November 1983 Volume 20 Number 9 AMICA International Continuing Members: $20 Annual Dues AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT COLLECTORS' ASSOCIATION Overseas Members: $26 Dues New Members, add $5 processing fee NEWS BULLETIN (Write to Membership Secretary, PUBLISHER see address below)
Dorothy Bromage Single back issues of the News Bulletin are P.O. Box 387 available from the Publisher for $2.00 each.
La Habra, CA 90633-0387 Change of Address: If you move, send the USA new address and phone number to the Membership Secretary, Will Wild and Published by the Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors' Valerie Anderson Association, a non-profit club devoted to the restoration, distribution and enjoyment of musical instruments using INTERNA.T/ONAL OFFICERS perforated paper music rolls. AMICA was founded in San Francisco in 1%3. PRESIDENT Terry Smythe (204) 452-2180 Contributions: All subjects of interest to readers of the 547 Waterloo St., Winnipeg, Manitoba Bulletin are encouraged and invited by the publisher. All Canada R3N 012 articles must be received by the 10th of the preceding PAST PRESIDENT Robert M. Taylor month. Every attempt will be made to publish all articles of (215) 735-2662 general interest to AMICA members at the earliest possible 1326 Spruce St. #3004, Phildelphia, PA 19107 time and at the discretion of the publisher. VICE PRESIDENT Molly Yeckley (419) 684-5742 Original Bulletin articles, or material for reprint that is of 612 Main St., Castalia, OH 44824 significant historical quality and interest, are encouraged and will be rewarded in the form of AMICA membership SECRETARY Richard Reutlinger (415) 346-8669 dues discounts. (Chapter reports and Forum inquiries are 824 Grove St., San Francisco, CA 94117 excluded.) PUBLISHER Dorothy Bromage (213) 697-1545 ADVERTISING P.O. Box 387, La Habra, CA 90633-0387 Classified: 10¢ per word, $1.50 minimum. MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY • All copy must reach the publisher by the 10th of the (New memberships and mailing problems) preceding month. Payment must accompany order. Will Wild and Valerie Anderson Make checks payable to: AMICA INTERNATIONAL. (803) 758-8846 P.O. Box 172, Columbia, SC 29202 • Checks or money orders from advertisers in foreign countries must be drawn on a U.S. bank. TREASURER Mike & Liz Barnhart (513) 254-5580 Display advertising 919 lantern Glow Trail, Dayton, OH 45431 Full page 7%" x10" $80.00 BOARD REPRESENTATIVES Half page 7%"x43,4" 40.00 Founding Chapter: Howie Koff Quarter page 3%"x4'4" 20.00 Southern California: Dick Rigg Texas: Haden Vandiver • Each photograph or half-tone $5.00 Midwest: Vincent Ricca • We recommend display advertisers supply camera Philadelphia Area: len Wert ready copy. Copy that is oversized or undersized SOWNY: Jeff Depp will be changed to correct size at your cost. We can Rocky Mountain: Dick Kroeckel prepare your advertisement from your suggested New Jersey: John De Paris Iowa: Alvin Johnson layout at cost. Boston Area: Sanford Libman • All copy must reach the publisher by the 10th of the Northern Lights: Lowell Boehland preceding month. Sierra-Nevaaa: Bob Moore Chicago Area: Jerry Biasella • Payment must accompany order. Typesetting, layout Heart of America: Ron Bopp or size alteration charges will be billed separately. Southeast Area: John O'loughlin Make checks payable to: AMICA INTERNATIONAL. COMMITTEES • Checks or money orders from advertisers in foreign TECHNICAL, Melluchetti countries must be drawn on a U.S. bank. 3449 Mauricia Ave., Santa Clara, CA 95051 • All ads will appear on the last pages of the Bulletin HONORARY MEMBERS, Alf E. Werolin at the discretion of the publisher. 2230 Oakdale Rd., Hillsborough, CA 9401 Publication of business advertising in no way implies ARCHIVES, Jim Weisenborne AMICA's endorsement of any commercial operation. 73 Nevada St., Rochester, M148063 However, AMICA reserves the right to refuse any ad that AUDIO-VISUAL, Howie Koff is not in keeping with AMICA's general standards or if 4271 No. First St., #1, San Jose, CA 95134 complaints are received indicating that said business PUBLICATION, Dorothy Bromage does not serve the best interests of the members of P.O. Box 387, La Habra, CA 90633-0387 AMICA according to its goals and bylaws. flMICfllnternationa' AY"'!Il"••"" ~~•••' ••;.'•••'"•••••••, "' """"•••••••••••,.;••; •••••"" "' "'••••• as ~ "y ~..; .,..".;••...... •.....•.•...;"."•...... "..", ".. FROM , Advertisers Please Note ~ THE Effective with the first issue for 1984, the cost of PUBLISHER display ads will be as follows: V4 page $ 25 Dorothy Bromage V2 page $ 50 full page $100 Piano History The new prices will more nearly approximate the actual cost for printing of Bulletin pages. The center pages in this issue of the Bulletin are designed so they can be snapped out and kept as a reprint of "A Thumbnail Pictorial History of the Piano." This appeared in the Musical Courier September, 1950. It is a Bulletin Deadlines contribution from Alf Werolin. An alternate way to re November 10 for the December issue. move the pages is to carefully open the staples, take out january 10 for the january/February issue. the double page and then re-staple. (This method rec February 10 for the March issue. ommended if you have a "big bite" stapler.)
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CHAPTER OFFICERS AMICA International News Bulletin Volume 20 Number 7 October/November 1983 FOUNDING CHAPTER NEW JERSEY Pres: Phil McCoy Pres: Edward Freyer CONTENTS Vice Pres: Isadora Koff Vice Pres: Oliver Vitakis AMICA International Treas: Bob Wilcox Sec: Marge Vitakis 223 Sec/Reporter: jack and Dianne Edwards Treas: Lenny Finkel Instruments 224 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Reporter: R. F. Groman People 225 Pres: Roy Shelso IOWA Book Review 226 Vice Pres: Warren and Rosemary Deasy Pres: AI Johnson Sec: Holly and Peggy Hollingsworth Vice Pres: George Apland News from the Chapters 227 - Treas: Les Cordell SeclTreas: Bob Shimp Rolls and Music 238 Reporter: Bill Toeppe Reporter: Jack Niewoehner Technicalities 240 TEXAS BOSTON AREA Pres: Dick Barnes Pres: Barry Kasindorf The Forum 240 Vice Pres: Bob Smith Vice Pres: Charles Hazard SeclTreas: Betty Plonien Sec: Bill Koenigsberg Reporter: Tom Beckett Treas: Philip Konop MIDWEST Reporter: Donald Brown The Cover: From the collection of Emmett Ford, Pres: Edwin Ward NORTHERN LIGHTS a collection of women composers. All but Clara Vice Pres: Ruth Owen Pres: Steve Leppa Schumann were piano roll artists. In order, they Sec: Lawrence and Margaret Frazer Vice Pres: Terry Goepel are Clara Schumann, Mrs. H. H.A. Beach, Teresa Treas: Alvin Wulfekuhl Sec: Barbara Leppa Carreno, Mana Zucca, Cecile Chaminade, Fanny Reporter: Sue Ricca Treas: Robert & Katheryn Dumas Bloomfield-Zeisler. PHILADELPHIA AREA SIERRA-NEVADA Pres: Bob Rosencrans Pres: Ken Winters Vice Pres: Barbara McCartney Vice Pres: Sonja Lemon Sec: Frank Basil SeclTreas: Audrey Winters Treas: Mac Taylor Reporter: Mel and Karen Locher Reporter: Bill Pilgermayer CHICAGO AREA 1984 Convention SOWNY (SOUTHERN ONTARIO, Pres: Jim Edwards Greater Kansas City Area WESTERN NY) Vice Pres: Carol Dayton and Mabel Zivin •• •• Pres: jim Brewer Sec: Bob and Gloria Taylor June 21-24 Vice Pres: jan Drewniak Treas: Bill and Dee Kavouras Sec: Alice Guhlow Reporter: Wynette Edwards Treas: Jim and Chris Barley HEART OF AMERICA Reporter: Fred Buchwald Pres: Ron Connor ROCKY MOUNTAIN Vice Pres: Tom Hellstein AFFILIATED SOCIETIES Pres: jere De Backer Sec: Leonard Railsback The Player Piano Group (England) Vice Pres: Bill Arthur Treas: Margaret Taylor The North West Player Piano Sec: Rae Burdette Reporter: Craig Brougher Association (England) Treas: Art Tarr Netherlands Mechanical Organ Reporter: Deane and Patty Fehrman SOUTHEAST AREA: . Society - KDV Pres: John O'Loughlin Australian Collectors of Mechanical Vice Pres: David Van Koevering Musical Instruments Treas: David Bair Dutch Pianola Association Sec/Reporter: David Burke Society of Friends of Mechanical Musical Instruments (Germany)
