The AMICA News Bulletin of the Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors' Association

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August/September 1983

Volume 20 Number 7 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 INTERNATIONAL OfFICERS perforated paper music rolls. AMICA was founded in San Francisco in 1963. 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 on 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 ADVERTISING (213) 697-1545 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 7W'x10" $80.00 BOARD REPRESENTATIVES Half page 7W'x4W' 40.00 Founding Chapter: Howie Koff Quarter page 35fa"x4 14" 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, Mel Luchetti 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, MI48063 However, AMICA reserves the right to refuse any ad that AMICA GOALS, Robert Moore is not in keeping with AMICA's general standards or if 3100 Sagittarius Dr., Reno, NV 89509 complaints are received indicating that said business AUDIO-VISUAL, Howie Koff does not serve the best interests of the members of 4271 No. First St., #1, San Jose, CA 95134 AMICA according to its goals and bylaws. PUBLICATION, Dorothy Bromage P.O. Box 387, La Habra, CA 90633-0387 ilMICillnternotiono' ;.rTF •••••"."••••••••••,,1"' ••••• 'v' -v ..-oJ" " , •••.•.•••••,,, ~••• ••.•••.•••.••, ; ,', •.~ ;;•••• ••.•••.

AMICA '84 Convention Sterling Silver Pins

Available to all AMICA Chapters for free use is a AMICA pins are now available for $9.00. They fea­

short slide sound presentation, which was given at the ture a roll leader with IIAMICA" on it. They can be Annual Business Meeting in Chicago, in July. Any purchased by writing to Dick Reutlinger, 824 Grove St., Chapter having available for its use a Singer Caramate San Francisco, CA 94117. Make check payable to Projector or a Kodak Ektagraphic Audio Viewer Pro­ AMICA International. The price includes postage and jector, may obtain the slide/sound set from Ron Bopp, handling. These pins look well with women's clothing Rt. 6, Box 676, Joplin, MO. 64801, for use at any Chapter as well as on the lapel of a man's jacket. (Very nice Meetings. holiday gift.)

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CHAPTER OFFICERS AMICA International News Bulletin FOUNDING CHAPTER NEW JERSEY Volume 20 Number 7 August/September 1983 Pres: Phil McCoy Pres: Edward Freyer CONTENTS Vice Pres: Isadora Koff Vice Pres: Oliver Vitakis Treas: Bob Wilcox Sec: Marge Vitakis AMICA International 167 Sec/Reporter: Jack and Dianne Edwards Treas: lenny Finkel Instruments 185 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Reporter: R. F. Groman Pres: Roy Shelso IOWA People 171 Vice Pres: Warren and Rosemary Deasy Pres: AI Johnson The Forum 187 Sec: Holly and Peggy Hollingsworth Vice Pres: George Apland Treas: les Cordell SeclTreas: Bob Shimp Book Review 186 Reporter: Bill Toeppe Reporter: Jack Niewoehner Rolls and Music 170 TEXAS BOSTON AREA News from the Chapters 175 Pres: Dick Barnes Pres: Barry Kasindorf Vice Pres: Bob Smith Vice Pres: Charles Hazard SeclTreas: Betty Plonien Sec: Bill Koenigsberg Reporter: Tom Beckett Treas: Philip Konop MIDWEST Reporter: Donald Brown Cover: Abram Chasins, AMICA Honorary Member, Pres: Edwin Ward NORTHERN LIGHTS celebrated his 80th birthday in August. See articles Vice Pres: Ruth Owen Pres: Steve leppa this issue. New York Times photo by Gene Maggio. Sec: lawrence and Margaret Frazer Vice Pres: Terry Goepel Treas: Alvin Wulfekuhl Sec: Barbara leppa Reporter: Sue Ricca Treas: Robert & Katheryn Dumas 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 Sec/Reporter: David Burke Dutch Pianola Association Society of Friends of Mechanical Musical Instruments (Germany)

<> 167 <> * CONl'ENTIONEWS *

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CHICAGO ARCHITECTURE - A NEW PERSPECTIVE - AN OLD TRADITION - CHESS ON THE LAKE. The pieces from left to right are: John Hancock, 100 stories high, offering spectacular viewing from its observation deck, Water Tower Place, seven-story atrium shopping mall on the Magnificent Mile, Marina Towers, twin circular apartment towers on the Chicago River, and at the far right, the First National Bank in the foreground and directly behind it the white marble Standard Oil Building, the fourth tallest building in the World. (Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau Photo)

Conventionews New Membership Secretary by Dorothy Bromage Since the resignation of Bobby Clark as Membership The Chicago skyline is an unforgettable scene and so Secretary, the Board has been faced with securing some- is the Chicago Convention just concluded the middle of one else for the position, although ordinarily it would July. Highlights of the Convention will appear in the not be vacant until June of 1984. It is the Board's respon­ Bulletin as they are produced. sibility to fill mid-tenn vacancies for the balance of the term of office. Upon recommendation of the Nominat- ing Committee, which did the search for a successor to Bobby, Will Wild and Valerie Anderson were named to fill the unexpired term. Will and Valerie will be the contact for membership matters now. See the Bulletin masthead for phone number and address - which for­ tunately is the same P.O. Box in Columbia, South Carolina used by Bobby. You can expect to hear from Will in another month or so regarding renewal of mem- . bership for 1984. Welcome Will and Valerie. Now you ~ get to work with the computerized membership system you designed and helped Bobby put into place for AMICA.

<> 168 <> Election Result New Chapter Formed

At the Annual Meeting of AMICA International in AMICA has a new chapter, the Southeast Area Chicago, there was a report of the Nominating Commit- Chapter. At the Board meeting on July 13, the charter .,/ tee headed by Ron Bopp. The sole nominee for Publisher was granted. Those AMICA members in the Southeast was myself, and I was reelected for another term. The part of the USA may contact John O'Loughlin for infor­ year of office of International officers runs from Annual mation about joining. Meeting to Annual Meeting. There is election of officers We now have 15 chapters, with two more groups every two years, with the exception of the office of holding organizational meetings and stirring up a great Publisher which carries a one-year term. So we are set deal of interest in automatic musical instruments in the for another year. areas where they are meeting.

Archives Committee Report Audio-Visual Committee Report 1982-1983 July II, 1983 The committee would welcome the donation of July 8, 1983 Duo-Art, AMPICO, and Welte catalogs especially. With There was very little new activity by the AN com­ the Board's approval, we would like to advertise regu­ mittee in the last year. The most significant happening larly in the AMICA Bulletin for archival materials. was Al Werolin getting a video recorder, allowing us to Currently the archival material is kept in a locked finally present him with a copy of the Pasadena conven­ filing cabinet in the library at Oakland Community tion tape as a gift from the club. College, Royal Oak Campus, Royal Oak, Michigan. The The promised videotape from the New Jersey con­ building has a security system, is climate controlled, vention was never delivered, so there are no available and nobody has access to the filing cabinet except the copies for the membership. Maybe we'll get one from librarian, Jim Weisenborne. Chicago? The Archives currently consists of two legal size One new OMNIMEDIA tape, on Ampico rebuilding, filing cabinet drawers. Among the general items col­ is finished shooting and awaiting editing. We hope to get lected are: to it soon. .,/ Archival copies of the AMICA bulletins Rental activity was slow. Total rental royalties were Archival copies of the AMICA Technicalities under $100.00 for the year. However, costs were also Videotape copies of past AMICA convention programs, right and the club turned a net profit for the yearon AN. interviews with guest artists Club correspondence Past minutes of the club Howard F. Koff, Chairman Clippings, photos, brochures, advertisements July 8, 1983 Pianocorder information Lists of organ rolls by various companies ,-.,--~~- .. ~ ~ --~--- -'1 Catalogs from American International Galeries i WILLS'S ~IGARETTES. Catalogs from Mekanik Musik Museum I i Catalogs from Antique Mechanical Musical Instruments AMICA directories Auto·Plano. A .. e4rl)' .as 1860 a patent was taken out til the United St41te3 Past convention packets, programs (or

Front and back ofcard enclosed with cigarettes. Contributed by Terry Smythe,

<> 169 <> Rolls ond Music 'J c t~M' ~ " Sounding Out the Past maintaining of "automatic music." I have been record­ by Ray Palmer ing and collecting "oral histories" or conversations with people who worked at the Mastertouch Piano Roll I would like to share with fellow AMICAns some of Company in Sydney, Australia, in the 1920s. These con­ the highlights of the fourth Annual Conference of the versations have formed the nucleus of a history of the International Association of Sound Archives; Austra­ company, which I am currently writing. lian Branch IIASAJ, held in Canberra City in June, 1983. I look forward to attending one of AMICA's conven­ This year, a wide variety of people interested in preserv­ tions one day. ing sound gathered. One of the sessions which I was fortunate to chair was titled: "The Reproducing Piano - a treasure trove of Thanks to Southern California nineteenth century practice." The paper was given by Mr. Larry Sitsky, pianist, com­ by lack Edwards poser and musicologist. His refreshing talk was illus­ trated by slides and recordings representing Welte, Bids are being received for the roll auction, and until Duo-Art and Ampico. He highlighted the need to it comes time to start packing up and shipping out the preserve such instruments and, indeed, the skills neces­ rolls, things are a bit quieter around "auction central." sary to maintain them so that future generations will Now, the chapter has time and opportunity to extend realize their significance as a medium of sound and our heartfelt thanks to all those people in the Southern piano performance. Mr. Sitsky pointed out to the audi­ California Chapter for their help in getting all those roll ence the difference between players and reproducing lists into the mail. Howie and Isadora Koff, who did pianos. A number of anecdotes included: Arnpico's ef­ most of the organizing of the auction, said that without fort in marketing the spinet Ampico; that Debussy an­ the assistance of the Southern California Chapter, the ,­ nounced one day to Mr. Welte, "The world has produced auction would have galloped from a one aspirin two great musicians - Beethoven and me"; and who headache to full migrain proportions in no time at all. Lucy Hickenlooper became (do you know?). The session Specifically, all of us in the Founding Chapter would generated considerable interest in the reproducing like to thank Dorothy Bromage, Roy Shelso, Larry piano and was a worthy inclusion in the busy conference Norman. Bill Toeppe, Evelyn Meeder Schaller, Brian schedule. Meeder} and Herb Stockinger. All these folks have to do One of the earlier sessions was given by Sam Hamil­ is let us know, and we will return a favor any time. At ton, formerly associated with managing the Beatles. He least, the next time they journey north, they are invited demonstrated Philips Compact Disc. Most amazingwas to stop by for a glass of Napa Valley fruit juice. the playing of Aschkenazy performing the Mozart A Major Piano Concerto. The range of guest speakers proved fascinating with recordings of famous Australians including P. C. Spouce, a legendary mouth organist from the twenties. The technical sessions, on the last day of the confer­ ence, were held in the National Library of Australia. "Ruins of Athens" The library is at present recording early wax cylinders Beethoven-Liszt and transcription discs onto tape for preservation. F. Busoni Welte 1322 Whilst in Canberra, I met a fellow collector who has completely rebuilt a Carousel fairground organ. It is an Here is another ofLiszt's transcriptions ofa work of early German organ operated by cardboard books of one of the "great's" - Beethoven. Again Busoni shows music. He has asked me to pass on his request for infor­ his remarkable abilities as a colorist in this roll. His mation leading to re-cutting further books of music and passage playing is of the utmost delicacy, shimmering acquiring such books. Can any AMICAn help? pedal effects, tones in the upper register "pinged" out to sound like little bells, are intermingled with stretches Finally, I wonder how many AMICAns have taken of daring bravura. Busoni was not averse to taking the time to record conversations on tape with people liberties as he was a man of towering intellect and /" who worked and performed in the playerindustry. "Oral uncompromising integrity. His liberties were looked histories," as they are called, are fascinating and are very upon as the prerogatives of sovereign masters of the revealing avenues to finding out more about the past keyboard. Such liberties today would be frowned upon. and the people involved in performance, production and - Emmett M. Ford

