http://www.amica.org The Volume 47, Number 6 November/December 2010 AMICA B U L L E T I N Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors’ Association
ISSN #1533›9726 ThE AMICA BULLETIN AUToMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT CoLLECToRS' ASSoCIATIoN
Published by the Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors’ Asso- Visit the AMICA web site at: http://www.amica.org ciation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax exempt group devoted to the to enter the “Members-Only” portal, restoration, distribution and enjoyment of musical instruments Current User Name: AMICA using perforated paper music rolls and perforated music books. Current password: tracker (to 31 Dec 2010) AMICA was founded in San Francisco, California in 1963. New Password starting 1 Jan 2011 - rewind
VoLUME 47, Number 6 November/December 2010 AMICA BULLETIN FEATURES DEADLINES Ads and articles must be received on or before the 1st of the ODD Nickel Notes ...... by Matthew Jaro ...... 363 months: Christmas Around the Custom Carved Knabe Ampico January July by Kenneth Long ...... 368 March September May November Automatic Musical Instruments and Trends Concerning Them by Q. David Bowers ...... 372 Bulletins will ordinarily be mailed in the 1st week of the even months, for The Amazing Angelus ...... by Stephen Kent Goodwin . . 377 expected delivery mid-month. Band Organ Rally - Sutter Creek Terry Smythe by Shirley Nix ...... 399 55 Rowand Avenue Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3J2N6 204-832-3982 (email preferred) COLUMNS [email protected] President’s Message...... 360 Editorial Observations ...... 360 MEMBERSHIP SERVICES Letters ...... 361 Membership Dues: USA Bulk Mail ...... $55.00 Membership Update...... 366 USA First Class ...... $70.00 Overseas ...... $70.00 AMICA 2011 Convention Update ...... 367 Canada-Mexico ...... $65.00 Chapter News ...... 381 Renewals – Additional $5.00 due if renewed past the Jan. 31 deadline Web Sites of Interest ...... 393 Address changes and corrections AMICAn in the Spotlight ...... 401 Directory information updates In The News ...... 402 Additional copies of Member Directory . . . $25.00 Carousels In The News ...... 406 Single copies of back issues ($10.00 Advertising ...... 408 per issue – based upon availability) Lyle Merithew & Sandy Swirski Front Cover: 1925 Knabe Ampico A Custom Art Case by Kenneth Long 416 Colfax Drive Inside Front: Ad by Gold Leaf Galleries San Jose, CA 95123-3403 408-227-9284 Inside Back Cover: Ad by PianoTectonics [email protected] outside Back Cover: Ad by Tim Trager To ensure timely delivery of your BULLETIN, please allow 6-weeks advance notice of address changes.
AMICA Publications reserves the right to accept, reject, or edit any and all submitted articles and advertising. While the AMICA Bulletin offers accurate and historic information to its members, the bulletin, its publisher and the AMICA Board cannot be held responsible for contributions that may be considered by some as inaccurate, speculative, or of an OP/ED Format
Entire contents © 2010 AMICA International Printed by Engler Printing Co., Fremont, OH • [email protected] 357 AMICA INTERNATIoNAL - International officers -
PRESIDENT PAST PRESIDENT EDIToR Tim Baxter John Motto-Ros Terry Smythe 939 Briarcliff Rd NE 110 Allen Ranch Road 55 Rowand Avenue Atlanta, GA 30306-4664 Sutter Creek, CA 95685 Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3J2N6 404-377-1220 209-267-9252 204-832-3982 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
VICE-PRESIDENT TREASURER Alan Turner Joe Orens 148 Kingsway Avenue 8917 Wooden Bridge Road Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3M 0H1 Potomac, MD 20882-3821 204-489-3075 301-340-6664 [email protected] [email protected]
SECRETARY MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Bob and Bonnie Gonzalez Lyle Merithew & Sandy Swirski 26 Foremast Cove 416 Colfax Drive Corte Madera, CA 94925 San Jose, CA 95123-3403 415-924-6834 408-227-9284 [email protected] [email protected] - Committees -
AMICA ARCHIVES CoNVENTIoN CooRDINAToR Tom hutchinson Frank Nix 15361 Hopper Road 6030 Oakdale Avenue Sturgeon, MO 65284 Woodland Hills, CA 91367 573-442-6675 818-884-6849 [email protected] [email protected]
AMICA MEMoRIAL FUND AMICA Honor Roll Ray Dietz Thomas & Donna Stengel 1250 Lanier Road 46 Court St. Martinsville, VA 24112-5212 Lancaster NY 14086-2302 276-638-8563 716-683-5309 [email protected] [email protected]
AUDIo-VISUAL & TECHNICAL WEBSITE MANAGER harold Malakinian Karl Ellison 2345 Porest Trail Drive 6 Lions Lane Troy, MI 48098 Salem, MA 01970-1784 248-528-3111 978-740-5680 [email protected] [email protected]
AMICA ENDoWMENT FUND Richard VanMetre 1506 South Courtland Avenue Park Ridge, IL 60068-5333 847-318-7310 [email protected]
358 AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 AMICA INTERNATIoNAL Chapter officers BoSToN AREA Treas: Maryam Morgan Board Rep: Jere DeBacker Pres: Phil Konop Reporter: Martin "Buzz" Rosa Vice-Pres: Bob Hunt - 207-985-2308 Board Rep: Vincent and Maryam Morgan SoWNY (Southern ontario,Western New York) Sec: Kirk Russell Newsletter Editor: Bill Maguire Pres: Mike Walter - 716-656-9583 Treas: Dorothy Bromage [email protected] Reporter: Don Brown MIDWEST (oH, MI, IN, KY) Vice Pres: Tom Cardinal - Board Rep: Bob Hunt - [email protected] Pres: Don Johnson - 248-650-1840 [email protected] [email protected] Sec: Garry Lemon CHICAGo AREA Vice Pres: Liz Barnhart [email protected] Pres: Jerry Biasella - 708-756-3307 Sec: Hilda Merchant Treas: Holly Walter Vice Pres: Richard Van Metre Treas: Alvin Wulfekuhl [email protected] Sec: Carol Veome - 773-338-1042 Reporter: Christy Counterman Reporter: Garry & Anne Lemon [email protected] Board Rep: Liz Barnhart [email protected] Treas: Joe Pekarek Board Rep: Glenn Roat - Reporter: Curt Clifford NoRTHERN LIGHTS [email protected] Board Rep: TBD Pres: Paul Watkins - 763-421-0672 Photographers: Nancy Group & Anne Lemon [email protected] FoUNDING CHAPTER Vice Pres: Mark Kraabel SoUTHERN CALIFoRNIA Pres: John Ulrich - 510-223-9587 Sec: Michael LuBrant Pres: Frank Nix - 818-884-6849 [email protected] Treas: Barbara Watkins Vice Pres: Mike Choate Vice Pres: Karen Simons Reporter: Jerrilynn Boehland Sect/Reporter: Shirley Nix Sec: Jack & Dianne Edwards Board Rep: Paul Watkins or Mark Kraabel Treas: Diane Reidy Treas/Bd Rep: Lyle Merithew & Sandy Swirsky Board Rep: Frank Nix Reporter: Bob & Bonnie Gonzalez PACIFIC CAN-AM Pres: Bill Mote - 360-403-1970 TEXAS HEART oF AMERICA [email protected] Pres: Rich Clayton - 972-369-0470 Pres: Robbie Tubbs - 816-313-1075 Vice Pres: David Goodwin richclayton®sbcglobal.net [email protected] Secretary: Judy Mote Vice Pres: Bill Boruff Vice Pres: Dan Davis Treas: Mark Smithberg [email protected] Sec: Trudy. Moffitt Reporter: TBD Treas: Janet Tonnesen Treas: Brian Graham Bd. Rep: Dan Brown [email protected] Reporter: HC & Marlene Beckman Secretary: Suzanne McCall Board Rep: Gary Craig RoCKY MoUNTAIN [email protected] Pres: Jere DeBacker - 303-367-1493 Bulletin Reporter: Ken Long LADY LIBERTY [email protected] [email protected] Pres: John Dousmanis (646) 638-2201 Vice Pres: Ken Hodge Board Rep: John & Suzanne McCall - Vice Pres: Vincent Morgan - 718-479-2562 Sec: Louise Lucero j-mccall@sbcglobal .net [email protected] Treas: Barry Weiss Sec: Bob Stuhmer Reporter: Larry Emmons Affiliated Societies and organizations
American Theatre organ Society (AToS) Carousel organ Association of America Netherlands Mechanical organ Society-KDV President/CEO – Ken Double Editor/Publisher: Ron Bopp A. T. Meijer 5705 80th Street North (918) 527-0589 Wilgenstraat 24 St. Petersburg, Florida 33709 4725 Montrose Dr., Bradenton, FL, 34210 NL-4462 VS Goes, Netherlands Phone: 281-798-6205 [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Northwest Player Piano Association THEATRE ORGAN Co-Editors – Friends of Scott Joplin Everson Whittle, Secretary Mike Bryant and Don Feely 1217 St. Croix Ct. 11 Smiths Road, Darcy Lever, Editorial Office Kirkwood, MO 63122-2326 Bolton BL3 2PP, Gt. Manchester, England 3111 NE 165th Pl. website: http//stlouis.missouri.org/fsjoplin Home Phone: 01204 529939 Vancouver, WA 98682 Email: [email protected] Business Phone: 01772 208003 Phone: 206-619-6645 Email: [email protected] E-Mail: [email protected] International Piano Archives at Maryland Performing Arts Library,University of Maryland Pianola Institute Associazione Italiana Musica Meccanica 2511 Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center Clair Cavanagh, Secretary Villa Silvia - Via Lizzano, 1241 College Park, MD 20742 43 Great Percy St., London WC1X 9RA 47023 Cesena (FC), Italy Phone:301-405-9224 England Phone: 0039-547-323425 Fax: 301-314-7170 Fax: 0039-547-661264 Email: [email protected] Player Piano Group Email: [email protected] Adam Ramet, Bulletin Editor Website: www.ammi-italia.com International Vintage Phono 42 Park Road, Westcliff on Sea, Essex, UK & Mechanical Music Society Email: [email protected] Australian Collectors of Mechanical Musical C.G. Nijsen, Secretaire General Instruments 19 Mackaylaan Smithsonian Institution Peter Phillips - Editor 5631 NM Eindhoven, Netherlands Division of Musical History 26 Alice Street Washington, D.C. 20560 Padstow, NSW 221, Australia Musical Box Society of Great Britain Phone: (612) 9773-4734 Alan Pratt, Editor Society For Self-Playing Musical Instruments email: [email protected] P. O. Box 299 Gesellschaft fur Selbstspielende Waterbeach, Cambridge CB4 4PJ Musikinstrumente (GSM) E.V. Netherlands Pianola Association England Ralf Smolne Nederlandse Pianola Vereniging Emmastr. 56 Att. Jan van Hulzen, Member of the Board Musical Box Society International D-45130 Essen, Germany Chopinrode 25 Rosanna Harris, Editor Phone: **49-201-784927 2717 BH Zoetermeer, Netherlands 5815 West 52nd Avenue Fax :**49-201-7266240 email: [email protected] Denver, CO 80212 Email: [email protected] Phone: 303-431-9033 Fax: 303-431-6978 Email: [email protected]
AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 359 President’s Message Another holiday season is here already! There is no better time to show off your col- lection than to relatives and friends visiting over the holidays. The holiday repertoire is well- represented for our instruments and nothing helps a sing-a-long more than having the lyrics right there on the roll! The issue will describe the first meeting of AMICA’s newest chapter, the Southeast- ern US “Land of Dixie” Chapter. We have a great group of very enthusiastic members and are looking forward to many years of activity and fellowship. If we can successfully colonize a new chapter here in the southeast, it can be done in other places as well. As an organization we need to think positively about growing membership, and not passively accept the notion that decline is inevitable. Bill Chapman, our hardworking former secretary, recently sent me the “President’s Message” from the April 2010 AGO (American Guild of Organists) bulletin, and it contained a lot of salient points about growing membership. Do we practice “Radical Hospitality” in our organization and at our meetings? Do we consciously attempt to bring our new members fully into our fellowship, or are the newcomers consigned to the fringes? Do we get hung up on a person’s “collection pedigree” rather than the individual? As I stated in the last issue, my strong sense is that AMICAns are indeed hospitable and welcoming. But we cannot rest on our laurels; we need to make that extra effort and each and every time we meet a new member or guest. Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year to All (and I will try to make these “less preachy” in the future - but no promises!!)
