wayne: Ed Fritze, the man at Knott’s Berry Farm, liked Ampi- Bosendorfer SE, and his work on the cos and used to rebuild them. He had several of them at his Yamaha Disklavier line. Today he home. He played some of his rebuilt instruments for me and I produces the Live Performance LX purchased one when I was in college – a 1927 Fischer with a player system – a top of the line Mediterranean case. This was when the A mechanism was high- product available for installation in ly perfected with many changes made to it, just before the B era. Wayne Stahnke grand and upright pianos. I rebuilt the piano over several summers and began collecting Wayne was gracious enough rolls. to allow an interview for this column. Excerpts of that interview appear below. MS: When did you begin development of the electronic reproducing piano? MS: How did you become interested in mechanical music? Wayne: There was a long delay. After college, I got a job at Wayne: My interest dates back to 1956. I went to Disneyland at Hughes Aircraft. There I learned a lot about designing and build- the age of 13 and I saw a player piano in the Wonderland music ing electronics. Later I worked at Fairchild Semiconductor in store. I was absolutely taken by it. I was a piano student at the Mountain View, California. By the age of 30 I was married and I time and I was struggling with the technical aspect of piano play- decided the time had come. My wife volunteered to support me. I ing. There it was, playing all those notes with great rapidity and precision. You can imagine the wheels turning in the head of a 13 quit my job and I started building a device that would record year old mechanically inclined boy. Ampico rolls on magnetic tape and play them back through elec- I decided I needed to own one, so, I put a classified ad tromagnetic valves teed into the tracker bar of an Ampico piano. in the Los Angeles Times. The phone rang and a woman had a However, what I really wanted to build was an all elec- Weser Bros. upright with a Simplex action. I paid $35.00 for it – tronic player piano operated by solenoids. [Solenoids are basi- money I earned on my paper route. It wasn’t in playing condi- cally plungers activated by a magnetic coil, driven by electric tion. current.] I was aware that it would be a large undertaking. In ret- All the rubberized cloth was worn and leaky. I had to rospect I was exactly right. Early on, I realized that I needed to find a source for materials and I was told that Knott’s Berry Farm tackle this complex job one piece at a time. The first job was to had a building way out of the way with some nickelodeons in it. figure out how to record data onto magnetic tape, recover the A man named Stan ran the shop, but the person who did the data from the tape and put it back in useful form. repairs was Ed Fritze. Ed helped me and sold me tubing and cloth.
308 AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 MS: Did you do this alone or with partners or investors? engineer planned on measuring dynamics by putting something Wayne: By 1974 people began to express interest in my work beneath the keys and to capture 16 levels of dynamics. J.B. came and so with investors we started a company to commercialize it. I and heard my work and contracted with me to build an instru- did a production-worthy design and it was called the Cassette ment for him. He let the other engineer go, so he must have been Converter CC-3. About 25 were built. It predated the impressed. Pianocorder [See sidebar about the Pianocorder], but it was not widely distributed. We ran into resistance by piano owners and MS: Was this the beginning of the Bosendorfer SE? despite the fact that it played wonderfully, it was not nearly as Wayne: No, not yet. Mr. Nethercutt chose a brand new Steinway well received as I hoped. We produced 20 cassette tapes for it, all 9’concert D for me to install a mechanism into. I started in taken from Ampico rolls. [See also Jul 1976 AMICA Bulletin November or December of 1975 and delivered it in June of 1978. for a full report.] This instrument was the first completely new reproducing player grand piano since the 1940s. It played superbly. It used hammer MS: But that wasn’t an all electronic instrument, it was more velocity sensing for extremely accurate dynamic recording. It of a digital interface for improving the enjoyment of traditional also had 1023 dynamic levels for each key. It could play louder reproducing pianos. than a human can and so softly it could even record and repro- Wayne: That’s true, but having built the CC3, I was ready to duce silent notes. It was at that time that I developed the stan- tackle an electronic player piano. I found a backer in Dick Carty, dards that I have used for all my work up to the present. They’ve a Los Angeles area restorer and piano dealer. Dick gave me a never changed since 1978. place to work in his piano shop and paid for out of pocket expenses. It took me 18 months to build a working prototype. MS: Why 1023 dynamic levels? The piano was a new vertical manufactured by the Gordon Laug- Wayne: Because 1023 is one less than a power of 2, 1024. I built head Piano Company of Michigan purchased specifically for this the system using binary arithmetic so powers of two are impor- purpose. tant. I chose 256 pedal positions with proportional pedaling, and It was the first player piano in all history to have indi- 1.25 millisecond timing resolution. vidual expression on every note. Until then every other reproduc- ing piano built had a split pneumatic stack with one dynamic on MS: Why 1.25 millisecond timing resolution? And what does each half of the keyboard at any instant. that mean? About this time Marantz Superscope was looking to buy Wayne: Timing resolution is the resolution that the human ear my design. There were at that moment three different electronic can hear. The human ear cannot distinguish infinitely fine tempo- player piano designs in existence; one was mine. The second one ral differences, so you want to determine the resolution of the was built by Charles Groeschel of Houston, Texas who was hired human ear and make the resolution of the instruments finer than by mechanical music dealer, G. W. MacKinnon, who wanted to that. If you play a chord at mezzoforte and the notes are not be in this business. Groeschel was very secretive and he would exactly together, ordinary ears can hear about a 10 millisecond never reveal anything. I learned that his piano was completed and offset in the notes played. I wanted to know what kind of split was being demonstrated. I was crushed – he beat me to the people can just barely distinguish through blind testing. Can peo- punch. I decided I wanted to see it and called to make an ple really hear the difference? Well it turns out some can – if appointment. [Wayne was relieved to discover the piano was not ordinary ears can hear 10 milliseconds of split, Carl Seashore and a musical or mechanical success and posed no credible competi- his colleagues at the University of Iowa found in the 1930s, that tion to his work.] people with “golden ears” can hear a 5 millisecond split. With The third was invented by a man named Ray Vincent; it that number in mind I divided 5 milliseconds by 4 and decided subsequently became the Pianocorder. Ray designed it himself that resolution of my pianos should be 1.25 milliseconds. So I and was trying to commercialize it. Somehow he fell in with went to a standard finer than the human ear can resolve. Teledyne – the big aerospace company. What they were doing building player piano kits is beyond me! MS: But that seems a little extreme, doesn’t it? Superscope was casting about looking for something, Wayne: My goal was to use good engineering judgment. I settled so Joseph Tushinsky and several Teledyne engineers came to on standards for timing resolution, pedaling and dynamic range, visit me. I played the working prototype instrument for them and and I have used exactly those same standards until now. The they liked it very much. They talked about buying it and taking it recordings I made in 1979-1980, sound the same as if they were to market, but I was not free to work with them, because there made on any instrument I have built since. They are every bit as were investors and I did not control the business decisions. For good. whatever reason, the deal fell apart and Marantz Superscope The same with dynamics. I needed them to be finer than decided to buy Teledyne’s product, designed by Ray Vincent, the human ear can distinguish, but there were no standards or which they did. research, so I had to come up with my own. Mr. Nethercutt loved his Steinway. It was kept inside MS: So the Carty project fell apart? San Sylmar and played only on tours. Not many people had Wayne: That’s right. At this time, J.B. Nethercutt of Merle Nor- access to it. When I built it, the first of its kind, my goal was to mand Cosmetics wanted an electronic reproducing piano for his make it play properly. Having finished the project, I had learned San Sylmar collection. [The San Sylmar collection of the late J. a lot, so I planned to make another one for my own use. B. Nethercutt is world famous and still open to the public on a I bought a new Yamaha Conservatory Series C7, which regular basis, just north of Los Angeles.] He had hired an engi- in those days was 7’4” long. It took me two and a half years to neer to build one for him – I don’t remember his name. This complete, until 1982. It was a wonderful instrument and every-
AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 309 thing I had hoped for. [This instrument was used for the Podolsky instruments sold very slowly at that price, but still at a rate of recordings, reported in the March-April 1987 AMICA Bulletin] around six per year. I thought it was a pretty good clip for some- Plus I made some tremendous advances in technology. It was thing as expensive as it was, but Kimball’s management did not with that instrument that I came up with the modern method of think they were selling as briskly as they planned so they stopped hammer velocity sensing. Here’s how it works: there are shutters production in 1987. Thirty-two were built and all of them ulti- on the shanks of each hammer. A light-emitting diode and photo mately were sold. To the best of my knowledge every one is still transistor stare at each other just above the shank. The shutter in working condition and many are in daily use. It is very satisfy- breaks the light beam twice as the hammer moves upwards ing to work on something with such a long life. toward the string. [This makes it possible to record individual hammer velocities with high accuracy, something never previous- MS: When was the Disklavier introduced? ly possible in recording a live pianist’s performance.] I applied Wayne: The Disklavier was not introduced until 1988 – and for a patent on this and it was granted in 1983. never was available in any piano other than Yamahas. I joined Nine years later Yamaha wanted it for their Disklavier Yamaha in 1991. They wanted to improve the Disklavier design and bought the patent from me. That method is in use in every and I had two key patents they needed if they wanted to sell the Disklavier equipped piano from then until now, which is why Disklavier in the US – optical hammer velocity sensing and pro- they record so well. portional pedaling. They bought my patents and hired me as a Mr. Nethercutt learned about the improvements I made consultant for ten years. I went to Japan four times a year to and commissioned me to build a second piano for him – this time attend meetings. My hands were tied for 10 years in terms of in a Bosendorfer 290. At the time, Kimball owned Bosendorfer developing my own products. and they are the people who named it the “SE” for “Stahnke Engineered.” About the same time the Massachusetts Institute of MS: But that relationship ultimately expired didn’t it? Technology commissioned me to build a piano for them in a Wayne: In 2001 my contract with Yamaha expired but I had Bosendorfer 290 as well. So Kimball decided they wanted to agreed to a three year noncompete arrangement, so I was not free commercialize my system and sell the SE system in Bosendorfer to do anything on my own until 2004. I waited until the appropri- pianos. ate time and a little more and quit my software job as Principal Software Engineer to work on my own design for the LX MS: These were extremely expensive pianos, weren’t they? MS: How long did it take to build the first one? Wayne: Yes. The first one was sold in 1987. Initially, the plan Wayne: It took me three years to do the design and build the first was if you paid full retail for a model 225, 275, or 290 Kimball prototype. The first Live Performance LX system shipped in would toss in the SE system for free. As you know, new pianos July of 2007.
MS: What was the response like to your new product? Wayne: The response to the LX was mixed. People who saw it, heard it, and bought it loved it. But a lot of people didn’t even want to see or hear it. As one dealer told me, “Player pianos are all the same so you might as well buy the cheapest one.” There was and still is a lot of that, but I used to get letters from owners saying things like, “Thank you for bringing this into the world.”
MS: Yes, I know of one gentlemen in the Los Angeles area who has installed LX systems in three vintage Steinways. What is the future of electronic reproducing player piano? Wayne: I think they are mature now. By that I mean that we have several different kinds to meet different market segments, and the technology is mature. I do not envision any changes other than evolution in them.
Bosendorfer 275SE reproducing piano with microphone array MS: What is the modern electronic player piano market like used for recording Robert Silverman’s Beethoven cycle. today? Photo: John Atkinson, Stereophile magazine, Wayne: The recession has hit all piano sales, but 3-4 years back www.stereophile.com 30% of new pianos sold had player systems installed. I believe that 30% of all Yamahas sold are Disklaviers. That’s a lot of are normally heavily discounted – especially on the high end. player pianos. The management at Kimball was not happy with the margins so they later raised the price on the 290 SE to $150,000. Now, that’s MS: Tell us some of the advantages of the Live Performance LX at least $300,000 or more in today’s dollars – so it was a lot of system. money at the time. Wayne: First of all, the LX plays all of Yamaha’s CDs all of MIT ended up buying a production SE instrument from Pianomation’s, and most of Pianodisc’s. It plays more music Kimball. Other customers included Ohio State University, the and more kinds of music than any other modern player piano. It Royal Conservatory of Music in London, the University of also plays the thousands of MIDI files available over the web and Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, and wealthy individuals. SE from other sources. 310 AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 The LX uses full proportional pedaling [discussed above]. Other playing mechanisms use "on-off" pedaling, which destroys the pedal shadings that make fine piano playing so satis- fying. The combination of proportional pedaling and high-resolu- tion control yields musical results that are head and shoulders above the competition’s. You simply have to hear it for yourself.
MS: Wayne, I’m kind of biased as you know. I’ve had the LX system installed in my 1924 Steinway B for over two years and I’m always amazed at the performances. Recently, after having moved to the Seattle area, I had the piano tuned by a local techni- cian and I mentioned that I had your system installed. He’d said he’d heard of it and kind of waved it off as another player sys- tem. But after the piano was tuned, I demonstrated the piano with one of your disks with Earl Wild’s performances and frankly he was blown away. He just stared at the piano and began prais- ing it profusely. I wish you could have seen his face! You can learn more about the Live Performance LX sys- The LX playing mechanism is completely hidden from view, tem at: and does not interfere with the trap work. www.live-performance.com
The Pianocorder 1978-1987
Joseph Tushinsky was an inventor, musician, optics innovator, writer and chair- man of the board of Superscope Corp. and the Marantz Co. A visionary, Tushinsky was an early believer high-fidelity audio and became the American importer-distributor of Sony audio tape recorders in the late 1950s. Together with his brother Irving, he devel- oped a wide-screen film projection process known as Superscope, which, when intro- Joseph Tushinsky duced in 1953, helped to usher in the era of (photo courtesy Consumer wide-screen motion pictures. Tushinsky col- Electronics Association) lected reproducing pianos and amassed a The LX sustain solenoid remains cool even large library of music rolls, and even commission the creation of when the piano is played for extended periods. a unique vorsetzer capable of playing the rolls of all three major reproducing systems.
The LX note driver boards use the latest advances in high technology electronics. Keyboardless demonstration Pianocorder unit adapted from a Marantz spinet by Grant Leonard of Minneapolis
AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 311 In the 1970s, Tushinsky produced the Superscope Superscope created a fairly extensive library of material Pianocorder Reproducing System. Superscope already had a for the Pianocorder system, reaching over 30 ten-cassette vol- large facility for manufacturing cassette players and the new sys- umes. While the majority of tapes issued were made by convert- tem used regular cassette tapes as its data storage medium, play- ing traditional 88 note player piano and reproducing rolls to the ing the piano directly from commands encoded on the cassette Pianocorder format, several famous pianists, including Liberace, tape. Pianocorder expert, Mark Fontana relates that the George Shearing, Teddy Wilson, Oscar Peterson, and even Chick Pianocorder was actually based on a system called the "Piano Corea produced recordings directly on Superscope's Kawai medi- Player" designed by Ray Vincent. um-sized grand piano. This author has had a chance to listen to them – played on a great piano – and I can attest to the surprising quality and sparkle of these celebrity recordings. In 1987, the Pianocorder Division was acquired by Yamaha. Yamaha had already developed its own competing sys- tem – the Disklavier – and quickly discontinued sales of the Pianocorder. In all, Mark Fontana says that about 16,000 units were sold between 1978 and 1987. Unfortunately, the Pianocorder library is no longer commercially available. Original tapes are deteriorating, but several people have created digital archives of the original Pianocorder data files. Additional Pianocorder information can be found online at http://www.pianocorder.info
[About the Author] Marc Sachnoff is a two time Emmy Nominated television A typical installation of the Pianocorder in a grand piano, this one writer/director/producer who now leads an education reform non- is a former Ampico, and equipped with Mark Fontana’s profit in the Seattle, WA area. He has been collecting mechanical wireless module, bypassing the cassette deck. musical instruments since purchasing his first player piano at age 13. Teaching himself to play piano from player rolls, he went on The Pianocorder system was available in both factory- to have a successful professional music career specializing in installed versions and aftermarket kits. Many of the factory jazz, blues, ragtime and stride piano styles. His interests span a installations were done in lower quality spinet and console variety of music machines from Fotoplayers to nickelodeons, pianos. In fact, larry Fine, whose Piano Book surveys the MIDI operated devices to reproducing pianos and modern com- American Piano industry says that these Marantz Pianocorder puter controlled pianos. He is a member of AMICA. He wel- spinets and consoles might actually hold the dubious honor of comes ideas for this column and can be reached at being the worst pianos ever made in America! [email protected]
312 AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 AMICAn in the Spotlight
around town Hi Babit south palm Beach, FL 7 october 2011 I Finally Got To Meet The Piano Roll Man by patrick Mascola i was rapping with owner Glenn Easton at his Lighthouse Cove tiki Bar, when my ears pick up an unusual piano sound. it was a familiar piano style that i couldn’t quite place. i looked to the band stand and there was this old 94 year old geezer attacking on al nero’s keyboard with lightening fingers. i asked glenn, “Who the hell is that?” glenn replied, “oh he comes in once and a while. he used to cut piano rolls.” My excitement stemmed from when i was a kid. an aunt had a piano roll piano. it was rolled paper filled with thousand holes that was turned by a foot pump. as the roll would roll, the air would pass through the holes and cause a piano key to strike, playing the melody of a song. the roll had the words type on it and we would sing along. this was fun. i often wonder who cut these rolls. it seemed that every piano key played at the same time. Well, the guy’s name is Hi Babit from Coconut Creek. i went over to him and marvelled at the speed and strength he still had in his fingers. he admitted that arthritis had slowed him down some. and what a charming man. he is still active as a technician and tunes pianos. i am going to have him tune up my grand and keep him at it for as long as possible. What a treat to have a dream come true after 70 years. i finally got to see, hear and meet the, Piano Roll Man.