<> 223 <> News from England I nstruJJlents Christmas at the Pianola by Denis Hall Welte Pipe Organ in Scotty's Castle This is the title of The Player Piano Group's concert at the Purcell Room in London on Friday 9th December by Emmett M. Ford 1983. NCR (National Custom Recording, Inc.) has issued The Group has been promoting concerts about once an LP recording entitled "Rex Koury Plays the Famous a year since 1974 using both reproducing pianos and Scotty's Castle Organ.;' The instrument recorded is the Pianolas. We have been very lucky right since our first Welte-Mignon player pipe organ. concert in having members who have been happy to provide first class pianos of the three major reproducing Parker Brothers Department Store in Los Angeles systems: Gerald Stonehill, a modem Duo-Art 'Robot' had three Welte organs for display but refused to sell one which plays the Purcell Room's Steinway concertgrand, to Albert M. Johnson for installation in Scotty's Castle. and gives splendid performances, and Norman Evans, a This was in 192 7, and Johnson authorized H. J. Nuttall to wonderful Steinway red Welte grand and a breathtaking make a trip back east to purchase a Welte organ. A new Russian Estonia concert grand into which he has lO-rank model was build by Welte using as a model their built an Arnpico 'A' action. For foot-operated Pianola organ in the Philadelphia studio. Four stops were added performances, very much an English specialty, in our and percussions as needed to convert it into a 3-manual first concert, Frits Lang provided and played his 7'4" theatre unit. Steck Pianola grand, and after that we have used 65/88 The organ went west by train January, 1928 arriving note Pianola push-ups. at Bonnie Clare, Nevada just fifteen miles east of Scot Our concerts are presented by musical people who ty's Castle. The railroad ended in Bonnie Clare and the are well-known in London, and in some cases inter nationally. This year Jeremy Siepmann introduces a programme of Duo-Art and Pianola solo and duo per formances. The Duo-Art piano will be a Steinway model 'B' pedal electric grand which doubles as a reproducing piano and a Pianola. It is now being totally rebuilt by its owner, Peter Davis, and promises to be a magnificent r instrument. Rex Lawson and Denis Hall, the only -, Pianola items. For the first time ever the audience can compare a Duo-Art two piano performance with a Pianola Duo! The programme will include Duo-Art rolls of Artur Rubinstein, Shura Cherkassky, Horowitz and Alfred Cortot, and special Pianola arrangements of works by Sir Arnold Bax and Percy Grainger. The Pianola Duos include The Magic Flute Overture (Mozart) and Granados' Military March. If any AMICA members or friends are in London on Console to right; reproducing grand piano. 9th December, we would be delighted if they would come to share our evening of Christmas good cheer and good music. If they call Denis (01 4623384) or Rex (01 6992424) beforehand, we can look out for them.
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AMICA '84 Convention
Available to all AMICA Chapters for free use is a short slide sound presentation, which was given at the Annual Business Meeting in Chicago, in July. Any Chapter having available for its use a Singer Caramate r Projector or a Kodak Ektagraphic Audio Viewer Pro \ jector, may obtain the slidelsound set from Ron Bopp, Rt. 6, Box 676, Joplin, MO. 64801, for use at any Chapter Organ console with recording artist, Rex Koury. Meetings. o 224 0 organ was trucked over a dirt road to the castle, remain ing in the original crate under a large tree while work People was done on the organ chambers in the castle. The organ was moved into the chambers and left in a semi-finished condition for a year due to lack of electrical power. The 5 KW Pelton Water Wheel Generator had insufficient Chicago Revisited power to operate the pipe organ blower. A large diesel generator was installed and in December 1931 installa by Honorary Member Leonard Smith tion of the organ was completed. Two ~utomatic roll players were installed, one a single roll player and the In July 1983, I had the pleasure of attending the other a lO-roll player. The roll players were the only convention of AMICA in Chicago. It was in Chicago means of musical enjoyment for Scotty and the that I made piano rolls in the early twenties. I was Johnsons as neither possessed musical talents. referred by a teacher to the Gulbransen Company and I used to go to their factory, where they would sit me For the dedication in April, 1932 Johnson had the down at a piano and give me a piece of sheet music. It composer of "The Lord's Prayer," Albert Hay Mallotte to has been interesting in the last three years to search and act as dedicatory organist to provide the music for the to find some of these rolls. many well-known personalities that had been invited to the castle for the occasion. The festivities lasted four My sixty year love affair with the Chicago Theatre days. was finally consummated on July 17th, when I played the four manual Wurlitzer pipe organ for the 1983 con Johnson was unable to complete the construction of vention. Although I played many Warner Bros. and the castle or hire a staff to maintain it, due to the great Balaban & Katz theatres during the years 1923 to 1931, I depression, and Mr. Johnson closed it until 1936. A care never had the pleasure of playing at the Chicago. So, at taker was left to protect the building. A cloudburst hit the ripe old age of 81, I finally realized a life-long th~ ~astle and rainwater flooded one of the organ rooms, ambition. rummg the lO-roll automatic player unit and destroying a valuable collection of Welte rolls; the organ itself was That grand old theatre in the Loop was always con undamaged. sidered the top spot by organists - especially those born in Chicago like myself. Sorry to say she needs a bit of In 1940 Johnson hired Lloyd Davey to ,replace the refurbishing; paint peeling, seat cushions torn; but the d~maged and worthless Welte lO-roll automatic player organ was in fairly good condition. No problems with wIth a 6-roll Wurlitzer changer which had been pur ciphers, or sluggish response. chased from a residence in Santa Monica. For years, until the days of World War II (when the castle was Retracing my steps a bit; after graduating from high clos~d) it was the tradition to play Jesse Crawford's school, I got a job with the International Harvester Co. rendltlOn of "Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life" during the in their general offices at 606 So. Michigan Blvd. On tours. A grand piano (see photograph) was also placed in Saturdays we only worked until 1:00 p.m. So after a the music room and could be played from the organ rolls quick lunch at the Harmony Cafeteriaon the Automat, I when required by the roll cutting. would hie myself to the seat nearest the organ at the Chicago Theatre, and sometimes sit through three There is a special insert on the castle history in shows to watch and listen to the performing organists. cluded with the LP recording plus many photographs. The Chicago Theatre had organ concerts at 11:00 (Thanks and appreciation to Doug Eichelberger of NCR o'clock on Sunday mornings, so I frequently missed Inc., for permission to quote from the jacket notes and church to listen to Jesse Crawford, Milton Charles, use the two photographs.) Albert Hay Malotte, Arthur Gutow, and others. Chicago is still the throbbing, vital city I remember, but like all cities, has changed in many ways. I wanted some music which I haven't been able to get in Califor nia, so I took a walk over to Jackson and Wabash Aves., but Lyon & Healy is no longer there. Then I crossed the street to the Kimball Bldg., thinking I would visit the American Conservatory of Music, but it is now on CHANGE OF ADDRESS Michigan Blvd. Please notify Membership Secretary as It would be most regrettable if the Chicago Theatre early as possible. were to be demolished. It most certainly is a real Chicago landmark, and deserves a better fate than ex P.O. Box 172 tinction. I can think of nothing which could possibly Columbia, SC 29202 replace it, and I hope the people of Chicago and the powers that be, will do whatever is necessary to preserve it for posterity. Thanks to AMICA, I finally played the organ at the Chicago Theatre.