o 170 0 Golschmann, Sir Eugene Goosens, Dmitri Mitropoulos, Rudolf Ganz, Howard Hanson, Erick Leinsdorf, Paul White, Guy Fraser Harrison, Theodore Bloomfield, Massimo Preccia, Gonzalo Roig and Laszlo Somogyi. PEe/AL ROLL Mr. Echaniz appeared with the Valencia Symphony Orchestra in Spain with Jose iturbi conducting. Mr. Echaniz was the conductor of the Grand Rapids Imperial Songrecord #06967 Symphony Orchestra in Michigan in the seasons from "That's my Weakness Now" 1948 to 1954. He was soloist with orchestras in Belgium, Shapiro, Bernstein the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Portugal and Spain in Viola and William Heleba the winter/spring season of 1966. 122 Winthrop Ave., Albany, NY 12203 His first phonograph recordings were in the early Welte-Mignon #2783 days of electrical recording for Columbia and in the "Goyescas (Los Requiebros) 1950's he made his famous series of Spanish keyboard by Granados works for Westminister. 1 Recent phonograph recordings Mark Reinhart were made for the Musical Heritage Society. An all Liszt 130 Dalkeith Glen, Arnold, MD 21012 recital was recorded by Mr. Echaniz in a single "take"­ a feat virtually unparalled in today's recording practices. It was released by MHS. Mr. Echaniz was also active in clinics and music workshops in the U.S. during the regular academic year and was also active in the summertime Lake Placid Chamber Music Festival and School, which he founded at the resort in 1963. He was its director until his death. He was the pianist for the Lake Placid Trio. IS THERE A SPECIAL ROLL YOU WANT Send as much information as you can to Dorothy Bromage, On September 2, 1969 he and his wife, Dulce, cele­ Publisher, AMICA News Bulletin, P.O. Box 387, La Habra, CA brated their fortieth wedding anniversary. 90633-0387. On December 1968 he was scheduled to give his first New York recital in eleven years but was so ill from what was described as Hong Kong flu he was able to perform only the first half of the program on the stage of Philharmonic Hall in Lincoln Center. His scheduled .,. ,-. yAT A At "" appearances and the Kilbourn Hall recital in celebration of his twenty-fifth anniversary on the Eastman faculty were cancelled. ESM director, Walter Hendl, in a gesture of honor, People gave a dinner for Mr. Echaniz with some two hundred

Former Honorary Member Jose Echaniz by Emmett M. Ford

Jose Echaniz was born in Gaunabacoa, Cuba, June 4, 1905. His father was his first music instructor. He at­ tended the Falcon Conservatory in Havana and at the age of fourteen was awarded the title Professor of Piano. His U.S. debut was in Town Hall in New York, 1922. Tours were made with the Italian tenor, Tito Schipa, in joint recitals and Mr. Echaniz also made solo appear­ ances. From 1924 to 1932 he had a studio in Havana where he taught and also held, for twelve years, a professorship at the Conservatory of Music at James Milliken Univer­ sity in Decatur, Illinois. Later he joined the faculty of the Eastman School of Music in a full-time teaching position but continued to be active as a recitalist in the U.S., Europe and the Caribbean and with major orches­ rose Echaniz, 1941 tras under such conductors as Frederick Stock, Vladimir o III 0 'guests attending. The dinner was held in the Hutchin­ Who's that with Kottmann? son House, November 4, 1969in honor of Mr. Echaniz's twenty-fifth anniversary at the school. by Albert Fox His death was December 30, 1969 in his Pittsford Several years ago, Mrs. Kottmann, widow of my . home. He had suffered from cancer for several months, piano trade boss Mr. Eric Kottmann, brought out some (r-' cancelling what would have been his most active season interesting items when we as a family made a call on in several years. He is survived by his wife Dulce, a her. daughter, Maria and two sons, Jose Jr. and Carlos and grandchildren. We kept in touch, as we loved calling on them when Mr. Kottmann was alive, and so kept up a visit from time His musicianship commanded admiration and his to time after he died. warm personality inspired a spontaneous and genuine affection on the part of those who knew him. He had The item that I feel will be of interest to readers of sponsored for a decade the Cuban pianist, Luis Gonzales AMICA is the photo enclosed of a group of men standing Rojas, now on the faculty of the School of the Ozarks. in front of a Hupfeld Phonoliszt-Violina. The second Though Mr. Echaniz was known for his recordings of man from the left is Mr. Eric Kottman, who migrated to Spanish music, he was an interpreter of Mozart and Melbourne, Australia. The others are not known to me Liszt and believed in the value of a thorough grounding but I thought some of them may be known to our in the classical repertory. It was not uncommon for his American collectors as I believe that some went to pupils to undertake the entire "Well-Tempered Clavier" America when the instrument was sold there. of Bach, or as a class, the two dozen plus concertos of Mozart. In the early 1920's, Mr. Echaniz recorded the works of Cergantes and Vogrich for Duo-Art2 and for Ampico one of his own piano works plus those of Cervantes and Soro. He also recorded his arrangement of the works of Larregla (Viva Navarra) and del Valle (Zapateo Cubano).

ITwelve Spanish Dances - Granados Westminister WL 5181. This lp recording is the first complete version of Granados' "Spanish Dances" available for a good number of years. Re­

corded 1953 and highly recommended for his interpretation. y r 21n a letter to me, Mrs. Echaniz states: flJ don't know if you are aware of the fact that these Duo-Art and Ampico rolls were made by my husband when he was 15 or 16 years of age-at the age when most music students are not even undergraduates in

their conservatories. fI Note: My thanks to Mr. Lawrence Naukam of the Local His­ tory Division of the Rochester Public Library and to Mrs. Dulce H. Echaniz for reading, correcting and adding to this sketch. Her interest and kindness is truly appreciated. e.m.f.

Claire Rivers - ANew Honorary Member by Ali E. Werolin

At the recent annual meeting of AMICA's Board of Directors, former Ampico recording artist Claire Rivers (Mrs. Moody) was unanimously elected an Honorary Member in AMICA. In addition to solo concert appearances, Ms. Rivers served as an accompanist for many well known singers. After making several accompaniment rolls for the Am­ I was told by Mr. Kottman that one of the gentlemen pico with soprano Marie Louise Wagner, she toured the standing in front of the instrument invented the idea of country extensively during 1916 and 1917 demonstrat­ the circular bow. The instrument is shown and dis- ./" ing these rolls. Although she continues to play the cussed in the David Q. Bowers' wonderful book. piano, she no longer teaches. She resides with her son in Washington, D.C. It would be wonderful to find one of these men still alive, or at least some of their descendants. We welcome Claire Rivers to our distinguished group of Honoraries. <> 172 <> Eightieth Birthday for Honorary NOW THEREFORE BE ITRESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Member Abram Chasins OF THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES by Dorothy Bromage THAT ABRAM CHASINS, UPON RETIREMENT FROM KUSC, IS HEREBY Born in New York City August 17, 1903, Abram is HIGHLY COMMENDED ON HIS now a resident of Los Angeles. He recently attended a OUTSTANDING meeting of the Southern California Chapter where he ACCOMPLISHMENTS, ABILITY, AND was hailed by fellow octogenarians - and fellow Hon­ SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY, OR orary Members - Robert Armbruster and Leonard SINCERE BEST WISHES ARE OFFERED Smith. FOR CONTINUED SUCCESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS. Following is some information on honors received by Abram during a rich musical life. ABRAM CHASINS HONORED BY THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES December, 1977 ABRAM CHASINS AS MUSICAL PIONEER WHEREAS, ABRAM CHASINS, COMPOSER-PIANIST, AUTHOR, In addition to being among the most versatile figures TEACHER, RADIO PIONEER, AND FOR on the musical scene, Abram Chasins has a remarkable TWENTY-FIVE YEARS inventory of "firsts" to his credit. MUSIC-DIRECTOR OF WQXR, THE At nineteen, he won the first scholarship of the Juil­ RADIO STATIONS OF THE NEW YORK liard Foundation. Seven years later at the Curtis Insti­ TIMES, RETIRED TO LOS ANGELES IN tute of Philadelphia, he was the protege of its Dean, Josef 1972 TO BECOME MUSICIAN IN Hofmann, who appointed Chasins as Director of the RESIDENCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF Supplementary Piano Department. Chasins im­ SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, AND mediately intiated a new concept based on his studies with Sir Donald Francis Tovey. WHEREAS, THIS VERSATILE ARTIST CHANNELED The study of piano literature and compositional HIS EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE INTO analysis were combined to develop stylistic and au­ THE UNIVERSITY RADIO STATION thoritative musicianship. The course was open to all KUSC IN THE ROLES OF ARTISTIC students and faculty members. Among the attendants at DIRECTOR AND CONSULTANT Chasins's classes were Renee Miquelle Longy, Saul Cas­ (VOLUNTEERING HIS SERVICE) AND ton, William Kincaid, Vladimir Sokoloff, Freda Pastor, THROUGH HIS UNTIRING EFFORTS Shura Cherkassky, Jeanne Behrend, Henri Temianka, TRANSFORMED THIS CAMPUS Alexander McCurdy, Carl Weinrich. STATION INTO A NATIONALLY Chasins was the first contemporary American com­ PROMINENT ENTITY, AND poser performed by Toscanini (1931, N.Y. Philharmonic "Parade"). He was the first to initiate "Piano Pointers," a WHEREAS, ABRAM CHASINS IN LESS THAN FIVE master-class of the air which he introduced as YEARS, HAS SET UNPRECEDENTED commentator-pianist over the CBS and NBS networks STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE BY HIS (1930-1938). VISIONARY DIRECTION AND BY HIS He was the first to develop and direct an all­ OWN RADIO PROGRAMS, WHICH classical-music radio station, WQXR AM-FM, in 1941. CONTRIBUTED DRAMATICALLY TO Acquired in 1944 by The New York Times, WQXR under THE ENRICHMENT AND MATURITY Chasins's musical direction became the most cele­ OF MUSIC AND THE OTHER ARTS IN brated and emulated station of its kind. LOS ANGELES, AND, Upon Chasins's mandatory retirement (1965) he was invited to become Musician in Residence at the Univer­ WHEREAS, HIS DEDICATION TO QUALITY sity of Southern California in Los Angeles, where he BROADCASTING SINCE 1932 established another prestigious radio station (KUSC, ESTABLISHES HIM AS THE PRIMARY non-commercial, 1972-1977). Soon, he transformed this PRECURSOR OF THE CURRENT student-run, part-time outlet into the leading music CLASSICAL MUSIC AND station of the National Public Radio network. Then, INFORMATION STATIONS AS AN Chasins also established there for the first time a Cha­ ENDURING LEGACY TO MUSIC AND sins Musical-Radio-Internship offering scholarships to CULTURE OF THE LOS ANGELES students from any university who qualified for the COMMUNITY AND THROUGHOUT competitions he initiated, to become professionally THE UNITED STATES OVER THE trained Administrators. NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO NETWORK, After KUSC was launched, Chasins retired to write the first full-scale biography of Leopold Stokowski fol-