Web Sites of Interest
Unusual musical instrument... Franz Liszt 1811-1886. A European in The Eden Palladium carousel (now http://tinyurl.com/3fgcf2t Thuringia Ecomusee Carousel) (contributed by Vince Morgan) http://tinyurl.com/67dwd5b http://tinyurl.com/d6paktp http://reconcavo.org/?lang=en An Unusual Performance of (contributed by Bill Dean) Fur Elise like you've never seen/heard it Ravel's Bolero before. http://tinyurl.com/6j6m7vg John Arpin Collection Launch and http://tinyurl.com/3fgcf2t (contributed b y Thad Kochanney) Celebration (contributed by Vincent Morgan) http://tinyurl.com/6zqnxjr Dangers of labelling CD/DVD discs Friends of Johnny Mercer http://tinyurl.com/2axejo7 Fairground organs in Cuba http://www.friendsofjohnnymercer.com/ (contributed by Vincent Morgan and http://www.orgsites.com/wa/organito/ (contributed by David Oppenheim) Hi Babit) http://tinyurl.com/6g6k4fk (contributed by Art Reblitz) Library of Congress National Jukebox, Fairground Organs of Cuba http://www.loc.gov/jukebox/ http://www.orgsites.com/wa/organito/ William Gaddis' fascination with the (contributed by Art Reblitz) player piano http://tinyurl.com/6h3d3ve AMICAn Bill Blair with Jay leno (contributed by Keith Bigger) http://tinyurl.com/6evorwh (contributed b y Thad Kochanney) Roberts Musical Restorations http://tinyurl.com/clvm2w8
AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 313 2011 Sutter Creek Organ Rally
Reporter - Jack Edwards Photographers - Jack Edwards, Darryl Coe & Josh Groeneveld Ardis Prescott
John Iles, Philip Wright, Dan Wright, Bob Meyer, Landon Steven Caringella, and Julie Porter This year's Sutter Creek Organ Rally featured some repeat performer's such as Frank and Shirley Nix, Darryl Coe, Lyle Merithew - Sandy Swirsky and maybe a new one or two. Darryl Coe Organs were shown from Southern California in the case of the Nix family and Jerry Pell, more locally, San Jose and San Fran- cisco, and from as far away as Dan Danko's Washington State. The rally virtually stopped when a convoy of vintage Dodge Brothers automobiles came through town. I found out later that the street organs caught the fancy of some of the antique car owners, and they made their way from where the cars were parked back downtown to hear and in some cases to crank. As is pretty much always the case, we had a good time, and the street organs were appreciated by all concerned, includ- ing the shop owners along Sutter Creek's main street who very much appreciated the influx of shoppers from Sacramento, San Jose, San Francisco and beyond. Dan Danko
Chuck and Peggy Schoppe
Jerry Pell’s Bruder fairground organ
314 AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 Call For AMICA Award nominations
As Vice-President one of my duties is to chair the nomi- Mechanism of Awarding: An awards committee will be nations Committee for the awards AMICA gives out each year. appointed annually by the President. The committee will be Please do some thinking about worthy recipients and send your chaired by the Vice-President and have two additional members. suggestions for nominations for both awards to your Local The Board Representative for each chapter shall be asked to AMICA Chapter who will then pass those nominations up to me obtain from the membership of their chapter three nominations and the awards committee. .Please submit your suggestions to for each award each year. These nominations shall be submitted your local AMICA Chapter at your earliest convenience so that, if to the chairman of the Awards Committee to arrive no later than possible, we can meet the deadline of December 31, 2011 for the December 31st of the year prior to the year the award is to be pre- nominations for each of the two annual awards to be reach me sented. At that time the committee will convene by and the awards committee. mail/phone/email and select the three best candidates by number Each Local AMICA Chapter should compile the award of ballot and/or outstanding qualifications. The Awards Commit- nominations received from their membership and submit up to tee will present the lists of the three best candidates for each three nominations for each award to me and the awards commit- award to the Executive Committee who will vote to select the tee. Please try to get the nominations to me before December 31, final winners from these lists. The Awards Committee Chair will 2011. Send these nominations to me by email at duo- then have the plaques made up and make arrangements for the [email protected] If an AMICA member who is not a member of a presentation of the awards at the next annual membership meet- Local Chapter would like to nominate someone for an award, ing. please send that nomination directly to me at the above email leo Ornstein literary Award address. Presented for contributing in some way in a literary Relevant Award by-laws and a brief effort to further and promote the goals of AMICA - either by con- description of each of the awards tributions to the Bulletin or by independent books, articles, etc. The contributions must have been made in the past two years. The Awards: Presented in the form of an engraved brass and wood plaque. In addition, the basic registration fee for the AMICA International Award annual membership meeting for the year of the award will be Presented for contributing substantially to the promotion waived for each recipient in attendance. The plaques may be of automatic music and AMICA as viewed technically, musically, accepted by any AMICA member designated by the recipient in archivally or from the perspective of the general public. the event the recipient cannot be present. The award shall be funded by the AMICA treasury. Alan Turner Vice-President International [email protected] Chapter news Charleston was proposed as a location for the next chap- Dixie Chapter ter meeting. After adjournment many stayed to hear more music President - Walter Gerber on David's machines. A great time was had by all. Reporter/Photographer - Walter Gerber Lee Lanier The Dixie Chapter had its third meeting in historic and David Savannah Georgia on June 25th. Eight members began the day Oppenheim with a guided bus tour through the historic area. We were quite by 1930 surprised as to hear about the many events that occurred here Marshall affecting early Colonial America. The tour dropped us off at the and Crystal Beer Garden for lunch. This landmark eatery has been Wendell open since 1933. We re-gathered at David Oppenheim's home AMPICO A along with four guests to hear some of his fine instruments. The meeting was called to order and with no old busi- ness a discussion began regarding ways to increase membership with a focus on encouraging younger folks to join. For new busi- Victor,Taylor ness, the Dixie chapter will have a strong presence at the Pitts- Crawford,Lee burg Convention helping out wherever possible. Walt Gerber Lanier, Roger announced his retirement from Cisco Systems to take up player Dayton, Guest piano rebuilding full time. After doing rebuilds as a hobby for Frank McDon- thirty years his association with Crabb Piano service in Tucker ald, and David Georgia both as a rebuilder and instructor will help ensure a con- Oppenheim tinuing supply of knowledgeable technicians are available to standing by "keep them playing". Seeburg "L"
AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 315 Boston Area Chapter Danita President - Phil Konop Gerber Reporter - Phil Konop and Photographer - Phyllis Konop Marie Pendelton The Summer meeting of Boston Area Chapter was held September 11th at the workshop of piano restorer and member of the chapter, louis Gentile in Quincy, MA. It was a beautiful day and made for a pleasant drive down to Quincy where Louis and his wife Rosemary had arranged the shop for a meeting and set out a large spread of refreshments for everyone to enjoy. After a period of socializing President Phil Konop called the meeting to order at around 2 p.m. Kirk Russell read the minutes from the previous meeting which had been held at Larry Norman Charles Jacksonís Piano Museum in Hopkinton, MA. Treasurer engaged in Dorothy Bromage then gave a report and also commented on our conversation with Roger membership. Membership over the last two years has ebbed from Dayton, with well over 40 members to currently 36. Our attendance at this Jim Blanco meeting, including guests was 16, a number less than 50% of our and his broth- membership. It was decided that a letter would go out to current, er Michael former and perspective members discussing the benefits of mem- seated, and bership in the hopes of improving our numbers. Frank Old business turned out to be more upbeat. The “Muse- McDonald um Piano” which we provided the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation and was subsequently badly damaged in a flood has been replaced with a very nice Marshall and Wendell upright Ampico that can be pumped or played electrically. The piano came from Charles Jackson and was put in fine working David order by Louis Gentile. The piano is circa 1920 but looks almost Oppenheim, brand new. Charles and Louis delivered the piano to CRMI Guests where it was well received. "Beanie" Following the meeting Louis gave us the background as Barbee and "Bubba" to how he got into the business of restoring pianos. His shop has Horovitz, a “kid in a candy store” effect on piano enthusiasts. It contained alongside a 60 pianos waiting to be restored or picked up by owners. As part 1902 Double of Louis’s business he has to dispose of derelict pianos and he Comb has removed and saved many of the iron plates or partial plates 15.5 in. with the brand names inscribed on them. These make for a spec- Regina Disc tacular display on the workshop walls. music box We were happy to welcome guests Bill and Mollie O’Connell from Worcester, MA and Bob Cordier from Biddle- ford, ME. Bill and Mollie had expressed an interest in Amica to Bob Hunt. We hope their interest continues.
Arthur “Bubba” Rosemary Horovitz, Gentile “Beanie” our Barlee, Hostess David Oppen- heim, and Lee Lanier
316 AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 Louis Tom Gentile Ahern at tells about one of his shop Louis Gentile's newly restored players
Kirk Russell , Bob Hunt, Louis and Bob Gentile's Cordier workshop confer during the meeting
Unique wall Bob Hunt display showing his e-valve system to Davis Kay
Dorothy Bromage and Bob Replacement Cordier Museum Piano
AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 317 Chicago Area Chapter President - Jerry Biasella Reporter - Curt Clifford
The Chicago chapter of AMICA held its August meet- ing at the home of Marty and laura nevel. The Nevels live in an historic landmark in Schaumburg Illinois built in 1929. When purchased the house was in a major state of disrepair and through their hard efforts they have turned it into a magnificent show place, keeping all the charm of the original builder while bring- ing it up to a more livable and spacious home. The interior space was totally renovated with some rearrangement and reconfigura- tion. In this very large 3 story home they replaced 99 windows, added new doors, enhanced original wall moldings, and added art and whimsy everywhere as a wonderful background for their automatic musical instruments and various collectables. This was a fun house to visit and a good time was had by all. The Nevel Collection includes a 1915 Violano Virtuoso Home Model, a 1914 Gabel Automatic Entertainer, a 1900 Impe- Our hosts Marty and Laura Nevel rial Symphonian, a New Century 4 Comb Disc Music Box, a 15.5" Curved Front Regina Changer, an 1870 Orchestral Inter- changeable Conchon that rests on its matching table, a 1925 See- burg KT with flute pipes, Steinway Art Case Reproducing Grand Piano, an 1894 Capital Cuff Box, a Phonograph Lamp, and an VP Richard 1895 rare and unique 20.5" Kalliope with Bells. The Nevels also VanMetre collect Gadget Canes and Light bulbs. conducts our Our business meeting was conducted by our vice presi- business dent Richard VanMetre. The secretary's report was read and meeting approved along with our treasurer's report. Under old business Mel Septon reminded us there are still a few of the 2006 conven- tion favors left. Under new business Tim Trager made a sugges- tion regarding guests and membership. We frequently host guests at our meetings, so it was suggested to request of these guests their contact information i.e. an email address, or phone number. We may then include these folks in some of our future notices to reach out to them as possible new members and to make them feel welcome. Warren and Barbara Stiska mentioned that members might be interested in attending meetings of JATOE - Joliet Area Theater Organ Enthusiasts - held locally at the historic Rialto Members Theater in Joliet. Their comments prompted suggestions that at listen future meetings members could provide information about other eagerly hobby related events that might be of interest to our group. Also, during members indicated that they would like to hear about individuals our who can restore/repair instruments meeting Ed Lisaukas, who was not present at this meeting, had previously advised that he wanted to share one of his latest dis- coveries - parlorsongs.com - the web site for The Parlor Songs Association Inc, Preserving Americaís Popular Music History. The corporation was established for and dedicated to the preser- vation of popular American music and musical culture. Their purpose is to preserve, educate, share and also provide a forum The for study/discussion of popular American music and musical cul- Nevel's ture. magnificently At the end of the meeting we once again thanked our restored hosts the Nevels for allowing us to enjoy their magnificent home home and collection.
318 AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 Chicago Area Chapter 1915 Mills SATURDAY – OCTOBER 29, 2011 Violano President - Jerry Biasella Virtuoso, Home Model, Reporter - Curt Clifford circa 1915 About 64 people attended the chapter meeting in the home of Kathy Stone and Mel Septon. Their beautiful new home provides a perfect background for their automatic musical instruments and plenty of space for the group to mingle. Their 9’6” Steinway Duo Art is 1 of 10 made and 1 of only 2 left with the original mechanism. It has 2 pumps, 2 motors and a factory designed special stack for extra loud capability. In addition to the piano, the couple has a beautifully restored Seeburg G, 2 musical boxes, a victrola, and a violano on loan from Marty Per- sky. All instruments provide joyful noise. 20.5" President Jerry Biasella called the meeting to order, the Kalliope minutes of the August 13, 2011 meeting were read by the secre- with 10 tary and approved by the group and Kathy and Mel were thanked bells in for hosting our fall meeting. custom Joe Pekarek reported that the Chicago Area Chapter made ended 2010 with 75 memberships (124 members) which reflects walnut a slight decrease for the calendar year. As of today we added 3 case, new members. circa 1895 Mel Septon advised that we still have for sale 4 Nipper dog favors and 4 piano roll favors of the Chicago Blues. Vice- President Richard Van Metre put out a request for hosts for 2012 meetings. We would like to have 4 gatherings next year. Members were reminded that our 2012 annual conven- 15.5" Regina tion will be held in Pittsburg and a lot of fun activity is being Curved Front planned. Tim Baxter, our international president, is actively pro- Automatic Disc moting this city. Changer After the formal meeting we had a special treat. Bever- ly Chatfield, one of the guests, played Brahm’s Ballade Op 118 No. 3 for the group. She and the Steinway were both superb. This was followed by a piano roll - “Procession of the Sarder” - one of Mel’s favorites which also showed the capability of a great piano.