<> 225 <> Book Revietc
Vladimir Horowitz, pianist
HOROWITZ: A Biography, by Glenn PIaskin, William This pianist is a man wracked by ailments, insec Morrow &. Co., N.Y: 1983, $19.95 + $2.75 postage (if urities, fears of various kinds, - stock market crash, ordered by maiL) airplane failures, damaged fingers, fear of the dark, at tacks of appendicitis, getting old and suffering from Review by Emmett M. Ford colds, tonsilitis, nicked fingers, colitis and other intes tinal disorders, the latter undoubtedly from the intense It is strange that a person labeled as "the world's nervousness before a recital created by self-doubt and greatest pianist" had no biography until this date. I had resulting in biting his fingernails. heard, in my large correspondence in research, that a book was to appear and now it is on the book store Compositions performed but not recorded are listed shelves to reveal the fears, cruelties, and inconsisten in the book, as are those released. There is a short dis cies of this complex pianist. cussion on the rush of Aeolian (after Horowitz's New York successful recital) to have him make Duo-Art A review of the book could be lengthy, but space will rolls. Later he was under contract with Welte. There is allow in the Bulletin only some highlights and no revelation as to his attitude toward the rolls. (Other AMICAns will find more details in the book. Mr. Plas sources reveal his contempt of them.) kin has written well and there is no indication he had any personal association with Mr. Horowitz, but drew His wife, Wanda, daughter of Toscanini, is a great upon hundreds of interviews with friends and persons influence on him, the managers and about anyone who having had dealings with the pianist. comes in contact with her. Honorary Member Gitta Gradova met him in Europe where he heard her recital, This is a great and disturbing book and perhaps will and they became close friends. be considered the greatest biography of a pianist. The author received an advance of $80,000. Excerpts from Surprising is the pianists' eccentric behavior in vari the book will be published, parties planned and radio ous times and he refused to attend the solemn requiem and TV shows booked and five translations will be re mass offered in his father-in-Iaw's (Toscanini) memory leased. The book was writtenwith the objective in mind at St. Patrick's Cathedral until he had his tea and crack that it will be a best seller - but time will tell. ers. He also refused to attend the funeral of his daughter, Sonia (a rumored tragic suicide) demanding she was There is the story of the incident when he refused to never to be mentioned to him as he said, "I have no perform in Miami unless eleven fillets of grey sole were daughter." He has no contact with his family and flown from New Bedford. Mr. Horowitz is a person lov doesn't want them mentioned. ing pranks and delighting in mischief. He can be con siderate and also commit cruelties. He demands $150.00 When he began to teach at Juilliard, he made it an hour and if the student arrives for the lesson he may known he did not want to teach "Orientals or Women." be told that his teacher is not available for the lesson. I have heard this man in recital and his phonograph Coleman Blumfel began in 1956 a two-year study, and recordings and the piano rolls. His playing never moved Horowitz abruptly ended the lessons and forbade me as did that of other pianists, but I find the Duo-Art Coleman to use his name in any publication for his roll (1017) of the Chopin "Etude" Op. 25 No. 12 excep recitals. tional. I recommend this book for the "revelations" of the "adored idol" of the pianoforte world. <> 226 <> Ne1VS 'rolO the Chapters
Harold has a very organized workshop for doing his SOWNY piano work. One of the more interesting features was a unique vacuum device for doing the preliminary testing on player units, before they get reinstalled. Therewas an S.Q.W.N.Y. Picnic adjacent showroom where customers can choose be tween new and rebuilt pianos. by Jim Brewer The main house is nicely laid out with player pianos Wellandport, Canada was the site of our July picnic everywhere. From the Weber grand to the Chickering at the home of Harold and Muriel Hodgkins on July 31. upright, I don't think there was a time when one of these The muggy weather made things rather sticky, but the was not playing. There was even a fun Edison Standard rain held off for the bulk of the afternoon. Many mem phonograph with a nice selection of cylinders to keep us bers enjoyed swimming in the inground heated swim amused. ming pool. A private natural gas well affords this type of As usual the time passed too quickly, and almost on luxury! Harold and Muriel's home is located on the cue, the sky opened up, signalling the end of a great banks of Chippewa Creek, and provided an idyllic set picnic. ting with the many varieties of daylilies and flowering shrubs at their peak. Food was picnic style with everyone bringing a plate to pass.
IOWA
Mixed Emotions by Jack Niewoehner
The August meeting of the Iowa Chapter was un usual, as it was held at the home of Beulah Hubbard in conjunction with an auction of the automatic musical instruments, parts, etc. that her husband Martin had collected during his lifetime. It was an exciting day because of the auction, but it was also a sad day, because it was a reminder that Martin was no longer with us to enjoy these instruments that he had collected. Harold Hodgkins I met Martin when I was restoring my first player piano. I was missing some parts and someone suggested that I see Martin Hubbard. Martin found what I needed and then took me into his basement and showed me things that until then I had only read about in books. I was amazed! I was fascinated! I was hooked! Martin played organettes and nickelodeons, he played his or chestrion, and then he played his band organ. From then on, I visited Martin whenever I could. He never tired of answering my questions and he encouraged me and advised me in my efforts to build an "0" roll orchestrion from a player piano as he had done. Martin's enthusiasm and knowledge were greatly appreciated by me and by all AMICAns who knew him, and he is missed by us all. The auction was to begin at 10:30, but those of us helping Beulah arrived at 7:00. We had seven pianos to move, including an 8 foot tall Pierre Eich Solophone. Preparations went relatively smoothly, and we had ev ; erything set up with time to spare. The musical instru ments and related items were not to be sold until 1:00, so the Iowa AMICAns gathered on a shady hillside on the lawn and talked while the non-musical items were Betty Walker sold. o 227 0 ment which seemed to receive the most interest was the Pierre Eich Solophone, which sold for $3,500. The in strumentation of the Solophone included piano, mando lin, xylophone and violin pipes. A clean unrestored Marshall & Wendell upright Ampico was bought by this reporter for $1,050. A rough Seeburg E, missing the lamps, bottom front panel, xylophone and stack but with a start on a new pneumatic stack and a xylophone beater stack sold for $800. This reporter got into the action again when a Wurlitzer IX nickelodeon came up. It was missing the original art glass panel and a few minor parts of the roll changer but was otherwise in very good unrestored condition, and I bought it for $2,000. I bought a few odds & ends and didn't get a few other things I would have liked but decided I had spent enough. I did feel that prices for most instruments ranged from bargain to reasonable, based upon their condition. After the musical items were sold, we AMICAns gathered in the shade again and held our business meet ing. We discussed our proposed tour of the Salisbury House in Des Moines, which contains a Welte Philhar The auction monic player pipe organ in playing condition, and our last meeting of the year, to be held in Muscatine at the home of our Chapter Vice-President, George Apland. Following the meeting, several AMICAns helped me load my pianos and after sayinggoodby to Beulah, Iwent home to explain to my wife why I had bought two more pianos.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Armbruster Honors Southern California Chapter by Bill Toeppe
The June meeting of the AMICA Southern Califor Meeting in the shade nia Chapter was a very special one: Honorary Member Robert Armbruster played for us at a recital. The recital At 1:00 the fun began with bidding on the Wurlitzer was held at the Hardesty Piano company in Whittier in 103 band organ. The 103 was in a very good non-original the afternoon of Saturday, 25 June 1983. Mr. Armbruster case. It had been a basket case when Martin bought it. also reminisced with us about matters of interest to He also added bass and snare drums and a cymbal. The reproducing piano enthusiasts. organ needed some minor tuning, but was otherwise in Mr. Armbruster spoke about how he came to work very good condition and finally sold for $5,850. The for Aeolian. He just walked in the door one day in his Empress Electric Bell piano was complete, all original, preteens and told them he wanted to make piano rolls. and had been restored to playing condition about 20 Later on, he was made an employee. He also spoke about years ago. It was playing, but if it were mine, I would the "sailorsuit." DuringWorld War I, he was in the Navy want to do a total restoration. It sold for $3,900. The and was stationed in the New York City area so was able home-built orchestrion included a rank of flute pipes in to make rolls during off-duty hours. He continued to addition to the piano and percussion instruments. It was work for Aeolian during the most popular days of the in playing condition but needed additional work to be reproducing piano and continued on a part-time basis finished, and it sold for $2,300. The unrestored instru- until he went into radio.
o 228 0 Robert Armbruster's special cake. Robert Armbruster prepares to serve the cake, assisted by Alice Armbruster and Abram Chasins.
Robert Armbruster signing roll after roll after roll. Robert Armbruster speaks to the group between selections.
Also with us at the recital were two other Honorary Members: Abram Chasins and Leonard Smith. After the formal recital, Abram Chasins was prevailed upon to playa little- even though he insisted he had not played a piano in forty years. Light refreshments were served. These featured a special cake baked in Robert Armbruster's honor.
Southern California Magic by Bill Toeppe
The AMICA Southern California Chapter held its regular August meeting at a very'speciallocation - the Abram Chasins at the piano for the first time in forty years(I) famous Magic Castle in Hollywood - in the afternoon of Sunday, 21 August 1983. After we had had a chance to roam the "castle" and listen to "Invisible Irma" play the piano, we had our own private magic show with two magicians: Brian Buden and Danny Scott. , /' Following the magic show, we had our Sunday brunch at the "festal board," elsewhere known as a smorgasboard.
<> 229 <> (' ,
The owl to whom you must say "Open Sesame" to enter the Magic Castle.
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Contributed by Molly Yeckley
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"Invisible Irma" and her invisible bird entertain the group. PHILADELPHIA AREA
Don Kawash Plays for Philadelphia Chapter by Robert M. Taylor
The first "after summer" meeting of the Philadel phia Area Chapter was held at Don Wood's apartment in Center City Philadelphia on September 13. It was a very summer-like day which encouraged people to take a drive to the city. Don's apartment is in a block long row of homes designed by the noted architect Thomas U. Walter and built in 1831. Dan's home has changed hands only 4 The Deasy's miniature carousel. times in all those years. The homes in this block are We then left the "castle" and went to the nearby being restored, refurbished, and in some cases turned home of Warren and Rosemary Deasy (who by the way, into condominiums. Don's second floor apartment overlooks the trees and gardens at the back of the row as members of the Magic Castle, were our hosts at the and is a very refreshing view in the midst of a city. The ----r "Castle"). Warren and Rosemary have a number of au apartment is furnished with appropriate furniture for ;' tomatic musical instruments, including an Edgerton the house including a working fireplace. KT Special. Featured this afternoon were their newly restored musical clock and a miniature Ferris wheel The big surprise was to see two Steinway Duo-Arts which had arrived only just a few minutes ahead of the in the apartment. Don has had an XR for some time and guests. now he has an OR (thM ""'''' gutted some years ago). In o 230 0 Don Kawash and Caroline Davidson.