o 173 0 lowing his death (1977). The celebrated conductor and Competition in Moscow in 1958. Remembered less well Chasins were both on the faculty of the Curtis Institute is that he had won the Levenritt Competition only 4 in Philadelphia when they accepted the invitation of the years previously but that had led him to no special place University of Pennsylvania to work together as a team in his career. Abram Chasins recounted receiving a call to conduct research relating to the improved projection from Van Cliburn's teacher Rosina Lhevinne asking and reproduction of sound, (1934-35). Many far-reaching Abram what he thought of sending Van Cliburn to results in sonority, frequency modulation, and Moscow. In the understatement of the decade Abram stereophonic sound eventually emerged from these ex­ reported saying that it certainly couldn't hurt Van's periments. career since it had nowhere to go but up. Of course itwas Chasins has chaired many eminent competition the novelty-the gimmick-of a tall blonde Texanwinning juries internationally. During the 1981 Van Cliburn the competition that caused the sensation. Piano Competition, he became the first chairman Every major figure has won a competition but there whose jury employed video-taped auditions in the pre­ are also many prize winners who have rightfully never selections of the contestants. Chasins is also responsi­ been heard from again once they won the competition. ble for initiating theCasals Cello Competition in Israel. Because so many think that winning a competition will In 1961, Chasins won for WQXR the coveted Peabody somehow "make" their career a group of "chronic con­ Award for the WQXR school activities Musical Talent testants" has grown up. These people try to "make in Our Schools and the In-Service Courses for teachers points" with judges, not listening to themselves and which he devised and directed. having conviction about what is being played. Too of­ As a faculty member of notable academic and musi­ ten, in short, dramatizing just for effect. (For those aware cal institutions, as author of various source books of current artists, Ivo Pogorelich must be mentioned. He translated into German, Russian, and Spanish, Chasins is, in the judgement of these panelists, intent on mak­ occupies a uniquely scholarly position. Yet, as "the ing an impression. But he also has an electrical quality father of classical radio in the USA," so described by and genius that makes an enormous impression on the BBC, CBC, French and Israel broadcasters in programs public.) honoring Chasins, he is equally a musical popularizer of Often a contestant asks "What should I do to win?" the same distinction that he enjoys as composer, Seymour Lipkin pointed out that what was needed to pianist, teacher, author, and Professor Emeritus of Usc. win a competition was what is needed outside of com­ petitions: a feeling for the music, Lipkin continued that a judge is struck by an individual voice, one playing the Chasins on Competitions and Careers way he would play at home. Gary Graffman observed that a competition is only by Robert M. Taylor as good as its judges. By requiring every contestant to playa particular piece judges distort results - ask what "Piano Competitions: Their Artistic and Practical a contestant can do well is a better way. In judging a Problems and Advantages" was the topic of a discussion contest, Abram Chasins reported, he waits to be swayed held October 14, 1982 at the Manhattan School of by the playing: to put down his pen and be caught up in Music. Our Honorary Member Abram Chasins led the the style, color, arresting interpretation with ideas and discussion with able additions by Seymour Lipkin and imagination that reveals something new. Gary Graffman. AMICAns who have come to know If competitions are so universally disliked why have Abram Chasins through his books or in person will them? Because it seems to be the only way to get a recognize that he knows the subject of piano competi­ manager. Because a career often begins (and certainly tions in depth; his varied and distinguished career made the observations even more valuable as there were ques­ continues) through the good graces of a conductor ­ who may have been a judge at a competition. tions between the panelists. As we look at the pianists of today and yesteryear Joining Abram Chasins was Gary Graffman - who two very wise observations should be kept in mind. "If coined the term OYAP (Oustanding Young American you judge an artist by what he does poorly then nobody Pianists) - and who was one of that group that in pre-jet would be acceptable!" (Gary Graffman). "It's hard to be days of the 1950's criss-crossed the world. Gary's recent an all-around pianist." (Abram Chasins). autobiography should be read by all who enjoy the piano. The title gives a taste of the wonderful humor throughout the book: I Really Should Be Practicing. In his book Gary Graffman discusses piano competition [r7J][1ImnIT1ijfj'rItfummmmm and tells of his participation in them both as a contes­ tant and judge. Also on the program was Seymour Lipkin who is on Marcel Dupre Pipe Organ Rolls the faculty at the Manhattan School of Music. Mr. Lip­ by Emmett M. Ford kin was the winner of the 1948 Rachmanioff Competi­ tion, and has participated in many other competitions. Jess V. McCartney replied to my request printed in a Competitions are, it seems, a necessary evil and recent bulletin for a list of Marcel Dupre's pipe organ calaly;t to make a career. The prime example that we all rolls. I forgot to give him credit and I apologize to Jess for know is the Van Cliburn success at the Tchaikovsky the neglect.

o 174 0 N etcs frotH the Chapters

FOUNDING CHAPTER

Sam Thompson Helps Al Werolin Celebrate by Tack Edwards

It seems as though all reports of AMICA meetings are couched in nothing but superlatives. Words such as "marvelous" and "beautiful" and the like are the only words used to describe a member's home and collection. This is as it should be. One would hardly want to see a report start out, "Jonses place is a pig pen." It just seems as though some new words ought to be invented by someone to describe homes such as that that belongs to Sam Thompson loads a roll into his Stein way Ampico Sam Thompson, host of the founding Chapter's June meeting, and events such as the onesthat took place in Sam's (Look out! Here comes Mr. Redundant of 1983.) marvelous, beautiful home. If one were to describe Sam's home, one would have to mention that it once belonged to early Californian, General Tilden, and is now an official California Histor­ ical Site. Then, one would have to describe the perfectly landscaped grounds, and the interior which had all of us drooling. The Bible says that we're not supposed to ./ covet our friends belongings. I'm sorry, but last Sunday, I was into some heavy coveting. A large, pun intended, part of the charm of Sam's home to any AMICAn would have to be his 9'5" Stein­ way Ampico. Of course, we all know that Steinways are Duo-Arts, but somebody forgot to tell Sam that. What is more interesting is that all of the electrical machinery is in the basement. When the piano sits down to play, all you can hear is the music. Sam must indeed be partial to Marjorie Werolin helps the birthday boy Al read greetings Ampicos. He has just come into a 192? Fisher Ampico A. from one of AI's old friends, Freddie Chopin. It is in the smaller back room. It plays well nigh per­ fectly. I doubt if anybody has done anything to it. Once chairman of the Honorary Members committee. Be­ in the house, it probably played perfectly out of respect cause he is chairman of the committee that chooses to everything else in the home. honorary members, and because he is such a friend and Sam is also a man of many talents and hobbies. In valued person in our chapter, we voted to give Alf a addition to being a more than gracious host and a collec­ lifetime honorary membership in our local chapter. tor of Ampicos, Sam is an amateur radio enthusiast, Whether it was because of Alf's birthday, or just ham, and he collects motion pictures. I realize that because she was close by, in Reno gambling away her many people today have their Betamaxes and other VCR fortune, International VP, Molly Yeckley also made her equipment, and their collections of movies of various way to Sam's. Molly, along with any other out of town technical and artistic qualities, but not Sam. Sam has a AMICAns, is always welcome to come to one of our collection of over six hundred 35 mm prints of all kinds monthly salutes to good music and general hedonism. of films. In his library Isaw a collection of Three Stooges classics, John Wayne flicks and some very recent re­ In late July (the thirty-first ought to qualify for late leases. While I journeyed into his basement inner July) we will be gathering at Dick Reutlinger's home in sanctum, he was showing something which was in color San Francisco to hear a genuine ragtime band. Molly and wide screen. said that she regretted that she wouldn't be in town to hear them. This reporter is happy that he will be. One of the reasons this meeting was so very special (Photos by Rob Thomas) was that our long time friend, Alf Werolin, was celebrat­ ing his birthday. As many AMICAns know, Alf is

o 175 0 NEW JERSEY

Discovery in New Jersey by Richard Groman

By all indications the summer of '83 was going to be just another blase time, but 10 and behold in a puff of smoke, a cache of unique-ities appeared. Guess where, in New Jersey, or so wrote Mr. Richard Fader of Fort Lee, New Jersey. Our scavenger crew consisting of Jeff Morgan, Frank "Just Like A Butterfly" Thompson, and Alan Lightcap, Esq. motored through the country-side of New Jersey to the Glutted Garage of Glorious Gadgets. As the pictures will attest many rare and de­ Picture 3 shows all the membersgathered around the Duo-Art sireable artifacts were uncovered. pile. The Ampico pile, just as big and impressive had already been classified and packed away in Frank Thompson's resto­ ration studio. The work done, the trio disbanded, awaiting the next siren call of the reproducing piano.