AMICAbly, Tim [email protected] Editorial observations With this Christmas issue, I’m very pleased to offer a departure from a tradition of century old magazine covers. Specifically for this issue, Ken Long of Dallas kindly decorated his home for the Christmas season as a backdrop for an array of great photos of his 1925 Knabe Ampico A in an incredible art case. A further nice surprise awaits us within the Texas Chapter Report herein. Ken is to be commended for his enthusiastic diligence in sleuthing out not only these fine instruments, but also their provenance and overall history of such pianos. We are delighted to have an article by our elder statesman of this delightful avoca- tion, Q. David (Dave) Bowers. A member since 1964, his many years of broad experience have equipped him with a huge appreciation and understanding of what we stand for, and strive to perpetuate. His overview of the challenges facing us is very much appreciated. Once again, Tockhwock’s amazing 9’ 6” extended case one-of-a-kind Pedal-Electric Steinway D Duo-Art concert grand piano is featured within the Founding Chapter Meeting report. You may remember this piano featured in the Buddha Of The Piano article in the May- June 2010 issue. Stephen Goodwin has kindly provided an article about restoration of a rare multi-roll format Angelus player piano. His before-after photos are very encouraging. I would hope that other restorers will consider docu- menting similar stories with before-after photos. Such articles have been noticeably absent in our Bulletin in recent years. AMICA has a responsibility to promote and nourish the preservation of this unique slice of our musical heritage. To accom- plish this, we have over the years been largely dependent upon the initiatives of certain members who do good works Our Chapters help by encouraging attendance by guests who may become members. We are seeing more evidence that John Motto-Ros’ Silent Salesmen are gradually appearing at Chapter events. Very much appreciated. There may be opportunities for AMICA to do good things for society that may require resources in excess of what individual members are able to extend. With this in mind, our Board recently approved the formation of an AMICA Endowment Fund. All members are invited to get serious about what they may wish to endow towards AMICA, either for something specific, or generally. Regrettably, AMICA is unable to accept donation of an instrument, so an endowment in some other form will be very much appreciat- ed. Our Chair of the AMICA Endowment Fund is Richard VanMetre
Regards to all at this Christmas season and all that it stands for.
Terry Smythe [email protected]
360 AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 Letters to the Editor At the 2010 Board Meeting in Buffalo, NY, President piano since late 1902, praising its money making abilities. Two John Motto-Ros reported the President’s Award this year went 44 note coin pianos were introduced in 1903, the Wurlitzer Piani- no and the Peerless 44 followed by many more coin pianos from to Jack and Dianne Edwards. They received this award at many different makers. first opportunity following the convention. Also of note, the automatic banjo that was introduced in 1896 used an electromagnetic system to play the banjo. The name “Encore” and the pneumatic system we know today came on the scene a year later in 1897. I enjoyed the article as well as the rest of the publica- tion. Keep up the good work.
Regards,
David Ramey, Jr.
email on 5 Oct 2010 from Tockhwock
At 7:00 AM, tockhwock
I've been puzzeling about the Milne Medleys. I know he joined Aeolian in 1918, became head of artist & repetoir, essen- tially running the recording department and responsible for much (most) of what we have in recordings on the Duo-Art. American went into recievership in 1929, Aeolian President John Motto-Ros presenting the President’s Award bought Mason, but that infusion of cash failed to bail them out, to Jack and Dianne Edwards so a merger was forced in August 1932 . Ok, the merger is 8/32 Regardless of who we are told played them, Milne was email on 5 Oct 2010 from David Ramey Jr. at the helm, and as I play them, they all seem to flow/evolve musically as if they were all his work. In order of date and serial At 1:59 PM, [email protected] wrote: #, I list them as follows:
Thank you for publishing the Stephen Kent Goodman Musical Comedy Medley article on the history of popular music and its connection to early #1,...... 72318...released ..5/28 coin pianos. #2...... 73098...released.. 2/29 Many previously unpublished details about the history of Engelhardt and Peerless have recently been uncovered by Pop Song medley Dave Bowers and Art Reblitz while doing research for their ...... 72388... released...5/28 forthcoming book, The Reblitz-Bowers Guide to Coin Operated American Pianos and Orchestrions. They have shared some of Musical Comedy Medley these details while consulting with me about the history of the #3 ...... 74278...released..12/30 ...not a typo Engelhardt Banjorchestra. Among these discoveries, they have #2 .(2nd)..74369....released..10/31 learned that the Peerless Model D coin piano was not introduced until 1902, as documented in the music trade publications of the Milne's Outstanding Hits..of the Day time. # 1...... 74397....released...12/31, It has often been stated in print that the Peerless models # 2...... 74427....released....2/32... D and 44 were the first coin operated pianos marketed in Ameri- # 3...... 74546....released....6/32... ca. This was based on a misinterpretation of a statement by Alfred Dolge in his book Pianos and Their Makers. The auto- Popular Melodies.of the moment. matic pianos that were mentioned in the book to have been intro- #1...... 74387.....released ...11/31 duced in 1898 by the Roth and Engelhardt firm were in fact their #2...... 74545.....released....7/32 first electric player pianos, with player mechanisms built inside as part of the instrument, powered by an electric motor, but they Have I missed any? were not coin operated. Prior to that date, Roth and Engelhardt Player Piano Company marketed “push-up” players, units that Interesting to me, is they all preceed the merger. did not themselves contain a piano, but could be attached to any piano to played mechanically. I remember folks saying in print that the Milne Medleys In the Music Trade Review of September 7, 1901, Roth were made for the Ampico, and then cross coded for the Duo-Art, and Engelhardt advertise an electric push-up player that could be but it seems as though at least in the case of the earlier ones, equipped with a separate coin mechanism, but did not have a exactly the opposite was the case. “coin piano” per se. What do others know? There must be something writ- The Wurlitzer Tonophone was the first American coin ten about this somewhere..... piano, making its appearance in 1899. This is the first automatic piano manufactured and marketed for commercial use. Tockhwock
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] From: Mary and Antonio Iturrioz
(contributed by Ron Bopp)
362 AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 Nickel Notes By Matthew Jaro The MUSIC in Mechanical MUSIC Audrina Patridge or Kurt Warner attempting to do "The Joan It seems like there are two types of mechanical music Sawyer Maxixe Danse Brasili- collectors. Those who collect machines and leave the same roll in enne" to the real, authentic and Matthew Jaro each machine for years, and the rare bird that loves the machines genuine music of the era! AND is crazy about the music. This collector will have a large roll collection. The entry can be accessed via this link: Mark Forer http://tinyurl.com/2vnf5pw Mark Forer and I were discussing the future of nick- Mark Forer is a true fan of the music as opposed to the elodeon roll production in an email conversation. Since we love machines. He loves the machines but he has a large collection or the music so much, the availability of music is very important to rolls so he can listen to all the great music. Mark got started by us. Mark said: visiting a super market opening in 1956, when he was six years old. He was fascinated by the player piano. Later he would go to Thanx again for lending your Clark 1313 to Motto-Ros the Griffith Park (Los Angeles) merry-go-round and hang out for recutting. It's a swell early '30s Clark (before the with Don Rand. He notes that today there is beginning to be a arrangements became pedestrian). "Little Girl" was a resurgence of interest in mechanical music with television shows real bouncy confection...so much better than the usual like HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire” and Michael Feinstein’s Guy Lombardo style schmaltz we're so used to being fed. “American Song Book”. He has about 500 A-rolls in his collec- Same goes for "I'm Through With Love." We are doing tion. all collectors a tremendous service by sharing the rare Mark’s entry in MMD and our discussion prompted me originals we have. I am always trying to get the word to talk to a number of roll producers and collectors to try to get a out via MMD that these recuts are now available. If only handle on what is really happening today. The collectors are a we could persuade folks to just give 'em a whirl...and sample of people that really love the nickelodeon music. stop listening to "Tie a Yellow Ribbon"...they just might stop complaining about the lack of good music and get John Motto-Ros with the program. :-) Mark has provided a great service by writing entries in John Motto-Ros (Johnny’s Music Rolls, the Mechanical Music Digest (MMD). This entry is too long to http://www.johnnysmusicrolls.com) is one of the largest cur- print here but here is a sample: rent producers of nickelodeon rolls. His rolls, cut by Bob Billings, are of the very highest quality. John recently cut roll O- J. P. Seeburg Roll A-217 Recut 345 which is a rag and blues roll with “Irma Rag”, “Hangover By Mark Forer Blues”, “Ramrod Rag”, etc. This type of roll with very interest- This posting goes out those who opine about the ing and rare music should be a great seller. John posted the roll lack of enough "new" music rolls available for electric on his web site and sent emails to 12 collectors and only sold two pianos these days. copies. There are eight remaining in inventory. I received an A-roll today that, quite frankly, was a In fact, John currently has 118 titles (“A”,”G” and “O” revelation. No, it didn't feature music by The Beatles, rolls) and 340 rolls in stock. He has had to pay to have these rolls The Beach Boys, The 'Stones or Kenny Rogers. This roll produced and consequently has a fairly large capital investment. featured "new" music from 1914, as rendered on J. P. At some point (maybe 500 rolls in inventory) John will have to Seeburg 217-- New, because this music has been locked wait for inventory to move before recutting more rolls. away for almost 100 years, yet it contains as fresh and John says he is doing this out of love for the music. He won’t vibrant as any techno, pop, salsa or rock today. have any fire sales. He has the resources to wait until rolls even- This roll was graciously lent to John Motto-Ros of tually sell. In order to promote the music, John brought two nick- Johnny's Music Rolls by Earl Henninger, who heard -- elodeons (a KT special and a Pianino) to a local hotel lobby. Half and responded to -- John's call to action and offered this of the people asked to “turn it down” because the volume’s too rare roll for recutting. high or “turn it off”. [This reminds me of a joke – A Wurlitzer ----- band organ has two volumes “too loud” and “off”]. With the popularity today of "Dancing With The Stars" and "So You Think You Can Dance" this roll sounds Steve Cobb very, very fresh. It's loaded with tangos, one-steps and maxixe of the hottest type -- up-tempo numbers that are Steve Cobb buys rolls from Don Rand (Clark Orchestra a foot tapping fiesta. Imagine the novelty of wheeling a Roll Co.) and sells them on eBay. He puts two or three rolls on at Seeburg E with pipes on stage on "Dancing With The a time. He doesn’t sell the same title within a short period. He Stars" for a dance number and having Erin Andrews, puts a very reasonable $49.95 starting price on “A” and “G”
AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 363 rolls. About one-third of the rolls posted have to be relisted, since Jerry Biasella there are no bidders. Steve bought an old Link 2E and got a call from Don Jerrry Biasella is a restorer who really likes and collects Rand about buying rolls for the instrument. They got to know the music. He noted that most of the collectors are from two gen- each other, and now Steve treats the roll business as a mini-retire- erations past. Modern people don’t know the songs. People are ment plan. He figures that within the next fifteen years or so, he more involved with what the machines look like than what they should be able to move the rolls. He is not in a rush. Steve is 54 do. He has visited collections where rolls were not changed for years old. When he was boy, he heard a player piano. He bought over fifteen years. When acting as a docent at Jasper Sanfilippo’s his own player when he was in high school. He remembers going he notes that some visitors have the attention span of five year to the Gay Nineties Village and to Disney World. He still takes olds. The Hupfeld Phonoliszt Violana is a different story. People quarters to listen to the one remaining machine at the train station are mesmerized by the moving parts. If nothing moves, people in Disney World. [I do the same thing, even though my own lose interest. machines at home are in much better shape]. He said that the Jerry was born and raised four blocks from Svobada’s attendant at the station got so fed up with the music that he shut Nickelodeon Tavern [imagine that for luck!]. He got free drinks the machine off! because his best friend’s cousin worked there. He was a senior in His first nickelodeon was a Coinola Midget which need- high school. Sitting at the bar he heard the KT and the single ed a bunch of work. He also has a keyboard style Seeburg “E”, a Mills Violano in the bar. They could not walk around because Welte upright, a Cremona style “K” (“A” rolls), a Link 2E, a Nel- they were under age. Eventually he went to Svoboda’s on a Sun- son-Wiggin Style 8, an Edgerton KT Special reproduction, a See- day and met Dave Ramey. He lived about a mile from Dave’s burg “L” and an old Seeburg “KT” with flute pipes. Steve’s email house [again, what great luck], and soon Jerry started working is [email protected]. for him. Dave Ramey knew all the old songs and was always lis- tening to the music. He was always looking for rolls. Jerry Ed Gaida worked for Dave for eight years until 1979 when Jerry started his own business. Ed Gaida has been producing rolls for many years. He gave up selling nickelodeon rolls because they weren’t selling. Mike Argain He posted “A” rolls on eBay for a $30 opening bid and a $35 “Buy It Now” price. He didn’t sell a single roll, so he switched to Mike Argain is a restorer who likes and collects the Orchestrelle rolls, which are doing quite well. He has 101 recut music. He has about 200-300 “G” rolls and 200-300 “A” rolls. titles. Each run of 6 copies sold out, and he had to recut 20 titles. He has a ton of machines. He says that people don’t play their He has customers in the U.K., Australia and New Zealand. Ed machines, and the poor economy has influenced purchases. There will cut nickelodeon rolls if someone will order a complete run. have been ups and downs but there are still people buying. They Brad McClincy and Mike Argain have ordered full runs. Ed’s are not necessarily in the music societies, but they may be Ameri- web site is www.egaida.com cana collectors. Mike got started when he was five years old by Ed had a player piano when he was twelve years old. He visiting Sutro’s in San Francisco. He was in the auto parts busi- went to work at the Griffin Piano Company when he was in col- ness, but closed that and started restoration work. He has restored lege. He often took his pay in rolls. They would find pianos and ten machines for Jasper and 22 for the Mihous collection. nickelodeons in barber shops, etc., where he would gain restora- tion experience. In 1965 he went into the piano business. Richard Brad McClincy Tonnesen helped Ed build a perforator. He started cutting “A” rolls in 1999. They sold really well then, but the last year and Brad McClincy has about 600 rolls. He visited the half has seen a decline. He will have a new Orchestrelle catalog Harold Freiheit museum in Columbus when he was in college. in mid-to-late November. Look for it on the web site. He likes both classical and popular music, as do most collectors. At a recent auction Brad bought a playing Wurlitzer BX for David Ramey, Jr. $12,000 instead of the $25,000-$35,000 price tag you would expect [talk about a poor economy]. However, Brad doesn’t buy Restoration work is really keeping Dave Ramey, Jr. machines to make money. He likes to hear the music. busy. The roll business is just secondary. He would pick out rolls from his Dad’s collection or from recommendations. Dave didn’t Tim Trager sell a single roll at the Dearborn, Michigan MBSI convention. Tim Trager got started by visiting Virginia City, Mon- The roll business has slowed down in the last year or so. He tana when he was five years old. He came back with his family thinks that the economy is part of the reason and that there are each summer for eleven years. He bought his first nickelodeon not many new collectors. There are many collectors who change when he was a sophomore in high school. He has a large roll col- rolls once a year or never. The number of paper manufacturers lection with over 300 Seeburg “H” rolls among others. Tim has a has dwindled and the cost of the paper has kept rising. He used to very upbeat opinion of the hobby. He related the story of one make 2 cuttings of 8 rolls each, but now just orders one cutting. couple who went to the World Museum of Mining in Butte, Mon- He produces about 6 rolls a year (down from 12). He plans to tana and saw the Seeburg “H” on display there. They were so continue. Dave has his rolls cut by Bob Billings, who produces a excited they bought a Coinola C2 and a Style 8 Nelson Wiggin very accurate product. Dave’s web site is www.dcramey.com machine.
364 AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 Tim said that most people don’t know about nick- elodeons. So, Tim takes machines out and puts them on display. He says this is the most expensive way to advertise. He brought a Link out three times. The modern kids were hooked. They also get hooked on band organs. People from a nearby ice-cream par- lor came by. A kid from Brooklyn bought a push-up player. He burned the motor out by playing it so much. The Kellerhouse ice cream parlor in New Hampshire actually wore a roll out from overplay. The kids went crazy over it. People were starved for melodic music. Going after the non-collector is the key. Tim suggests that AMICA and MBSI open hospitality rooms to the public, so they can see and hear the instruments. The fun side brings them in. You have to stir interest. AMICA meetings used to have flea markets. Tim is highly upbeat about the future of the machines. Lots of clubs in New York and Los Angeles are now playing old music. Tim Trager’s web site is http://www.timtrager.com AMPICO Master Roll Library Richard Groman
For an entirely different viewpoint, I interviewed Richard Groman, owner of the Keystone Music Roll Company. Keystone specializes in reproducing and player piano rolls. He points out that sales of coin-op roll machines versus home instru- ments do not follow the same trends. There’s a huge market of people who have a collection of pianos that don’t belong to AMICA. Collectors are getting more sophisticated in realizing that rolls must be accurate. He now has the technology to correct the manufacturers’ original mistakes. He also has the original Ampico and Duo-Art equipment. He has just added the capability of printing words on the rolls, and all popular songs will have the words printed. Richard says that demand for rolls is good partly because the acid in the old rolls is rendering them brittle, and people want to replace titles. Keystone has four or five thousand rolls. With a new scanning system and stencils (the masters), there are 3275 titles ready to be recut for Ampico pianos. Key- stone cuts 15 copies at a time. All of the old equipment from Original Aeolian Duo-Art perforator Harold Powell has been junked. In 1975, it was up-to-date, but no longer. Richard’s grandparents had a player piano which he saw when he was five years old. He bought one as a teenager. He likes both classical and popular music. He has a self-playing Aeolian Duo-Art residence organ, that was once owned by Sig- mund Romberg . His web sites are www.keystonemusicroll.com, www.ampico.com, www.weltedeluxe.com and www.duoart.com. Right now they reference a site under construction, but that should change soon.
Hopefully, this small sample of opinions from collectors and manufacturers will spur everybody to buy some new rolls for their machines before it’s too late and rolls become a thing of the past. Keep the MUSIC in Mechanical Music.
Photos courtesy of Richard Groman, Keystone Music Roll Co.