18.5" New Century 4 comb disc music box, circa 1903
The Lamp Phonograph
Our hosts, Mel Septon and Kathy Stone with their 9'6" Steinway Duo-Art with dual pump
AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 319 Secretary Carol Veome Halloween reads the Greetings, chapter carved by minutes Maria Bronson
An unexpected guest President dances Jerry up a Biasella storm and Joe Pekarek
Seeburg G
Guests enjoy an excellent catered dinner Mills Bow-front Violano Virtuoso
Upright player with a new form of right hand accompaniment Mel and Kathy's new home
Cont’d on page 335 320 AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 2011 Annual Reports President's Report: Treasurer's Report This has been a good year for AM/CA. While we all AMICA National had revenue in fiscal year 2010 of know that membership is not as robust as we would like, we have $65,748.54. This was 13% less than in fiscal year 2009. The several chapters whose meetings and attendance would be the majority of the decrease was due to a decrease in bulletin adver- envy of any enthusiasts' organization. Stated another way, mem- tising and no convention revenue in fiscal year 2010. National bership can never be just about numbers; we must look as well at membership dues in fiscal year 2010 were almost identical to the commitment of the members we have and the quality of our membership dues in fiscal year 2009. events. In this regard, A MICA is indeed healthy and thriving AMICA National had expenses in fiscal year 2010 of and A MICA continues to be a vital part of the lives of its mem- $75,856.11. This was 37% greater than in fiscal year 2009. The bers. majority of the increase was due to an increase in the printing I am enjoying serving as your president and am grateful and postage cost for the AMICA Bulletin, 2010 Convention for the high-quality officers you have elected to help me. I would expenses, and seed money for the 2012 Convention. like to give special thanks to John Motto-Ros, who is gracious The total AMICA International revenue (National and enough to act as my "sounding board" on numerous issues, and Chapters) for fiscal year 2010 was $124,443.66 and the total to Terry Smythe, who works so hard to give us a bulletin that has AMICA International expenses (National and Chapters) for fiscal so much rich content. year 2010 were $135,287.68. The President's Award this year has been awarded to At the beginning of fiscal year 2010 the net assets of Bob Taylor of Columbia, Missouri. Bob's accomplishments AMICA International (National and Chapters) were $192,497.73 include, but are by no means limited to: (1) being a vital part of and at the end of fiscal year 2010 the net assets of AMICA Inter- AMICA at the local and national levels, both by hosting meet- national (National and Chapters) were $181,653.71-a net ings and serving as a technical resource; (2) placing mechanical decrease of $10,844.02. music in the public eye with his resolution/high fidelity You The revenue and expenses for fiscal year 2011 are Tube postings; and (3) providing your President with hours of expected to be similar to those for fiscal year 2010. AMICA technical support (including actual component repair!) as to International remains financially sound. Bob's unique expertise: Aeolian Residence Organs. Bob's help has enabled me to bring "on line" the 116 note player mechanism Respectfully submitted, of 55 rank Aeolian Residence Organ at the Callanwolde Fine Joe Orens Arts Center here in Atlanta. In the last year I have given numer- ous public presentations of the organ as a player instrument and editor's Report have been able to raise awareness of AMICA as a result (and In my role as Editor of our AMICA Bulletin, I have now gained some new members). published 12 issues. I very quickly learned that previous issue The Callanwolde Organ had its Duo-Art player gutted in were all laid out by our printer in Ohio, but we never knew the the 1960s; the replacement and restoration of same will be the cost because invoices always emerged as a one-line total charge. subject of an "Adopt an Instrument" proposal/ will be submitting I am doing the layout now, and translating the savings to the Board. into color pages, something we had very little of in the past. Over the past 4 years, our average cost per issue is still approximately Respectfully submitted, $4,600. Current feedback suggests that the increase in color Timothy Baxter, President pages has been favorably received by our members. Member articles are very much appreciated. In particu- Past President's Report lar, articles about restoration of an instrument, including This past year has been relatively quiet as Past Presi- before/after pictures, are particularly desirable. Very good recent dent. President Tim Baxter seems to have a good handle on examples are those by Ray Fairfield, Stephen Goodwin, Jim things and does not need much advice on matters of concern; Lowell, Peter Phillips, Tockhwock, and Richard Zipf. Such arti- although we have communicated frequently via e-mail. I have cles are undeniably a huge commitment and difficult to compile also stayed in touch with other officers and amica members. As on a consistent basis. All members are strongly encouraged to Chairman of the Nominating Committee, it is my responsibility commit to progressive documentation, by photo and text, of to make sure we have a current slate of officers. presently, all future restorations. officers are in place with no anticipated vacancies. Columns by various of our members continue to be During my final term as President, I felt it was very encouraged. Matthew Jaro's "Nickel Notes", and Ken Long's important to advertise AMICA, and I put aside advertising funds "Lost and Found" are excellent examples. More are invited in the budget. I still feel this is an important issue for AMICA to embracing such as "A Visit With ...... ", or "The Story Behind pursue. My expenses were minimal; therefore, I am not billing ...... " AMICA. In my role in providing original literature into AMICA's on-library, some 47 documents have been added over past year, Respectfully submitted, with 24 of them emerging from member contributions. There John A. Mottoros, Past President would have been more, but all my AMlCA activities tend to hob-
AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 321 ble my quest for new old original literature. The library now con- 2. That the Board approve in principle the MMLI proposal, tains about 430 documents, making it now a very useful reposito- ry for personal research. Respectfully submitted, ln earlier years, AMlCA and related associations thrived Terry Smythe, Editor through the continuing stream of literary nourishment emerging smvthe@shaw .ca from Harvey Roehl and his Vestal Press. When it evaporated, we were deprived of that critical nourishment and a gradual decline Membership Secretary Report emerged within all related associations. In recent years, we are As of September 15, 2011 we had 1107 members (This seeing a revival of interest in new literature, such as "The Golden number includes Affiliates, Founding Members, Gifted Mem- Age of Automatic Musical Instruments" by Art Reblitz. bers, Honorary Members.) Of these 1107 members, 1091 were Q. David Bowers, author of a number of publications paying or gifted members. A member can be an individual, a over the years, has recently written a number of new books. As family or an organization. an outright gift, he graciously offered to AMICA a manuscript, New members and rejoining members: So far this calen- "Violin-Playing Machines", co-authored by himself and Art dar year we have 52 new and rejoining members. We have about Reblitz, for publication by and for AMICA. I have completed the the same number of members as last year. layout and it will soon be published. He successfully invited a Late Dues Payments: The deadline for payments is Jan- number of grand patrons to make significant contributions to uary 31. Dues notices are sent to everyone in mid-November. AMICA to help defray total costs. Reminder notices are sent in February with a requested late fee, This initiative will somewhat follow in the footsteps of which some people honor. AMICA's publication of the purple Welte book, authored by Payment Methods: AMICA accepts cash, checks, credit Charles Davis Smith and Richard Howe. This occurred in the cards (not debit) and PayPal. This year Robbie Tubbs has been early 90's and AMICA earned a net of $7,000+ for its commit- receiving the PayPal notices and forwarded them to the Member- ment. An RFQ is in the process of being requested, and upon its ship Secretary and to the Treasurer, but this should soon be receipt, it is expected that AMICA will be asked to commit to an changed so that PayPal will come directly to the Membership initial expenditure in excess of $10,000, offset in part by dona- Secretary. tions by Grand Patrons. Gift memberships have been made available for one Q. David Bowers has also authored "An Encyclopedia year from piano technicians for their clients. Advertising: in the of Disc Music Boxes" soon to be published, and is currently renewal letters a coupon for a free 100 word classified advertise- working on "American Coin-Operated Instruments", also soon to ment is included as part of the renewal. be published. Watch for announcements in our AMICA Bulletin. AMICA member, Bill Edgerton, has initiated an inde- pendent reference library of significant interest to AMICA mem- Archivist Report bers - Mechanical Music Library, International, Inc.,. Bill is also Over the last year I have received with great regularity a member of MBSI, and to get this library started he entered into the bimonthly shipments of extra Arnica Bulletins. The amount a contract with MBSI. MBSI has agreed to make its archives of Bulletins received greatly exceeds the number needed to fill available to the MMLI on the understanding that much of it will the few requests that come in from Terry. eventually be digitized, and all of it be made publicly available, Over the last year shipments of Bulletins have been dominantly for research purposes. made to; France, Australia, Texas and the ice cream parlor in Conversely, AMICA has few physical archives. It does Columbus, Indiana. The initial request for 40 bulletins to each of have a digitized on-line library of some 430+ items of original these foreign counties proved to be very costly so the shipment literature in digital format. Some years back, AMlCA donated its was reduced to five. Terry has suggested that foreign authors physical archives to the International Piano Archives at Maryland needing extra copies of their articles develop a means of making (IPAM). I have never been able to determine what is in the copies from withn their countries from PDF electronic copies of AMICA collection at IPAM. the Bulletin. I personally donated 25 books to this newly formed The storage of the old Bulletins is becoming a major MMLI. All are either duplicates or have already been digitized. I problem. I give away to every visitor that comes thru as many am very supportive to donating physical archives to the MMLI, Bulletins as they will take but that hasn't put a dent in the pile. but only after they have been digitized. The officers of Arnica fairly soon need to make a decision on the Prior negative experience with access of such material disposition of these old issues. I am reluctant on my own, to at the University of Maryland strongly suggest that donations of make the decision to take them to a recycling facility but that is original literature to institutions should only occur after they eventually what I will be forced to do. have been digitized. Institutions typically excel as caring for and protecting original physical archives, but typically severely Respectfully submitted restrict access. It is expected that access to the MMLl collection Tom Hutchinson will be much less restrictive, particularly so in favor of our mem- bers. Convention Chairman Report Recommendations 2011 ... The England Convention is now past, and it was a great 1. That the Board approve in principle a commitment to support trip. publication of this "ViolinPlaying Machines". 2012 .. .. Pittsburgh, PA.
322 AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 2013 ... San Francisco, CA. Whitney, Bill 2014 ... Denver, Colorado Willing, James 2015 ... Pending confirmation. Lange, Lloyd We need chapters to host conventions in the coming Barret, Andrew Tom Grace & Jerrv Doring years. It is work, but it is fun, too. No one knows your area like Rutoskey, John & Elza. Dennis you do, and the best places to go. Really, it's each chapter's Ubreita. Javier responsibility to host in turn, so talk to your chapter members and call Frank if you can do it. We need from 2016 on. Total donations to the Memorial Fund are $621.00. Thank you letters have been written to all donors and acknowl- Respectfully submitted edgement letters that a memorial donation has been given. have Frank Nix been sent to the families of memorial recipients. The Memorial Committee Chairman has sponsored all postage as a contribution AMICA honor Roll Report to AMICA. During 2011 I have received the following nominees to add to our Honor Roll: Respectfully submitted Dr. Frank Adams (Automatic Music Roll Company) Ray Dietz, Chairman Jeffrey Morgan (literary contributions to the Bulletin) Durrell Armstrong (player piano supplies) Website Manager Report On a sad note, larry Givens, an Honor Roll member has recent- Our visit counter now reads 89,259. Compared to last ly passed away. year's reading of 76,121 we've had over 13,000 visits to our web- Any additions, corrections or other information is site this year. This averages to 36 visits per day. always welcome to update our Honor Roll list. The major improvement made this year was to standard- ize the way the "Historic Video" is handled on the Members- Respectfully submitted, Only area. My changes now allow computers of any kind (Win- Tom Stengel dows, Apple, Unix, hand-held etc.) to be able to view the videos, whereas this was not the case before. I was lucky enough to have Memorial Committee Report the owner of the MMD, Jody Kravitz help me accomplish a The following is the final Memorial Committee Report tricky section of necessary programming. The project took me for the year of 2010. This report includes activity from August about 10-hours total to complete. 2010 through 10 March 2011. Additional functionality is the ability of a visitor to translate the webpage into any number of languages, making the Memorials Received By Sandy Swirsky With Membership website truly international. In the heading of each page is a pull- Renewals down list of languages the user can choose from. This improve- Memorial Gift In Memory Of ment should assist non-English speaking visitors to enjoy our content and learn more of what we're about. Albrecht. William and Rosemary Jack Edwards in San Jose continues to field inquiries Olds. Dorothy from the site. Terry Smythe in Winnipeg continues to provide Andre, Norman new content to the "Original Literature" section of the Members- Drapkin, Christina Only page. Chase, Thomas Derald Kirlin If you haven't visited lately, please go to Spencer, John www.amica.org, and take advantage of the great documents, Bird, Linda movies and sound recordings found only in our Members-only Cappel. Ron area. The login Name and Password to this exclusive area is Chapman, Bill located in your latest Bulletin at the top of the masthead. Diamond, Franklin Edwards, John Karl Ellison, Website Manager Epstein, Benjamin Glier, Daniel Founding Chapter Report Goldman, Kenneth President: John Ulrich Howard, Robert Vice President: Karen Simon Irelan, Wayne Secretary: Bob & Bonnie Gonzalez Isogai, Norio Treasurer: Lyle Merithew & Sandy Swirsky Jacobs, Eileen Reporter /Newsletter: Jack & Diane Edwards Launderville, Joseph Board Rep: Lyle Merithew & Sandy Swirsky Linker, Jack Metcalf, Peter The Founding Chapter, which includes Northern Cali- Palmer, Tony fornia and Western Nevada, has 56 paying memberships, 78 indi- Tracey, Ed viduals. Our total treasury is $4,888.16 as of 8/31/2011. This year Tyler, Charles we held six meetings. They were held at the homes of: Julie
AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 323 Porter, Roy Powlan, Bruce Grimes & Tockhwock, John Ulrich, light, a live holiday concert on the 5 manual 80 rank Wurlitzer by Bob & Bonnie Gonzalez and Richard Reutlinger. We also sup- acclaimed theater organist, Jelani Eddington. Festivities then ported the Organ Rally in Sutter Creek. moved to the Carousel Pavilion for more music, wine and a holi- The Founding Chapter is sponsoring the 2013 Conven- day buffet dinner in the midst of the 1890 Eden Palais Salon tion in San Francisco to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Carousel and 24 fairground and dance organs. In addition, the AMICA. We are working diligently toward that event. We hope Steam Engine Gallery featured many beautifully restored marvels to see everyone there ! of the industrial revolution. The colossal 110 key Gavioliphone with resurrected angel trumpeters, maiden harpists and winged Respectfully submitted lions delighted us all with more concert fare. A good time was Sandy Swirsky and Lyle Merithew, Board Representatives had by all.
Chicago Area Chapter Report Carol Veome, Chapter Secretary In the Chicago Area Chapter we ended 2010 with 75 memberships (124 members) which reflects a slight decrease for heart of America Chapter Report the calendar year. We gave a $1000 donation to the Sanfilippo The Heart of America Chapter held three meeting in Foundation which donates to local and national charity organiza- 2010 because a spring meeting had to be cancelled. tions. Our 4 meetings were all quite different this year with a Our first meeting was an organ rally held at Gage Park good turnout for each one. We waited for spring this year to in Topeka, KA hosted by the Bechmans H.C. and Marlene. We insure good weather before we began our meetings. had approximately 30 participants who brought 8 street organ On May 16th about 25 mechanical music aficionados and one accordion to perform at the park. As part of the event we joined many others for a delightful afternoon concert at The Pol- had a train ride around the park and a free ride on the carousel. ish Museum of America in Chicago. This 1935 museum, one of Later that evening we had a dinner at a local steakhouse. The the oldest ethnic museums in America, has a special room filled meeting concluded with a breakfast and chapter meeting at the with Paderewski memorabilia. This special concert was put Bechman's house. together by Rex Lawson and Denis Hall, founders of the Pianola Our second meeting was in conjunction with an organ Institute in London, and was dedicated to the memory of the late rally at The Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead in Leawood, Polish President Lech Kaczynski and his wife, Maria who had Kansas. We had ten street organs and one large organ participat- just recently died in an airplane crash in Russia. The beautiful 7 ing. That night some of us attended Ed a dinner theater perfor- foot 1925 Model AR Steinway was provided for the concert by mance in Overland Park, Kansas. The next morning we had a Jim and Wynette Edwards. The piano rolls featured works of breakest/ meeting at Trudy and Greg Moffitt's house. Chopin, Liszt, Schubert, Debussy and Schelling along with Our third meeting was a split meeting held in December Ignace Jan Paderewski playing his own creations. In the Great at Harold Engelhaupt's house on Saturday and Doug Cussick's Hall of the Museum the piano resounded impressively and pro- house on Sunday. There were 38 participants for the happenings vided a thoroughly enjoyable listening experience for all. at the Englhaupts. We began with a mart on Saturday morning Our June 6, a group of 25 was hosted in the home of which represented a departure from what we usually did. This Margaret Bisberg and Richard VanMetre in Park Ridge, IL. They was followed by a partially catered and partially prepared dinner. have a medium size collection of disc and cylinder musical The evening was topped off by our infamous gift exchange boxes, a Steinway Duo Art piano, and a Victor Credenza phono- which at times can become quite raucous. graph. We enjoyed a great potluck dinner and homemade treats. On Sunday we meet at Doug and Barbara Cusick's The discussions centered on the upcoming Union, IL antique house in Leawood, Ks. 45 of us spent several hours listening to phonograph sale, the remaining Nipper dog table favors, and the the Cusick's large collection that included a variety of band reissue of Leo Podolsky Ampico rolls. organs, a Hupfeld B Violina-Phonolist, a 1928 Mortier 84 key In September Joanne and Jim Tharp hosted 30 people in orchestrion ,and a Mason-Hamlin reproducing piano. We then Palos Park. Their ranch home, decorated in the Arts and Crafts had a marvelous brunch prepared by Barbara Cusick with assis- style, comfortably accommodates their 1926 Steinway Duo Art tance from several other members. We had a brief membership Reproducing Piano (Italian Renaissance style art case) and their meeting followed by more listen to the Cusick's many instru- 1929 Mason & Hamlin Ampico B Reproducing Piano (heavily ments. carved Louis XV walnut case). They also have some 1960s hi fi equipment which includes a JBL Paragon stereo speaker and Respectfully submitted, some interesting model cars. Members brought side dishes and desserts to the table. The Buffalo, NY convention news was Gary Craig, Board Rep shared and the discussion centered on future meetings. In December 141 attendees came to our holiday gala at lady liberty Chapter Report the Sanfilippo estate in Barrington, IL. In the late afternoon the John Dousmanis, President (646) 638-2201 party began in the house where we were greeted on arrival with Vincent W. Morgan, Vice President (718) 479-2562 holiday music. Two spectacular new additions, the Hupfeld Maryam Morgan, Treasurer (718) 479-2562 Helios ill/39 orchestrion and the 84 key Mortier Astrid cafe Vincent & Maryam Morgan, Board Reps. organ, were featured in the theater. After a brief business meeting The Lady Liberty Chapter currently has 51 families (74 around 5:30PM in the theater, we were treated to the party's high- individuals) up from 44 families (68 individuals) in 2010 who
324 AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 have paid their dues for 20 I I. We have been asked what our one is welcome, but our main area is Ohio, Indiana, Michigan secret is for getting new members. It is simple, members inviting and Western Ontario. friends to meetings. We also have membership applications and We convened a chapter meeting in the Atrium of the old AMlCA Bulletins on hand to give to guests. That's it. Genesee Building during the Buffalo Convention with 16 mem- In the second half of 2010 we held meetings at: the bers in attendance. We discussed our future meeting sites as well home of Bill and Ann Edgerton on Sept. 11th and at the home of as other business. Glenn Thomas and his wife, Kim Kleason, on Dec. 11th. In the Our Fall Meeting hosted by Don Johnson and Bob first half of2011 our activities included: 1-A rare outdoor treat of Andersen was in the Detroit, Ml area on Sat-Sun., Oct. 23-24. the Pratt Institute's steam calliope on March 19th, 2-A meeting at We toured Woodlawn Cemetery with the help of lra Grinnell, the home of Vincent and Maryam Morgan on April 23rd and 3- who told us about his grandfather and gave us insights into his The second annual organ rally at Nunley's Carousel in Garden life and piano business beginning in the early 1900's. His efforts City. in promoting music education in Detroit helped make player The meetings at Edgertons and Morgans featured as our pianos popular in Michigan. Our guide was very convincing, but special guest, Hi Babit. His memories, stories, ability to adlib on we later found out he was an impersonator and a friend of Bob the piano and his timely jokes held us spellbound. In fact, at the and Don's. We visited the grave of Richard Storrs Willis who Edgertons Bill had to ask Hi for permission to show off his many wrote, "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear" and sang his song in wonderful instruments. his memory. We saw the elaborate gravestones of many Motown The outdoor event with the steam calliope at Pratt Insti- artists and the memorial stone for Michael Jackson. Also includ- tute in Brooklyn was the first time that the calliope had been used ed, were crypts of early automotive pioneers like Horace Dodge outdoor except for New Year's Eve. People came from 3 blocks and Edsel Ford. away to find out what was making that strange and VERY Saturday evening was an Octoberfest celebration at Don LOUD music. Quite a few of them lined up to try their hands at and Bob's with the singing of German songs around their 1917 the keyboard. Most were stumped at the time delay between Schumann 88 note piano. On Sunday morning we returned to pressing a key and the sound. However, one professional pipe Don and Bob's for a delicious brunch and business meeting. organist was able to overcome this, having experienced similar Our Spring Meeting was held May 7-8 in Columbus, IN. delays on pipe organs. Others finally figured out that they had to We started with a bus tour of many National Historic Landmarks just play and not listen to the music themselves. It was a wonder- in the area and ended back at the Visitors Center where we ful and fun-filled event. enjoyed their beautiful collection of Chihuly glass. We then went The organ rally is the one that wasn't. Not one of the to Zaharakos' Ice Cream Parlor and Museum for dinner and organs showed up whose owners promised to be present. Howev- enjoyment of their beautiful music machines. During dinner we er, Vincent Morgan did take his Castlewood busker organ and were serenaded by Hugh Mcintire on his player accordion. was able to persuade people to crank a few tunes. We also sold Across the street from Zaharakos' was a city building being used piano rolls at 50¢ each or 3 for $ 1.00 and gave people copies of for a high school prom. We were unexpectedly treated to 2 hours the AMICA Bulletin. Later we were given a free tour of the Long of a parade of teens arriving for the prom in every sort of vehicle Island Space Museum. available (limos, convertibles, Army trucks, hay wagons, semi Someone in NJ donated 750 player piano rolls to the cabs, horse and buggy carriages, etc.). They circled the block at Chapter. Those who attended the meeting at the Morgans were least 3 times before alighting to go into the prom and many able to take their pick for a donation to the Chapter. Some mem- townspeople were there to enjoy the proceedings. Our business bers came a couple days early to find special gems. Others meeting was held at the hotel on Sunday morning. picked some out at the meeting and even came back later for Our next meeting is planned for Traverse City, Ml in more. 45 of them were donated to a missionary couple in Mon- October. treal who use a player piano in their ministry. There are still about 150 available. Respectfully submitted, In December a single ballot was cast for all officers to Liz Barnhart- Midwest Chapter Board Rep remain in their respective positions, with a unanimous positive vote. northern lights Chapter Report President - - - - - Paul Watkins Respectfully submitted, Vice President - Vincent & Maryam Morgan, Secretary - - - - -Mark Kraabel Lady Liberty Board Reps. Treasurer - - - - Barb Watkins Reporter - - - - - Jerrilynn Boehland Midwest Chapter Report Board Rep - - - - Paul Watkins President- Don Johnson Our local chapter holds three to four membership meet- Vice President- Liz Barnhart ings and/ or events with attendance ranging from 10 to 20 people. Secretary- Hilda Merchant On a national level our membership surpasses local participation. Treasurer- Alvin Wulfekuhl With MN, N & S Dakota and Manitoba we have a total of 35 sin- Reporter- Christy Counterman gle and/or family memberships (+/- 55 people). Some national Board Rep- Liz Barnhart members don't participate locally while others participate only The Midwest Chapter has 60 family memberships. Any- through MBSI. Christmas is the best attended and it has been a
AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 325 Visit our website for a complete list of items to be offered at auction.