Upon arriving at their destination the three cabal­ leros poo-pooed the curse of Andre Kmita inscribed over the portal. After prying open the door permitting the first rays of light to enter in 30 years, the explorers were held in awe by the sight of hundreds upon hundreds of player piano parts. The men carefully and methodically gathered all the treasures in boxes, labeling each piece. Emptying the inner sanctum, they took everything back to Chez Thompson, where the merry band divvied up the spoils.

Picture 1 shows the many drawers found in the first chamber. ~ Among the lot was a rare Art-Echo drawer held by our two explorers. Doc Morgan also discovered five cases of Neuweiler's Lager stashed away in the ante chamber, put there to make passing on to the "other world" a bit smoother. As ofthis writing one PHILADELPHIA AREA half a case still survives.

The Media Meeting by Bob Rosencrans

Sunday afternoon, June 12th, saw the Philadelphians at the home of Jim Chadwick and Herb Yorgey in Media, Pennsylvania. The meeting was moved up from the customary third Sunday of the month due to Father's Day. Along with Alan Lightcap, who is a member of the New Jersey Chapter, Jim was very instrumental in help­ ing to organize the Philadelphia Area Chapter back in 1974. He is a piano technician, and hence was in a position to supply names and addresses of individuals possibly interested in forming a local AMICA Chapter. Although he was one of our founding members, this was Picture 2 shows an exorcism being performed on the accursed the first time the Chapter had the opportunity to visit organ motor. his collection.

<> 176 <> Paul Welsh pointing to Jim's Regina music box. That's Jim Chadwick behind the barrel organ, Jesse Macartney (back) and Chapter Secretary Frank Basil.

/

Herb Yorkey seated in front of Jim's orchestrelle Philadelphians John Berry, Barbara Macartney and Faye Cressman. Jim and Herb's house is a surprise. From outside it and English Horn rank. Lack of space finds the Weber looks like any split level of the fifties. Inside, it is late Upright Duo-Art relegated to a spare bedroom, but Victorian. Furniture, light fixtures, lamps and bric-a­ visitors here can also hear some of the phonographs brac all reflect the hosts' careful selection and attention such as the Victor Credenza Orthophonic, and the Edi­ to detail. son William and Mary console diamond disc machine Jim's collection of mechanical music instruments is with its "LP" attachment. In addition we saw a Regina one of the most interesting and varied in our Chapter, Music Box, Tanzbar Concertina, Roller Organs, and and he demonstrated each of them for us. The Mills musical toys and novelties such as the Rollmonica and Violano is the only instrument in the collection ob­ Play-A-Sax. tained from its original owner. It was used in a combina­ After our hosts had completed-the grand tour of his tion ice cream parlor-candy shop up through the early collection, President Rosencrans called a very brief 30's. The 1920 Knabe Ampico has the early simpler business meeting. He again urged all to attend the drawer looking more like a Stoddard than the model A Chicago International Convention in July. Our Sep­ that it is. For those who read John Grant's update in the tember meeting will be held at Don Wood's apartment May '83 Bulletin, this 6'4" piano was built without a in a historic old center city townhouse. pump reservoir. The Cocchi, Baccigalup and Graffigna Following the business meeting, we continued to Barrel Organ, was built about 1895, judging by the news­ enjoy the afternoon. Herb's culinary skills were much in paper lining the pumps. It was updated about 1940 with evidence. Jim's anecdotes about his instruments made a repilUling of the barrel with such familiar tunes as "Whistle While You Work" and "Beer Barrel Polka." for a most interesting, educational experience, and we Jim's Solo Orchestrelle is a style XY, Louis XVI with are indebted to him for sharing them with us. nine ranks of reeds, including the UJlusual pizzicatto o 177 0 BOSTON AREA

,-.-.­ ,"'-'

Barry Kasindorf holds meeting on veranda.

.,....-

Wurlitzer Band Organ entertaining in back yard.

The Boston Chapter Summer Picnic guests. Out in the family room, a 1918 Melville Clark Apollo X performed perfectly. And this model has no by Don Brown auto tracker to keep roll straight, Next to it, the 1909 Wilcox & White Upright Angelus Melodant needs a bit On the 10th of July, the Boston Chapter held a sum- of foot pumping to sta~t r?lL And then it's motor driven mer meeting at the home of Alan Pier in Suburban tore-roll a.nd back. ThIs plano also had a toy dancing girl Billerica. The great sound of a Wurlitzer Band Organ "':lth a wIggle pneu~atlc hooked to t~e stack. ~his playing in the back yard helped guide all comers to their pla~o has pouches mstead of p~eu.m~tlcs for stnker destination, This instrument is jointly owned by Alan actIOn. Alan had.to r~place a bean~g m It after sp~ndi~g and Marv Horovitz. Early members were able to browse the moml~g tunmg It.for the ~eetmg. The last plano m along the pianos and rolls inside and make the 1923 thIS room IS a 1920 Hames Upnght Arnpico which many Cremon.a 'Quarterlodeon' play. Later, Alan provided a of us played. guided tour and demonstration of each instrument in President Barry Kasindorf held a meeting outside the ,,- the collection. The 1931 Mason & Hamlin Arnpico B in big veranda and lawn. Our treasurer reported we were the. living room performed Gershwin, and the 1923 solvent, and Marv Horovitz told us about a large sum- Stemway Duo-Art played selected rolls brought by mer camp called Agassiz Village in Maine that has a o 178 0 All metal Gebhart Auto Heigel metal tubing too. 1918 Melville Clark playing a new artcraft roll by Doug Hen­ derson.

After the meeting, Doug Henderson from the Musi­ cal Wonder House of Wiscasset Maine demonstrated some of his Artcraft rolls that he has hand cut one hole at a time on a Leabargan type perforator. He offers a custom re-cut service of 16 copies at reasonable price. He brought flyers about the pianos and music boxes and the evening concerts of July and August at the Wonder House in Maine. The group had a great summer meeting at Alan Pier's.

MIDWEST 1920 Haines Ampico, Doug Henderson demonstrating new rolls. permanent Carousel with Band Organ on site. It has a May Meeting roof, but is otherwise exposed to the Maine climate. The by Sue Ricca squirrels and field mice have nested in the Organ for over 12 years. The camp trustees have finally decided We revisited Molly and Lee Yeckley's home and that both Carousel & Organ should be restored. Marv & enjoyed the three major reproducers, a 1922 Steinway 7 Alan are now in process of tear down and restoration of ft. AR Duo-Art; 1924 Baldwin 5'6/1 Welte-Mignon (lie.); ~he 179 <> r­ ,r-

George Kallis beside his Stinson Caliola. Carol Theil with Single Mills Violano.

Patricia Muylaert and George Kallis' music boxes.

Marian Gorski and her Regina Corona.

two Tom and Jerry piano based cartoons, the 1923 J& C Fischer Ampico A, a Seeburg "L" Nickelodeon and the Frenchmodel Scopitone placed among his many music boxes and phonographs. Following that, we listened to a Stinson Caliola in their garage. These fine instruments were nicely complemented by Mary's handiwork, an­ tique dolls and a gorgeous collection of fine china. The women "oohed and aahed" over her rebuilt kitchen. After an incapacitating "all you can eat" brunch, we moved on to see the collection of Marian and Michael Gorski, in Westlake, Ohio. Another lovely house, full of surprises. Starting with their additional living room, built on to accomodate his extensive collecting. We saw a Steinway Duo-Art, QR a Regina Corona music box, and a single Mills Violano-Virtuoso. (aren't they Mary Kallis stands beside her 1923 ,. eY C. Fischer. beauties!). Then, hardly visible, hidden in the carpeting, ./

o 180 0 /

Margaret Frazier walks through telephone booth. Bob Lemon and Bob Patton examine Ken Winters' supply of a unique removable living room floor section, to permit automatic instruments waiting their turn for restoration. the transferring of instruments between levels, as this room's only way down to the finished basement was a winding staircase [hardly conducive to piano moving). To continue with the surprises, access from one room to the other in Michael's fun filled basement areas was a public telephone booth with a swing-open back panel which led into a turn-of-the-century "Speak-Easy" complete with metal ceiling of the period, a bar, an upright player piano, many gambling machines, video arcades galore, victrolas, etc. See Margaret Frazier walk­ ing through the telephone booth in this picture? The entire basement was lined with collectibles; juke boxes, slot machines, a Seeburg Nickelodeon, Sousa Gala­ phone, Regina Hexaphone, Quartoscope, Fortune Tel- , - ler, Mickey Tug-O-War, etc. / The Gorski's have one of the finest collections of memorabilia from Penny Arcades, and I don't think Ed Joswick missed pulling a single slot machine. Audrey and Ken Winters (our hosts), Mel Locher and Bob Lemon getting their share of the goodies.

SIERRA.NEVADA

UOh, Wilderness, Were Paradise Enow!" by Mel and Karen Locher

On the glorious day of June 25 Sierra-Nevada AMI­ CAns met for the third time at the home of Ken and Audrey Winters in Paradise, California. It was indeed an ideal day, and Audrey and Ken had planned a family picnic for members and their children, with arrival time scheduled for 12 noon and the picnic at 1 p.m. Those of us who have visited the Winters before know how beau­ tiful the little city of Paradise is, with tall pine trees, the Oh, boy! Was that raspberry shortcake ever delicious! Bob etJ / "blowing rose" and other colorful blossoms, and lus­ Sonja Lemon, lulie and Bob Patton, Audrey etJ Ken Winters, cious vegetables and berries just waiting to be picked and Karen Locher behind Ken. and eaten.

<> 181 <> Audrey suddenly remembered a doll show was being held some twelve miles away at the Chico Fairgrounds, so the ladies present jumped into Sonja Lemon's car and took in that interesting event and an adjacent flea market. 0 Although only eight of us were present June 25, we . did enjoy ourselves and departed late in the evening very full and feeling much more learned about automatic antique musical instruments than we had upon arrival.