Original AMPICO perforator
AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 365 Membership Update Taylor Boyd Michael & Denise Eisenbise Mike McDonald P.O. Box 50665 1853 Cottage Bay Court 1434 E Weile Ct Columbia, SC 29250-0665 League City, TX 77573-7718 Spokane, WA 99217-8743 803-790-9035 281-332-8085 509-484-0373 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Kenneth Brown Douglas Ferguson Mahlon Schneider 1451 Rocky Ridge Dr. Apt. 1105 POB 27453 405 22nd St. N.W. Roseville, CA 95661-3007 Oakland, CA 94602-0953 Austin, MN 55912-1137 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Kenneth K Caswell John McClelland 3336 Mt. Bonnell Road P.O.Box 6593 Austin, TX 78731-5852 Santa Fe, NM 87502-6593 512-323-0033 310-832-5928 [email protected]
These made possible by Q. David Bowers, who pointed the way, with thanks.
366 AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 More About AMICA 2011 UK by Julian Dyer "Be a traveller, not a tourist" is a favourite saying for only rarely comes into contact with. those who like to think they're travellers, experiencing the reality We're also doing a nice variety of (or some of it, anyway) of the places they visit, rather than just things, from ancient stuff such as passing through in a bubble that only opens at tourist destina- Stonehenge (which I admit is the ne tions. Coach tours are the perfect way of remaining a tourist: you plus ultra of touristy destinations, drive past almost everything without even noticing it! The bubble fantastic as it is) through to 'real' can be so all-encompassing that you quite forget you're not at places such as the seaside resort of home. When AMICA were in Germany a few years back I recall Minehead. I hope we've got the Julian Dyer at least two conversations on the coach where somebody said right mix of free time as well, and "while here we...", meaning America - presumably triggered by that it won't prove too hard to herd everybody back onto the my English accent. It made me think there might really be some- buses afterwards. thing in this "traveller" business, as tourists seem to get so much In recent years when I've visited AMICA conventions less for their money. So, maybe it's opportune to plant a few I've hired a car for a week and hit the road, and great fun it is too. ideas for those considering coming to the 2011 convention, to see Visit a few friends, a few highlight destinations, and all sorts of if we can make travellers of you all! other oddball places in between. I really want to encourage all I recall from AMICA's 1995 visit to England and the AMICANs to do the same, or at least head off by themselves via Netherlands that quite a number of those on the tour weren't reg- train if they can't face up to driving on the other side of the road! ular travellers, and for a few it was the tour that spurred them to See for yourself whether it's all bowler hats and warm beer (yes venture abroad for the first time. I hope that 2011 will similarly to one, no to the other). Find out the favourite British takeaway encourage the new and occasional travellers - these conventions food (apparently it's now a curry... although fish and chips are are a wonderful excuse to get to places you just would never get still doing pretty well). Find out whether it's all fog and rain. Find round to otherwise. Transatlantic visits are the ideal way of start- out why the president of the Campaign to Protect Rural England ing to be a traveller. Escaping from the tourist bubble in the UK is an American (it's true, he is - Bill Bryson, travel writer, author is a pretty benign experience, and a very rewarding one. The lan- of "Notes from a small island"). guage is (almost) the same even if the accent's different, and a lot Of course, whichever way you journey it's supposed to of other things are pretty familiar. Of course, some things aren't be a holiday, not a cultural crash-course, and you can pretty well familiar - and these are where the fun starts, and "fun" should be ignore everything I've just said if you want! the operative word. Food offers all sorts of comedy opportunities (and I Julian Dyer don't mean laughably bad food, either). One of the examples I recall from 1995 is the serving of coffee after dinner. In the UK this is done right at the end of a meal, and I couldn't understand the mutterings that went round my table about bad service. It was only later that I found out that everybody there expected the cof- Stonehenge fee to come with the dessert, if not right at the start of the meal. An example that works the other way is side salads, which are served alongside the main course in the UK. Brits in America of course receive their salad before the meal... and then sit waiting for the main meal to arrive, which won't happen until the salad's eaten, so they're in for a long wait! Then there are curious details that not everybody will notice, such as why in the UK we use our eating utensils two-handed but in the US the fork changes to the right hand once the food's cut? (I've never found out an answer.) To a tourist who wants everything to work just as it does back home these things could be really irritating, but a traveller finds it's an experience. These are deliberately trivial examples, of course. Maybe not all that trivial, actually: changes in food can SS Great be quite unsettling for some, especially if unexpected, although Britain for others it's a major reason for travelling. Now, our itinerary for 2011 tries to help you to be a traveller, as far as a coach tour can do so. It's not wall-to-wall mechanical music, for a start - so there should be plenty of vari- ety in it for those who just want to travel and see the sights, and even talk to the locals. The Great Dorset Steam Fair is a wonder- ful chance for people-watching - it has a quite fabulous mix of 'types' there, some of which a metropolitan Londoner like me
AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 367 Christmas Around the Custom Carved Knabe Ampico by Kenneth Long From a distinctive but ephemeral period in American So important was this history, the development of creating pianos in the highest form of richly orchestrated art case pro- period designs and artistically carved cases was successfully gram, that APC created a depart- undertaken by the American Piano Company “APC”. ment of imported period cases The Highest Development in Period Designs for Pianos under the direction of Seth B. Fos- Kenneth Long of the American Piano Company’s Productions—A ter. Several literary pieces written Mighty Move in Artistic Case Designs to Meet the Pure about APC’s effort of presenting the highest form of period Tonal Developments of the Pianos of Today1 designs for piano cases gives evidence to and documents the Purchasers of these fine and superlative instruments existence of three other period art cases commissioned by APC in could match a very elaborately designed case to their richly deco- Europe at the nascent rated homes and of the planned carved expensive ornate fur- case program. The first nishings. The custom two instruments that styled exclusive cases were produced for created in foreign APC and demonstrated workshops were com- at the National Music bined with the tonal Industries Convention qualities of the finest in New York City the American reproducing week of June 7, 1926, pianos, Mason & Ham- were from Italy, but lin, Knabe, and Chick- arrangements had been ering. made for the manufac- Each detail of ture of special carved the carving by the cases of similar great creators of cabi- Renaissance design in net designs of the ages several European loca- is perfection with tions: France, Eng- motifs characteristic of land, and Spain. For authentic Italian art each of these first with each piano unique instruments, as in Italy, and exclusive of a native artist would design—a true one of draw an original design its kind. The designs were representative of the period known as or embellish and execute the provided design: the Renaissance period being one of the most brilliant artistic The first instruments being produced for the APC are movements in the world. The elaborate work of this Renaissance coming from Italy, but arrangements have been made period is instinctive with harmony and beauty. These fine instru- for the manufacture of special cases on a similar basis ments were abundantly provided with columns and pilasters rich- in France, England and Spain. In each case, as in Italy, ly ornamented with acanthi, carving, cherubs, chimera, foliate, a native artist will either draw the original design or caryatids, Delphinidae, and garlands of fruits and foliage. Deco- check up and improve where possible upon the designs rative raised frieze panels, escutcheons, and circular cameos were submitted to him. Then the native cabinet maker, who adorned with carved decoration representing figures from classic himself is an artist, will carry out that design in the case mythology and allegories, insignia of seasons and months, itself. The thought, so far as may be carried out in any romantic scenes from the writing of historians and poets, exhibi- case, is to develop this new art work in the spirit of art tion of musicians and musical instruments, romantic pictorial for art’s sake, the question of time or of immediate cost scenes of literary personage and scholars, splendidly configured not entering to a point where it will check in any way fleurs-de-lis, and historically significant cotte d’armes. the artistic interpretations of the native artisans.2 Based on present knowledge, ten of these fine period While researching the personal papers and business case instruments were commissioned to the Milan, Italy, firm records of the American Piano Company and Wm. Knabe & Co. Societa Anonima Lavori di Ammobigliamento who submitted on file in the archives at The Strong National Museum of Play in designs and estimates for instruments, in any style to meet the Rochester, New York, photographs by Frederick Bradley, 125 taste and desire of individual clients. The ateliers of the native Fifth Avenue, and design sketches of the first sampling of these artists and wood sculptors who designed and constructed these instruments were discovered. One of these photographs of an superb period cases were located near Mesa, Italy, and they early APC hand carved Ampico piano in a fine residential setting would spend a year in the concurrent production of two instru- showed a variant design. This particular piano is of very fine ments in their workshop from 1925 into 1930.