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6334-14_MH12_MusicBox.indd 1-2 11-10-13 4:10 PM member hosted party each year. Our attending members prefer We won't have a meeting in August, since the Conven- the "hosting" of meetings, but in looking at what other chapters tion starts then. We also had organ rallies in Sutter Creek, Long do 1 notice a considerable amount of festivals, rallies, museums, Beach and the Los Angeles Arboretum. These were all very suc- theaters, etc. Some are even two day events covering both Satur- cessful and a lot of fun. day and Sunday. This is evidently an area for further considera- Our Treasury stays pretty solid, with a good balance. tion by our chapter. Another consideration would be more Jerry Pell is our President, Mike Choate is Vice-President, hirley advanced planning of meeting dates and sites. Nix is Secretary, Dianne Reidy is our Treasurer, and Frank Nix is Usually in the early spring Don Barton of Barton Player our International Board Rep. Piano Co. hosts a Piano Roll Flea Market and Silent Movie/ We're looking forward to another year of fellowship and Organ Concert. This was year eleven and it was a March Satur- sharing of this wonderful world of mechanical music. day enjoyed by customers, families looking for adventure and newbies. We're fortunate to have Don as a participating member. Submitted by He is a player piano rebuilder/technician who has been active in Shirley Nix our local chapter for many years. We often participate in a Phipps Center For The Arts SOWnY Chapter Report organ concert in Hudson, WI. This year it was an early summer The SOWNY Chapter is an active chapter in the South- June event, but many times it's Winter or Spring. They have out- ern Ontario and Western New York area. We have a current chap- standing concerts played by leading organists and we combine ter membership of22 paying members representing 12 house- that with an AMICA meeting and lunch or dinner. They have a holds. Our financial outlook is steady. We have $2,500 in a Cer- wonderful Wurlitzer Theater Pipe Organ with an attached Wurl- tificate of Deposit and $943 in a Savings Account for a total of itzer Grand Piano which helps to attract some very good per- $3,443 in assets after all2010 convention expenses are accounted formers Summer in Minnesota is almost sacred and it's wrapped for. Chapter meetings were held in September 201 0, December into twelve (1 2) weekends that start with June, July and end with 2010, May 2011, June 20 11, and July 2011 . The December August. Doing group events during this time is hard to plan meeting was the ever popular Christmas Party/Meeting, held at because outdoor activity is at a premium. However, a boat ride in Mike and Holly Walter's house. Plans for 2011 -2012 include late August or early September should be OK, but those three scheduling Chapter meetings for Spring, Summer and Fall. months are close to being sacrosanct. Our Christmas 2011 plans have yet to be established. Respectfully submitted, Several people may be interested in hosting our year end event, Glenn Roat, SOWNY Chapter President but nothing has "come to the fore." However, we finished 2010 with a delightful Christmas Party hosted by Randy Hammond at his home in Brooklyn Center, MN. We held the party a little later Texas Chapter Report in December than usual because he wanted some extra time to The Texas Chapter has 51 household memberships, rep- "spiff up a bit." Randy was a gracious host and we all enjoyed his resenting 79 persons. extensive collection of phonographs, pianos and antiques. Our The treasures report shows a bank balance afternoon was spent in conversation and music from Randy's 12/31/09 12/31110 1923 Fisher Ampico-A grand and his 1920 Steinway Duo Art $2193.65 $2131.74 upright. He also has a 5'8" Mason & Hamlin Ampico that's The chapter had 4 scheduled meetings in the year 2010. awaiting restoration. A nice surprise was Terry Smythe appearing In March, the chapter met in the lovely home of Vance and Judy with Christmas presents after making his trek from snowy Win- Kemler in Corinth, Texas, near the shores of Lake Lewisville. nipeg. Terry presented a DVD to each Chapter member on "The They have a 1917 Weber Player Grand Piano, equipped with a Art of Piano," which contains rare archival footage of many CRSP Pianomation digital system, a Symphonium 19" upright, a reproducing piano artists. Randy provided a sumptuous buffet polyphone 15 1/2" music box, a Bremond 13" cylinder music and members brought complementary dishes. We toured the box with bells, a Hofbrauer Harmonipan pushcart organ, a minia- house, played records and music rolls and closed out the Winter ture Ferris wheel band organ, and a Scopitone jukebox and video. daylight hours in Randy's warm and cozy musical environs. Other items include a Scopitone, a Hofbauer monkey organ and a few Edison cylinder phonographs as well as a number of antique Submitted by Paul Watkins, Chapter President. clocks. Vance and Judy became interested in automatic musical instruments when Vance's parents, Arden and Charlotte Kemler, Southern California Chapter Report College Station, Texas, joined AMICA and MBSI. Our second meeting was held on May 23rd in the home Our chapter is alive and well, and has an active agenda. of the late Walter Moore, and his wife Jessie and son Charles. We have had meetings at the homes of Mike and Marilyn Ames, They have a beautiful 1905 Aeolian Orchestrelle Model V, so joint meeting with MBSI), the Christmas party at the lovely large they had to add a room to house it. They have a Melodeaux home of Dana Bashor, a joint venture as always with MBSI, and piano which plays from large cardboard folded sheets of music, in February we were fortunate to have a meeting at the home of and a 20 note Gem Roller Organ. They have many types of reed Fred and Deanna Roth. April found us at the home of Frank and organs, organettes and several music boxes. They have a 1925 Shirley Nix. In June we traveled to the Dana Point home of Mike Nelson-Wiggen Casino X Nickelodeon and a 1920 Aeolian Duo and Kathy Choate. It's really appreciated when people open their Art upright piano. Charlie Moore has developed a computerized homes for a meeting. process for pinning new Cob rollers. Jessie Moore has a beauti-
328 AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 fully displayed doll collection. Some of the dolls have been It was built in Germany in 1917. What a thrill to hear and see an dressed in authenitic period clothing by her daughter, who is a instrument of this caliber and hear about the interesting engineer- former editor of a doll magazine. ing, design and construction of such a complex machine. Espe- In October, the Chapter had a rare treat, a "grande" cially for it’s age. It’s really fun to preview these instruments meeting in the estate home of Ken Long. Some 63 music afi- before they fine their new home in a big collection elsewhere. cionados attended. Mr. Long, a former President of the chapter, June 25, 2011, we had a most interesting visit to the has an estate home with 3 floors of museum quality instruments Carousel of Happiness in Nederland, Colorado. The Carousel and pianos. His collection includes 15 reproducing pianos with has a beautiful working and restored Wurlitzer 125 Military Band Ampico, Duo Art, Welte, or Apollo reproducing systems. A Organ. The animals were all carved by our host, Scott Harrison description of the many pianos and instruments can be found in who started this dream many years ago from a gift of a music box AMICA Bulletin (Nov.-Dec.,2010) pp.394-398. Amica is indeed from his sister, while stationed in Viet Nam. Scott and his wife fortunate to have Ken Long as a member and collector of muse- and the Carousel of Happiness are a tremendous addition to our um quality instruments. state and to our Rocky Mt. AMICA chapter! The Year 2010 ended with a wonderful and gala Christ- July 11, 2011 - The Last Harrah at the Harris’ Collec- mas Party at the home of Sal and Elaine Mele in Dallas. This tion. We’ve all been there - but we are always ready to go again. well attended (32 persons) meeting showcased the Mele's collec- Always something new, and something else working, and this tion. This includes a 1921 Steinway Grand piano with a QRS time the group included members of MBSI, the local antique Pianomotion MIDI system and a 1926 Kranich and Bach Welte Phonograph Club, the Rocky Mt. Chapter of AMICA and guests art case grand piano. They also have a 1929 Steck Duo-Art from members of all the organizations. It was a big crowd, a big reproducing upright piano, a 19th century pump organ, and many day, and yet it was quiet relaxed and fun to enjoy and say good music boxes. A fine dinner followed the demos and set the stage bye to this glorious attraction to our club. for the "Chinese" gift exchange. This was a beautiful finale to the October 15, 2011 - One Fine Piano and the marriage of year 2010. two centuries of technology with a Virtual Roll Player System and a Steinway Duo-Art. The home and lovely family piano of Submitted by Rick England and his wife Jill Seabrook was the focus of our Suzanne and John McCall meeting. Everyone enjoyed the time and the piano and the music. This instrument is an inspiration. And Bob Hunt from Rocky Mountain Chapter Report Maine was there to talk about his work and his development of Jere DeBacker, President the Virtual Roll Player System. Ken Hodge, Vice President October 16, 2011 - Our very own Founding Chapter Louise Lucero, Secretary Member, Dick Kroeckel was one of the featured performers at Barry Weiss, Treasurer the Paramount Theater in Downtown Denver. The program was The Rocky Mt. Chapter of AMICA had a good year called Red White & Blue Ragtime Revue with Dave Wickerham with Five to Seven meetings - depending on how you count on the Wurlitzer Theater Organ and Dick Kroeckel on the Con- between December of 2010 to October of 2011. We gained sev- cert Grand Steinway. It was a great afternoon and nearly as eral new members, and we have all our members paid and cur- many AMICA members attended as were at our official meeting rent in the chapter and we verify that they are in AMICA Interna- the day before in Ft. Collins. tional as well. Our long time member Ben Haass moved back to Colorado from North Carolina, Clara Wingfield moved to Auro- Boston Area Chapter Report ra, CO from Kansas. We had AMICA members from Utah, Since the last report, the Boston Area Chapter has met at Wyoming, Kansas, New Mexico, Nebraska, and of course Col- the historic Slater Mill in Pawtucket, RI (September 26, 2010), in orado at various meetings through the year. We always welcome Hopkinton, MA at the residence and piano museum of Charles guests and encourage them to join our club. Jackson (June 26, 2011), in Harvard, MA at the home of Phil and December 11, 2010 we were hosted by Bill and Rosanna Phyllis Konop (March 20, 2011), and at the shop of Louis Gen- Harris at their collection of European dance organs, Orchestrions, tile in Quincy, MA (September 11, 2011). phonographs and music boxes. We always have a large turnout On August 13, 2011, a crew from the chapter delivered and this meeting is no exception. We shared a meal and listened a piano to the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation to music as we enjoyed the Holiday Spirit. in Waltham, MA, known as the Watch City. It is a 1920 Mar- December 12, 2010 we were entertained by Dick shall and Wendell upright replacing an Aeolian piano that was Kroeckel with his 9’6" Steinway Duo-Art and his thousands of ruined in a flood. The museum is in an old mill on the Charles piano rolls and around a dozen or so of his other pianos. It’s River, and in a spring flood, the score was River 1—Museum 0. always a feast of music at Dick’s house. Earlier that day we The Aeolian, restored by chapter members, had been enjoyed brunch and a meeting at the home of Steve McCormick, donated in September 2009 as a replacement for an upright that which is right down the street from Dick’s home. Steve always had been in the museum and demonstrated for visitors for many entertains in the grand style and his Art-Echo piano is something years—but had seen its days. The chapter is committed to main- which no one else has. One or the other of his pianos played the taining the placement of a piano in the museum, since it is near whole time we were there. The winter weather was perfect, of the entrance and happily demonstrated by museum staff. In course. 2009, the chapter held its fall meeting there. April 2, 2011 took us to Colorado Springs, Colorado to the home and shop of Art and Jeannie Reblitz where we were invited to view the latest restoration which was a Weber Unika.
AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 329 A Visit to the Popper & Co. Showroom by Q. David Bowers Popper & Co. for the trademark. Hugo Popper was a In the 1970s I was co-owner with Claes O. Friberg of raconteur of sorts, enjoyed the company of the Mekanisk Musik Museum in Copenhagen, Denmark. Located leading musicians, and was highly respect- at Vesterbrogade 150 in a three-story brick mansion, the museum ed for his enthusiasm, generosity, and was a great attraction in its time, until it closed at the end of the innovations. By the end of the first decade decade. Visitors could see, hear, and enjoy a wide selection of of the 20th century Popper & Co. was mak- Q David Bowers instruments, from small music boxes to large orchestrions, ing many of the instruments it sold, rather including a Weber Maesto, Seeburg Style H, Imhof & Mukle, than depending on suppliers. The Welte Mignon was introduced and Lösche Titania. Other attractions included an Hupfeld Dea in 1906 and soon marketed worldwide by M. Welte & Sons. The and Steinway Welte reproducing pianos, Encore Automatic Popper offices included a recording studio, and all of the early Banjo, Monopol “Gnome,” Hupfeld Phonoliszt-Violina, Mills masters were made there. Violano-Virtuoso, and more. Hugo Popper died in 1910, from “too much of the good Part of the MMM business involved the buying and sell- life,” his son Hanns said. However, he probably died with a smile ing of automatic musical instruments. Claes O. Friberg made a on his face. An obituary and tribute appeared the November 21, special arrangement with the DDR (East Germany) that allowed 1910, issue of Zeitschrift für Instrumentenbau, and an English him and me to travel unrestricted. If I recall correctly, there were translation of this (by Claes O. Friberg) is in The Encyclopedia three types of passes available to Danes and Americans: a day of Automatic Musical Instruments, pages 584 and 585. Popper & pass to visit something specific, a longer pass for which an itiner- Co. was carried on by others and continued into the early 1930s. ary had to be approved in advance, and an unrestricted pass. The Its line of instruments was remarkably extensive, with many dif- government had an agency that specialized in the acquisition and ferent models of electric pianos and orchestrions, some of very sale of antiques. If a citizen had a music box, Ariston organette, large size. or other small instrument for sale, the government would either buy it outright or make some other arrangement—and move it to The Popper & Co. Showroom Circa 1905 a central warehouse. If someone had a Hupfeld Sinfonie Jazz 19, Hanns Popper recalled the family business with fond- Popper & Co. Gladiator, or other large instrument, a government ness. During our visit he brought with him several catalogs, all of agent would take a picture of it and send it to Claes. He would which I had seen, except a brochure on the Popper exhibit and then visit the owner on his next trip to East Germany and make concert hall at the 1911 Turin (Italy) Exposition and a catalog, an arrangement with the owner to buy it. The government col- Bureaux und Mustersäle der Firma Popper & Co., Leipzig, lected a fee of some sort. Reichsstrasse 53-55 (Offices and Display Salon of Popper & Co.) Although Claes went there many times and bought a lot Included in the last were 12 pictures of the Popper showrooms of things—mostly table top music boxes by Polyphon, Sympho- with instruments for sale, circa 1905. Popper & Co. had recently nion, and Kalliope, plus many other lesser-known makes. I made advertised itself as an orchestrion factory and had its own line of several trips in which we took time to track down old-timers in models, most of which took paper rolls, but some of the smaller the business, look through former factory buildings, and the like. styles used pinned barrels. In addition, Imhof & Mukle, the On one such trip to Leipzig we spent part of a day with Hanns orchestrion maker of Vöhrenbach, Germany, was well represent- Popper, a son of Hugo Popper, who directed Popper & Co. ed in the salon as was the Polyphon Musikwerke. Popper & Co. was founded in Leipzig in the early 1891 The salon was a magnet for visitors to the Leipzig Trade as a wholesaler of small musical goods, mainly for export to the Fairs held each year. Representatives came from all over the Orient. By the mid-1890s the company made a specialty of disc world to inspect instruments that Popper made or represented and music boxes and handed the goods of several different makers made wholesale purchases. Selections emphasized large and had a worldwide clientele, working with other wholesalers orchestrions but also included disc music boxes, disc orchestri- and manufacturers. Into the 20th century the company expanded ons, electric pianos, and foot-pumped piano players. and offered a selection of automatic pianos, organs, and The pictures in the album were not captioned. Some orchestrions. Many of these were sold under the Popper & Co. comments by the author are included here. name, but were made by others. By 1904 the firm was manufac- A room with five turing many of its own instruments, including roll-operated and large orchestrions barrel-operated orchestrions. The last, driven by weights, found a on the right and ready market in many small towns and villages not yet wired for one on the left, electricity. probably by Imhof & Mukle. At the In 1904 Hugo Popper worked with Karl Böckisch and end is drapery on Edwin Welte (of M. Welte & Sons of Freiberg im Breisgau) in the entrance to the development of the world’s first reproducing piano—the another show- Welte Mignon. The “Mignon” name was selected, as in French it room, flanked by meant “small,” which it was indeed in comparison to the firm’s torchieres—fig- large orchestrions. In Leipzig at the offices of Popper & Co. the ures holding Welte Mignon was tested and developed and held the registration lamps aloft.