Don Wood with OR.
What are the Philadelphia Bobs cooking up this time? leff Morgan, Martha Diamond, and Frank Diamond at Don Wood's Steinway OR. the next few weeks Don will be taking all the Duo-Art parts from the XR and putting them into the OR (no small task, I'm told). Both pianos are 1926 models. We were treated to the usual good refreshments, Duo-Art music, and the brief business meeting. In the business meeting we discussed the Board Meeting and Convention held in Chicago, local chapter plans for the year, and nominations were made for new chapter officers. Don had planned a live concert for us with Don Kawash who is known to all who attended the Philadel phia Convention. Before beginning his program Don told us that he had played Scott Joplin pieces at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington two nights ear lier and that in December [26-31), he would be part of a Frank Diamond, Bob Rosecrans, Bob Taylor and Don program at the Hartman Theater in Stamford, CT with Kawash. o 231 0 the New York Light Opera Company [thanks to AMICA member Bill Edgerton). In addition to the playing we had some excellent commentary on the composers and compositions by Don Kawash. His program included: Joplin's "Maple Leaf Rag", Joe Lamb's 1913 composition "Ragtime Nightingale", and Gottschalk's "TheBanjo". After these pieces Don was joined at the OR Steinway by his co teacher at Germantown Friends School, Caroline Davidson, for some 4-hand compositions. They played Dvorak's "Slavonic Dances 1 and 6" and Poulenc's "Sonata" in 3 movements; these 3 pieces had more sub stance to them than we usually hear on our pianos, Don and Caroline had a most attentive audience for their well executed program. Thanks to Don Wood, Don Kawash and Caroline Davidson for starting the season off so well for us.
Hosts David and Elaine Cherney do magic to some fish.
Bill Knorp advertises.
Once in McKinleyville, just north of Eureka, we OCOCOCCOUCCOOCcrJ found two perfectly delightful hosts, their beautiful home and a very convivial collection of AMICAns. The morning of Saturday, August 20, we were met at FOUNDING CHAPTER the door of the Angelus Clockwork Music Shop in Eureka by a proud owner. He showed us his collection which was charmingly crowded into the back of the shop. He had a 1920 Coinola Nickelodion, a 1906 Apollo August Idyll in the Redwoods which played regular width and 15" wide rolls, 58, 65 and 88 note rolls too, and it has a spring wound roll drive by Tack Edwards motor, but the operator still has to pump the pneuma tics by him or herself. He also has a 1920 Solophone Traveling north on U.S. 101 from San Francisco is which has 103 pipes, a 1931 Knabe Arnpico and a large one of the more beautiful drives anywhere. After leaving Regina music box which had been in San Francisco's southern Marin County, one travels through mostly Cliffhouse restaurant. The shop is full of old and new agricultural areas and through the wine country. After music boxes and clocks. He also has a couple of upright leaving Ukiah, one enters the California redwood pumpers and a variety of radios and phonographs. forests and understands why David and Elaine Cherney decided to live their lives in this beautiful part of the David and Elaine's collection consists of a 1902 Wil world. If for nothing but the ride, going to the Founding cox &. White Angelus Orchestral push-up; 1916 Rachals Chapter's August meeting was worth the time and the Autopiano upright player Kastonome; 1920 Zeitter and three hundred mile drive. Winkelmann grand, and others listed in the directory.
<> 232 <> Two of the many highlights of the get-together con sopranos, and everyone enjoys singing along with what sisted of listening to the different people present play ever rolls the "artist" picks out. This occasion was no the Cherney piano. Isadora Koff and Bob Cherney, different. Margie Hartmann, Rod Harris, Bob Wilcox David's dad, played duets two nights. Jarod Clarkplayed and a host of others pumped, and we all enjoyed. as did Bill Knorp and Jeryl Nehen. One afternoon, Isad The only subject of the business meeting was the ora and Barbara Whitely played as some of us looked out wrap-up of the roll auction. Howie and Isadora Koff let of the liVing room window at the Pacific Ocean, and us know how many rolls had been sold, how much seven year olds, Mandy Cherney and Jennie Edwards money had been taken in (We all watched as Howie played in the pool. handed a large handful of checks to Bob Wilcox.), and One thing this reporter learned during the course of how many were left to be paid for. All this information the party was that Bill Knorp is a walking musical will appear at the appropriate time in other space in The encyclopedia. After seeing a record label, or a piece of AMICA News Bulletin. After the financial statements sheet music, Bill can quote the person's musical biog were made, Howie and Isadora presented Carol Brown raphy chapter and verse. Bill also has a fund of entertain with an award for driving the farthest with a last minute ing anecdotes which he relates in a most entertaining bid, and they gave Paul McCoy an award for bidding on fashion. the most rolls. Paul is now our official high roller. As we left, David gave each party a copy of sheet Howie and Isadora were presented with a gift of music entitled "Songs of the Pacific" which was pub appreciation for doing so much of the work connected lished in 1920. On the cover is a picture of Trinidad with the auction all by themselves. Howie remembered Head, a point of land sticking out into the ocean north of that different chapters were supposed to hold the roll McKinleyville. The same view is what you see from the auction when provisions were first made back in 1977, Cherney living room. and he wonders who is going to do it next year as he said The Christmas party at Dick Reutlinger's is a tradi in his best German, "Das ist alles!" tion with the Founding Chapter as is a November meet ing at the McCoy's and the Halloween party at Bill Wherry's. In a unanimous vote, those present asked David and Elaine if they would consider hosting the August meeting again next year. We were all very glad that they agreed for we could not think of anywhere we could spend a more relaxed peaceful time. SIERRA·NEVADA
Oktoberfest Sierra-Nevada Chapter Combines Fun with Plans for a Work Project by lack Edwards by Mel and Karen Locher It is unfortunate that the pictures of the Founding Chapter's September Oktoberfest didn't get back from How pleasant it was on August 31 to be once again in the processor's in time for this article to go to press. Rod the beautiful park-like backyard of Tim and Betty and Adele Harris' meeting deserves to be reported in all Taormina, listening to delightful tunes from their beau its glory. tifully sounding 1921 P.S. Wick piano, enjoying a delici We met at Rod and Adele's home in Walnut Creek ous barbecue prepared by our hosts, and savoring an and were treated to a very early Oktoberfest. Rod and array of luscious salads and casseroles brought by other Adele had booked a German band somewhere in the members! area, and they showed up in genuine costume, and we And how strange that a poor deceased pigeon picked listened and danced and enjoyed the afternoon away. the finishing strains of La Paloma to fall - plunk! Even though reporters aren't supposed to report on the down into the yard in the midst of our plans for next menus at meetings, one can guess that beer was promi year's meetings. At least he spared us the tragedy of nently displayed and enjoyed. falling into the midst of our barbecue! When the German band wasn't holdingforth outside Children were welcome at this party, and tiny Pat on the patio, guests were inside entertaining themselves rick Taormina, who has just learned to walk and wad on Rod and Adele's upright pumper. The piano is a 1918 dles around in his sturdy shoes with nary a tumble, James and Holstrom. The case is in perfect condition, attended his very first AMICA get-together. Brothers and Bob Wilcox, Chapter Treasurer, tells us that the Paul and Tommy shared their swings and toys with the player is perfect also. He probably would say the same Simms boys and the Mohamed girl. Unfortunately, none thingeven if he hadn't been the one who did all the work of our Reno members were in attendance. on it. One major drawback to uprights is, of course, that While the children enjoyed their games and played one cannot take the obligatory picture of someone with five beautiful kittens in varying shades of orange crawling under it ... unless of course the crawler is very and white, those adults whose voices were in fine fettle slender. An advantage to pumpers is that they attract all entered the house and sang along with the music of the the sit down joggers, bathroom baritones and shower piano rolls, and the rafters echoed with the vibrant sounds. <> 233 <> Enjoying hors d'oeuvres upon arrival: Brian Lemon, Sonja The committee for planning the Roseville Theater Program: and Bob Lemon, Robert Lemon (fr.), President Ken Winters, Left to right - Toni Mohamed, Rick Simms, Margaret and Audrey Winters, Bob and Julie Patton, and Ray Bauer. Armas Sepponen, Tim Taormina, Sonja Lemon, and Mel Locher.