368 AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 ished due to much lower shipping tariffs. This Knabe Ampico, Model A, is photographed in my home after its restoration. Its “renaissance” consisted of the Ampico mechanism as well as a re-gilded plate and new pin block, stringing, and hammers. The piano’s prior ownership was with Rick McCool in Atlanta, Georgia, where he purchased it from the estate of a collector many years previously. While the original owner is not identified by name, it was communicated by the trustee of the estate that the piano was originally obtained by a young New York City banker. Perhaps this banker was part of the banking concern which financed APC’s imported period case program starting in 1925. To assist promoting the carved case design program to the financier, one could speculate that this valuable piano, representing the formal examination of vari- ous European case designers, probably found its residency in the home of this astute banker at a relatively modest sum. The Knabe’s Italian Renaissance design represents supe- representation with non-reticulated tablet styled legs and bench rior execution of a brilliant artistic movement and is a delightful incorporating a decorated fenestrated arched columnar niche as treasure artistically as well as musically. I can not articulate the habitat for a standing draped lady with two additional scantily aura and distinctive atmosphere surrounding these pieces of art draped female figurines in a seated position on the leg pedestal. better than was stated below in 1926 by the head of the APC lit- (pictured above) The overall design, deviating in the characteris- erary and artistic departments: tic motif of the Italian pianos, is more moderate and executed We must, of course, have a piano, and to how few of us with well defined but reserved artistry very uniquely reminiscent has it occurred to secure one which, its musical excel- of the beautifully temperate British style and is referenced as fol- lence a sine qua non, will harmonize with its surround- lows: ings?. . . Such a piano would be a delight to the eye, as George G. Foster, President of the American Piano well as the ear. Such a piano would have the distinction Company, announced last week in an interview the long of being the only one of its kind, for no duplicate would contemplated plans regarding the policy of his company be made without the permission of its owner. It would through its various units, and combining with certain become in any household a treasure to be handed down London piano manufacturers, the culmination of what as an heirloom, just as the art creations of an older time might be termed the presenting of the highest form of are the priceless possessions of collectors and museums period designs for piano cases that have as yet been of today.5 attempted.3 ______The ownership and location of this assumed British 1. “Art Pianos from $10,000 to $50,000,” Musical Courier Extra, Ampico piano is not known but the picture clearly indicates its May 29, 1926, p. 25. assured manufacture and eventual exhibition: 2. “American Piano Co. Receives First of Imported Period Piano Just when period cases from art centers outside of Italy Cases,” The Music Trade Review, May 22, 1926, p 22. will begin to come through has not been announced, 3. “Art Pianos from $10,000 to $50,000,” Musical Courier Extra, although the work is being carried on at several points May 29, 1926, p. 25. in Europe, but probably in a few months there will be 4. “American Piano Co. Receives First of Imported Period Piano shown by the APC these cases developed in accordance Cases,” The Music Trade Review, May 22, 1926, p 22. with the ideas originated by the great cabinet makers of 5. F.H.B. Byrne, “Art in Furniture: With Special Reference to the England and executed by their disciples on their native Pianoforte,” Musical Courier Extra, May 26, 1926, p. 28. hearths, or of cases reflecting the French influence designed and decorated in that country.4 The 1925 Knabe pictured on the cover of this AMICA Bulletin is assumed to be the instrument designed and carved in Spain. Its Renaissance motif is very similar to the Italian instru- ments, but certain unique characteristics indicate a separate ori- Right gin. For one, the entire case presents carved designs whereby it side is speculated that all of the ancillary components of the Italian leg produced pianos were carved in Italy without the case being shipped. Most of the case decoration and cheek block cherubim, griffins, delphinids, and Grecian goddesses on the ten Italian pianos could have been applied locally after their Italian sculp- ture. The legs, lyre, music rack, fall board, drawer front, and bench could have been created in the foreign workshop from pre- cise design specifications without the concomitant case. And if this is the “case”, total production costs would have been dimin-
AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 369 Caryatids and ornamental columned Rear Leg Inside view pilaster supporting architrave
Pedestal with chimera supporting caryatids Right Leg Inside View and center columniation
Intricate facial detail of leg caryati Rear Leg caryatid with garlands of grapes, acorns, and berries
370 AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 Square frieze panel with goddess enshrouded cotte d'armes Circumfluent framed art and heraldry fleur-de-lis escutcheons
Cheek block detail of acanthus and garland of fruitage Chimera on each leg pedestal both outside and inside
Medallion in pedal lyre Ampico A Drawer assembly detail adorned with acanthi
AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 371 Automatic Musical Instruments and Trends Concerning Them By Q. David (Dave) Bowers Introduction there was a fellow named Harvey Roehl, pronounced “rail” as in “rail- In this article I share some thoughts and observations road,” who concerning the collecting of automatic musical instruments— lived in Q. David (Dave) Bowers observable realities, so to speak, based on 50 years of enjoying Vestal and the hobby and participating in it. who collected all sorts of musical On the Internet site Mechanical Music Digest (MMD) things. I lost no time making the con- and elsewhere, but less so in the pages of the AMICA Bulletin, nection, after which Harvey and his there have been many discussions to the effect that collecting wife Marion became lifelong friends. coin-operated pianos, orchestrions, reproducing pianos, band They are gone now. Murray Clark, of organs, organettes, and other automatic musical instruments is C l a r k ’s not what it used to be a generation or two ago. Today, we have Harvey Roehl Trading player pianos and even reproducing pianos offered for free (come Post, in and pick it up, and it is yours), and many coin-operated instru- Lincoln, New Hampshire, greeted ments that would have sold instantly 30 years ago now linger for me on my first visit in 1960, when sale in Internet web sites, and at prices lower than they would the Roehls took me there, leading to have been in 1980. Thirty another lifelong friendship (Murray years is more than a genera- passed away in January 2010) and, tion! eventually, to my moving to New I started in 1960 and Hampshire. was the newest kid on the Murray Clark musical block. My first acqui- T h e sition was a table-top Regina 1960s were marvelous years—times music box using an 11-inch of discovery as the hobby grew by disc. I marveled at its music leaps and bounds, and I delved into when I heard it at an antiques my own studies of the lore and lure show and quickly parted with of these musical treasures of yester- year. Art Reblitz, in Colorado Springs, has been a friend ever since that time. $225 to become its latest Art Reblitz owner. From there it was Buying and Selling on to a beautiful Mermod From 1967 into the early 1980s I was a partner with Frères cylinder box. I Terry Hathaway in Hathaway & Bowers, Inc., in Santa Fe acquired a copy of Music Springs, California, with Bonnie Tekstra and Claes O. Friberg in Boxes, Their Lore and American International Galleries in Irvine in the same state; and with Claes O. Friberg in the Mekanisk Musik Museum A/S in Copenhagen. I had moved to California with my family in 1967, and would live there until Lure, by Helen and John 1980, when I relocated to New Hoke, which described the a Hampshire. marvelous Regina music box Each of these three that changed discs automati- venues had reproducing pianos, cally. I just had to have one! coin pianos, music boxes, My searches put me on to orchestrions, and other instru- Ruth Bornand, a dealer in Pel- ments on display. The MMM in ham, New York. A telephone Denmark was primarily a muse- call later, I sent a check for um, but had instruments for sale $400 to her, and in due course as well, and the first two were it was shipped to my home in exclusively for sales. All three Vestal, New York. were not unlike a private club. A local radio person- Enthusiasts could come, linger, ality, David Greacen, told me Catalog illustration of a listen to music, ask questions, Seeburg KT Special
372 AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 and have a good time. Of course, cal museum in Utrecht, Holland. there were salaries to be paid, the Siegfried Wendel, on a costs of advertising, insurance, rent, visit from Germany, stopped by at utilities, and the like to deal with, Hathaway & Bowers and found and it was always nice when some- orchestrions to be fascinating. He one made a purchase. And, a lot of had never seen one before. The rest people did. is history, and today his museum A long list of visitors could and tourist attraction in Rüdesheim be given, who came to one or on the Rhine River is a must-see another of these places out of stop for thousands of tourists each curiosity, who were not at all famil- year. Although I am not certain, I iar with automatic musical instru- venture to guess that this is the Siegfried Wendel ments when they walked through largest privately-owned automatic the door, and became excited. J.B. musical instrument attraction in all of Europe. Nethercutt bought his first instru- http://www.siegfrieds-musikkabinett.de/museum.htm Catalog illustration of a Seeburg H ments from us, leading to the San S y l - Where have these been all my life? mar Collection. As his collection grew he envisioned building a Many, many more people could be mentioned. The point two-story museum, the first floor is that such instruments, once seen and heard, endeared them- with classic automobiles and the selves to viewers and listeners. Most people who visited already second with automatic musical liked antiques and old-time things, but when hearing, for exam- instruments. This eventually ple, a Seeburg G orchestrion play, said, “Where have these things evolved into becoming a seven- been all my life!” story palace of such treasures! Just about anywhere in the world, anyone who stood in Roy Arrington, of Las front of a finely restored Hupfeld Vegas, who was interested in Phonoliszt-Violina and listened to antique slot machines, visited and J.B. Nethercutt it wanted to buy one. Ditto for an bought his first coin-operated in-tune Mills Violano-Virtuoso or a piano, actually a keyboard Wurlitzer orchestrion. Later, his Victo- Wurlitzer CX orchestrion with a rian Casino Antiques
AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 373 October 6th. Marty and Elise Roenigk, at first in Connecticut, later in Once interested in automatic musical instruments, Arkansas, offered interesting things to collectors. Marty would always interested, it has been scour listings of antiques sales, and if there was a music box, said. While many collectors of would often bid on it. In addition to the names mentioned, there the 1960s have passed to their were a half dozen or more specialists in smaller instruments such ultimate reward, those who are as music boxes and automata. There were a few reproducing still alive are still as enthusiastic piano shops as well and quite a few player piano restorers. as ever! This suggests to me that Any number of making people familiar with carousels in the United States instruments is the main chal- had band organs to provide Steinway Duo-Art lenge for AMICA and its sister music. In the 1980s at Coney Reproducing Grand Piano organization, the Musical Box Island I enjoyed a merry-go- Society International. Once they come aboard, keeping them is round ride that had band organ not a problem! music and also the iconic I found that the sale of one instrument usually led to the “brass ring” to catch. Today, sale of another—and still more beyond that. More than just a few very few have such instru- customers became so involved that they built music rooms or ments, and fewer yet have ones even special buildings to house their collections, such as the that are well restored and in Coades and J.B. Nethercutt, already mentioned, not to overlook tune. Several dozen “movie Wurlitzer 125 Band Organ others of a slightly later time such as Jim and Sherrie Krughoff palaces” still had Wurlitzer or and Jasper Sanfilippo, this being just a short list. Most, however, other pipe organs, as did a number of pizza parlors and restau- had more modest aims—perhaps a Seeburg A-roll piano, a Regi- rants. Now the number is very small. na disc-changing music box, and an Ampico reproducing piano. Others specialized in a niche—only reproducing pianos or only Challenges for All of Us disc-type music boxes, for example. Today I am not aware of any location in America in Those people who