330 AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 Disc phonographs with brass horns are in this well-lighted room. A particularly large Imhof & Mukle orchestrion is against a drapery Between the windows is a Polyphon disc music box on a stand, and background. An overstuffed chair is in front of it, comfort for a lis- to the right are two orchestrions with pipes arranged symmetrically, tener. At the right is a heater and to the far right a telephone or possibly made my M. Welte & Sons, with whom Popper had a close intercom. relationship.
At the left is a Polyphon Rossini disc-operated orchestrion with a A table with disc phonographs, each with a brass horn, is the winding crank on the right side. This was introduced in 1904. A focal point of this room. In the distance are some of the same 1906 brochure stated that 600 had been sold as of that time. At orchestrions pictured in the picture on previous page. An the right is another Polyphon disc orchestrion. orchestrion with orchestra bells (glockenspiel) in a lyre on the front is seen to the right. At the left are standing figures on bases, perhaps just ornamental rather than musical?
Polyphon disc music boxes in deluxe walnut cases are at the center of a room featuring several orchestrions, including an Two orchestrions of unknown make are seen, with a chair Imhof & Mukle “Trumpeter of Sackingen” with animated figure at between them. Disc music boxes are seen at the far right. the right.
AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 331 To the left is an electric piano with a paper roll visible below the keyboard. To the right is a large piano orchestrion.
A foot-pumped vorsetzer piano player is in the foreground with orchestrions against the walls. The one at the left has a keyboard Popper & Co. business office at Reichsstrasse 53-55. and is a variation of the “Tonika” model
Popper full page cover ads extracted from the German music trade journal Zeitschrift fur̈ Instrumentenbau (ZfI) on the dates shown.
332 AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 Aeolian Duo-Art Pipe Organ Concertola by Paul Morris
Some notes about Concertola no.204 Thoughts about the tracking mechanism I acquired this wonderful machine in December 2001 from Jim Russell, together with the Aeolian Pipe Organ that was in concertolas commissioned for Walter Langshaw in 1919. The Concertola, as Paul Morris far as I am aware, was not originally used with this organ, but how the system works rather just part of Jim Russell's large collection of “ Aeoliana” These are thoughts based on observations made from Jim Russell was selling his collection at this time, and the Con- concertola 204 which is an early design front loading player, certola was offered as part of the deal that included the 33 rank claimed to be made by Aeolian-Skinner, but thought to have been Aeolian Pipe Organ Op.1458. I am quite sure that the role of the refurbished by them some years after initial manufacture. I do Concertola was to act as “bait” not claim to have solved every to entice an otherwise reluctant last problem associated with purchaser of what might be this fairly complicated device, considered a huge pile of junk! but these are my thoughts so I was so overwhelmed far. by what I found in New Hamp- The roll tracking and tracker ton then, that I rather failed to bar expansion functions are appreciate the scarcity, ingenu- effectively combined into one ity and desirability of the Con- device with two pneumatic certola amongst all the other motors, one of them a double things that were becoming motor, and activated by two mine that day, and I think it is edge triggers, which are true to say that only now, as I adjustable by grub screws set write these notes, the full joy of into the tracker bar. Both of ownership has sunk it. It real- the pneumatic motors work on ly is an amazing machine! what was known as the “bal- Although the concept anced system” which functions without valves. The motors of a Concertola – a device Aeolian Duo-Art Concertola #204, for a Duo-Art Pipe Organ capable of being loaded with a are constantly connected to a quantity of rolls and giving a continuous performance – was vacuum supply via tube no. 25 and collapse until a bleed is probably around for a long time prior to its realization, they seem opened by tubes connected to the edge triggers, whereupon they to have been first introduced around 1927. Because of their remain in a state of balance. These tubes go via cut-off pouches, immense cost, starting at $3000, and the fact that they were made and are only open when the hole in the take-up spool (sleeve when they were, it is unlikely that more than several hundred valve) is closed by roll paper as it is spooled onto it. (This fires were sold. Contemporary opinion seems to indicate that, in the external valve no. 13a which amongst other things applies the hands of the wealthy patrons who first owned them, they often necessary vacuum to open the the cut-offs.) If the system is set misbehaved. No doubt their high quality wooden cabinets were up correctly, this state will have caused the tracker bar to contract all too often later gutted in order to make way for a drinks cabi- to the correct size for the roll paper, and held the tracker bar in a net or the like – something with which their owners would have central position, as indicated by the alignment holes punched at had no difficulty. the beginning of the roll. Concertola No. 204 was supplied by the Aeolian Skin- Initially, the tracker bar is at its maximum length, but as ner Company, which means that it must have been sold sometime soon as the sleeve valve is closed, the expansion pneumatic (now after the merger in 1931. Bearing in mind, however, that it has connected to the vacuum supply) begins to close, and continues the earlier style of control panel, and the likelihood that only one to do so until the left hand trigger is just opened. Air enters set of castings was made anyway, which were then finished as slowly through a small bleed* inside this motor. It then remains required, I consider it to have been made around 1927 and sold at this position, having become balanced. If the roll has been later, possibly having been refurbished after an earlier sale, or spooled on so as to be central on the tracker bar, as it must be, kept for several years as a demonstration model somewhere. It only one trigger is needed to do this, because the tracker bar is would be nice to know. It is probably the only Concertola in expanded and contracted symmetrically by levers operating at England now, and certainly one of the very few that were made both ends of it. At this point, the right hand trigger should have that still works. been adjusted so that it will be just resting on the right hand edge What we do know, however, are some of the rolls it of the roll. played during its lifetime, since their titles are still to be found in Having reached the above state, so long as the roll the control panel. I would like to think that these were the last tracks by itself perfectly, the tracking mechanism has no work to rolls it played before becoming derelict, I suspect in the 1950s. do and will remain inactive. The double tracking pneumatic motor will not move if both triggers are shut (since both are sub-
AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 333 jected to the same level of vacuum) or if both triggers are open 5. Now, connect the sleeve valve tube, and the tracker (since both are being bled at the same rate) If the roll drifts to bar starts to collapse. the right, opening the trigger pallet will cause the tracking motor 6. Use the left hand trigger to set the size of the track- to move in such a way as to push the tracker bar to the right, and er bar, by moving it towards the edge of the paper, vice versa. The left hand ear will also cause a very small shift to using hole no. 172 (the first hole to be cut in the roll) as the expansion motor, but this is kept to a minimum since the a guide. This hole should end up centrally over anti- bleed in this motor ensures that even when the trigger opens, penultimate tracker bar hole in the top row of holes. only a small amount of air can enter, making for a small move- 7. Now, adjust the right hand trigger so it just touch- ment, and insignificant change made to the size of the tracker bar es the edge of paper. whilst the change to the position of the tracker bar is made. This 8. Stop the concertola, and replace the drive chain. is my understanding of it. Note to the above: as a result of studying the system, so Setting up the system that I probably understood how most of it worked – it was clear that at the time of writing, none of it was working properly. This 1. Remove the tube from the sleeve valve, and the was almost entirely due to tracker bar tubing having been put on drive chain to the spool. too tightly, the combined effect of which made the tracker bar 2. Use the grub screws to throw both triggers towards and expansion sections almost impossible to move. Lengthening the edges of the tracker bar. the tubes and going back and thoroughly cleaning the expansion 3. Have the concertola on, and call for a roll selected levers had the desired effect, and the system performs almost for good condition. unbelievably well. 4. Manually wind the roll onto the spool, and check that it is centered, using the alignment holes. If it is Ed Note: Paul Morris may be contacted at: not, make it so, by adjusting the threaded rod which [email protected] connects the tracking pneumatic to the lever arm which moves the tracker bar.
334 AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 Midwest Chapter Enjoying a favorite President - Don Johnson AMICA Reporters - Don Johnson. Bob Andersen activity - Checking We enjoyed perfect Midwest Fall weather for our Octo- out the Gift ber 22-23 meeting in the beautiful city of Grand Rapids, Michi- Shop at the Gerald R. gan. Our first activity was to visit the Gerald R. Ford Presiden- Ford tial Museum. The building and grounds are very attractive. Presidential President Ford's entire life is portrayed as well as the events in Museum. the tumultuous years of the end of the Nixon era and Gerald Ford's becoming president. Particularly dramatic for most of us was the exhibit with the stairs from the roof of the American Meijer Con- Embassy in Saigon where the last of the fleeing Vietnamese and servatory Americans were rescued by helicopter! This exhibit represents and the end of American involvement in Vietnam, which occurred Sculpture during the Ford presidency. Both President Ford and his wife Garden Betty were laid to rest on the grounds of the Museum. Following the Museum, our group moved on to the beautiful Meijer Conservatory and Sculpture Garden. This is a very large and attractive center with excellent displays of plant materials, supplemented by unique sculpture. Of particular note among the sculptures is a mammoth bronze horse designed by Leonardo da Vinci and completed by American artist Nina Akamu with the assistance of a $2.5 million donation by Henrik Midwest Meijer, son of the founder of the Meijer store chain. The photo President of Don Johnson and the horse gives some idea of the immensity Don John- of the bronze statue. There were extensive exhibits of plant mate- son admir- rial, both indoors and in the outside gardens. ing the da Vinci horse We spent a very pleasant Saturday evening over dinner in Meijer and on Sunday morning gathered for a wonderful brunch at our Gardens. hotel, followed by our business meeting. Sunday afternoon we toured the Meyer May house which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. It has received extensive renovation and a very interesting guided tour was enjoyed by our group. The near-per- fect Michigan Fall weather made our visit to Grand Rapids a delight.
Did Don grow or the horse shrink?
Tour leader Bob Andersen outlining the visit to Nancy and Ed Group, Bennet Leedy, Carole and Dan Harrett at the impressive entrance to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum.
Dan and Carole Harrett, Bennet Bob Andersen Leedy, Don spending a Johnson, Nancy moment with and Ed Group old friends? admiring the beautiful grounds sur- rounding the Ford Museum.
AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 335 Bob Andersen, Don Johnson, Ed Group, Thad Kochanny, Bennet Leedy, Nancy Group, Carole and Dan Harrett at the Meijer Conservatory and Sculpture Gardens.
Alvin The Wulfekuhl wonders and Shirley of Frank Ekvall in the Lloyd foreground Wright with all of total the group design. enjoying Saturday night dinner together.
Thad Kochanny The group and Don John- gathers outside son discuss the the Meyer May subtleties of house to say Frank Lloyd goodbye after Wright residence the end of the design. weekend.
336 AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 Founding Chapter Founding Chapter President - John Ulrich President - John Ulrich Reporter - Bob Gonzalez Reporter - Bob Gonzalez
Parking was tight this holiday weekend (3 Sep) in the The 30th was a glorious October day in Northern, Cali- established older neighborhood where Don ellison’s beautiful fornia. Especially on the upper deck of the home of our host’s home is located. I parked about half a block away. As Bonnie lovely home, nestled in the Eastern Santa Rosa hills. Bruce and I strolled toward Don’s home, the sound of the KT Special Grimes and Tochkwock opened their home for 31 members and was heard all around. It was a sure sign of a good musical time shared their three unique Duo-Art grand pianos for the Chapter’s to come. October meeting. Don’s home is graced with a large backyard with a Our tour began with the smallest grand piano this cabana to provide a shady area for food and drink. The guests sat reporter had ever seen. A 4 ft. art case drawer Duo-Art grand around umbrella-shaded tables to enjoy lunch and chat about the with the fan expression system. The piano did not always have latest instruments to join the Chapter. The weather was sunny an art case. Inspired by the art-work on a roll box, Tochkwock and perfect. painstakingly duplicated the scene in delicate wood inlay. The After lunch and a short business meeting conducted by nine foot long work surrounding the piano case took six months President John Ulrich, Nan Bostick treated the guests to a con- to complete. cert. Nan is a nationally known ragtime pianist and historian on The tour advanced to a 1910 Steinway grand extended the topic of women ragtime composers. Gary Schneider, a the- to 7’6” some forty years ago. This piano is equipped with a full ater organist with a long career in the Bay Area, sat at the Wurl- top action and a long-play fan system Duo-Art. The case was itzer three manual electronic theater organ and played duets with refinished as a Georgian. Nan. Then Gary took over and regaled the party with an hour of The highlight of the afternoon was one of the rare 10’6” popular music of the 1920s and 30s. It was wonderful! Steinway Duo-Arts. This was one of several built to travel the Later, many fine Roy Bargy novelty rolls were heard world demonstrating expression pianos. When Tochkwock from Don’s 1921 Knabe Ampico grand piano. All in all, it was a obtained it, it had been shortened by six inches and was the vic- fine summer afternoon of vintage music. I wish you all could tim of much abuse. Inapt technicians had discarded original parts have joined us. Thank you, Don. along the way. Tochkwock restored the case to its original length and constructed a Duo-Art system for it. It plays beautifully. Founding Chapter The tone is superb whether hand-played or roll-played. leaders Blanche One of the Chapter members, Frederick Hodges, an Korfmacher and accomplished concert pianist, sat at the ten foot Steinway and Richard Reutlinger duplicated several Duo-Art performances. It was marvelous! share a moment From outside on the deck, you could not tell the roll from Freder- with Don's KT ick’s playing. Special. The doors were open Spencer Chase was on hand as well. He demonstrated to better hear it his new software designed to add lyrics to midi files by simply play outdoors. tapping the computer keyboard space bar in time with the music. The program inserts word syllables into the file so a midi player can display the lyrics for sing-a-long sessions. Ragtime pianist The afternoon was way too short for all these activities. Nan Bostic with Add the fine buffet in the kitchen and you have another memo- Rob Thomas and rable Chapter meeting. organist Gary Schneider enjoy a shady spot in Don's large backyard.
Ragtime performer and historian Nan Bostic begins an afternoon of wonderful music play- ing Don Ellison's midi equipped Schimmel 6' grand piano. Host Tochkwock extolling the virtues of their one-of-a-kind Steinway D Duo-Art outfitted as a Pedal-Electric grand piano
AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 337 (l to r) Newest member Melis- sa Tillman, Tochkwock and Karen Simons are ready for Trick-or-Treat.
Full disclosure: Our host often wears Native American cloth- ing.
Our tour began with the smallest grand piano this reporter had ever seen. The “Marionette” graced the cover of our Sep-Oct Host Bruce 2005 AMICA Bulletin. A 4 ft. art case drawer Duo-Art grand with Grimes the fan expression system. The piano did not always have an art busily case. Inspired by the art-work on a roll box, Tochkwock painstak- preparing ingly duplicated the scene in delicate wood inlay. The nine foot something long work surrounding the piano case took six months to com- very spe- plete. Note the model river boat that Tochkwock made entirely cial for out of toothpicks. their guests. Ed Note: An illustration of the roll box may be seen in the May/Jun 2010 issue of our AMICA Bulletin.
Chapter VP Karen Simons with stride pianist Mike Lipskin.
John Motto- Ros, Darryl While demonstrating their Marionette Duo-Art, Tochkwock dis- Coe and played a period program in the same art style as the piano and Julie Porter Arto roll box, and appealed for help in identifying the art style. enjoy good conversa- tion out on the deck.