Late in the afternoon President Ken Winters called a meeting to order to select a nominating committee for next year's officers and to decide how often we would meet in 1984, as well as what types of meetings we would have. The group voted to meet five times next year - in March, May, August, October, and December - with two of the meetings (August and December) planned as social, and the remaining three, educational. Next on the agenda was a discussion of our forth coming program at the Roseville Theater, planned in conjunction with the Roseville Concert Association for November 27. Margaret and Armas Sepponen were our guests. Margaret is past-president and consultant for the Roseville Concert group, and she described the theater, The Business Meeting: In circle, clockwise, Tim Taormina, built in 1926 and well along in its current restoration by Toni Mohamed, Secretary Audrey Winters (almost out of the concert association. She told us of their desire to view), President Ken Winters, Sonja Lemon, Karen Locher, have a program featuring one or more of our instru Bob Lemon, Margaret and Armas Sepponen, and Mel Locher. ments. Mel and Karen Locher had offered the use of their Knabe Ampico B. A committee (consisting of five of our members and chaired by Sonja Lemon) was appointed by our president to work with the Sepponens and others in the concert group to plan a program which would be part of their concert series, would educate people about ex pression pianos and other instruments, would raise money to benefit the theater and concert group, and could be attended by all the public. So we're hoping that other AMICAns who may be in nearby areas will also plan to attend this memorable occasion. Our next meeting is scheduled for September 10 at the residence of Bob Moore in Reno. Bob will have as his special guest pianist Dick Kroeckel, so this meeting should prove to be a special treat! Doug and Vicki Mahr will be our hosts for the Oc tober meeting, and Sonja and Bob Lemon will host the December meeting, dates not yet confirmed. More of the Business Meeting: Tim, Patrick, and Betty Taor mina, Tricia Simms, Toni Mohamed, and Audrey Winters. We are grateful to Tim and Betty for taking time out of their extremely busy schedules to share with us their lovely home, food, and collections.
o 234 0
Moore is Host by Mel eiJ Karen Locher
.J On September 10, 1983, Sierra-Nevada Chapter met again at the charming home of Bob Moore in Reno. About 29 people were there to enjoy Bob's growing col lection and genial hospitality. Guests included Dick Reutlinger, Miles Jurikowski, Rob Thomas, Bill Wherry, and Phil, Phyllis and Paul McCoy from Founding Chap terj John Braun, Paul Kelly, and Bill and Carol Dawson from Reno (Bill and Carol worked on Bob's pianos)j and Bob and Joanne Ensming (parents of our member Julie Patton). Seldom seen at our meetings but present at this one were members Bernice Carnes and Bob and Margaret Wilcox from the Bay Area (also members oj Founding Chapter). And certainly not to be ignored wa~ Ella Allen provides violin accompaniment for the 1915 Stein guest of honor, Dick Kroekel, of whom we shall heal way Duo-Art upright. more later. We enjoyed listening to rolls from the pianos, and At last year's meeting at Bob's, we heard his two received an extra treat when Ella Allen accompanied the unusually fine pianos, which we were again able to Steinway Duo-Art with her violin. enjoy. One is a 1915 Steinway (Duo-Art) upright, which The really outstanding event of the day, however, had been purchased new from Knight-Campbell in was to hear and watch Dick Kroekel perform on the Denver in 1916, and which Bob had acquired from its Steinway Duo-Art and the Kimball Welte. A profes original owner in 1973. The piano still has its original sional piano player specializing in rag time, he is truly strings. The Duo-Art mechanism was rebuilt by James great, in both his playing and entertaining ability. He M. Bratton (head of the Organ and Sacred Music De sang along with many of the pieces, both with tradi partment, University of Denver) in 1975,
..../
Bob's 1923 Marshall and Wendell Ampico A.
-./
Poor Bob Moore: "What did he do to my piano?" Margaret Dick Reutlinger dances the Charleston while Joanne' Wilcox looks on. (Rob Thomas photo) Ensming, Julie Patton, Ella Allen, and Paul Kelly applaud. <> 236 <> i ./
63 Keyless Ruth Replica, built in 1981.
Dick Kroekel demonstrates his skill at the Steinway and the c Taorminas , toy Schoenhut. (Rob Thomas photo)
great host. Ournext meetingis planned for October 15 at the Mahr residence in Sacramento. The November 27 Roseville Theater Program has been the subject of several committee meetings, and we are hoping for a large attendance for the event. rim Weisenborne, Harold eY Betty Malakinian holding only Bob and Sonja Lemon are looking forward to hosting one of her purchased treasures. the December meeting.
MIDWEST
Band Organ Blast by Sue Ricca
Our meeting was held in conjunction with the Mu sical Box Society's Band Organ Rally at the Fremont, Ohio Fairgrounds, Saturday, August 6, 1983. Marilyn and Dan Slack hosted the combined groups on Friday ./' evening for a twilight organ rally at their grounds. Saturday was spent at the fairgrounds enjoying a beautiful summer's day listening to and inspecting some fifty Band Organs from around the country. lust Richard eY Mary Ellen Walling at the Ward's. <> 237 <> Rolls ond Music
! Duo-Art Roll Trivia by Bill Englund
Whenever I ask the question: "When did they move the sustaining pedal perforations on Duo-Art rolls slightly to the right?," I always get the same answer: "I didn't know they ever did." Well, they did. On early Duo-Art rolls the sustaining pedal perfora tions are about a sixteenth of an inch to the left of where they would be if they lined up with a strict 9 holes-to the-inch tracker bar format (such as Ampico, Welte, Our wonderful hosts, Miriam eY Ed Ward, beside their Mar Artecho, Recordo, etc.). Then sometime in the mid shall eY Wendell Ampico grand. twenties they moved the perforations slightly to the right, so that they do line up exactly with a 9 holes-to the-inch format. imagine fifty Band Organs at one gathering! A simul taneous antique show at the fairgrounds permitted I noticed this when myDuo-Art was down for repairs many of us to acquire some treasures (right Margaret?). and I was playing some Duo-Art rolls on my J & C Saturday evening's, activities at the Ramada Inn in Fischer, Amphion, Artigraphic foot-pumper. This piano cluded a Mart, socializing, dinner and a slide presenta has a 9 holes-to-the-inch, transposing tracker bar and tion by Dr. Bob Miller titled "Classic Fairground Organs also a device for shutting off either the last 2 or 4 notes in Sight and Sound." on each end in order to play Ampico rolls either nor mally or transposed to a different key. II described this Sunday morning we had breakfast at Miriam and Ed piano in a bulletin article several years ago.) When play Ward's and enjoyed hearing their Marshall and Wendell ing early Duo-Art rolls the sustaining pedal only works Ampico grand. We held our AMICA business meeting part of the time, depending on whether the roll is track- with the Board Representative and Officers of the Na ing slightly to the left or right. If the roll is tracking .~ tional Chapter reporting to us about the business meet slightly left the pedal doesn't work at all, and if the roll is ing which recently took place (July) in Chicago. Jim tracking slightly right the pedal does work. When play- Weisenborne brought us up to date on the planning ing late Duo-Art rolls the sustaining pedal works every activities for the 1985 Convention in Detroit. Bill time. Blodgett treated us to a hand-cut expression roll, "Send in the Clowns," which he has made for Q.R.S. We wel In checking out my limited Duo-Art roll collection I comed our new members, Mary Ellen and Richard find that the latest Duo-Art roll I have in any series with Walling. the sustaining pedal perforations slightly left is No. 713194. According to Dick Howe's fantastic compila Sunday afternoon was filled with open houses in the tion, the date of that roll would be February 1926. I have area: the Yeckley's, Owings', Haughawout's, Lura's; our some earlier rolls with the sustaining pedal perforations thanks to all of them. Our next meeting is tentatively slightly right, but I would assume that's because those scheduled for Indianapolis, in the fall. particular rolls are not "first editions." It would be difficult for Duo-Art owners to check their rolls for this phenomenon since the sustaining pedal port oil the Duo-Art tracker bar is wider than a strict 9 to-the-inch hole. When an early Duo-Art roll is UBecause" - Guy H. Hardelot perfectly aligned on a Duo-Art tracker bar the sustain Fairchild Ampico 391 ing pedal perforations are centered over the sustaining Arndt DA 100035 pedal port; and when a late roll is aligned the sustaining pedal perforations ride along the right edge of the port. The two rolls are accompaniment rolls and were Of the few Universal, Melodee (original), Metro-Art popular for about evezy occasion relative to marriage, and Themodist-Metrostyle rolls I have, every one has love and whatever required a song of sentiment. sustaining pedal perforations slightly to the left as does Another popular song was "Saus Tai" (Without You). my one and only Artrio-Angelus roll. The GuyH. Hardelot was a pen name for Mrs. Helen Also when I was checking my Duo-Art rolls Inoticed Rhodes, a popular English song composer. Her works at least three different configurations of pump lines. I~ were popular in America. Her death was in London, have come up with the following generalizations: . !anuazy 7, 1936 at the age of 78. 1) Late Duo-Art rolls do not have pump lines. - Emmett M. Ford 2) Early popular and ballad rolls have wide pump lines* with a wide pump line scale at the beginning of the roll. o 238 0 3) There is a mid group of popular and ballad rolls (1926 to 1929) which have a narrow pump line with a nar row pump line scale at the beginning of the roll. 4) Early classical rolls have a wide pump line with no scale at the beginning. 5) Early popular rolls without words (roll numbers with letter "D" suffix) have a wide pump line with no scale at the beginning. 6) Mid group popular rolls without words have a wide pump line and mayormaynot have a pump line scale at the beginning. THAT SPECIAL ROLL Speaking of lines on rolls, I have never been able to figure out why they put metrostyle lines on Metro-Art rolls. I have one other question, which pertains to Stein Ampico #62121F way Duo-Art grand pianos: Approximately what month "Dance of the Goblins" (Nirini) and year did the following five changes take place? Played by Barber 1) Rotary pump installed in piano instead of "steam- John Grant boat" pump in cabinet under piano. 9 Arlie Drive Annapolis, MD 21401 2) Crash valve. 3) Modulator pneumatic. Duo-Art #59420 "Kol Nedrei" (Bruch) 4) Separate accompaniment gradation lever and tempo Played by Clarence Adler lever instead of temponamic knob. Ralph Schack 5) Eighty note stack instead of eighty-eight note stack. 30205 Avenida de Calma *About half the width of the roll. Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90274 Duo-Art #64969 "Prelude" Op. 28 No. 16 (Chopin) Played by Ellen BaIlon Emmett Ford 649 N. Pinecrest Wichita, KS 67208
Imperial Songrecord #06441 Answer to Puzzle in the Last Issue "Ain't She Sweet" Ager, Yellen &. Bernstein Viola &. William H~leba 122 Winthrop Avenue Albany, NY 12203
IS THERE A SPECIAL ROLL YOU WANT Send as much information as you can to Dorothy Bromage, Publisher, AMICA News Bulletin, P.O. Box 387, La Habra, CA 90633-0387.