caught the collecting “bug” kept which someone can walk in and see a few dozen or more coin coming back to see what was new, to meet other collectors, and, pianos, player pianos, orchestrions, band organs, and the like, if this was their liking, to go to meetings of the MBSI and with for-sale tags and a nearby helpful person to explain them. AMICA. This is a shame. There are some very nice Internet offerings, but no showroom to visit to complete a sale. Somewhat curiously, at More on Getting Started least it seems to me, is that there are more automatic musical In other instances, instruments for sale today than any time in my memory. If you people who became promi- want a Seeburg KT Special, G, or H orchestrion, you can find nent in our hobby saw their one, or a Wurlitzer coin piano or PianOrchestra, or a Regina disc first instruments in other changer, or a Mills Violano-Virtuoso, you are in luck, assuming venues besides the three you agree with the price. Years ago a search involving months or companies in which I was even years was needed to track down some of these fine pieces. involved. Terry Hathaway From 1961 into the 1990s the Vestal Press, operated by listened to a PianOrchestra in Harvey and Marion Roehl, featured books on automatic musical a seaside resort and became instruments, reprint catalogues, restoration instruction manuals, fascinated with it, Larry recordings, and more. Harvey and Marion were ambassadors for Givens heard instruments at our hobby—and created countless new collectors. Today there is the Musical Museum in no equivalent of the Vestal Press. There is not much new in the Deansboro, New York, and way of books on such things today. Harvey, we miss you! Harvey Roehl learned of a There are, however, many positive things. Hardly a Link coin piano for sale near week goes by without my chatting with my long-time friend Art his Vestal, New York home, Reblitz, with whom I am doing a new and went to see it out of book on coin-operated American pianos and orchestrions. Reblitz curiosity. I imagine that Bill Catalog illustration of a Edgerton, who had a fine Wurlitzer PianOrchestra Restorations in Colorado Springs can showroom in Darien, Con- and has brought back to life instru- necticut, could relate many similar stories. Ruth Bornand, a fine ments such three Hupfeld Pan friend for many years, had a salesroom of music boxes in her Orchestras, probably the most intri- home in Pelham, New York, Visitors who made the trip to see her cate, most complex orchestrions of usually bought something. all time. Tim Westman, of At one time Bill Scolnick issued catalogs of automatic Woodsville, New Hampshire, is musical instruments for sale, as did Barden & Clark, and G.W. another fine restorer with whom I MacKinnon. In Mesquite, Texas, Wallace McPeak had a display have done business, and I’ve already Seeburg KT mentioned Ron Cappel. This list of coin pianos, band organs, and other instruments for sale. coin operated orchestrion
374 AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 could be extended to include over two dozen highly competent lot. They are pretty to just admire! Just to collect as a collectible. restorers I have not used, the likes of which—or at least not as Quite a few years ago Hathaway & Bowers handled the Regina many—did not exist when I started in the 1960s. music box collection formed by Roy Haning and Neal White. The Internet makes it possible for you to go on YouTube Although Roy and Neal spent a good part of their lives rebuild- a minute from now, punch in “Seeburg,” and see and listen to ing and enjoying pneumatic instruments, the Reginas mainly
AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 375 boardless cabinet. Ampico, Duo-Art, and Welte pianos were a foot-pumped one. In this vein, but relating to food preparation, never “collectibles” in the sense that music boxes and coin-oper- General Mills (a fine company with which I was once associated) ated pianos were and are. Accordingly, when various electronic came up with a great idea. Busy housewives and others no longer reproducing systems were developed, such as the Pianocorder had to buy a bunch of ingredients to bake a chocolate cake. In and the Disklavier, they captured much of the market once fact, they did not have to buy anything except a box of Betty enjoyed by rebuilt classic reproducing pianos. Crocker mix. Add water, stir, pop into the oven, and, presto! a As to 88-note player delicious cake emerged. And it did. pianos, the one great However, the idea was a flop. In trying to find out why, factor in driving inter- General Mills concluded that the personal touch was missing. est and the market was They reformulated the mix so that the user had to add an egg and the pleasure of finding perhaps one or two other basic things. This done, the finished a dusty, silent old cake became the personal creation of the baker. Similarly from player and with a copy General Mills, it was thought that: 1. People loved French restau- of Larry Givens' book, rants, fine Italian cooking, and other treats to the palate. 2. People Rebuilding the Player wanted to save time and money. A line of pop-in-the-oven Piano, or its succes- French, Italian, and other gourmet dinners was created. This, too sor, Art Reblitz’s Play- was a flop. Upon thinking further, it was realized that few people er Piano: Servicing wanted to invite friends over on Sunday for a grand French cui- and Rebuilding, bring- sine dinner that involved unwrapping packages from the freezer Conventional player piano, as typically ing it back to life. Tens and popping them in the microwave! found, needing restoration of thousands of copies Similarly, you are the ingredient, you are necessary for were sold of these the player piano to produce music. And, you can play it softly or books and, likely, one out of every several buyers was a candi- loudly, slow or fast, or any way that you want to. In the past year date to acquire a player piano. Accordingly, from the 1960s to on the MMD website there have been any number of player the 1980s an unrestored one was easily sold for $200 to $500 or pianos offered for free—come and take it away, or it will be so. hauled to the dump. I cannot help but think, once again, that if When rebuilt, a player piano was enjoyed by the entire the Vestal Press were still active, rebuilding a player piano would family. Part of this was due to the fact that some personal input be a popular pursuit. was needed—to pick out favorite rolls, put them on the piano, In connection with Terry Smythe helping my rare coin then foot-pump the pedals. As strange as it may seem, an electri- company (Stacks.com) with a scanning and publication project I fied player piano attracted very little interest. Why? am trading with him, and very enjoyably, by submitting a few It seems that for many generations, there has been a articles to the AMICA Bulletin. Perhaps a candidate for the next quest for labor-saving devices and time-saving everything. one might be Forming and Enjoying a Collection of Automatic Accordingly, an electrified player should be more desirable than Musical Instruments.
1919 Seldon Truck Delivering Knabe Ampico Pianos contributed by Vincent Morgan
376 AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 The Amazing Angelus By Stephen Kent Goodman
In the course of restoring instruments, great and small, So this “Amazing Angelus“ rare and not-so-rare, occasionally one stands out with features or allowed the playing of 6 types of peculiarities that set it apart from similar instruments. Such is the rolls: case with an Angelus Themodist player in my shop this last year. The 1900’s was a decade where different note scales 1. Standard 88 note Stephen Kent Goodman were utilized by hosts of manufacturers clamoring to dominate 2. Themodist 88 note. the market. Combination 65 and 88 note players were fairly rare. 3. Standard 65 note These instruments usually combined both scales on one tracker 4. Themodist 65 note bar. To create an instrument that was compatible with the greatest 5. Artistyle standard rolls number and styles of rolls was evidently the goal of these first 6. Artistyle Themodist rolls. self-contained players. Earlier push-up piano players (with rare exception) used the 6-to-an-inch, 65 note scale establishing itself Additionally, as with many early Autopianos and as the industry leader. Indeed, the commercial rolls used by pio- Angelus Players, a “ritardando/accelerando” control was present neer coin-piano giants Marquette and J.P. Seeburg built their on the keyslip, allowing the pianolist the manual option of cus- businesses on 6-holes-per inch, 65 note music (although there tomized slowing down or speeding up of the music’s tempo were only 58 actual playing notes). while not moving the primary tempo setting. Probably too By a convention of sophisticated for the origi- roll standardization held in nal buyer of player pianos, 1911, a scale that operated but a very musical feature all 88 notes of a standard and essential on those piano, commonly referred early rolls, especially of to as the “88 note”, became classical music. the industry standard for These instruments use on home-intended are fairly rare, and repre- instruments. Although the sent probably the most 65 note pin-end rolls were sophisticated transitional still punched, by the early piano (to the standard 88 1920’s, most companies note scale) ever made. phased them out. The ubiq- Additionally, the use uitous “A”, “G” or of featherweight-ten- “4X”and to a lesser degree, sioned valve return “H/MSR” roll, were all that springs in the stack remained of the 6-to-inch valves, numerous roll industry, as well as a screwed/gasketed fittings few hold-outs (such as where later manufacturers Berry-Wood, Link, Nation- would simply draw a ring al 8-roll changer pianos and of shellac around a fitting a few lesser-known expres- and force fit it into the sion or reproducing piano wood, all add up to an rolls). instrument that was not I had never before encountered a player piano that had economical to build, and must have sold at top-of-the-line prices. the following features all in one spool box: I doubt if anything made by industry today could even come close to the amount of engineering and hand labor needed to pro- 1.Themodist expression system (a clever series of valves that duce this player. would accent the melody notes by coding them with special To perform properly, it requires an experienced techni- “high vacuum” signals, used in the later Aeolian Themodist prod- cian who is skilled in doing a tight, factory-perfect job, as there is ucts; little vacuum to spare- especially playing 88-note Themodist 2 two tracker bars (one 88 note, one 65 note), with a spring- rolls with “full keyboard” arrangement! It is definitely NOT a loaded, snap-down curtain of pneumatic cloth covering up the beginning project to start one’s rebuilding education on! It is a one not in use! true museum or advanced collection piece, requiring real conser- 3. Gearing of the transmission frame allowed the playing of vancy and focused and experienced restoration. But the rewards the Artistyle roll, which traveled from the bottom to the top and of owning this piano, especially if one is fortunate to own a was placed over the tracker bar with its paper traveling inward, library of different roll examples that it uses, are worth all the similar to the roll configuration WurliTzer and Coinola (with it’s work and more. style “O” rolls) utilized!
AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 377 Spool Box
Before
After
Dual Tracker Bar
Before
After
Pedals
Before
After
Bottom Bellows
Before
After
378 AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 Keyboard
Before
After
Secondary valves. Use a extremely light tension coiled spring to keep valve seated on the vacuum chest.
Carefully record the size and tension for fabrication out of same gauge phosphor bronze wire.
Innards of Melodant Valve during restoration
Spool box instruc- tions for various roll types.
AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 379 380 AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 Chapter News Pacific Can-Am Chapter President - Bill Mote Reporter - David Goodwin
The March 2010 meeting of the Pacific Can-Am Chapter was held at the home of Jack and Marylou Becvar. We had a wonderful time seeing their theatre organ and many other wonderful instruments.
Dave Goodwin, and Tom Ahearn who was in visiting from Maine
1920 Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ which is played by a Moller Artiste Reproducing Player
Xylophone that is connected to the Wurlitzer Theatre Organ
Tom, Mark, Ron and Dale are looking thru rolls at the Mart Jack starting up a roll on the Moller Artiste remote player for the pipe organ.
Some of the new visitors we had at the meeting
Everyone is visiting and having a great time
AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 381 Our hosts Larry Sanchez and Dave Goodwin
Our hosts--Jack and Mary Lou Becvar
Michael Metcalf and Judy Mote, our secretary, enjoying the nice weather on the deck
Mark Smithberg and a new 723 - Everyone getting ready for the potluck visitor enjoying The June 2010 meeting of the Pacific Can-Am dinner chapter was held at the home of Dave Goodwin and Larry Sanchez.
It was a nice Stu Swanberg enjoying the day so many sun on the deck were visiting in the back yard
Carl Dodrill our past president Dave Good- and everyone win at his else is in Dave's Bush and shop looking at Lane Cecilian the Seeburg K pump piano he is restoring.