Frederick Hodges handplaying Duo-Art rolls at the 10'6" Ed Note: Steinway D Frederick Hodges may be contacted at: http://www.frederickhodges.com Mike Lipskin may be contacted at: www.mikelipskinjazz.com/
338 AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 automaton that portrayed a comical scene in the kitchen of a lady liberty Chapter French restaurant where none of us wanted to eat. A young man President - John Dousmanis was licking a freshly frosted cake while a nearby worker was Reporters - Vincent Morgan, Keith Bigger and Stephanie Varis skinning a cat to be roasted and served as rabbit. The cook was stirring something in a pot and others were doing various other On October 1st 7 members of the Lady Liberty Chapter comical things. and two guests met at the wonderful restored Victorian home of Phil entertained us on his foot-pumped Steinway 65/88- Phil Jamison and lucille St. Pierre in West Chester, PA. Fol- note pianola, which was located in the same position as an earlier lowing a luscious lunch the hostess brought out a delicious piano that he once worked on for the previous owners of the chocolate cake in honor of Maryam Morgan’s birthday. She did- house. Then came a Gavioli Meloton hand cranked reed organ n’t get to take any home as several people insisted on seconds. that is the size of many small street pipe organs, but had many However, while the cake was being served, Lucille played an more notes and sounded like a large fair organ. Odin book organ from France, belting out a couple tunes, one of Also in the house were: a Seeburg K, a French which was “Happy Birthday”. Accordeon-Jazz Orchestrion, a Pierre Eich Accordeon-Jazz Following lunch we held a brief meeting. The chapter Orchestrion, and several barrel organs and music boxes. reconfirmed our commitment of sending $500 to the Nisco Once we had exhausted those instruments, we moved 2 Museum in Ein Hod, Israel that had suffered severe loss in a blocks down the street and up an alley to the carriage house large forest fire in the area. Our Treasurer reported that our bank where Phil’s workshop is located. We first encountered a Jan account was moved to a new bank that doesn’t require a non- Van Eyk, 51-key, Dutch street organ. Across the room were: a profit organization to maintain a minimum balance of $5,000 and 1905 Maxwell and a 1921 Peugot in process of being restored to that as soon as the new checks would be received that commit- their former glory. There were also a few other items waiting in ment could be fulfilled. line for the master’s touch. Vincent Morgan, our Vice President, reported that in the On the second floor of the carriage house (the level past several months over 1,000 piano rolls have been donated to where carriages were once kept) we covered our ears when the the chapter to be sold to people who would provide a happy Gasparini barrel organ blared its trumpets. On display were also: home for them. Many of those rolls went out in our March meet- a small square piano, a Japanese Princess upright piano and a ing. People came by at other times to buy even more of the rolls copy of a 7'4", 1772 Backers English fortepiano made by Peter that were still available. Between meetings many more rolls Redstone for Williamsburg. were donated to the chapter with more people showing up at the We all had a marvelous time, ending with people raiding house to load up their cars still leaving many to be claimed at donated piano rolls that were in the back of the Morgan’s car. Phil's house. There are still more rolls for a future meeting. We suggest a donation to the chapter of $1.00 per roll, but no price is too cheap. Our President, John Dousmanis reported on his rescue of various reed organs and pianos in the past few months. He said that one of the reed organs is one of only 6 known to still exist by the company that built it. Keith Bigger reported on a piano that he had restored about 25 years ago that was up for sale. It turned out that the Our hosts, piano’s first owner was J. Ernest Cutting, who originated the first Phil and Lucille amateur radio program titled “Airbreaks”. The more Keith inquired of Mr. Cutting’s granddaughter, who wanted to sell the piano, the more it was discovered what an influence this man had on the entertainment industry. He discovered and promoted many people who became famous stars. In his later years he became an accomplished painter of seascapes, one of which was purchased by John Wayne. There will be more, much more, about this man and his contribution to the entertainment industry, player and reproducing pianos, etc. in an upcoming Bulletin arti- cle. Following the meeting we were entertained royally by Phil Jamison, first in his home and then in his shop, which is located about 2 blocks away in an old combination barn, carriage house and stable. Phil and Lucille's Victorian house with both gas and electric lighting is magnificent and is a small version of Durward Center’s house in Baltimore. The ceilings are papered with spe- cial wallpaper made specifically for that house. Many of the items in the collection are unusual, one of a kind, items that most of us had never seen before. In their home we saw several sand operated automata pictures that did not have music. There was also a picture frame
AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 339 1905 Vincent Maxwell Morgan under conduct- restoration ing the business meeting
French Accordion Jazz Orchestra Phil demonstrating a Criterion disc music box
Seeburg KT Orchestrion Phil alongside his Jan van Eyk fair- ground organ
A portion of Aeolian Phil’s book Model W and roll Orchestrelle collection, and a Gavioli Meloton reed crank organ
340 AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 Southern California Chapter President - Jerry Pell Phil Reporter - Shirley Nix demon- Photographer - Lowell Boehland strating his A good crowd of AMICA members joined neighbors Steinway pedal- and friends of Jerry Pell and Diane Minzey in Wrightwood for electric the last meeting. Jerry had picked just the right time, since it was Duo-Art a lovely day with great views of the mountains and big trees. piano The next weekend snow fell and there would have been no meet- ing.
Phil and Lucille’s home
Our hosts, Jerry Pell and Diane Minzey in front of their Nelson Wiggen Pian-O-Grand style 3 orchestrion Phil’s shop 2 Diane had, as usual, put out a fine assortment of food blocks and we were greeted by the wonderful Artrio-Angelus piano, of away which Jerry is justifiably proud. This piano plays classical or pop tunes with equal aplomb, and can play 88-note rolls as well as the Artrio Angelus rolls, and is one of only three in California known to be playing. We enjoyed listening to it as we waited for the rest of the group to arrive.
Phil proudly in front of his shop Diane Lloyd, Marilyn and Mike Ames, entrance Dave Reidy and Bob Lloyd
When everyone was there we went downstairs to the treasure trove of instruments there. The largest and probably the gem of the collection is Jerry’s Bruder organ. This is a wonder- ful instrument, and we really enjoyed listening to it. Jerry and Diane have a nice assortment of instruments, including (but not limited to) Wurlitzer 103 and 125, and assort- ed others. They all were played, and filled the air with music, which we all enjoyed.
AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 341 After the meeting most of us went to a local Mexican restaurant, which turned out to have super food, which we enjoyed with gusto. The company of the other attendees was great, too, and we all thank Jerry and Diane for their hospitality in hosting the meeting and arranging the dinner. Our next meeting will be a joint AMICA/MBSI Christ- mas party at the home of Bob and Diane Lloyd, always a favorite.
Jerry and Diane’s lovely home in Wrightwood Lloyd Osmundson tries to decide what to eat, while Robbie Rhodes and Richard Ingram watch. Betty Toth points out the "good stuff"
Jerry’s mighty Bruder organ, Jerry enjoyed selects a by Robin roll for the Biggins, Artrio- Richard Angelus Ingram, Jerry and Mike Choate
342 AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 paper Duo-Art roll beautifully and perfectly, as well as regular Rocky Mountain Chapter 88-note rolls, too. The Virtual Roll system only enhances the President - Jere DeBacker capability of the player. It is like a modern day Concertola. Reporter - Jere DeBacker In addition to a superb Duo-Art restoration, the piano itself underwent a very extensive restoration and refinishing. It looks Our meeting was a great success with two brand new and plays as well or better than new by hand as well as with the members attending an AMICA gathering for the first time, and automatic music. Everyone had a chance to enjoy it, too. with relatively new member, Rick england hosting only the sec- Rick told us the story of his acquisition of the piano and ond meeting he's attended. Plus our special guest from Maine, the restoration. No one else in the family really wanted it, but Bob hunt. We essentially had an open house with our host Rick saw the potential and the beauty in the old mechanism. and hostess providing lovely Continental Breakfast and snacks His mother, upon hearing that he was having it restored wasn't as and lots of music of all types. Following is a scenario of our pleased, because she said "Oh, the men always gathered in under day. that piano, and we couldn't drag them away from it." It was true again on this fine fall day in Ft. Collins, Colorado. Bob hunt: Rick has an extensive book of before and after pictures Bob lives in Maine and is the owner and founder of the of the restoration and Bob answered countless questions and Hunt Piano company. He has been restoring automatic musical gave us an amazing report on the development and future plans instruments for almost 50 years. His experience restoring musi- for the Virtual Roll System. We enjoyed lots and lots of music cal instruments, coupled with his professional background as an on this fun day, almost without stop. industrial machine designer led to him developing "The Virtual- Roll". Bob completely restored the Duo-Art mechanism in the piano that will be featured at this meeting. He also has been the board representative for the Boston chapter of AMICA.
The VirtualRoll: The Virtual Roll was conceived, engineered and devel- oped over a 10 year period. It enables roll operated mechanical musical instruments to be played by digital files as well as paper rolls. Most of the music software used with the VirtualRoll comes from original fragile paper rolls that have been optically scanned into a computer and then converted to MIDI note infor- mation. All roll data including expression is conveyed to the e- valve system via MIDI where it controls the instrument’s pneu- matic valves exactly and precisely as the original roll would have. The 1st production VirtualRoll was shipped in 2006 and there are now VirtualRoll systems installed all over the world. In the last two years the success of the VirtualRoll has blossomed to the point that Bob now spends more time building and shipping VirtualRoll systems than he does restoring pianos! See: www.VirtualRoll.com Our hosts, Rick England and Jill Seabrook The Piano: The piano that was used to demonstrate the VirtualRoll is a 1929 Steinway Duo-Art "OR". It was purchased new in 1934 by Rick's Grandfather on the East Coast. The piano proba- bly stopped playing in the late 1950s and sat dormant in New Jer- sey until 2004 when it was moved to Massachusetts and then restored in 2005/6. The piano restoration was done by Brian Grindrod of East Coast Piano Rebuilding. See: www.EastCoastPianoRebuilding.com and the Duo-Art mechanism was done by Bob hunt. The piano is tuned and maintained by hank lea of Colorado Piano works. www.ColoradoPianoWorks.com This instrument is a stunning example of Steinway's best, the Aeolian Company's finest and the superb craftsmanship of Bob Hunt, Brian Grindrod. It beautifully combines the technology of the 20th Century in the Duo-Art mechanism and the technolo- gy of the 21st Century in the Virtual Roll System. The original Bob Hunt, Hank Lea and Art Reblitz Duo-Art system is 100% complete and intact and will play a real
AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 343 Art Reblitz delights in seeing how it all works Room full of top technicians, Bob Hunt, Rick England, Art Reblitz, Hank Lea and Bill Decker
Early 20th Century The same meets group of 21st Cen- techni- tury where cians, in the Virtual and under Roll Sys- the piano, tem tubes of course. into the Duo-Art System
L to R Hank Lea (seated), Wayne Irelan, Art Reblitz, Barry Weiss, Don Hein, Marilyn Decker, Bill Decker, Ben Haass, Jere DeBacker, Stephen Weidner (1st AMICA Meeting), Faye Irelan, Pat Moore, Ken Hodge, Bob Hunt, Rick England
344 AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 AMICAns Making Music by Bill Decker Dick Kroeckel On October 16, AMICA member 2011, The Rocky Moun- Dick Kroeckel is a master tain Chapter of the Amer- piano rebuilder as well as ican Theater Organ Soci- an excellent musician. The ety presented “Red, organ is maintained by a White, and Blue Rag- mixed crew of ATOS and time Revue” at the Para- AMICA members lead by mount Theater in Denver, AMICA member Don Colorado. Featured artists Wick. This past summer were AMICA’s own Dick Don and his crew updated Kroeckel at the Stein- the UNIFLEX relay sys- way Concert Grand tem and added back the Piano, and Dave Wicker- original 2nd Vox Humana ham, curator and chief which had been previously organist at the Milhous removed to accommodate Museum in Boca Raton, a Posthorn, bringing the Florida, at the 4/21 organ up from a 4/20 to a Mighty Wurlitzer. Dave 4/21. and Dick played to a For additional pho- crowd of around 550 tos of the event take a including families and 7 look at: busloads of senior citi- www.rmcatos.org zens. and look for the "Public The concert con- Dave Wickerham and AMICAn Dick Kroeckel Events" page. sisted of a variety of ragtime selections played as a piano and organ duo as well as solos by each artist. One of the highlights of the show was the beginning of the second half when the twin consoles emerged from the pit with Dave at one console and Dick at the other. Dressed in full Red, White and Blue marching band uniforms, complete with hats and plumes, they wowed the unsuspecting audience with a roaring rendition of "76 Trom- bones". Halfway through the number, they left their organ con- soles, while the organ kept playing using the record/playback system of the UNIFLEX relay, and they reunited at the Steinway to add a piano duet to what the Wurlitzer was playing.
AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 345 346 AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 In Memoriam nan Alomong Mike Montgomery
Fill not your hearts with pain and sorrow, but remember me in every tomorrow. Remember the joy, the laughter, the smiles, i've only gone to rest a little while. although my leaving causes pain and grief, my going has eased my hurt, and given me relief. so dry your eyes and remember me, not as i am now, but as i used to be. Because, i will remember you all, and look on with a smile. R Michael Montgomery Understand in your hearts, March 9, 1934 - june 22, 2011 i've only gone to rest a little while. as long as i have the love of each of you, Mike Montgomery was born and grew up in i can live my life in the hearts of all of you. Chicago,Illinois. He attended the University of Michigan and graduated with a Degree in English. He worked at Michigan Bell Telephone Company in many different managerial positions. He married Sue in 1962 and they had three sons. Mike played the piano with The Boll Weevil Jazz Band as well as many other groups. He contributed many, many articles for books and peri- odicals. He was an encyclopedia of knowledge of early ragtime, jazz and blues. He lectured at the Smithsonian Institute and many other venues. He compiled and published the Rollography Of Columbia and Capitol piano rolls, and was instrumental in enlarging and augmenting the music collection of the Stearns Music Collection at the University of Michigan. He entertained For over forty years at the Dakota Inn Rathskeller in Detroit, Michigan. He was active in many other music related groups. His memorial service was held in Southfield, Michigan at St. John's Armenian Church. It was attended by over 200 people. It Nan clowning with Bob Hope in earlier years was an afternoon of oral and musical tributes, by his many Friends. He will be greatly missed. There were no services for Nan, as per her wishes. Cards and charitable donations to a charity of choice, may be sent to her Nan Flint family at her address: Ed. Note: Mike Montgomery made it possible for AMICA to Family of Nan Allomong acquire the 1925 run of The Music Trades, an important research 54 Locust Avenue What a loss...... source now on our AMICA web site. Very much appreciated. ts Oak Park, Ca. 91377-1116 Shirley Nix
AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 347 A Tribute to larry Givens by Three of his Friends Q David Bowers, Wally Donoghue and Art Reblitz Photos by Q David Bowers, Wally Donoghue, and Alan Mueller
A hobbyist at a Young Age seeing Wally’s car parked on campus, left a note on the front seat. The message said that he would like to meet the owner of Larry Givens, who passed away on August 24, 2011, at the T. He left his phone number and included the mention that he age 73, was widely known and admired in the mechanical music owned a 1915 Model T and would be pleased to show it to Wally. hobby. Less widely known were some of his other pursuits. This Thus began a friendship that endured for the rest of Larry’s life. article is a brief review of his life along with some personal remembrances by the authors, three of his many friends. Contri- A Visit to the Musical Museum butions by Alan Mueller have also added much. He was born on May 7, 1937, and after high school Larry related to Dave Bowers that his passion for auto- attended, first, the Carnegie Institute of Technology and later the matic musical instruments began when he was with his family on University of Pitts- a vacation trip in burgh, studying pri- Upstate New York. marily journalism and They stopped at the musicology and Musical Museum, a receiving a graduate popular roadside degree in Musicology. attraction in Deans- In addition to his boro. On display musical instruments, were dozens of Larry also had a things Larry had strong interest in never seen before— antique clocks and music boxes, watches, antique and organettes, player classic cars and all old pianos, automatic things mechanical. orchestras, and more. What is amazing is In front of the muse- how young he was um a Wurlitzer Style when all these things 125 band organ could started to interest him, be turned on and off in 1952 when he was by a remote switch a young teenager. By and was a siren call the time he was in A Wurlitzer 125 band organ and its proud owner in 1960. to those who passed high school he was a by. The owners, members of the Sanders family, were on hand to very accomplished curator of the things he collected. He joined greet the Givens group and to demonstrate their treasures. Larry the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors in 1953 asked for explanations of how certain things worked and how at the young age of 16 making him a very early member and rare they were. As the family left, probably no one realized that surely one of the youngest. Larry’s life had changed forever! Antique cars were one of his interests. One of the U p o n authors, Wally returning home Donoghue, met Larry started Larry as a result hunting for any- of this. Wally thing available was a student at in mechanical Carnegie Tech in music. By the Pittsburgh and time that Wally was driving his met him he restored 1920 already had a Model T as his display of music everyday trans- boxes, reed portation. Larry organs, and was also a stu- The Welte orchestrion to the left was rescued other things to dent at CIT and by Larry from a mansion being demolished Larry takes friends for a ride in his accompany his about late 1955, near Pittsburgh. To the right is an impressive Model T Ford, circa 1963. collection of Aeolian Orchestrelle foot-pumped reed organ.