o 239 0 Technicalities The ForDID
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This article was selected by Technical Committee Chairman For Your Travel Notebook Mel Luchetti for reprinting from the AMICA Technicalities by Charles Lilly Vol. III (1975-1977).
000000000000000000000000000000000 I found the notice below on a poster by an automatic musical instrument in Old Town, San Diego, Califor nia. It is the address of a mechanical music business in France. VIOLANO TUNING RESPONSE If it is put in the AMICA News Bulletin, others can know of its location. BY CHARLES INNES A few weeks ago Mel Locher sent me a copy of an M.B. S. talk wherein he had cautioned against tuning the Atelier Musee Violano piano to A440 (as wa~ implied in paragraph 9.5 of the "Violano Service Notes"), and I have just (musique mechanique) finished reading Art Reblitz's AMICA discussion in Morbihan 56 the same vein. Le Parun, France Both Messers. Locher and Reblitz recommend that the piano be tuned not higher than the old international Tel. 57-02-42 standard pitch A43S: and in retrospect I agree that S.E. of Auray near Baden this lower pitch is safer. At the time I worked up (parun en Baden) the service notes, as nearly as I could determine, Violano fanciers were about evenly split on this Jean et Anne Farkas question, with most piano technicians favoring the modern A440 standard, except as qualified. Although I have personally tuned my own Violano to A440 without harm, I really don't have any good rea son for doing so. As far as personal taste is con cerned, frankly I can't tell the difference, and to Ampico Inquiry my knowledge the only practical reasons for tuning any piano to A440 are (1) if the piano is played in conjunction with a 440 fixed pitch instrument or, (2) We are very interested in knowing if the "Battle if the piano was originally designed for 440; neithe~ Hymn of 'the Republic" was ever recorded on an Ampico of these reasons are valid with respect to the roll. If anyone has information on this, we would like Violano. very to hear about it. If it was recorded, information leading to acquisition of a copy would be very much I wish to express my sincere thanks to these gentle appreciated. men for there response and contribution to the state of the art of Violano care and service. The "Service Please write Viola and William Heleba, 122 Win Notes" do not begin to cover all that should be pre throp Ave., Albany, NY 12203. sented concerning this remarkable instrument. I hope there will be additional response and further articles in AMICA.
//. ~ '", r Tip of the Month by Ahti Petaja
Applying PPC 320glue to seal thenipple to wood joint is a problem on the back side of nipple as often as there is no room to use the regular brush. A help here is to use a brush handle bent into a Jshape with the brush at the low end of the Jand the handle at the high end of the J. 320glue in a squeeze bottle or syringe is easy to apply to the brush. For the less affluent, use a stick or nail. Contributed by John Grant o 240 0 NEWMEMBERS Laurence and Nancy Burke: 229 Cherokee Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15241, 412-831-2580. Referred by QRS Catalog. Engineer, R1. Schulz Upr PIr, Misc. Music Boxes, Phonos, Parlor Organ. Bob and JoAnne Billington: The Piano Roll Shop, 1571 Men don Road, Cumberland, RI 02864, 401-333-0983. Referred by Randy Sherwood: 406 Pearl Street, Rochester, NY 14607, 716 QRS Catalog. Piano Roll Dealer, R1, R2. CC Harvey Upr Plr, 271-6406. Mailing House, R1. Leonard (Lester) Upr PIr. Auto Piano PIr, Playotone Upr PIr, Misc. Phono. Ellen Spradling: 10712 Oak, Kansas City, MO 64114, 816-942 Robert F. Commagere: 761 Claymont Drive, Los Angeles, CA 4197. Referred by Craig Brougher. Court Reporting. 1920's 90049,213-476-1015. Gulbranson PIr.
Albert &. Elaine De Bosscher: RFD 2, Box 187, Williamstown, Brad Reinhardt: 1332 West Mesa Avenue, Fresno, CA 93711. NJ 08094, 609-629-5314, 609-629-6356. Florist and Teacher, Referred by Mike Argain. R1. P. E. Cunningham Upr PIr. David &. Catherine James: 2423 East 37th Street, Tulsa, OK Fred W. Fisher: 4234 Loch Highland Parkway, Roswell, GA 74105, 918-743-0691, 918-583-2131. Referred by Michael 30075. Pacaud. Lawyer/Teacher, R1. 1919 Weber 5/8" Duo-Art.
Liv &. James Furgale: 662 Wellington Crescent, Winnipeg, Richard &. Joyce Boyle: 8 Lorna Street, Bacchus Marsh, Manitoba R3M OC2 Canada, 204-477-6131, 204-943-3506. Re Victoria 3340, Australia, 053673984,033631187. Referred by ferred by Terry Smythe. Registered Nurse, R1. 1923 Marshall Harvey Roehl. School Teacher, Rl. 1927 Playotone Upr Rec & Wendall5'2" Ampico. ordo; 1927 Franklin Upr Ampico (electronically converted to play Ampico rolls on digital cassettes); 1922 Stroud Upr Duo Paul A. Horch: 211 Scotia Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2W Art; 1928 Marshall & Wendel 5' 4" Ampico. 3X2 Canada, 204-586-2265. Referred by Terry Smythe. Cable TV. 1927 Mason & Risch 6/1" Duo-Art, Misc. Phonos, Radios, Vintage Cars. CHANGE OF ADDRESS Arden &. Charlotte Kemler: 2807 Pierre Place, College Sta tion, TX 77840, 409-696-7265. Referred by L. E. Railsback. W. H. Coverdale Veterinarian. Heart of America Chapter. 1916 Popper Upr PIr, 4180 Cutlass Lane Misc. Juke Boxes. Naples, FL 33940 James Kreiser: RD 3, Box 477, Palmyra, PA 17078. Rl. Cun F. B. & Angeline Vincent ningham Upr PIr. 1550 Charlton Avenue St. Paul MN 55118 John A. Marino: 201 Fairway Drive, South San Francisco, CA Vernon & Kay Johnson 94080,415-952-7339,415-387-2188. Cashier, R1. FarnyUpr PIr. Route 2, Box 336 Tryon, NC 28782 , Rosemary Schenkelberg: 18450 Santa Carlotta Street, Foun Barry & Deborah Kasindorf tain Valley, CA 92708, 714-962-8774, 714-732-1885. Referred 8 Maymont Drive by U A Friend." Homemaker, R1. Southern California Chapter. Framingham, MA 01701 1902 Chauncey Upr PIr, 1912 Webster Upr PIr, 1898 Chase Baker Push-up Piano PIr. William & Ella Allan 6455 Meadow Valley Lane Mr. &. Mrs. Paul P. Welsh: 2603 West 16th Street, Wilmington, Reno, NV 89509 DE 19806.1919 Steck 6'4" Duo-Art, 1923 Haines 5/6" Ampico. Charles & Annette Kratz 6108 Lorcom Court Newark Public Library: P.O. Box 630, Newark, NJ 07101. Springfield, VA 22150 Dennis and Carol Ehler: 10030 South Winchester, Chicago, IL Klavier Records 60643,312-779-5640,312-726-9011, 800-621-6908. Referred by Harold & Mildred Powell Wayne Edmonston. Stockbroker, R1. 1928 Marshall & Wendell 9700 Glenoaks Blvd. 5'8" Louis XV Ampico, Misc. Music Boxes. Sun Valley} CA 91352 Matilda Hart George &. Jane McBrayer: 10336 Estacado Street, Dallas, TX P.O. Box 48276 75228, 214-328-5241. Player Piano Rebuilding. 