382 AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 The Sept 19, 2010 meeting for the Pacific Can-Am Chapter was held at the home of Kurt Morrison and Keith hannah
1927 Chickering Ampico with a Spanish Rennissance Case
Our hosts--Keith Hannah and Kurt Morrison Kurt Morrison, Dan Brown who came over from A couple of won- Spokane and derful Victor Mark Smith- phonographs with berg radios
Carl Dodrill trying out a Bush and Lane player piano Everyone in con- versation
Jack Becvar and Keith Hannah alongside Keith’s 1926 Knabe Ampico A Louis XVI
Halie Dodrill and Mark Baratta
1926 Bush & Lane Welte Licensee Hepplewhite
AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 383 CHICAGo CHAPTER SUNDAY – SEPTEMBER 19, 2010 President - Jerry Biasella Reporter - Curt Clifford
Thirty members and guests attended our Sunday Fall meeting at the home of Joanne and Jim Tharp in Palos Park, IL. The Tharp’s have an eclectic collection of treasures which include a 6’11” 1926 Steinway Duo Art Reproducing piano in an Italian Renaissance style art case and a 5’8” 1926 Mason Hamlin Ampico B in a heavily carved Louis XV walnut case. In addition to these magnificent pianos they also have a 1960’s JBL Paragon stereo speaker and a fascinating collection of model cars. Our chapter President Jerry Biasella called the business meeting to order and the minutes of the June 6, 2010 meeting were read and approved. Our treasurer Joe Pekarek informed us of some updates to our chapter membership. At the end of 2009 Our hosts, Joanne and Jim Tharp we had a total of 79 individual and family memberships. Unfor- tunately 13 memberships were not renewed taking our current membership down to 66.After the meeting we listened to various selections on each piano form classical to popular and enjoyed a variety of snacks, desserts, beverages and sandwiches provided by our hosts and participating members. 6’11” 1926 Steinway Duo Art, Italian Renaissance Jim Krughoff style art case and Tim Trager
5’8” 1929 M a s o n H a m l i n AMPICO B in a h e a v i l y c a r v e d Louis XV Jerry Biasella and w a l n u t Margaret Bisberg case prepare for the business meeting.
JBL Paragon Dusen- Speaker berg
384 AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 FoUNDING CHAPTER The 7' 6" Steinway was lengthened 40 years ago, so when he did the D, Tockhwock knew exactly what he was doing, and reve- President - John Ulrich niered the case to hide the stretch marks. The case is Georgian Reporter - Jack & Dianne Edwards and dust is not allowed to fall on it. Photographers - Warren Jennings and Jack Edwards There is a Stroud upright is also pedal-electric. Because some work is being done, we didn't hear it but would like to The October meeting was fantastic. Those who were when Tockhwock and Bruce allow as how it's ready. The interest- there were treated to four Duo-Art pianos that did their owners ing thing about this instrument is the tracker bar which allows it proud. Our hosts, Bruce Grimes and Tockhwock have a beautiful to play full Duo-Art, 88 note, 65 note, 58 note Orchestrelle and home and a great Simplex rolls. Tock- collection of four hwock played a pianos, all Duo- Simplex and a Arts. sixty-five note roll, One very but we didn't hear impressive piano, a any Duo-Art rolls. 9'6" pedal electric We would love to Steinway Duo-Art hear the Duo-Art need not take a back rolls when Tock- seat to anything. It hwock and Bruce was originally a allow as it's ready to demonstration piano perform for us. which traveled In many around the country ways, the star of the to demonstrate the show is a tiny 4" Duo-Art system. Marionette piano. It Often, the keyboard started its life as a area was sometimes Recordo. Tock- obscured from the hwock basically audience and the lis- took at apart and teners were chal- put it back together lenged to discern as a Duo-Art and whether they were made it do as he listening to the Duo pleased. He built a Art, or the actual 14” D-A pump for it artist who traveled Tockhwock’s 9’ 6” Steinway D Duo-Art, with extended case and newly constructed foot pumps. (15” was too big to with the piano. When Aeolian decommissioned it, it was sold to fit), a '30’s style D-A stack and a “fan” accordion D-A expression a church in Rhode Island. The Duo Art was ripped out, and the system. Then, he wanted to put a little decoration on the case. piano shortened by several inches. Six years later, Tockhwock Appreciating the artwork on a Duo-Art roll box, he did what was bought the piano, restored it to its original length and re-installed necessary to reproduce it in real wood veneers on the side of the the Duo-Art mechanism. To cover the seam where the piano was case. Once the veneers were cut and ready to be applied, he and re-lengthened, Tockhwock used I used Avodire crotch bookended Bruce glued it into space with no shrinkage of the art-work. for the case and many different kinds to create the trumpeters Finally, the fallboard was redone with the art work from a Ryth- over the legs. It is as beautiful to look at as it is to hear. modik roll. How the work was done was described in some The second instrument is a 7'6" Steinway pedal electric. length. It is safe to say it did not come as a kit, and Martha Stew- art couldn't do it in a million years.
Tockhwock and the 7' 4” Duo-Art Steinway Tockhwock and the Marionette
AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 385 Tockhwock and Bruce have a library of about 2,000 rolls. It is a library, not a collection because the rolls are con- stantly being played and enjoyed. We were treated to rolls on each of the pianos. It was thrilling to hear everything from some beautifully played classical pieces to an Audiographic Duo-Art roll of"American Pie". It was fun to watch Roy Powlan become one of the only people in the world to pump a roll on a Steinway Demonstration model D pedal electric. We had a great afternoon enjoying everything within sight and earshot.
Julie Porter and Dianne Marionette 4' Duo-Art Edwards admiring Tockhwock’s demonstration of the Stein- way D Duo- Art.
Tockhwock demonstrating the Duo-Art fan system, which may be seen to the immediate left of the spool box. Roy Powlan and Lyle Merithew at 9'6" Steinway. Moments later, Roy Tockhwock's pumped the Leabarjan only known Style 8 pedal electric perforator, the concert grand perfect decora- piano. tor accent to any living room.
Bruce Grimes and Karen Simons Ed Note: More about this extraordinary Steinway Duo-Art con- cert grand piano may be seen in AMICA Bulletins - Mar-Apr 2009, Oct-Nov 2008, Apr-May 2008, and Jun-Jul 2007. More about the Marionette Duo-Art may be seen in AMICA Bulletins May-Jun 2010 and Sep-Oct 2005. ts
386 AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 FoUNDING CHAPTER HEART oF AMERICA CHAPTER
President - John Ulrich President -Robbie Tubbs Reporting - John Ulrich Reporter - H.C. & Marlene Beckman Photographer - Dan Davis At Julie Porter's home 21 August 2010. The instru- ment is her home built organ. It was a terrific day for an The Heart of America Chapter held a fall meeting in inside/outside afternoon meeting. This has been the coldest Kansas City the weekend of September 17-19. On Friday night summer we can remember in the San Francisco Bay Area and those members available toured the Marr Sound Archives of Martinez where the meeting was held is about 45 minutes inland Music history in the Miller Nichols Library at the University from S.F.. The weather was in the low 80s, perfect. of Missouri Kansas City. Amica member Charlie Tyler ser- So we listened to the music for a spell and since most of vices the machines for the museum. A tour of the sheet music the movers and shakers of Founding Chapter were there we used archives was very interesting. the afternoon to discuss and shape details of the 2013 AMICA A highlight of the tour was viewing the Chant Book 50th anniversary Convention Gala that we will be hosting. We with wooden covers from the 1600's. have secured the Beautiful Holiday Inn at Van Ness and Pine St. just a block from the end or the start of the Cable car line depending on your point of view. in the heart of the city,close to everything that is San Francisco. We have secured some great prices on rooms,meals and we are working on more of the details Chant book to make this a fun ,interesting and informative convention wrapped around one of the worlds great cities. Put the 2013 Convention on your calendar
Karen Simons. Vice President extraordinaire, with host Julie Porter.
Viewing a Chant book
Following the tour members met for visiting and show and tell. While examining a phonograph player Roger Stum- baugh shared that many times people stored the operation manu- al in one of the slots meant to hold records. He said many times someone accidentally pushed the manual into the back of the cabinet as they replaced a record in the slot. And now, the rest of the story…..A flashlight, screw- driver and five minutes revealed a “lost” manual. Roger said he had found many manuals this way over the years.
Bonnie Gonzalez Convention Cordinator Phonograph
Julie Porter demonstrating her home built street organ
New member Dave Forus
AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 387 Roger Stumfoll finding Organ built by instruction Yousuf Wilson manual
Instruction Manual
Tom and Kay Bode
On Saturday we met at the Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead where we delighted large crowds with “the happiest music on earth.” Farmstead visitors are always appreciative of our music and we have scheduled yearly rallies there. A catered picnic lunch was enjoyed in the pavilion. Part of the group had dinner at Cinzetti’s popular Italian buffet. The remaining members attended the New Theatre Restaurant for an outstanding dinner and show, “The Sunshine Boys”. On Sunday we gathered for a delicious brunch and busi- H. C. ness meeting. Plans are being formalized for our annual holiday Beckman meeting which will again be held in Kansas City. with silent salesman
AMICA at Deanna Rose
Gary Craig
Yousuf and Mary Wilson
388 AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 Deane Shepherd
Deanna Rose Farmstead, with Rick McDowell’s band organ
Betty and Jerry Golmanavich
Kay and Jim Fletcher and Rick McDowell and with his New-Matic 168 friends. (165 style) built by Ed Schmidt
Charlie Tyler with horn phonograph display
AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 389 SoUTHERN CALIFoRNIA CHAPTER the largest con- sole built by the President - Frank Nix Wurlitzer Com- Reporter - Shirley Nix pany for the city of Los Angeles. Sunday, September 12th was the last meeting for the The Old chapter, and it was a fun-filled afternoon at the Old Town Music Town Music Hall Hall in El Segundo, where we were entertained with an organ came into being concert performed by Bill Field, that was followed by a sing-a- in 1968 when the long and then, when we two Bills were all warmed up and installed the Laurel and Hardy collection of miniatures ready to laugh, that favorite organ at this loca- in the lobby Laurel and Hardy in “The tion and opened Music Box”. I don’t think it the doors of the theater. This structure is the second located at matters how many times one this location, since the first wooden theater, which dated back to has seen this movie it still about 1910, was completely destroyed by fire prior to 1920. The really hits your funny bone. new building The sheer nonsense of Lau- opened for rel and Hardy as piano business in movers is such a funny 1921 and premise to begin with, and served the when faced with those area as a seemingly endless stairs motion picture going up, up, and up, the house into the laughs just keep coming. 1950’s. Our host - Bill Field After the Laurel and There is a Hardy movie we came to the nine-foot con- main attraction, which was “Yankee Doodle Dandy” starring cert grand piano on James Cagney when he was a song and dance man. The story of Photoplayer at side of stage. George M. Cohan is such an inspiring movie, and the music and stage, a mag- patriotism of the man fairly leaps out of the movie. Perhaps it nificent Bosendorfer, purchased new by the theater in 1974. Jazz should be required viewing in high schools? You can’t help com- great Eubie Blake performed on it. There is also an elegant ing away humming songs from the movie, such as “Mary”, “Give seven-foot Grotrian-Steinweg, which was purchased in 2009 My Regards to Broadway”, “Yankee Doodle Dandy”, “A Grand from the family of Richard Leshin who was a principle violinist Old Flag”, and “Over There”, just to name a few. for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. When the In 1975 the Music Hall began an annual Ragtime Festi- movie was val, and this year will celebrate thirty-five years, the only venue over we on earth to have hosted an annual Ragtime event for so many reluctantly years. left the the- ater and The Theater walked a s h o w s block over to silent films a new restau- with organ rant, which accompani- ment and Diane Minzey, Jerry Pell, Richard Ingram in the turned out to theatre awaiting “The Music Box” be a really g o l d e n good place with good food. It was a perfect way to end the day, oldies of with good food and great company. It was a successful day for the “talkie” all who attended, and we were glad to see Jerry Pell and Diane generation. Minzey who came clear down from Wrightwood and Richard They also Ingram who came clear from Hesperia. Richard and Mary host many Wurlitzer console Thomas also came a long way from Leona Valley. live artists, A little bit about the Music Hall – The Mighty Wurlitzer with everything from soloists to big band venues. For those of us organ (with 4 manuals/24 ranks/ and more than 2,000 pipes) was who love the old treasures, this is indeed a wonderful place. We purchased by Bill Coffman and Bill Field in 1958 from the Fox thank Bill Field for continuing this wonderful place. West Coast Theater in Long Beach. At that time it was complete- Our next meeting will be the Christmas party in Decem- ly rebuilt and served for a few years in a small studio in Los ber, but we have three organ rallies in October to fill our time Angeles. The console is from the Los Angeles Paramount, and is until then.