348 AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 clocks. Wally was intrigued, and his life, too, was changed! of large orchestrions, and Wurlitzer PianOrchestras, imported Soon, he learned more and embarked on his own search. The two from J.D. Philipps & Sons of Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany, were continued their friendship, and periodically attended classic car widely sold in the United States, an estimated 1,000 or so, plus meets together until Wally graduated and went into the Army for about 300 Philipps Paganini instruments (combining a reproduc- a six-month stint. After leaving the Army and moving to Michi- ing piano with ranks of violin-toned pipes). This Wurlitzer Style gan they continued their friendship, visiting each other back and 30A Mandolin PianOrchestra, superbly restored by Terry Hath- forth. away, is now in the collection of Michael Ames. Larry’s treasure hunt continued, with unlimited passion. One of his most interesting finds has been chronicled by Terry The Ampico Hathaway for his Mechanical Music Press website: By the late 1950s Larry’s focus had become the Ampico Sometime during the early 1920s, Fred Volkman bought reproducing piano, and he set about learning as much about it as a large orchestrion and moved it, along with himself, into the old possible. He developed friendships with Ampico inventor Dr. Slater Hotel, located in Skaneateles Falls, New York, not far Clarence Hickman and with Ethel (Mrs. Charles Fuller) Stod- from the town of Skaneateles. The Slater Hotel was an old, once dard. He was able to obtain copies of photographs taken years stately two-story wooden structure. It had been purchased by earlier of the Ampico research library, the Stoddard home in New “Freddie”, becoming the Volkman Hotel. As the story goes, Volk- York City, and information about the development of the Model man had been literally run out of town due to his "socially unac- B Ampico by Charles Fuller Stoddard. ceptable," illicit activities, whatever they might have been. Fred- die then set up operations in Skaneateles Falls. The PianOrches- tra occupied a spot just inside the doorway in the upstairs grand ballroom. It was a large, almost square, room, with a very high, ornately painted ceiling. Several very tall, stately windows The Ampico repro- adorned both of the outside facing walls ducing piano was Larry Givens’ first While engaged in his annual two-week summer Air love among automat- Force service stint at Hancock Field, near Syracuse, New York, ic musical instru- Larry Givens heard a rumor of some sort of interesting music ments. By archival machine at the Slater Hotel in the crossroads known as Skaneate- research and by inter- les Junction. He drove to that small community, found the build- viewing people once ing, inquired, and was taken upstairs to a long-abandoned ball- connected with the room. There before him was a large and impressive Wurlitzer American Piano Style 30A Mandolin PianOrchestra! He opened the doors, looked Company he learned inside, and was amazed at its orchestral contents. He explained to much information that might have been lost the owner that his was a music machine that in its day furnished otherwise. His 1970 melodies for dancing. “So that’s what that old thing is!” was the book Re-Enacting the reply. “I always wondered what it was.” Artist, shares this. Further research by Terry Hathaway revealed that the PianOrchestra had been installed in the Curtin Hotel in Auburn, New York, in the early 20th century. These were the glory days
His friend Alan Mueller recalled: “In late spring 1994 Larry began sending to a number of his friends a special group of photo's he had taken in the summer of 1965. The group of 14 copied photo's each friend received were views of the Stoddard's penthouse.apartment at 460 River- side Drive. Typical of Larry, each photo was charted on a layout of the apartment as to the angle of each shot and all the details that he could remember about each. So you saw their love for Oriental decor, their Knabe Ampico B (second one to be pro- Wurlitzer catalog duced; Doctor Hickman's Fischer was number one), Following in illustration of the short order were glossy prints of the Ampico Research Lab and Style 30A Mandolin PianOrchestra. other assorted gems. His note to me stated ‘As an officially des- ignated (by me) Ampico historian, I'm sending you this little pre- sent. - If you like the stuff I've sent you before, you should love The second floor ballroom of a hotel in Skaneateles Junction, this! No One else on earth could send it to you. New York, where Larry Givens found a long-abandoned Wurlitzer “Vive Le Ampico!!! Best--- ‘Larry” Style 30A Mandolin PianOrchestra (about two-thirds of the way to Alan also remembered this: the right, once in front of the shadowy area in the wall, now with “Larry would often use a quote from an author at the furniture piled there). Photograph taken in 1966 by Dave Bowers on a visit to the site. end of some of his longer letters. At the end of one letter about a
AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 349 particular difficult time in his life he said: ‘As usual, Edgar Allan Poe says it best: The fever called living is over at last.’ Another time at the end of a letter about the Gourley-Givens MelOdee roll years: ‘I have many pleasant memories, as well as a few no-so- pleasant ones. But then, as my mother used to say, ‘Time lends enchantment.’ Perhaps this case is no exception.” Still further from Alan: “On the way to another of his two-week summer Air Force obligations at Hancock Field, Larry had located a Wurl- itzer Pianino and called and asked if I could meet him at an old saloon just off Erie Boulevard in Syracuse. He had purchased it and needed some help to move it from the cellar. I found the place, and with the aid of the bartender we inched it up a narrow outside stair with a cement slide for entry of the beer barrels next to the stairs. We were sure it would come apart, but it made it up and into his truck. A box of well-worn rolls also got loaded. After a few beers and much talk Larry was off to Hancock Field and I back to Rochester.” An October 1956 gathering in the Givens music room. Durrell Armstrong is adjusting the endless roll in the bottom of a Link 2E coin piano with mandolin and xylophone. Larry’s dad Frank is first The Collection by 1960 in the line of observers, then Alan Mueller’s mother, with Larry next—with a Wurlitzer 125 Band organ behind them. Larry’s sister By 1960 Larry had acquired about 250 instruments of Nancy is next and Alan’s dad completes the group. all types including music boxes, phonographs, reproducing Larry’s mind was a sponge absorbing everything avail- pianos, band organs, nickelodeons (as coin-operated pianos were able about mechanical instruments. As there was virtually noth- called), and orchestrions. These were displayed and cared for at ing in print to help collectors, this involved talking with old- his home in Wexford, on his family estate outside of Pittsburgh. timers, finding other collectors who were willing to share infor- Larry’s grandfather, Mr. De Cesare, was an Italian immigrant. He mation, and doing historical research in newspapers, directories, went into the business, joined by Larry’s father, of demolishing and reference books. The first truly useful reference book on old buildings, many of them in the more fashionable districts of music boxes was by John E.T. Clark, Musical Boxes, a History Pittsburgh. Larry recalled that his grandfather decided to Angli- and Appreciation, published in London in 1948. This told of cize his surname, and out of a telephone directory picked leading British collectors of the early days, nearly all specializing “Givens.” The family enterprise was very profitable. For Larry it in cylinder boxes, automata, and the like, with some mention of brought the opportunity to visit many fascinating Victorian disc boxes as well. Suitably inspired and informed, Larry homes and other structures in Pittsburgh as well as the outlying acquired some beautiful examples—including a Regina 27-inch “society town” of Sewickley Heights and rescue artifacts of inter- automatic disc changer and the largest model made by the high- est. Often when these homes were abandoned the owners left acclaimed Mermod Frères of St. Croix, Switzerland, using 24½- behind all sorts of old furniture, pianos, music boxes, lamps, and inch interchangeable cylinders, in an oak case measuring nearly even large orchestrions. One house contained a Welte orchestrion four feet across. just sitting on a staircase landing! How amazing this is to recount “After I located this music box I drove to pick it up in today. Sometime around 1963 he found a collection of automo- an old hearse I had in my collection,” Larry recalled in a later bile catalogs from the 1910 to 1916 era in Sewickley Heights, conversation with Dave. “When I arrived home my parents really great stuff which he showed to Wally Donoghue. They thought I had brought a casket with, perhaps, a child’s body were just sitting on a closet shelf in one of the mansions. Most inside!” were in color and some of the nicest he had seen. Larry took them to the annual old-car meet in Hershey, Pennsylvania, where Three friends at they sold quickly. Larry’s home in Wex- His parents were modestly well-to-do and provided sub- ford in October 1956. stantial storage space in buildings on their property. They were Alan Mueller is on the also interested in antiques and the like and understood and appre- left, Durrell Arm- strong in the center, ciated his passion. While we don’t know the financial situation and Larry Givens on for sure, it is likely that his father helped with funds to purchase the right. In later instruments that were popping up all over the place at giveaway years Armstrong built prices in these very early days. Some could be had for free just the Player Piano for hauling them away and those that required purchase were Company, of Wichita, very inexpensive. Imbued with endless energy and enthusiasm, Kansas, the nation’s Larry traveled widely in the Northeast. In the Crystal Tea Room most important on Main Street in Johnson City, New York, he found and bought source for supplies a two-violin “Double Mills” that had been purchased by the pro- for rebuilding instru- ments. prietor, Onofrio Tona, in the 1920s.
350 AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 enthusiastic reception and always learned a lot by the time they departed. He was always a warm and gracious host. Meanwhile, he added other instruments to his display along with posters and other memorabilia. The early 1960s
In 1960 Dave Bowers discovered the world of automatic musical instruments by purchasing an 11-inch Regina disc music box for $125 at an antiques show in Johnson City, New York. Soon, he found a copy of Music Boxes, Their Lore and Lure, by Helen and John Hoke. The text was captivating and told of the Hoke family finding a Regina disc-changing music box in an old castle (of all places) and related the story of a huge automatic orchestra, called an orchestrion, rescued from its original location in the Banner Theatre in Los Angeles. A local radio personality, David Greacen, suggested that Dave meet Harvey and Marion Dick Howe (left), Alan Mueller, and Larry Givens in Larry’s music Roehl and see their collection. Dave lived not far from the building, April 1958. The center of attention is a Seeburg KT Spe- Roehls. A visit was arranged, Dave saw an orchestrion for the cial orchestrion. Introduced in 1925, the model became wildly popular and many were sold in the next several years. It uses a first time (a Seeburg G) and many other things. At the time Har- 10-tune G (or 4X) roll. vey had negatives and layout sheets and was creating Player The first American book on player pianos, coin-operat- Piano Treasury, a fine book about automatic musical instru- ed pianos, and orchestrions was The Player Piano: An Historical ments—a quality production—that his newly-created Vestal Scrapbook, by Harvey N. Roehl, who lived in Vestal, New York, Press would publish in 1961. This was the defining event in the and was an instructor at the Broome County Technical College. history of collecting such instruments, thousands of copies were Released in 1958 this was an amateur clip-and-paste effort. To sold, and within a few years the number of hobbyists multiplied make matters worse, the publisher, Century House Books, of many times, clubs were organized, prices rose, and other evolu- Watkins Glen, New York, printed it on cheap paper, gave it a list tions took place. Among the events, AMICA was formed in price of $3, or more than twice what Harvey thought would be 1963. The officers of the Musical Box Society International, fair, and billed it as a standard reference. (Gee whiz, how prices formed in 1949 and specifically dedicated to the enjoyment of of books have multiplied since then!) Harvey was very embar- Swiss music boxes, made it clear to Harvey that members were rassed about the whole thing. not interested in pneumatic or electrically-operated instruments. Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania in 1958 Larry Givens visit- That would change in time, and Harvey later served as president ed the store of a leading dealer in antiques, where he met the of the MBSI. dealer’s daughter, Suzanne Wilson, who he married a year later. Dave jumped into the hobby with both feet and was usanne’s father had many valuable connections with other deal- determined to build a fine collection specializing in coin-operat- ers. He steered to yet more instruments. By that time Harvey ed pianos and orchestrions, but with some other instruments as Roehl and Larry were good friends and had exchanged visits sev- well. Dave, accustomed to writing and research in the field of eral times. rare coins (his business since he was a young teenager), found it Harvey was a prankster and enjoyed a good joke. In amazing that there was no in-depth information available on coin contrast, Larry was on the serious side. One day Larry said that pianos and orchestrions, except for Player Piano Treasury, which he was engaged to be married, and Harvey should meet his bride- was great, but did not go into many details. Thus began a search to-be on his next trip to Wexford. Without knowing the slightest in America and Europe (where Dave went frequently on busi- thing about Larry’s romantic inclinations or about Suzanne, but ness) to track down as much information as possible and to wanting to kid Larry, upon meeting her Harvey said to Larry: acquire instruments as well. He located quite a few old-timers “Is this the wealthy heiress from Cleveland that you told once associated with the industry and conducted interviews with me you have been so excited about?” them. Among current collectors, Larry Givens was especially Well, that did not fit Suzanne at all, but there had been a helpful, suggesting sources and also lending printed material for well-to-do girlfriend from Cleveland. Suzanne ran off in a big study. huff! Harvey was super embarrassed, but could not undo it. “In 1964 Larry was a guest in my home in Vestal,” Dave Returning to music, by about 1960 Larry had one of the recalled for this article. “We were seated at dinner, when I asked largest and most varied private collections of mechanical instru- my son Wynn, age two, ‘Please put a nickel in the Violano.’ He ments in the United States if not, perhaps, indeed the largest. His did and the Violano Virtuoso and its accompanying Violano name and his collection had become well known and he was Orchestra cabinet burst into melody. ‘That is terrible,’ Larry said, becoming friends with collectors all over the country. He also ‘Your son will grow up not realizing to have all of these things in had a great talent for getting any that were not working restored your house is not unusual.’” And, I guess this was the case, as to work as well as new. And, finally, he had a knack for nicely such instruments were always a part of our family life. displaying these and all the other things he collected in a way they could all be played and enjoyed. Visitors found a warm and
AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 351 Dave related when Harvey and Marion Roehl had visi- After much preparation, Larry began production in the tors they would often bring them to Dave’s home a mile or so early 1960s. Wally Donoghue recalled that he initially made away so they could see more instruments. Once a collector from recuts of Ampico and Duo-Art rolls, although the first Duo-Art France landed in New York City and drove with his wife and rolls were not 100% satisfactory because the Ampico perforator young daughter to see the Roehls—first stop on their itinerary. did not have the very small dies to cut the “snake bite” perfora- After enjoying the Roehl collection they went to see Dave, tions for the theme valves. Accordingly, these were made with whereupon their daughter asked her mother, “Do all homes in the same size die as the rest of the holes and were too large. Later America have things like this?” he had properly-sized dies made and the Duo-Art rolls were sat- Larry and Dave engaged in frequent correspondence. isfactory. Larry also tested various papers for his rolls hoping to Larry, who was building a business of making music rolls, often find something more durable than what was originally used. He asked Dave questions about business practices as well as con- located what was referred to as glassine paper which was appar- cerning the history of coin-operated instruments. Dave had built ently used between windings in large transformers and had a tan a large collection of original catalogs and the like, which eventu- color. Many readers of the AMICA Bulletin may have some of ally grew to include the New York Public Library’s run of Music Larry’s rolls made with this paper. Trade Review and The Presto magazines (Dave paid to have them Later he began making new 88-note rolls with the brand microfilmed, in exchange) and a full set of the German name of MelOdee, inspired by an early brand of the same name. Zeitschrift für Instrumentenbau (Magazine for Builders of Instru- In the late spring of 1962 he took in a partner, John Gourley, who ments). was very knowledgeable with respect to music and was a fine Larry told Dave of a Berry-Wood A.O.W. orchestrion pianist. The company was then named Givens and Gourley, Inc. for sale in Upstate New York, for $2,000. Dave had never seen One of the thoughts at the time was that John could become “the such an instrument except as a catalog illustration and was very J. Lawrence Cook” of the enterprise and issue new rolls of cur- enthusiastic. Larry said he was going up that way, would look it rent selections, Wally recalls. The 88-note rolls were not finan- over on his behalf. Dave said if he liked it Larry could put down cially successful, in part because the long-established QRS was a deposit and he would send the owner a check right away. When difficult to compete with. But only in part. Harvey Roehl, who Larry returned he called Dave, followed up by a letter, to the often shared business ideas with Larry, made the gentle sugges- effect: “I am so embarrassed, and I won’t blame you if you never tion that while using Ampico masters for tunes of the 1930s was speak to me again. I asked Jake DeBence, a collector I know, to nice, a much greater market could be found if the latest popular go along for the ride. He saw the Berry-Wood and made a deal to melodies were issued as well. Larry had no particular interest in buy it. I am beside myself and don’t know how I can ever make it doing this. He discontinued the MelOdee brand and concentrated right with you.” Larry and Dave moaned about this for years on the Ampico and Duo-Art and also a limited number of Welte afterward. Dave never interfaced with DeBence again, although rolls. he had met him once when he came to Vestal for a visit. All during this time he immersed himself in trying to learn as much as possible about the history of player pianos in The Piano Roll Business general and reproducing pianos in particular, tracking down those As if collecting and restoring instruments were not involved with manufacturing the instruments and making rolls. enough to keep Larry busy, he was immersed in his business of Fortunately, many were still alive. Primary among these people making piano rolls. In the late 1950s he had acquired two origi- was pianist Adam Carroll, from whom. He learned a great deal nal Ampico roll perforating machines from John Morse who had about Ampico, other artists, and roll making. Adam and Larry located them on a loading dock at the old American Piano Com- became close lifelong friends and Larry named his first child, pany factory in East Rochester, New York. The equipment was born in 1963, after Adam, his full name being Adam Lawrence scheduled to be junked and sold as scrap metal. He also managed Givens. Among his lesser-known products was an 88-note player to borrow a large quantity of original Ampico master rolls. piano roll, Adam’s Arrival, sent to friends as a birth announce- ment. Later, he and Suzanne had a second child, Mark. (Still later, Larry and Suzanne divorced, and in time Larry remarried, taking Joan as his wife.) With his knowledge of rebuilding player pianos Larry authored a book for the Vestal Press that has become famous in the hobby, Rebuilding the Player Piano. Many tens of thousands of copies were sold, initiating a nationwide boom and excitement in restoring old players. This went into high gear with the Robert Redford movie, The Sting, became popular some years later. Larry also authored another book for the Vestal Press and wrote many features and fillers for the AMICA Bulletin. Articles describing how to cover pneumatics and bel- lows, clean dirt out of valves and regulate them, etc., had appeared in music trade magazines during the heyday of the player piano, but these were never available to the public, and Larry’s was the first book-length treatment of the subject. Its con- Larry and a roll perforator, as photographed for tents included sections on how a player piano works, rebuilding, Put Another Nickel In, published in 1968. specific information on the four major brands of reproducing 352 AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 Piano included a few of the most common tracker scales for American coin pianos and orchestrions, some of which were obtained from the late Durrell Armstrong, and contained errors. In the Seeburg H scale, for example, the lock and cancels func- tions are reversed (‘flute on’ should actually be ‘flute off,’ etc.). When Terry Borne later had several of Larry’s original H rolls in his possession, he found that Larry had gone through every song, taped over every “loud” and “soft” lock and cancel hole, and then meticulously cut the opposite setting with a razor blade, con- vinced as he was that every roll was perforated incorrectly because he did not realize that the tubing was connected wrong in in his Seeburg H.” Definition of a True Collector