1919 Grotrian Los Angeles, CA 90048 Steinweg 6'4" with Hupfeld Mechanism (plays Duo-Art), 1925 Valerie Anderson Kurtzman Upr Recordo, 1920 Sohmer Upr PIr, 1912 Pianola 1914 Memorial Drive Push-Up 64-note PIr, Misc. Phono, Upr PIrs. / Cayce, SC 29033 Richard Geddes: 1686 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02118, Will Wild 617-262-0225, 617-495-5718. Referred by QRS Catalog. Tool 803 Tivoli Court Maker/Clockmaker, Rl. 1926 Stark Upr Simplex. West Columbia, SC 29169 o 241 0 CLASSIFIED SEEBURG K PARTS: window and frame $450.00, stack $250.00, roll shelf $500.00. Seeburg "C" roll frame original $250.00. '29 Victor radio-phono - looks like a tall roll cabinet, fancy unrestored $300.00. .~ FOR SALE '28 Victor 10-35 last acoustic changer, rare, unrestored. '34 Seeburg juke,10 turntables in a stack unrestored but plays $650.00.1916 Gables FOR SALE: Quick-Poe Guide to Ampico roll collecting - classical rolls juke, tall, oak, unrestored less needle changer $2,650.00. Wally Wood, is a2¥." x 7" booklet of roll numbers which can prove invaluable to the Box 8153, La Crescenta, CA 91214, 213-246-1225. serious collector. It can serve as a portable and qUick reference to one's collection and prevent unintentional roll duplication. This book FOR SALE: Aeolian Orchestrelle player organ, mahogany, 58 note, no let was quite a success at the Chicago convention mart. Now you can rolls, needs restoration. Call Fr. Joseph Fice at 213-381-5121, or 1901 order copies through the mail. It is suggested that you purchase and Venice Blvd., los Angeles, CA 90006. mark two booklets at the same time. We collectors always seem to be losing things! Quick-Poe's are $3.00 each postpaid. Flaunt it if you have FOR SALE: Seeburg C nickelodeon with 3A rolls. Beautiful refinished a reproducing piano! Buy piano roll leader note pads featuring your oak case with original clear beveled glass panels. Complete restora type of piano. Choose a pad featuring your type of piano. Choose a tion of piano and player mechanism including new strings, hammers, pad with brown Duo-Art leader on brown paper, a pad with green dampers, etc. $7,300.00. Aeolian (Technola) player piano $2,000.00. Ampico leader on creme paper, or a pad with blue Welte leader on Concert roller organ with 3 cylinders $525.00. Gem roller organ with 3 white paper. Three eighty-sheet pads $6.50 postpaid. Souvenir cylinders $400.00. All are restored and refinished. Prices negotiable. Chicago convention poster commemorates the fabulous Niewoehner Piano and Organ Workshop, 2604 W. 55th St., Davenport, "Rachmaninoff Plays Chicago, 1983" concert and features the piano IA 52806,319-391-6009. roll artists whose rolls were played that evening. The black and white poster is11" x14" and suitable for framing. $2.50 postpaid. Jim Edwards, HEAR LINK AND WURLITZER 'nickelodeon' arrangements on your 38W140 Hunting Trail, Batavia, IL 60510. player piano. Selected trots, steps, and waltzes composed between 1905 and 1929 have been converted for home player use. Delightful PLAY-RITE: QRS and Klavier rolls: 35% discount for small minimum ragtime is also available. Please request information from Chuck quantities. Catalogs 25¢ each for postage. For price list write Vintage Sorensen,361 Kendale Road, Buellton, CA 93427. Piano Workshop, 208 Da,tmouth Dr., NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106. OLD CHURCH ORGAN to sell. Make is Estey Organ Co., built of oak, FOR SALE: 1925 Hoffman Upright Player - fully restored player one manual with 16 stops, 5 octaves F to F,2 foot pedals, 59" long, 52" mechanism; exceptionally fine walnut case, refinished; rebuilt piano high, 29" deep, was electrified. Contact Mrs. Esther Nyce Traill, 777 action & keys, new bass strings. All work to highest standard of Germantown Pike, Apt. 505, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462. restoration with excellent results. Asking price $4800. Contact Glen Woodruff, the J-B Company, 27 Jordan Street, San Rafael, CA 94901. FOR SALE: Knabe Ampico, 5'8" Model A, 1928. Has compensators and 415-456-9280. lost motion. Needs cabinet repair and mechanical rebuilding $3,150.00. Send S.A.S.E. or call 813-525-9038 for more information. Carl /" ITEMS OF INTEREST FOR SALE: SEEBURG X: Expression reproducing Mueller, Jr., 4954 36 Ave. No., St. Petersburg, FL33710. piano. Seeburg's only venture into the field of expression instruments. Piano comes with a large library of XP multi-tune music rolls of both popular & classical selections. Over 100 rolls included. Piano plays quite well. Quartered oak case. Original finish, $5,000.00. SEEBURG WANTED GREYHOUND UNIT: Complete with background diorama. Choice mint condition. Removed years ago from instrument and stored in WANTED: Automata pieces for private collection. Send photos and cardboard box. Nice piece & rare item, $500.00. WELTE: ReprodUcing description. Also WANTED: Old books, posters, etc. relating to Au grand piano PLAYER STACK. call for details, $200.00. AEOLIAN PUSH tomata or Automatic Musical Instruments. Kenneth Goldman, Box UP PIANO PLAYER: Unit built years ago & designed to be placed 1477, Boston, MA 02104 617-449-0058. against keyboard of standard piano to play it automatically. Nice restorable condition with box of rolls, $300.00. ANGELUS PUSH UP WANTED: Wallboxes for collection, Seeburg, Wurlitzer, Hupfeld, etc. PIANO PLAYER: Very similar unit to the AEOLIAN piano player. Plays cast iron or wood, any condition. Call collect Rick Crandall 313-487 ANGELUS rolls or 65 note player rolls. Beautiful oak case with fancy 9001 evenings, or1366 Huron River Dr., Ypsilanti, MI48197. trim. Unit plays fairly well. Rolls included. $400.00. For more informa tion contact Don Rand or Ed Openshaw, 1425 Miramar Street, Los WISH TO PURCHASE Knabe, Chickering or Mason Hamlin. Ampico B Angeles, CA 90026, 213-250-9278. preferred. 5'2"-5'4" player mechanism must be completely restored. Case restoration optional - plain case, ebony finish preferred. Call TEL·ELECTRIC BRASS ROLLS FOR SALE. Write for list. Babcock,4247 614-488·8712. N. Broadway, Chicago, Il60613. WANTED: Steinway Duo-Art unrestored in Standard Case, also one in 40 DUO-ART ROLLS, almost all classical, $200. Ralph Schack, 30205 Louis XV. Jim Brady, 4609 Cranbrook Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46250, 317 Avenida de Calma, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90274, 213-377-7739. 259-4305, evenings 317-849-1469.