'~~

IOWA

Ken and Audrey's Ellington Manuello player. Pipe Organ and Pianos by Jael< Niewoehner

The Iowa Chapter met for their second meeting of 1983 on a rainy Sunday afternoon in May at the home of Alvin Johnson and his mother, Clara. I learned shortly after I arrived, that lightning had set their home on fire just two days earlier. Fortunately, the actual damage was minor, but the interior of the house had been covered with soot. Al had considered postponing the meeting, but carrying on in the true AMICA spirit, he had worked himself to exhaustion cleaning up and preparing for the meeting. _ After a short business meeting concerning mainly /...... the proposed schedule of our meetings for the remainder of the year, we all set off for the small town of Cleremont Bob, Ken, and Mel discussing valves, pouches, and bleeds. to attend the pipe organ recital. We were now going to see and hear the organ that we learned about at our January meeting. The organ is a W. W. Kimball Tubular Pneumatic pipe organ, built in 1896 at a cost of $3,000. It is a two manual and pedal organ of 27 ranks, having a total of 1,554 pipes. It was completely restored in 1980 with funds from a Federal Historic Preservation Grant, at a cost of $24,000. The guest organist played a wide variety of selections including Bach's "Toccata and Fugue in 0 minor," two selections by Anton Dvorak, and "The Entertainer" by Scott Joplin. After the reCital, we took a look inside the pipe chamber and at the console. Al explained that the tubu­ lar pneumatic organ was a transition organ action be­ tween the tracker organ and the electro-pneumatic. The tubular pneumatic action works like a player piano ex­ cept that the keys open a small hole, rather than a roll traveling across a tracker bar. It would therefor be quite Audrey, Karen etJ Sonja returning from the Doll Show. easy to add a roll playing mechanism to this organ. We returned to AI's for an afternoon lunch prepared We again admired the Ellington Manuello upright by his mother, Clara, and Beulah Hubbard, who unfor­ and also heard a Haynes Bros. Ampico A. upright; then tunately had other commitments and wasn't able to paraded off to the Winters' piano shop where we saw the stay for the meeting. We resumed the playing of AI's usual assortment of pianos in various stages of restora­ instruments interrupted earlier by our business meet- ­ tion, and the technicians present discussed the fine ing. It isn't every day that most of us can playa Steinway./,r--( points of piano regulation, comparing thoughts, while Duo-Art or a Mason & Hamlin Ampico B, and here we the rest of us listened and tried to grasp what was said. had both in one room. Afte a few rolls on the pianos, Al played his 44-note Wilcox & White player organ, a Rollmonica and two organettes. o 182 0 .../

Console of pipe organ. Wilcox eJ White Player Organ. A reading of the listing of Chapter Officers in the most recent Bulletin reveals that I have failed to report the officers elected for 1983. Iowa Chapter officers for 1983 are President, Al Johnson; Vice-President, George Apland; Secretary/Treasurer, Bob Shimp; and Reporter, Jack Niewoehner.

* * * Player Piano Recital GIVEN BY F. L. DONELSON Assisted by ;\fIrs. R. W. Cripps. Soprano FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1 920

I.-Eldorado ­ - Bartlett Valse in E Jloszkowski

2.-In Old Madrid - Trotere "Diehards" looking around. 3.-Gems of Scotland ­ Rive- King Most of the members began to leave, but a few of us The Swallow and the diehards went out to AI's shop for a look around. Al Prisoner - Croisez showed us his Aeolian Orchestrelle Style V, a real jewel Staccato Caprice - - Vogrich in the "rough." Orchestrelle's are where and how you find them, and this one was found at the bottom of the 4.-Badinage - - Herbert heap, at least as far as the condition of the case is con­ Valse Gentile - Nevin cerned. AI has a long way to go on the restoration but Rhapsodie Hongroise ~o. 6 - Liszt based on the work he has done so far, this Orchestrelle will be nowhere near the bottom of the heap when he s.-A Spirit Flower - Campbell- Kipton gets done with it. One problem other than the large Love Is·the Wind - Alex McFayden amount of work necessary to get an instrument like this ./ back into playing condition is that the spool box is 6.-Etudes, Op. 10, NO·5, missing. So if you have a spare Orchestrelle spool box Op. 25, NO·9 - Chopin lying around, I'm sure Al would appreciate hearing from La Campanella Liszt you. <> 183 <> Contributed by Dick Merchant SOWNY

, Meeting a Need at a Meeting ,/" by Fred Buchwald

Saturday April 23rd found the tru~a~d faithful group of AMICA members at the newly and continually re­ modeled house of Fred Buchwald located in the town of Tonawanda. Fred has a 5'3" Fisher Ampico Grand in his collection that has had a "knock" in the pump for the past 10 years - it was an excellent excuse for a technical session sponsored by Jeff Depp. The pump was disman-

lanet Drewniak (!) checking out Fred Buchwald's Ampico.

r

Stan Aldridge, Alice and Carl Guhlow, Walter Pinchen.

tled and cleaned and lubricated by Jeff - Interest was Jeff Depp, Holly and Mike Walter at Fred's house. high and success achieved! A meeting was held and a trip to Vestal Musical Museum was planned for May 28th. A buffet was served and everyone reveled in the music, merryment and mirth that later followed.

leff Depp explaining an Ampico pump in a technical session. 1/-

o 184 0 I nstrUJRents

Loss by Theft and Fire An Anniversary in England by Byron Akers by Frank Holland

Early Sunday morning, May 15, 1983, the Ghost 1983 marks the 20th Anniversary of the founding, by Town museum in Colorado Springs, Colo., was Frank W. Holland, of the first museum in Britain and burglarized and set on fire. The following antiques were probably in the world, devoted mainly to automatic stolen: three legal antique countertop slot machines ­ musical instruments, and in particular to reproducing a Watling one-wheel upright like a Ben Hur, a Field pianos. These pianos can give an exact reproduction of Three Jacks, and a Mills Jockey (at the right end of the the performance of a famous pianist recorded over 50 back bar in the photo). Also, the following toys: iron years ago. The recording is captured on a paper roll, but 3-horse fire ladder wagon, 2- horse steam pumper, iron as there are several different systems to do this, it would cannon, train engine, dolls (1 china head, 2 bisque heads be difficult to find them all under one roof. You can at and 1 wax head), and a "Darktown Battery" cast iron Brentford. To mark the 20th anniversary 10 reproducing bank. systems have been fully restored. Ghost ToWil, built by the Byron Akers family in the There is also a large collection of other unique in­ early 1950's, is an authentic western town of the late struments to hear including a Fotoplayer, a precursor of 1800's including general store, saloon; livery stable, the Cinema Organ. newspaper office, Wells Fargo office, barber shop, an elegant home, etc., all housed inside several large build­ Other special events this year include: -ings which were originally used by the Colo. Midland 1) An Exhibition of items from our scrapbook which RR, and later used by the Midland Terminal RR, one of traces the history of the collection and the events several which connected Colorado Springs with the fa­ which have made it one of the finest in the world. mous Cripple Creek - Victor mining district. . 2) A touring Exhibition similar to the one above which The arson fire destroyed the saloon building and its is visiting libraries in the area. contents: an 1850's bar and back bar, many advertising 3) A special Exhibition of our collection of unusual, items and various restored music and arcade machines unique and beautiful non-player pianos. These in­ -.-/ including a Mills Violano (self-playing coin-operated clude decorative instruments for the Exhibitions of piano & violin), Seeburg style L nickelodeon piano, 1851, 1862 and 1939, double keyboard pianos, a Mills Sybille gypsy fortune teller, 2 cast iron Muto­ cinema pian%rgan, and some very early pianos in­ scopes, and 4 stereo drop card machines. cluding Broadwood and Clementi. This Exhibition is located nearby the Museum but is only open by spe­ cial arrangement. 4) The International Conference of Museums held this year in London has arranged for their Music Section (CIMCIM) to visit our collection in the summer. 5) In September a Convention of all Player Piano Groups will be held at the Museum. Frank Holland was the Founder of the first group in 1959. 6) Several social events for those who have helped as volunteers, as patrons, or through their connections with local authorities and government, are being held. 7) A special 1983 Appeal has been launched and has received support from many local firms. 8) A special bust of the Museum's Founder was made, Saloon showing three of the slot machines that were stolen. and is now displayed at the Museum. All these events are, of course, in addition to our Fire damage restoration is nearly compieted, and regular demonstration tours every weekend afternoon Ghost Town will reopen mid-July for the rest of the April- October, WurliTzer concerts, and special music tourist season. A REWARD IS OFFERED FOR INFOR­ roll concerts. MATION LEADING TO THE RECOVERY OF STO­ 1983 is for us a special and busy year. LEN ITEMS AND THE ARREST AND CONVICTION JOF THOSE RESPONSIBLE. CONTACT: Byron Akers Jr., 1400 Holly Sugar Bldg, Colorado Springs CO 80903 303-475-7730.

<> 185 <> Book Hevietv

000000000000000000000000000000

The following review appeared in the July 1983 issue, but with the last part missing. It is being printednowin its entirety, with apologies to reviewer Bill Toeppe and to author David Saul. 000000000000000000000000000000

THE MODEL B AMPICO REPRODUCING PIANO, an illustrated rebuilding guide, by David 1. Saul, The Ves­ tal Press, Vestal, NY, 1982, ISBN 0-911572-26-0, 100 pages, photographs and drawings, $25.00.

Review by Bill Toeppe The only thing your reviewer could find to complain When I first became interested in reproducing pianos about is that even though Mr. Saul makes specific rec­ several years ago, there were not many qualified restor­ ommendations regarding materials, he did not provide a ers as there are now, but in the San Diego area, David list of possible suppliers. Saul was recognized as one with whom you could trust I would recommend this book to anyone who has an your piano. He has authored other items in the Vestal AMPICO B and is contemplating restoring it. At least Press Technical Series. The foreward states this publica­ you should be able to get a good idea of the amount of tion started as one of that series but grew such that a work and the skills involved in restoring one. If you separate book seemed more appropriate for the coverage should then decide you do not want to tackle the job provided. . yourself, you would still be in a better position to nego­ Chapter headings are: tiate with your candidate restorers. I suspect that among 1 Introduction experienced AMPICO B restorers there will be con­ 2 Technical Notes and Procedures troversy about some of the procedures described herr 3 Rebuilding the Drawer and I don't think that should indicate any shortcomin 4 Rebuilding the Pneumatic Stack and Ex- in the book as there always seems to be controversy pression Regulators among restorers as old methods are lost and then either 5 The First Intensity Adjuster reinvented or new - and perhaps better - methods are 6 Sustaining and Soft Pedal Block found. 7 Rebuilding the Pedal Regulator 8 Crescendo and Pump Spill Mechanism 9 Electric Motor, Pump, and Reservoir 10 Final Assembly and Adjustment u1" Piece that Will Appendix ~e ~corded The book is thoroughly illustrated with photo­ :J\0! graphs. The photographs are properly lighted and repro­ for the ru1"mpico duced for the most part so that the significant detail can be analyzed. HE news comes from Naples, ,Italy, that Francesco Gangiullo, The publication seems to be a step-by-step descrip­ T Futurist poet and composer, has tion of the process of disassembling, restoring, reas­ just turned over to his publisher the sembling, and adjusting and AMPICO B reproducing score of a new song which requires piano. I say "seems" only because you would have to execution not only on but of the piano. have been there to be sure, and your reviewer has not. It is to be played with a sledge ham­ The critical stages are illustrated by photographs. mer and brass knuckles are not barred. The instructions for the player open There are a number of novel hints, such as using a with an "allegro furioso," and are microwave oven to soften the glue to allow parts to be followed by another reading, "rain pried apart. Specific recommendations are made with blows and wallops with both hands on regard to the materials and tools to be used in the pro­ the keyboard." The final direction cess. over the last bar reads, "Grab the References are made to the AMPICO 1929 Service sledge hammer and smash the piano." Gangiullo hopes the new song will Manual. In the case where adjustment instructions be a success as a lullaby. were omitted from the 1929 manual, Mr. Saul provides both a theory explanation and adjustment instructions. Contributed by Dick Howe o 186 0 The ForulR