Larry’s acquisitions slowed, but he mounted a hunt for that resulted in the aforementioned Seeburg Style H orchestrion. At the time this ornate instrument was not in the “must have” cat- egory for collectors, as Harvey Roehl had heard an example and Publisher Harvey Roehl congratulates Larry on the release of stated in Player Piano Treasury that its musical arrangements Rebuilding the Player Piano, a Vestal Press book that sold tens of were uninspired in comparison to the smaller Style G. (Harvey thousands of copies and made player pianos popular nationwide. later changed his mind when he heard some well-arranged rolls pianos made in the United States (Ampico A, Ampico B, Duo- on an H, but the book was already in print.) He corresponded Art, and Welte Licensee), and a little on nickelodeons, reed with Dave Bowers at length about the H and one he was on the organs, and supplies. Tracker scales for the most commonly- trail of in Canada. Larry had heard a nice one. In a letter to Dave, encountered American reproducing pianos, coin pianos, and not to be shared with Harvey, he said that the Style G, of which orchestrions were also included. As always, he wrote clearly and Harvey was so proud, was in fact quite inferior. Today the See- precisely. Some of the materials he recommended, such as white burg H is considered to be the ne plus ultra of American key- glue, are no longer considered to be correct, but his instructions board orchestrions. helped thousands of people bring player pianos back to life who This brings to mind that Larry had strong opinions on otherwise never would have had a chance to enjoy them. many subjects, always expressed with conviction and backed by Art Reblitz recalled: knowledge—but not always “politically correct.” When he heard “When I agreed in 1971 to write Piano Servicing, Tun- that cosmetics magnate (Merle Norman Cosmetics) J.B. Nether- ing and Rebuilding, and Harvey Roehl arranged to publish it cutt, who had one of America’s finest collections of classic cars, through his Vestal Press, he stipulated that I would have to sup- was enlisting the talents of Terry Hathaway and Dave Bowers ply all of my own illustrations. As we worked together laying out and their Hathaway & Bowers company to build a superb collec- the galley proofs in 1976, he told me why he had required this. tion of automatic musical instruments, Larry was interested to When Larry wrote the text for Rebuilding the Player Piano, he learn more. This was related to J.B., who treated him to a trip to didn’t provide any photographs or drawings, so Harvey pho- California. At first Larry was impressed, but later he became crit- tographed Marion (his wife) holding pneumatics, trimming the ical, telling Dave, Harvey, and others, “This man does not know cloth, etc., and then made the line drawings by tracing the photos the first thing about how to restore and maintain these instru- on tracing paper. He also said he had to format Larry’s manu- ments, and he doesn’t know anything about the music arrange- script in the largest possible font, on the smallest standard size ments.” Dave remonstrated that J.B. was a fine gentleman, and pages, to make it into a full-length book. although he left the restoration and maintenance up to others, “When Durrell Armstrong, the owner of Player Piano including Terry Hathaway and an in-house staff, he did open his Company, learned that I was working on the manuscript for Play- collection in the San Sylmar Museum to all visitors and did much er Piano Servicing and Rebuilding he called me and asked if I to encourage interest in the hobby. would be recommending the use of any tools or supplies that Larry felt that a true collector to be worthy of being weren’t already in common use. When I asked why he cared, he called such should be passionate about the items acquired and said Larry’s recommendation of the use of spring clamps for learn everything possible about them. He told Dave Bowers securing pneumatics to deck boards in Rebuilding the Player about an enthusiast friend of his who learned of an old Baldwin Piano precipitated a huge increase in orders for spring clamps steam locomotive that was being junked. His friend bought the when that book first came out. right to remove the large curved Baldwin name plate—and, fear- “Larry’s encore, a great little book, Re-Enacting the ful that someone might take it, he went in a howling blizzard, Artist, published in 1970 by Vestal Press, and dedicated to stood on a ladder, and detached it. Larry loved that story, a col- Charles Fuller Stoddard, should be required reading for every lector defined. reproducing piano enthusiast. When Dave was writing The Encyclopedia of Automatic “Larry’s perfectionism and stubborn streak sometimes Musical Instruments in the late 1960s and early 1970s (1,008 led to interesting results. The back of Rebuilding the Player pages, published by the Vestal Press in 1971), Larry was a copy
AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 353 editor and proofreader. In a letter in this era he spelled the first Terry Hathaway to come to Wexford, where they bought his col- name of a person as Guiseppe. Dave questioned this, but was not lection of automatic musical instruments, less some favorites. quite sure, and looked it up, than wrote to Larry that Giuseppe, as These were later distributed to collectors worldwide, where they in Giuseppi Verdi, was correct. Larry turned red, became as are prized to this very day. embarrassed as all get-out, and said, “Of all people, as I am of By 1974 Larry had left the roll-making business behind Italian ancestry, I should not have made that mistake.” This and was seeking regular employment since he was raising a fami- seemingly trivial and forgettable gaffe remained in his mind for ly and was not earning enough to support his life style, which years afterward and he would frequently mention it. In the Ency- was comfortable, but not lavish. It seems that by then most of the clopedia manuscript he fixed “mfgr” as an abbreviation for “old money” in the Givens family had been spent or otherwise “manufacturer” to the correct “mfr.” Dave insisted on spelling distributed. Luck was with him. Wally Donoghue recalls that in the name of certain Belgian organs as Decap, despite Larry’s say- 1974 the Society of Automotive Engineers was moving its office ing that it was an Italian name and should be given as DeCap. As from New York to Warrendale, very near Larry’s home in Wex- to whether it was Italian Dave never checked. Letterheads and ford. A number of employees did not want to relocate including printed material in Belgium had it as Decap. the assistant editor of their journal, titled Automotive Engineer- Wally Donoghue recalled that Larry had many friends in ing. They placed advertisements for job openings and Larry was the hobby. There were some such as Albert Petrak and well- hired as the assistant editor. His history of writing books and arti- known race car driver Phil Hill with whom he kept close contact cles, his journalism studies at the University of Pittsburgh, his in the early years, but not later. Other favorites included Bill keen interest in automobiles and his mechanical knowledge all Scolnick, Gerald Stonehill, Ruth Bornand, Lloyd Kelley, Adam contributed to his being offered the job. He was now in a presti- Carroll, J. Lawrence Cook, Ken Caswell, Mike Montgomery, gious position paying well, which he enjoyed immensely. It Dick Howe, Al Zamba, Dave Saul, Bill Knorp, Steve Lanick, Ed. offered travel to car shows and conventions, meeting automotive Fryer, Bob Yates and Peter Brownthis being but a short list. engineers, visits to factories and the various manufacturers’ engi- On January 24, 1966, Larry wrote to Wally to say that neering facilities. the MelOdee business had been great in the Christmas season, Some months after Larry started working for SAE as but had now “slowed down abruptly.” He was using the time to assistant editor, the editor, who had ALS, often called Lou create new master rolls. “We haven’t made any money yet, but Gehrig’s disease, resigned because his symptoms became bad sooner or later we will find the pot of gold at the end of the rain- enough that it prevented him from doing his work. By then Larry bow, I hope.” had well proven his abilities and was promoted and became edi- In the same letter he commented: “Visited Dave Bowers tor in chief. This was his dream job and he thrived in it. last weekend and really had a treat listening to his stuff. He spe- Unfortunately, in 1981 he was diagnosed with Parkin- cializes in big orchestrions, and he just imported an enormous son’s. However, he was able to productively work until 1986. His Weber orchestrion from Belgium which is the most amazing final editorial in the November 1986 issue of the SAE magazine machine I’ve ever heard. He knows of a duplicate of it which I was titled “Lightning Does Strike Twice.” He related how his am trying to scrape up the cash to buy (unfortunately, it’s also in predecessor had to resign because of ALS and now he was Belgium!). We will see.…” resigning because of Parkinson’s. He bid a farewell saying how The orchestrion was a Weber Maesto. Dave recalls that much he enjoyed being editor. he and Larry dimmed the lights in his music room and spent the Now he had the time to devote to his main hobby of best part of an evening listening to dozens of rolls arranged by mechanical instruments, although minus the great collection he Gustav Bruder, of Waldkirch, Germany, where the Weber factory had formed. He continued to correspond, even more than former- was located. “To achieve complete contentment all I would need ly, with authors and other friends, continued his pursuit of repro- is a Weber orchestrion, a loaf of bread, and a jug of wine,” he ducing pianos and other instruments, their history and occasion- commented. Dave secured for him a near-duplicate, a Weber ally buying, selling, or trading. The “bug” still made him unable Solea in a large and impressive cabinet, with instrumentation to resist a particular instrument, and he would sell something he nearly matching that of the Maesto, less one rank of jazz trum- cared less about to buy a new treasure. He continued to write arti- pets. cles including a lengthy five-part study titled “Five Essays on This was a pivotal point for Larry, and he developed a Collecting” for 1996 issues of the AMICA Bulletin. strong interest in learning more about the larger European For the present tribute to Larry his long-time friend orchestrions, including those made by J.D. Philipps & Sons and Alan Mueller shared some memories of their friendship. Alan Ludwig Hupfeld. He was already well acquainted with Welte furnished most of the pictures used in this article: instruments, but the piano orchestrions were new to him. With “Among my photographs is one from August 29, 1993, great enthusiasm he corresponded with Dave about these in ensu- of Larry and his then second wife Joan with Adam Carroll's ing years. youngest son Jack behind. Jack was reluctant to visit Larry because he had ambivalent recollections of his father. Ampico Transition recording pianist Adam was not very attentive to his family, it Larry’s emphasis shifted. By the late 1960s the prices of seems. Jack’s wife Harriet insisted he make the trip from a sum- automatic musical instruments had multiplied. No longer were mer home they had in North Carolina north to Wexford. He had Seeburg, Wurlitzer, and other coin-operated models available for never heard an Ampico and had only vaguely known that his a few hundred dollars. Larry bought John Gourley’s interest in father had made piano rolls. The visit ended up being very emo- the music roll business, probably as profits were minimal and tional for all, but Jack was very happy he had made the trip and likely John wanted to move on. Larry invited Dave Bowers and got to discuss many things with Larry, a true epiphany. 354 AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 Larry Givens in August 1993 with Jack Carroll, son of Ampico recording artist Adam Carroll, standing behind him and Larry’s second wife Joan to the right. “Larry and I were friends from 1956 on. Sometimes a few years might pass with only a line or two or a phone call, but we remained friends until the end. He was a brilliant person. He alone got the Ampico perforators working in the early 1960s. Like all families, the Givens were complicated but loving people. His Mom was a down-to-earth lady with great common sense. Larry and his younger sister Nancy were rather indulged by their parents, within reason. The family had money gained through the Austin L. Givens Co. demolition company started by his grandfa- ther. All the family members seemed to collect something such Larry holding his Honorary Member award from AMICA in 1996 as clocks, watches, Chinese ivory, crystal, glass, early daguerreo- and his often-used IBM Selectric typewriter to the right. type cases, and so on. Accordingly, it was natural Larry would message by way of Joan’s email which she would print and give gravitate to being a collector also.” him but he would only reply by “snail mail.” After typing his let- ters he would often cross out some passage. A favorite way to Twilight sign off was “In haste, Larry Givens.” Over the years, Larry His decline by Parkinson’s was a prolific letter writer, was very slow, but for the last sending lengthy letters continu- three years of his life it incapaci- ously to his many friends. tated him although he was com- Wally Donoghue recalls that his pletely mentally alert. He had favorite typewriters were the difficulty talking, and finally in IBM Selectric II and Selectric 2008 he moved into an assisted III. When computers became living facility in Wexford, with inexpensive and easy to use, his sister Nancy and children Wally repeatedly tried to con- Adam and Mark looking after vince him to buy one to make it him. easier to write letters, edit them Larry was a true historian as they were being written, and and mechanical genius and a store them as files. He also great friend to all who knew pointed out how it might bene- him. We all miss him and the fit him to get on the Internet, hobby is much the poorer for his find information on subjects passing. that interested him and send quick messages by email. His Appreciation: The authors thank wife, Joan, had and used a com- Terry Hathaway and Alan puter and had e-mail. Wally Photo of himself sent by Larry Givens Mueller for their contributions to would occasionally send him a to his friend Alan Mueller in later life. this article.
AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 355 356 AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 ADVERTISING FoR SALE
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Tuning, Servicing & Rebuilding of Pianos, Player Pianos & Pump Organs, Seller of Player Piano & Pump Organ Supplies; The Pain of Discipline Recut Regular Piano, Reproducer Service, Demonstration, Trumps the Pain of Regret Instructional, Advertising Rolls. Val Brown hechler Piano & Organ Services Owner: Duaine hechler
AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 357 1013 Justice Ct Florissant, MO 63034 Website: www.hechlerpianoandorgan.com Online Store: www.hechlerpianoandorgan.com/store eBay Username: hechlerpianoandorgan Phone: 314-838-5587 Worldwide Mailing rf [email protected]
FOR SAle OR GIFT - Valuable sheet music collection from 1836 to present. Will give to reputable university, archive, muse- um, etc. for preservation and historical usage. There are 536 collectable items, including pre-1900 Civil War, WWI, WW2. Included are patriotic , ragtime, dixieland, jazz, popular, waltzes, classical, Soloist, Schottisches, religious, Hawaiian, color litho ET Paull marches, Sousa marches from 1890's, polkas, and 15 song books. I also have a rare 1888 10 1/2 x 13 1/2 603 page Book of Music Manuel with history, biographies, and composer portraits in excellent condition. Contact: Jack linker rf 513-821-1744 [email protected]
Rare Rags and Marches - many never available before on any roll - newly arranged. (not a re-issue) "A" roll. Limited Quan- tities. Plays great on all "A" roll instruments from pianos to Cal- liaphones. Send $80.50 to Stephen K Goodman, 5731 E Bernadine Dr, Fresno CA 93727-7235 (includes shipping within us). CA residents add sales tax. For shipment outside the US. Hear midi samples at: http://Gnaw-Vol-ty.com rf [email protected]
Steinway 6’1” Duo-Art Pianola for sale. This instrument was rebuilt in the early 1970’s. with new hammers, new strings, new covers on the keyboard. The Pianola action was rebuilt by a man named Mr. Valerio at that time as well. The instru- ment currently is in environmentally con- trolled storage in Danbury, Conn. Contact : John Buscemi, at 1 781 581 9030. or rf [email protected]
Wanted I will pay $50.00 each for the following Stoddard-Ampico rolls by Andre Kmita, in good, clean condition: 4059e - Girl From utah Waltzes 3927D - hesitation Waltz 29901C - Illusion Waltz David Wallis, 547 Marengo Avenue, Forest Park, IL 60130, (708) 366-3103 or [email protected] rf6-11
Wanted: book music for 89-key Gavioli G4 scale, 92-key Decap, 52-key Limonaire, and 52-key Gasparini. Also rolls for 43-key- less Bruder. Also seek popular Aeolian Grand rolls. Send titles and condition to Bill edgerton, 203-857-0240 or rf [email protected]
Wanted: American Photoplayer, Steinway Duo-Art upright player piano, ragtime and jazz piano roll collections including original 1900-1940s rolls plus modern and re-cuts such as John Farrell’s JAM and Jazzmaster rolls, Jazz Classics, Hollywood, etc. Disklavier disks. Also buying brass model trains – all sizes/gauges. Contact: Marc Sachnoff 425 298-4385 or rf [email protected] 358 AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 359 PLEASE VISIT THESE SUPPLIERS oF RoLLS
Brian Stahl: Piano Ticklers Music Rolls Joyce Brite: Player Piano and P.O. Box 220, Elizabethville, PA 17023 Mechanical Music Exchange email: [email protected] http://www.mmdigest.com/Exchange/ www.pianoticklers.com http://www.mmdigest.com/Exchange/rollpage.htm Phone: (717) 599-1369 email: [email protected]
Rob Deland: Blues Tone Rolls Dick Hack: Hack Mechanical Music www.bluesrolls.com 2051 Chesapeake Road, Annapolis, MD 21409 email: [email protected] email: [email protected] Phone: (847) 548-6416 (410) 279-5859 Cell Days (410) 757-2164 Home Evenings Bob & Ginny Billings: Sierra Music Rolls 14010 Rim Rock Drive, Reno, NV 89521 Frank L. Himpsl: email: [email protected] Valley Forge Music Roll Company Phone: (775) 853-4659 604 Linnet Road, Audubon, PA 19403 (484)-250-7046 roll shop Leedy Brothers Music Rolls (610)-291-1841 my cell 4660 Hagar Shore Road, Coloma, MI 49038 http://www.valleyforgemusicroll.com www.leedyrolls.com Phone: (269) 468-5986 - Fax: (269) 468-0019 Kukral Collection: Larry Norman: Rollertunes Welte-Mignon and 88-Note Rolls www.home.earthlink.net/~rollertunes 216 Madison Blvd., Terre Haute, IN 47803 email: [email protected] Phone: (812) 238-9656 Phone: (540) 721-7188 email: [email protected]
Don Teach: Shreveport Music Co. Julian Dyer 1815 E. 70th Street, Shreveport, LA 71105 5 Richmond Rise, Wokingham RG41 3XH, email: [email protected] United Kingdom Phone: (318) 798-6000 - Fax: (318) 797-4572 www.pianorolls.co.uk email: [email protected] Robin Pratt: Artists' Choice Music Rolls email: [email protected] John Motto-Ros Phone: (419) 626-1903 “Nickelodeon Rolls” 516 Pierce Street, Sandusky, OH 44870-4725 “A” “G” “o” Rolls & Boxes 110 Allen Ranch Road, Sutter Creek, CA 95685 Steve Bentley, SB-"o" Rolls series. 209-267-9252 Play-Rite Music Rolls www.johnnysmusicrolls.com 1536 N. Palm St., e-mail: [email protected] Turlock. CA 95380. U.S.A. Phone. (209) 632-5784. Keystone Music Rolls Fax. 209) 667-8241. P.O. Box 650, Bethlehem, PA 18016 email: [email protected] Gnaw-Vol-ty Rolls QRS Music Technologies, Inc. Stephen Kent Goodman 1026 Niagara Street, Buffalo, NY 14213 www.gnaw-vol-ty.com Phone: 1-800-247-6557 - Fax: 1-716-885-7510 E-mail: [email protected] www.qrsmusic.com Fax: 866-828-2165 Magic Melodies D.C. Ramey Piano Company, LLC. 360 Lawless Road, Jamestown, KY 42629 17768 Woodview Drive Phone: (270) 343-2061 Marysville OH 43040 708-602-3961 David Saul: Precision Music Rolls www.dcramey.com 1043 Eastside Road, El Cajon, CA 92020-1414 email: [email protected] email: [email protected]
360 AMICA Bulletin - Nov/Dec 2011 The magnificent Salisbury Cathedral
Kew Gardens
Our banquet aboard the SS Great Britain. Near are Dorothy Olds, and Bob & Judy Caletti
Ken Hodge and Pat Moore admiring the restored machinery Shirley and at the Kew Bridge Pumping Engine Museum Frank Nix caught admiring one Timothy of many Stean con- fairground ducting his organs at the unique Great Dorset audio-visual Steam Fair presentation during the Pumper Contest
One of many restored antique cars on display at the Great Dorset Steam Fair An astonishing lineup of beautifully restored farm equipment at the Great Dorset Steam Fair