FOR SALE: LARGE COLLECTION OF REPRODUCING ROLLS FRETTING OVER MISSING FRETWORK door for roll compartment DUO-ART, AMPICO, WURLITZER, TELEKTRA. SASE FOR LIST. Frank Model V Orchestrelle14" x 8%. Have anything adaptable? NEED AEO Cabra, 19 Keats Ct., Bethpage, NY 11714. LIAN GRAND ROLLS, pin ends, 10" paper. HElP! Herb Stockinger, 2424 Lake View Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90039,213-664-7637. BUSH AND LANE Art-Echo Reproducing, upright piano with 100 rolls, excellent restorable condition. Also 5'8" Weber Duo-Art Grand, MUSIC BOXES WANTED. Always buying better quality disc and cylin mahogany case, piano playing. Further information and details will be der music boxes, musical clocks, organettes, monkey organs, au. supplied upon request. Carl Kempf, 2023 Gober Ave., S.E., Smyrna, tomata, musical watches, singing birds, etc. Also Wurlitzer 78 rpm GA 30080, 404-435-8861. jukeboxes and slot machines, any condition. Martin Roenigk, 26 Bar ton Hill, East Hampton, CT 06424, 203-267-8682. PLAYER PIANO ROLLS - up to 1/3 off! Order now for Christmas. Play-Rite and QRS. Free catalogs. Baley's, 310 Grandview, Kalamazoo, M149OO1. )
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d""nund O","n.Od";n""";,,,ns;, 'khm,h, ~ S~;;<'~<,.« flir antike Schnupftabakdosen. Pfeifen, ~~->~·"'~·':~' . .;:,~ ~o\ (;~
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: Marshall and Wendell Ampico model B (1933) plays weakly $6,000 -t: - Wurlitzer Model C Orchestrion with wonder light 7 rolls needs adjustment $25,000 --t: Marshall and Wendell baby grand, ex Ampico 1927, refinished $3,500 I ~ -~ Mason and Hamlin model AA grand piano walnut 1926 ,,, $6,000 =f: Empty Wurlitzer IX coin-operated piano, ornate cabinet ",, $1,500 ~ ~ Weber Duo-Art model WR 5'8" plays weakly 1Ai ::-t: Steinway and Sons Duo-Art model OR 6'6" African Mahogany, new iVOry keyboard, classic ~ restoration , ,," $22,000 ~ -..,. Baldwin Welte-Licensee grand clean unrestored , $3,500 ~ ~ = Marshall and Wendell Ampico vertical unrestored $2,200 ~ -t: 2f:: I Ampico Model B mechanism $4,200 ~ - Welte Licensee grand mechanism $1,000 -t:-I!f: ~ Two Ampico drawer motors $300 each, offer invited. ~ -=·~ Ampico model B drawer assorted components, inquire. ~ ~ Steinway and Sons Duo-Art OR 80 note pneumatic stack $1,000 -t: Steinway and Duo-Art XR 80 note pneumatic stack $950 ~ I ~ Geo Steck Duo-Art pneumatic stack $500 -=:~ ~ Assorted mechanism components from a 1913 Steinway model 0 Themodist-Metrostyle ~ --t:I grand. Cheap. 1Ai --t: Steinway and Sons Duo-Art model XR 1926, older restoration, available January 1984. ~ ~ William Singleton ~ 1101 South Kingshighway St. Louis, Missouri 63110 1-314-533-4089
rnM~~~~:~: @] ~~~@JBNIIK§l@)BNII&0@ ~ ~ MUSICAL ANTIQUES ~l, productions'~omnimedia " G specializing in Reproducers, all grands, ~ t!] refinishing, and all player pianos. @J ~8~ '-/I(!) COMPLETE RESTORATION I@) : FACILITIES .- TECHNICAL DATA SERIES OWNER OPERATED @] 15 years of experience in each related field of @J 1. Covering Pneumatics 0 restoration. i 2. Recovering Organ Regulators CASE AND VENEER REPAIRS •• 3. Rebuilding Duo-Art Valves some carving can be duplicated 4. Regulating the Duo-Art 1 FINEST HAND-RUBBED MIRROR FINISHES @] OR SATIN FINISHES AVAILABLE @] ~ Concert Quality Regulation VHS or BETA 2 ••• $39.95 each ~ oo~~:~:::'~~::'7~:~:::~:r::t::::, order send check or money order to: '" OMNIMEDIA @] used. They are always fresh and continually checked. P.O. Box 965 Hot glue and original materials used throughout • wherever possible. Milpitas, CA 95035 Craig Brougher .0 3500 Claremont Independence, Mo. California residents please add sales tax. All orders are shipped postpaid. Special videocassette formats are i~ (816) 254-1693 64502 I~I available on request. ~, I~ @J~I@Jlt9X8K~@J~(Cf'dtK
VIDEOCASSETTES Proud of Your Instrument? I~ VHS or Beta 2 Have it Restored by Experts. ~ 1. Philadelphia Convention Here is what the Piano Workshop Does: 2. Pasadena Convention ~ ~ Specialize in rebuilding all types of player pianos *3. San Francisco Convention and other automatic musical instruments 4. Dayton Convention ~ 5. Buffalo/Texas Convention ~ Restring, rescale and repin instruments ~ *6. They all laughed ... Replace pin blocks, soundboards, hammers and other 7. Interview with Dr. Mana-Zucca action parts ~ 8. Shura Cherkassky Interview 9. A Potpourri of Performance Regulate piano action to proper specifications ~ 10. Covering Pneumatics Hand rubbed refinishing 11. Recovering Organ Regulators 12. Rebuilding Duo-Art Valves Restore antiques 13. Regulating the Duo-Art Over 20 years research and development in rebuilding pianos I * Also available on Super 8, rental only. For rental or purchase information write to: Piano keys recovered, sharps & naturals Howie Koff Send all or part of your instrument for proper 4271 North First Street #1 restorations. ~ San Jose, CA 95134 PIANO WORKSHOP ~ 3166 W. 33 St. Ph. 216-631-1777 1 ~~AMICAt~_ Cleveland, Ohio 44109 24 hr. answering servo -n,~- ,'Y
For Sale 83-Key FASANO ORGAN
Very large Fasano organ with or,nate Marenghi facade. Instrumentation co'nsists of: violins, flutes, trumpets, trombones, bass & snare drums, chime, xylophone, triangle & cabinets, with many registers. Organ is in good restorable condition with a large stack of book music. Facade is in fair condition. Organ is located in Southern California. $18,000
Parts for Sale
Mahogany piano roll cabinet, rolls are held on clips on 3 doors $250 Wuriitzer/Philips duplex roll frame from early photoplayer $300 Ampico A grand parts, assortment including electric motor, partial drawer, incomplete stack with valves, pump, trackerbar, & mise. $350 Cremona A roll piano pump without hardware $ 50 Wurlitzer roll changer - bottom half only, with some broken parts $400 Homemade Wurlitzer 125 style roll frame, similar in appearance to Orinal $ 50 Brass zonophone phonograph horn $100 Large assortment of Simplex parts, mostly pneumatics & roll motors $150 Duo-Art upright stack $100 Wurlitzer snare drum shell without rings or hardware $ 50 Wurlitzer snare drum shell with one outside ring $ 75 Wurlitzer 13 note set of bells with action from photoplayer $350
Address inquiries to: Dana Johnson, 4905 Shark Dr., Huntington Beach, California 92649 !~ I Telephone 714-846-3702, evenings
...... •••••.• ,~ "It sparkles with joy in their collection" TERRY HATHAWAY
Terry fIathaway
.March 15, 1983
Larry Broadmoore 908 Glenoaks Blvd. #3. San Fernando, Calif. 91340
Dear Larry:
Thank you for assisting me, and for doing all the major pneumatic and refinishing work, on the Cohen's Cremona J orchestrion interior. Your work not only looks clean and sharp, but it seems to work smoothly as well. Something not all restorers manage to do. Jerry and Sylvia Cohen are very pleased w th the instrument. It sparkles with joy in their collection. Peering through the beveled art glass only enhances the beauty of the renewed internal m~chanisms. Only those witnesses to the Cremona's virtual firey death will appreciate its rebirth. But, we know, don't we? Thank you again for taking a major role in bringing the Cremona back to life.
Sincerely, ~waY Te~-Ha/¥
There is no substitute for the skill and knowledge we apply in restoring musical instruments. We use only those materials and procedures that will make an instrument true to its original sound and authentic in its fabrication. 16 years of experience restoring orchestrions and reproducing pianos and our many recommendations are proof of the quality of our work. BROADMOORE AUTOMATIC INSTRUMENT RESTORATIONS Laurence Broadmoore, owner 1709 "C" 1st Street, San Fernando, California 91340 (213) 365·6231 ,.. if II "II .. e;' Hh HH • .. • • iH ~ '1198~ ~ DID YOU MISS THE 1983 CONVENTION ? ~ .. IF SOJ THIS IS FOR YOU. . ~ 1.1 TI IlnllAfl.I" CalU1t111 Musical box favors from the 1983 Chicago Convention are available for purchase. Housing a REUGE movement playing "Chicago", the favor 1S self standing, measures 5~" X 7" and displays a full color photo of the DECAP DANCE ORGAN. The DECAP, built in Antwerp in the early 30's, was the center of attention at the Friday night Roaring 20's Dance at Pedals, Pumpers and Rolls.
* To place your order send $10.00 (includes postage and packaging) to Tom Weishaar, 4 N. 733 Circle Drive, St. Charles, II 60174. Make checks payable to AMICA - Chicago.
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The Saturday evening concert RACHMANINOFF PLAYS CHICAGO featured at the 1983 Convention is now history. If you were unable to attend the Convention, the Chicago Area Chapter has a limited supply of souven1r program booklets rema1n1ng. The concert program booklet contains 80 pages of fascinating articles and historical advertisements relating to automatic musical instruments, including: - The Orchestra: The American Chamber Symphony - The Conductor: Maestro Harold Bauer - The Piano: 9 foot Chickering Ampico - What Are Reproducing Pianos by Robert W. Taylor - Chicago: That Toddling Town of Nickel Grabbers! by James M. Edwards - Piano Concert Without a Pianist from The Musical Courier, Nov.22, 1917 - Rachmaninoff Rehabilitated by Allan Kozinn, courtesy Symphony Magazine - Also: Program Notes, Biographies and more * * * * ** To order send $3.00 (includes postage & handling) to Tom Weishaar, 4 N. 733 Circle Dr., St. Charles, 11 60174. Make checks payable to AMICA - Chicago. Be sure to include your return address.
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