More About Stravinsky Rolls THEATRE DES CHAMPS-ELYSEES by Tean Touzelet Dlr~€tlD. : Rol14e MA~

To conclude with Stravinsky and piano rolls, here is IIIARDI 14 .lUllV 182'7 some information. 1. To answer John Grant ("Stravinsky Centennial GALA DE MUSIQUE MECANIQUE Program ..." in AMICA Bulletin of December 1982) "Pleyela listing of 14 compositions spread over about 45 PROGRAMME rolls. I do not know whether this is a complete I. L'Olseau de feu •• "aUt(. STRA"·I~SH.'· rollography apart from the Duo-Art issues." 1. L ·Ol....au d .....u l'" ..a dan..t' This list you have published April 1983 AMICA Bul­ 2. (;onlplaln'" d .. I'ol_au d .. , ..u :1....·u'" d prln.·l"s""" ..n.·han...... letin, page 65, is the complete list of rolls made by \. Hond.. d prln.·l""_" Stravinskyfor Pleyela. There are 50 rolls exactly (not 45) ~. nan".. Inft·rnal.. dl" rol Ka,,,.·h..1 (a = to; et = and). 6 .. Ht"'rt4 (-tlN'" 7. '''In..1 Pleyela rolls have the same size as Aeolian 88 note rolls and have also Themodist holes called "chanteur." They were made in Paris by Pleyel Piano Co. and can be played on all piano players with Aeolian 88 note Isor Slrawinsky mechanisms or Duo-Art (if it is possible to open the 4 .: ~T 11°" f:TIF. first and 4 last notes because Stravinsky's music needs all 88 notes). II. Le Panatrope CBRI·l"SWlt:lU Ilb,quf"l'It tni-dillll d .. BRI'NS"'U:K ... C:OL"M1B'~ Pleyela rolls can also, of course, be played on Pleyel pianos with Pleyela mechanisms as you show <;>0 the III. Un peu de lDuslque cover of the Bulletin of January/February 1982. (This one lDecanlque hUlDalne is a late automatic Pleyela with expression holes, right and left, playing automatically as a Duo-Art or Ampico.) Jean "1IENER ... (;lelDent DOU(;ET None of the Stravinsky Pleyela rolls are automatic. '-""'This did not exist when Stravinsky recorded. They are PIANOS PLEYEL all 88 note chanteurs and must be driven manually. 2. Here is an interesting concert advertisement. As you know, the first performance of "Le Sacre du Prin­ temps" was in Paris Theatre des Champs-Elysees 29 May 1913 in Stravinsky's presence. It is interesting, for piano roll considerations, to see that a great composer such as Stravinsky did drive, oper­ ate himself, a player piano (Pleyela) playing his "Firebird" 17 rolls Pleyela) in the same famous Theatre des Champs-Elysees in Paris, 14 June 1927. Repair Tapes [Le Pleyela est actionne par = The Pleyel Piano with by Frank Holland Pleyela mechanism is driven, worked by ...) The note at the bottom of page 130 in the June AMICA News Bulletin prompts me to mention a little more. For repairing rolls for many years now we have been Pianos on Stamps using only the 810 and 853 tapes. It seems that museums use these for preservation work and they are supposed to by Tames Doheny last a long time without going sticky or hard. I believe this would be of interest to AMICAns. The We were informed in the first place about the 810 journal of the American Philatelic Society, The from America afterKen Caswell had repaired both edges AMERICAN PHILATELIST, for March 1983, Vol 97, No. of one of my green Welte rolls with Vs" wide tape. In the 3, pages 222-226, has an article by Herbert Moore, liThe mid-sixties we could get this. Now we cannot. We man­ Piano and the Posts". This discusses and illustrates pro- aged to get a few rolls cut down to this narrow size Vs" . fusely many examples of covers used by various piano wide in a factory in Wales and then a few were done in a manufacturers. Our historically minded members factory in France. might use this as a source or at least a starting point Ifanyone else can add anyfurther useful information when they have questions regarding the life span of to the above I think it would be of interest to AMICA various manufacturers. readers. <> 187 <> The Conway Question by Gail Bush 9i$ I own a Conway Virtuolo player piano, service T~:' ~"Il

#49769, and I have been told that it was made in 1914. I ~~-:...... have two specific questions, which perhaps one of the members of AMICA can answer. ~ ~ 1. There is, inside the housing where the tracker bar is installed, on the left side, a small lever which moves (slightly) from on to off and which is labeled "pedal." It fui. - does not appear to hook up to anything or to do any­ thing. Should it? If so, how? The piano has been rebuilt (player action before we 2. In the front of the piano, in the fold down section bought it, and piano action recently done). My piano where forward/reverse levers are, there is the following technician, who also has some experience with players, sequence of buttons and levers: does not know what these two different levers are sup­ My question refers to the left series. If the "acsolo" posed to do. I think the piano was owned by several button (red in color) is held down, the volume of the people previously, and perhaps some of the functions music increases, but the lever to "correct" or "release" were disconnected. acsolo immediately to the right of the red button does Any help anyone can give me will be greatly ap­ nothing. Should it be attached to something inside the preciated. Please contact Gail Bush, 109 Westland Ave., piano? Rochester, NY 14618. NEW MEMBERS

Louis &. Fay Dauphinais: 799 Spindrift Street, San Jose, CA Fredric P. Younkins: P.O. Box 1408, Frederick, MD 21701, 95134,408-263-2051. Referred by Isadora & Howie Koff. 1916 301-432-7185,301-694-2171. Counselor, R1.1913 WeberUprPlr Kohler Upr PIr. Aeolian.

Steve &. Linda Knipmeyer: R.R. 3, Box 25A, Rushville, IL Erwin &. Eleanor Single: 696 Waterloo Street, Winnipeg, Man­ 62681, 217-322-6552, 217-323-1403. Automobile Sales, R1. itoba, CANADA R3N OT4, 204-477-0817. Referred by Terry _ 1917 Story & Clark Upr PIr. Smythe. Teacher. 1923 Welte-Mignon Original 5'8" Louis XV_ ~

Max Bloom: 2315 Kenoak Road, Baltimore, MD 21209. Mark B. Forer: 2911 Vista Street A, Long Beach, CA 90803, 213-433-4544, 714-957-1314. Referred by Vestal Press & Carty Lloyd &. Lois Gauerke: 818 West Spencer Street, Appleton, WI Piano Co. Art Director. 1917 Starr Upr PIr Autopiano. 54914, 414-733-4043. Referred by Carl Lambie. Asst. Plant Engineer. 1909 Meister Upr PIr. Russell &. Jeanne Bloss: 7066 Salem Road, Cincinnati, OH 45230, 513-231-9014. Referred by Stan & Alberta Favret. Re­ Douglas E. Wood: 921 First Avenue, West, Kalispell, MT tired, R1, Midwest Chapter. 1906 Apollo Upr Recordo; 1911 59901. Dentist,R1. Weber Upr Duo-Art. Otto Grau Upr PIr Amphion; 1917 Otto Grau Upr Plr Amph~ ion; 1918 Hallet Davis Upr Plr Simplex; Misc. Phono, Music Margaret Taylor: 2736 N. 66 Terrace, Kansas City, KS 66104, Box. 913-299-9765. Referred by Heart of American Chapter. .'" William &. Phyllis Peshek: 3822 Eaton Drive, N.W., Canton, Richard &. Janet Drewniak: 191 Capen Boulevard, Amherst, OH 44708,216-454-2435. Referred by Q.R.S. Retired, R1. 1923 NY 14226, 716-837-8944, R1 Marshall & Wendell Upr Plr; Misc. Music Boxes.

Carl L. Hillyer: 3202F Myra Street, Durham, NC 27707. Dick &. Jacki Lutin: 916 N. 3rd, Niles, MI 49120,616-684-4315. 1924 Aeolian Upr Duo-Art; 1924 Aeolian 5'6" Duo-Art; Aeo­ Dyrk &. Jodi Bolger: 38 Goswell Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba, lian Player Organ Grand; Misc. Music Boxes. Canada R2Y lVI, 204-888-3583, 204-949-8893. Referred by Terry Smythe. Marketing Business Systems Analyst, R1. 1928 Henry Shapses: 16633 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 1020, Encino, Aeolian 5'4" Duo-Art. CA 91436,213-501-2870.

William &. Sarah Reed: 8205 Smithfield Avenue, Springfield, James &. Anona Henry: 950 South Main Street, Amherst, OH VA 22152, 703-451-6938. 1925 Weber grand Duo-Art. 44001,216-988-7176,216-774-1794. Referred by George Kallis. . . Clerk of Court, R1. Edward &. Florence Hutchins: 8500 Riverside Drive, Powell, OH 43605, 614-889-8069. Referred by Craig Brougher. 1929 Gary &. Carol Brown: 66 Elm Avenue, Larkspur, CA 94939,'~ Knabe 5'8" Ampico B Louis XV. 415-924-2924,415-383-6011. Computer Broker. 1922 Marshall & Wendell Upr Ampico. Leonard J. Rogers: 5301 Newbys Bridge Road, Chesterfield, ...... VA 23832, 804-276-1501, 804-748-1435. Referred by David Arlett L. Mini: 1025 Ross Circle, Napa, CA 94558, 707-255- Barnett. DirectorofInstruction, R1.1926 Weber 5'9" Duo-Art. 9045. Referred by Donald Lewis. Duo-Art. o 188 0 Chuck &. Gail Waller: 566 Mill Road, Lewiston, ID 83501, William E. Biebel: 258 West 10th Street, Erie, PA 16501, 814­ 208-743-0377,208-743-3546. Systems Engineer, R1. Steck 5' 452-3911. Referred by Dave Juchen. Clergy/Educator. Duo-Art; Kimball Upr PIr; Packard Bond Upr PIr; Misc. Music Boxes. Jack &. Lunne Runnel: 3400 Penrose Place, Boulder, CO 80301, 303-449-7784, 303-449-3131. Referred by Jere De­ ./ Ross &. Jean Felber: 3926 Albury Avenue, Long Beach, CA Backer. Dentist, Rocky Mountain Chapter 90808, 213-437-0621. Referred by Roy Shelso. Retired/Bus. Manager, Southern Calif. Chapter. Misc. Pianos, Music Boxes, Donald &. Joanne Baer: 1136 N. Ward Avenue, Girard, OH Phonographs, Juke Boxes. 44420, 216-545-3541, 216-373-3557. Senior Project Engineer, R2. 1923 Playotone Converted to Nick (9 instruments); 1925 Tom A. Hostetler: 303 Kendall Place, Apt. 1, Columbus, OH Chase Hackley Upr PIr; 1921 Francis Bacon Upr PIr; 1921 43205,614-253-1535,614-421-8336. Referred by David Graber. Franklin Grand Ampico; Misc. Music Boxes, Phono. Registered Nurse. 1923 Welte-Mignon Grand Original. Jay &. Ethel Echelberger: 26005 Oakbay Road, Torrance, CA Wally Wood: P.O. Box 8153, La Crescenta, CA 91215,213-246­ 90505,213-326-8602. Referred by Q.R.S. Retired. 1982 Pianola 1225. Referred by Dick Rigg. Antique Phono Repair & Sales. Spinet Aeolian Plr.

CLASSIFIED

FOR SALE FOR SALE: 1916 Chickering Upright Ampico Player Piano excellent condition. Appraised $8500.00 714-979-5088. FOR SALE: Knabe Ampico A 5'3"1928. Fully rebuilt with new board, block, strings etc. Full agraffes, fine mahogany case. Amp!co rebuilt FOR SALE: Steinway Duo-Art, XR, 1927, #252422. Totally restored. down to the pouches. Soft & loud pedal compensators, matching Refinished walnut. Excellent expression. $15,000. Call Dr. Suchyta bench $11,500. Joe Hilferty 717-755-0209 - PA. 313-562-1030, days.

OFFERING THE FOLLOWING QUALITY INSTRUMENTS: Link style FOR SALE: Weber Duo-Art Ampico, 72020, 72" length, original unre­ C orchestrion with pipes, tall beautiful case with art glass, presently stored condition, external pump. $7500.00. 802-273-2511. - being restored, $12,500 when completed. Regina style 37 curved front ./ changer holds twelve 20%" discs, very few of these were made. If you ANNOUNCING A LIMITED EDITION OF PRINTS by the talented want the top of the line this is it. In excellent condition, beautiful caricaturist Mark Cote of "Famous Ampico Artists." This magnificent mahogany case $15,500 with many discs. Paul losche Orchestrion collection of eleven plates (11' x14") features five artists on each plate. containing three ranks of extremely imitative pipes; flutes, violin, and The edition is limited to 300 sets. No additional sets will ever be sold clarinet. Also has bass drum, snare drum, piano, and mandolin. beyond this first printing. Included in the collection is Borchard, Magestic mahogany case stands 8'4" tall, $25,500. Also have Aeolian leginska, Nyiregyhazi, Rubinstein, Zeisler, Gabrilowitsch, Kreisler, Orchestrelle $2200. Dancing Doll upright music box with bells and levitzki, Schnitzer, laCroix, Godowsky, d'indy, Orloff, Munz, organ section $8500. Complete set of new plastics for 1015 $125. Doyle d'Alexandrowska, Rosenthal, Hambourg, Stojowski, Rubner, Nash, lane 919-732-7136. Rosenthal, Samaroff, Chiapusso, Friedheim, Friedberg, Schmitz, Dumesnil, laForge, lhevinne, Cutchin, Klemen, Brailowsky, Cope­ FOR SALE: Edison reproduction reproducers -C&H- $43.50 plus land, Randegger, Goodson, Schnabel, Suskind, Szumawska, $1.50 postage each. K's available in june for $75. The finest available Dohnanyi, Maier, Pyle, Mana-Zucca, loesser, Brockway, Buhlig, and American made. Guaranteed! Be aware of European imports. Paul Mirovitch, Mero, Mosieiwitsch, Rachmaninoff, lerner, Ney, Ornstein, Baker, P. O. Box 732, Duncanville, TX 75116. Volavy, Pelletier, and Ariani. Publication date for this set is September, 1983. The price for this collection is $29 postpaid. Purchasers of "Fa­ FOR SALE: Chickering 5'4" Ampico B grand 1930 Sheraton art case, mous Ampico Artists" will have first choice for the next collection to Ampico playing, with matching bench, $6,500.00. Also Weber Duo-Art be published entitled "Famous Duo-Art Artists" in December, 1983. grand stack, un restored 21-21-21-17, $250.00, and major components Coming in May of1984 will be a collection of "Famous Welte Artists." from 1919 Weber Duo-Art upright, including expression box, upper The final set in the series will be introduced at the 1984 Convention ­ action, loud, soft pedal pneumatics, other controls, all for $450.00. "Famous Piano Roll Rag/jazz Artists." Write to Bill Koenigsberg, 77 High Pine Circle, Concord, MA 01742, or call 617-369-8523. FOR SALE: 1925 Hoffman Upright Player - fully restored player mechanism; exceptionally fine walnut case, refinished; rebuilt piano PLAY·RITE: QRS and Klavier rolls: 35% discount for small minimum action & keys, new bass strings. All work to highest standard of quantities. Catalogs 25¢ each for postage. For price list write Vintage restoration with excellent results. Asking price $4800. Contact Glen Piano Workshop, 208 Dartmouth Dr., NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106. Woodruff, the JoB Company, 27 Jordan Street, San Rafael, CA 94901. 415-456-9280. "NEW! We now distribute QRS and Playright rolls. Baker's Dozen Special! For free catalogs write: Baley's, 310 Grandview, Kalamazoo, FOR SALE: Bush and lane Art Case upright piano with 100 rolls, MI49OO1." especially restorable condition. Also 5'8" Weber Duo Art Grand, mahogany case, piano playing. Further information and details will be FOR SALE: Bechstein-Welte 7' Ebony Grand. Reconditioned 1964. supplied upon request. Carl Kempf, 2023 GoberAve. S.E., Smyrna, GA Near perfect. Call or write D. lachmund. 213-665-8767, 1921 N. Ken­ 30089. Area code 404-435-8861. more, los Angeles, CA 90027. FOR SALE: 10 New 0 Rolls. $160.00 plus shipping for all. Warren & Rosemary Deasy, 2510 jalmia Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90046 213-876-6770. FOR SALE: 1923 5'8" Weber Duo-Art Grand & Bench. Dk. mahogany • • rebult & refinished. Plays beautifully $7,900.00. 513-698-5140. FOR SALE: Bush & Lane 5'2" Grand Welte $1,350.00. Stack upright ItC~iQ'Clli~ Duo-Art, full system, $1,000.00. Both: $2,100.00. Michigan313-682-8928 fAIMa after 6 p.m. EDT. ~iJ" piqQ FOR SALE: Quick-Poc Guide to Ampico roll collecting - classical rolls m rGlb is a 2'%" x 7" booklet of roll numbers which can prove invaluable to the ** CLASSIC RAGS ** serious collector. It can serve as a portable and quick reference toone's DOCKSTADERS RAG ---- Les Copeland collection and prevent unintentional roll duplication. This booklet CLOVER BLOSSOM RAG - Fred HeItman was quite a success at the Chicago convention mart. Now you can PANAMA RAG ------Cy Seymour order copies through the mail. It is suggested that you purchase and St.LOUIS TICKLE -- Barney&SeymoLw mark two booklets at the same time. We collectors always seem to be losing things! Quick-Poc's are $3.00 each postpaid. Flaunt it if you have The WHITEWASH MAN - Jean Schwartz a reproducing piano! Buy piano roll leader note pads featuring your ** LOW DOWN BLUES * WORD ROLLS ** type of piano. Choose a pad featuring your type of piano. Choose a YELLOW DOG BLUES ----- Al Johnson pad with brown Duo-Art leader on brown paper, a pad with green HOME AGAIN BLUES --- J.R.Robinson Ampico leader on creme paper, or a pad with blue Welte leader on FROSTY MORNING BLUES --- Robinson white paper. Eighty-sheet pads $6.50 postpaid. Souvenir Chicago con­ WICKED BLUES ------Pete Wendling vention poster commemorates the fabulous "Rachmaninoff Plays *** RAGTIME NOVELTY *** Chicago, 1983" concert and features the piano roll artists whose rolls THAT OLD GANG OF MINE -- J. Clyde were played that evening. The black and white poster is 11" x 14" and TUCK ME TO SLEEP -- Pete Wendling suitable for framing. $2.50 postpaid. WHAT D'YE MEAN YA LOST'YER DOG ?? FOR SALE: Chickering upright, reproducing Ampico. Completely rebuilt and refinished. Also approximately 300 rolls, mostly new. All rolls $6.50 each plus shpg. Photo sent upon request. $6000.00. j. Hanmer, 22 Frasco Rd., Santa Fe, $1.35 first roll .35c all ethers NM 87501 505-982-5018. OLEOACRES FARMS 407 Riverside Dr. Painesville~ Ohio 44077 FOR SALE: Fisher Ampico A, 5'4", 1924, mahogany case and bench, good condition, played and tuned regularly, Ampico mechanism • • complete and un restored, photo on request. $2,900.00, Charlie Hazard, 6 Bay View Lane, Newbury, MA 617-462-2018.

RELOCATION FORCES SALE of my restored Knabe Ampico Grand WANTED (1923) 5'3". Piano has new strings & dampers and plays beautifully. Plain case with nice finish and matching bench. Asking $9800.00 or WANTED: Hohner roll playing accordian. Large collections of original best offer. Call evenings 313-352-1311 (Detroit). mechanical music literature. Dick Howe, 9318 Wickford, Houston, TX 77024713-680-9945. FOR SALE: 1906 American Piano Player plays Wurlitzer5 tune rolls for a nickel. See page 384 of Bowers Encyclopedia. Restored to original NEED MANY COLUMBIA, Capitol and Supertone 88-note rolls (in­ condition by Gary Sage. Contact Gavin Chapen $6,500.00 or best offer. cluding rolls on related labels: American, Broadway, Cecile, Red Seal, 88940 Hvvy101 N. Florence, OR 97439 503-997-7540 anytime or 503-726­ Starck, Sterling and Synchronized). Waltzes and marches are worth $5 6754. to me, for trots $10, blues $15, or will trade instead. Also want most Columbia and Capitol A rolls. Mike Montgomery, 17601 Cornell, FOR SALE: Steinway Duo-Art Grand Piano 7' AR #235980, ebony case, Southfield, M148075. unrestored good condition, has all major parts $12,500.00. Knabe Am­ pico Grand Piano 5'4" #98337, mahogany, good original condition WANTED: 7-inch rolls for pianolodeon. Please contact Gussie Most at $4,250.00- Chickering Ampico Grand Piano 5'4" #143092, mahogany, 17030 Otsego St., Encino, CA 91316. nice original condition $4,250.00- has late "N' stack. Lieuwe De Haas, 11 Maple Street, Weston, CT 06883 203-544-8750. WANTED: Automata pieces for private collection. Send photos and description. Also WANTED: Old books, posters, etc. relating to Au­ FOR SALE: Fisher Ampico, 1926, 5'8", walnut, excellent condition. tomata or Automatic Musical Instruments. Kenneth Goldman, Box $8,000.00. Jack Maiman, 1833 Sebastian Drive, Burlingame, CA 94010 1477, Boston, MA 02104 617-449-0058. 415-697-7092. WANTED: Drawer and flange finger stack for Ampico-A Grand. Bob FOR SALE: 50 Duo-Art classics. 10 years of AMICA Bulletins. 1927 Muylaert, 32942 Allen, Livonia, M148154. Duo-Art catalog. Art Faner, 4507 Garden Ct., S.E. Salem, OR 97301. WANTED: Wallboxes for collection, Seeburg, Wurlitzer, Hupfeld, etc. FOR SALE: Piano roll collection. The collection consists of 2800+ cast iron or wood, any condition. Call collect Rick Crandall 313-487­ standard 88 note rolls. Q.R.5., Aeolian, Vocal-style, Imperial, Su­ 9001 evenings, or 1366 Huron River Dr., Ypsilanti, MI 48197. pertone, Rythmodik, etc. Collection cataloged and contains many one-of-a-kind rolls. If interested, call 513-574-5000 evenings. BUYING: Ampico, Duo-Art, Welte and other types of rolls. Describe and price. Altman, 8970 Main St., Clarence, NY 14031. FREE LISTS: All types of rolls, cylinder records and machines. Discs, cobs, catalogs and literature. Mechanical music and much more. Our 24th year ... VI & 51's Antiques, 8970 Main St., Clarence, NY 14031. 1928, IR Chickering 5'4" Late A Ampico, 1941, Knabe 5'4" Full B Ampico Excellent B Compensators, Italian Rennaisance Orig. Condition, Only Player with Maple Burr Inserts, Player Mechanism Needs Restoration, Restored, Piano in Mint Orig. Mahogany $8,000 .-Condition, Orig. Bench, $12,000 ,.-/

1924, RBB Mason & Hamlin 7' A Ampico, this instrument will be sold with an unoriginal Ampico system installed, we have already performed this type of surgery very successfully on two RBB Masons. Unrestored $20,000 ~

1931, RA Mason & Hamlin 5'8" B Ampico, Very Clean Orig. Condition, Mahogany, Ivories Good, $10,500

1946, Chickering 46" Studio Upright Ampico, Mahogany Refinish, Restrung, Player Orig. $4,800

1936, Fischer Spinit Ampico 36" Tall, Mahogany Refinish Player and Piano Orig. Unrestored $3,500

1921, Steck Duo Art Upright, $1,500. 1922 Franklin Ampico $1,100

We have quality references for our expert restorations -/ Tom Ahearn & David Koelzer, Ft. Worth, TX. 817·498·4998 Look at the prices Look at the exchange rate Look at the transport costs . Look at the Swissair flight costs

There is only one reason for not seeing

you probably buy too much.

Transport costs: from to nature and quantity weight price, including of goods package and Swiss handling Appenzell Chicago Hupfeld Phonoliszt Violina, in two pieces dimensions: 70/35%/70 in. 70/39%/60% in. Weber Brabo Orchestrion in two pieces dimensions: 62/37%/61% in. 75/30%/55 in. 1'270 kg US $2'360 Appenzell Boston Britannia disc musical box on table 40%/25%/12 in. Cylinder musical box 42/26%/29 in. 124 kg US $247 Appenzell Los Angeles -2- Automata 32/18/29% in. 44 kg US $313 All our transports are handled by the world-wide PANALPINA organization Swissair flight costs: Midweek APEX New York - Zurich US $600 Miami - Zurich US $798 Chicago - Zurich US $660 P.S. We still have a few old catalogues. Send US $10.00 and you will get it together with the realized prices. Retonio International Gallery, Zielstr. 38, CH-9050 Appenzell, Switzerland Telephone: 071/872711, Telex 77539 Come and see us on our auction on 5th of November in Appenzell If you already booked something for November 5, 1983

cancel it and come to Appenzell (Switzerland)

proudly presents

the famous collection

WORLD OF MECHANICAL MUSIC

owned by Madame Tussaud

at the auction on 5th of November 1983 Please ask us for our catalogue by sending us a check (US $15.00)

reproduce and send ORDER FORM My address o Please send catalogue of November Auction o US $15.00 in cash/check enclosed o Please send further information o I am interested in Mail order form to: Retonio International Gallery Zielstr. 38, CH-9050 Appenzell Switzerland ~1 1983! The International Council of Museums (ICOM) has arranged - since their last conference here 40 years ago - their triennial Conference at the Barbican Centre, London. 1983 is also our 20th year here in this old church. We hope to greet some of the 2000 or so delegates here from CIMCIM (the Musical Instrument Section of ICOM.) Special features: Exhibition of photographs; Concert List available; 10 re-enacting piano systems; Pianos playing from rolls recorded by famous pianists; 3 reproducing pipe organs played by Max Reger, Marcel Dupre, Jesse Crawford, etc. Come and hearthem - not through a loudspeaker­ but ON the instrument! Summer weekend afternoons, in London. 2 to 5 pm. In the church, by Kew Bridge. The Musical Museum Frank Holland, Founder

.!?

J)}JI~\ »1JI~\ J)}JI~\ J)}JI~\ J)}JI~\ J)}JI~\ M AMICA ITEMS FOR SALE

AMICA STATIONERY: $3.50 (letter size), ROLL LEADERS: DUO-ART, AMPICO and $3.20 (note size), including mailing WELTE. Excellent replicas. For order infor­ charges. Fine quality stationery with or­ mation, see mailing cover of Jan/Feb 1983 nate AMICA borders. Each packet contains Bulletin. Send orders to Terry Smythe, 547 25 letters and matching envelopes. Send Waterloo Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, orders to: Dorothy Bromage, P.O. Box 387, Canada R3N on, (204) 452-2180. Shipment of leaders is from Southern California. La Habra, CA 90633-0387. AMICA TECHNICALITIES BOOKS: AMICA BULLETINS, BOUND ISSUES: Volume I (1969-1971), $9.50 postpaid 1971, 1972, 1973 bound sets at $15 each Volume II (1972-1974), $7.50 postpaid set. 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980 Volume III (1975-1977), $8.50 postpaid bound sets at $18 each set. 1981 and 1982 Volume IV (1978-1980), $6.50 postpaid bound sets at $21 each set. PRICES IN­ Reprints of interesting technical articles CLUDE POSTAGE AND HANDLING. Spiral which have appeared in the AMICA News bound to lie flat. Send orders to Mary Lilien, Bulletin, arranged and indexed into appro­ 4260 Olympiad Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90043. priate categories. Send orders to: Richard D. Reutlinger, 824 Grove SI., San Francisco, PLEASE MAKE ALL CHECKS PAYABLE TO CA 94117. AMICA INTERNATIONAL

.J' ~8t'I(1IMl@J~~@J~@)BNIIK§.l~~ MUSICAL ANTIQUES . \ omnimedia fl i ~l productions'~ specializing in Reproducers, all grands, ~ refinishing, and all player pianos. @) ~8~ @J COMPLETE RESTORATION • FACILITIES TECHNICAL DATA SERIES • OWNER OPERATED ~ [!J 15 years of experience in .each related field of i @J 1. Covering Pneumatics restoration. 2. Recovering Organ Regulators • CASE AND VENEER REPAIRS 3. Rebuilding Duo-Art Valves some carving can be duplicated FINEST HAND-RUBBED MIRROR FINISHES 4. Regulating the Duo-Art i @J @) OR SATIN FINISHES AVAILABLE i @)oconcertQualityRegUlation @) VHS or BETA 2 ••• $39.95 each • Lowest Prices, Known Ref~rences, order send check or money order to: • Guaranteed Work. only the worlds finest known grades of materials are OMNIMEDIA i@) used. They are always fresh and continually checked. i@J P.O. Box 965 Hot glue and original materials used throughout • wherever possible. Milpitas, CA 95035 • Craig Brougher o 3500 Claremont Independence, Mo. California residents please add sales tax. All orders are shipped postpaid. Special videocassette formats are i~ (816) 254-16~3 64502 I~i available on request. ~ I~ ~~ ~~I@]I~~@J~~I@Ji~@J

~ -" VIDEOCASSETTES Proud of Your Instrument? VHS or Beta 2 Have it Restored by Experts. 1. Philadelphia Convention He~e 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 pinblocks, 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 * Also available on Super 8, rental only. Piano keys recovered, sharps & naturals For rental or purchase information write to: HowieKoff Send all or part of your instrument for proper 4271 North First Street #1 restorations. ~' San Jose, CA 95134 PIANO WORKSHOP l: ~ ~~AMICA~~_ 3166 W. 33 St. Ph. 216-631-1777 j, .. / Cleveland, Ohio 44109 24 hr. answering servo -n,~ for m.. •••" such exqnJsite work Broadmoore has done "LarryJ.B. NETHERCUTT

SAn SYLmAR 91342 September 10, 1980

To Whom It May Concern:

done such exquisite.worklnstru- has t atic musical Larry Broadmoore t~e aUho~ I feel compelled to for me on some of which may serve in.my COllecftlopnpr~c~ationa mentswrite thlS note 0 as a reference. fine . as ~ttentionects of theto the most impresSlve. One of the w~Shh~~ conducted meticul?usly. work Larry performed Whl~taining the exact specl­ details of research instrument, Larry. after asce f an to orl­ Furthermore, part 0 d the instrument fications for any restotre then meticulously bet ere ginal standards or work was outs~anding of h',~ o~e:~i~ The quality ~ase his contributlons. and I am most

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instruments. we apply in restoring musical the skill and knowledge true to its original There is no substitute for will make an tnstrument and procedures that orchestrions and We use only those materials of experience restoring in its fabrication. 16years of our work. sound and authentic are proof of the quality our many recommendations reproducing pianos and INSTRUMENT RESTORAnONS AlITOMAnc owner SROADMOORE Laurence Broadmoore, Fernando, California 91340 1709 "C" 1st Street, San (213) 365.6231