390 AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 LAND oF DIXIE CHAPTER LADY LIBERTY CHAPTER
President - Walt Gerber President - John Dousmanis Reporter/Photographer - Walt Gerber Reporting by Vince Morgan
Well, if you missed 25 September Atlanta meeting, you September 11th was a gorgeous day following the hurri- missed out on a great time! First, we want to thank our National cane that wasn’t, for our Lady Liberty meeting at the wonderful AMICA President and host for the Atlanta get-together, Tim Bax- home of Bill and Ann Edgerton. 26 members and 7 guests spent ter. We began the day’s events with a wonderful tour of the Fox a wonderful afternoon dining on Ann’s sumptuous delicacies, lis- Theater. What an incredible jewel this place is, a truly wonderful tening to our special member, Hi Babit, and then enjoying the example of the opulence of the 1920’s. various instruments in the Edgerton collection. Following the Fox tour, we had an excellent lunch at Hi Babit shared many requests from members and Front Page News, a local restaurant and bar. Then we were off to guests, each with a story. He also answered questions to a rapt look at and experience Tim’s fine collection of Reproducing audience for over an hour. Some of our guests had never met Hi Player Pianos. The day just got better and better. before and were enamored at his abilities, stamina, agility and clarity of mind. He shared stories of his days with QRS and how he had to almost force the folks there to allow him to record what became their best seller—New York, New York. The third segment of our program was a marvelous demonstration of the various instruments in Bill and Ann’s won- derful collection. Seats were rearranged to save our ears and the wonderful musical tour began. The first item demonstrated was musical wonder from a 1953 Maytag dryer that as the load finished, played “How Dry I Am” on bars. Then Bill took us to a small Gebruder Bruder organ of only 97 pipes and played several numbers beginning with Col. Bogey March. Following that we watched and listened to his very large 92-keyDecap dance organ with working accordions, saxo- phones and many colored lights. Then came the 52-key Foucher- Gasparini air organ imported from France in 1952. That was fol- lowed by the first KT Special that Bill Edgerton built. Next to that was a 27-inch Regina changer that he bought from a neigh- bor, who had obtained it from the original owner. from left to right: Lee Lanier (in blue), Roger Dayton, Robert Finally, our host worked his way down to the very large Soule, Rhonda Victor (behind Robert), David Oppenheim, Tim Baxter (seated), Danita Gerber, and Laqueta Soule. 89-key Gavioli air organ complete with carved wooden bell Walt Gerber acted as the photographer. This photo ringers and conductor, which was restored by A. C. Pilmer. He was taken at the home of our host, Tim Baxter. first demonstrated the various parts of the organ using a demon- stration book. Then came The Jolly Robbers Overture by Franz von Suppe on more than 400 pipes, to compare to the first organ. The 43-key Gebruder Bruder with 96 pipes sounded like a marching band, but the 89-key Gavioli was more like a sympho- ny orchestra. Both sounded fantastic. Bill then took requests from the people for music from his vast collection of books for the Gavioli. Following the meeting some of the folk persuaded (it doesn’t take much to do so) Hi Babit to return to the piano for some more stories and songs. A very important part of our meetings are the guests. While we members see, hear and some possess such musical wonders, most of our guests have never seen mechanical musical instruments before. A few of the older folk are reminded of grandma’s old player piano that they saw and heard many years ago. The younger ones are simply astounded that such machines can exist at all—and without computers! Following this meeting most of our guests took AMICA In attendance at the Fox Theater from left to right, application brochures home with them. Some even took two so back row: Walter Gerber, Tim Baxter, Robert Soule; front row, Danita Gerber, Roger Dayton and Laqueta Soule. they would have an extra to give to a friend. We urge those in other chapters to please invite friends to your meetings and events.
AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 391 89 key Gavioli fairground organ
Hi Babit engaging the group with his stories behind every roll he record- ed. The automata conductor within the 89 key Gavioli
Joe Hutter, (aka Ace Photogra- pher), and Maryam and Vincent Morgan
92 key Decap dance organ
The first Seeburg KT replica built by Bill Edgerton
392 AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 Bud Rosa and Barbara Frank 27” Regina disc music box
Web Sites of Interest Guidelines for Chapter Reports Paderewski Festival in Paso Robles, California http://tinyurl.com/2wzk3nj http://www.paderewskifest.com/
Construction of a piano player Some good quality pianola performances on YouTube (contributed by Wallace Venable on Mechanical Music Digest) http://tinyurl.com/35apglh (Permissions granted) http://tinyurl.com/2wzk3nj historic American Newspapers Michael Feinstein’s American Songbook http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/ (contributed by Peter Mintun) COAA's historic Weston Street Organ Muster http://www.hudsonwest.org/feinstein http://www.westonmuster.com/ Pordenone Silent Film Festival in Italy http://www.cinetecadelfriuli.org/gcm/ Piano Transcription Website http://www.moltoallegro.com/ Sublime harmonie Antique Music Box Restoration http://tinyurl.com/2ckdegs myriad of services for 'Do-It-Yourself' organ builders Reproduction of Copyrighted Works by Educators and (contributed by John Dousmanis) Librarians http://tinyurl.com/39ubk3p (contributed by Thad Kochanny) http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ21.pdf Sublime harmonie Antique Music Box Restoration http://tinyurl.com/2ckdegs
AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 393 Texas Chapter was owned by the opera singer, Lotte Lehman, and is a wonder- President – Rich Clayton fully well preserved survivor in excellent original condition. Reporter and Host– Kenneth Long There are two additional European hand-carved pianos in the col- lection, an Italian Renaissance 1930 Knabe Ampico B as well as The Texas Chapter held its autumn meeting at Ken the 1925 Italian Renaissance Spanish Knabe Ampico A, which Long's home on October 24th in Dallas, Texas. Sixty-three (63) both played a variety of classical and modern tunes for the enthusiasts attended including members, previous members, and guests. guests; including special guest and AMICA member Mrs. Lee Also in the piano collection, are two Steinway art case Molnar from Ohio. It has been exactly four years since Ken instruments, AR and OR, another Mason & Hamlin RBB Louis hosted a 2006 meeting at his home in San Antonio. So there XV, four Baldwin Welte grands from 5'6" to 7', a Spanish art case were new instruments to see and hear and many of the members Chickering, and two identically matching 1925 Wurlitzer/Apollo and all guests had never 6'4"reproducing grands. Both of these art case grands are seen the collection pre- Jacobean Walnut with a viously. leg assembly of 12 deco- Upon arrival, rative legs with consecu- members and guests tive serial numbers were greeted by contin- 76470 and 76471. An uous and beautiful amazing find, the later piano music played by serial number piano the art case Steinway arrived the day before AR (with the Hunt the meeting. MIDI system) and the A very brief chapter 9' Knabe Ampico grand meeting was held to dis- (with a Spencer-Chase cuss the pertinent busi- MIDI system). Every- ness matters but was one was overwhelmed highlighted with an hon- by the incredible orary agenda item pre- amount of hors d'oeu- sented by Ken Long. vres, food and refresh- Ken gave the honorary ments that were provid- to Bill Flynt for 30 years ed by the AMICA of dedicated service and refreshment committee friendship. Ken first met members. A special Bill in 1980 when he thanks to Sharron agreed to restore his first Boruff and her team reproducing piano, a Marshall & Wendell who served with style Our Host - Ken Long and grace for over four hours. Two dining tables and a dining grand. From the first of room server were covered in fine cuisine for anyone who devel- that association until now Bill has continued to support AMICA oped an appetite at the six hour meeting. Everyone enjoyed a and the reproducing piano hobby in first class style. Bill's per- fine sunny Sunday afternoon among friends, food, music, and sonally played and coded Ampico roll "Misty" was played in his relaxation. honor as the guests applauded and gave thanks to his many years There are 15 reproducing pianos in the home with of service to the Texas Chapter as well as nationally with his Ampico, Duo-Art, Welte, or Apollo reproducing systems. Only rolls, advice, and service. Bill is our chapter's Dorian Gray since two of these pianos are not grands but unique in their own right. he shows no sign of wear over this 30 year span of time. Thanks One is the Apollophone with a phonograph and PianoDisc sys- again Bill for your commitment and dedication. tem which demonstrated the appropriate Sunday hymn "Great Is After the meeting, everyone was curious about a partic- Thy Faithfulness". The other is a 1928 Kohler and Campbell ular phonograph which was unknown to most. So a tone test Welte reproducing piano combination with radio and phonograph demonstration was given of an Enrico Caruso Victor Talking in a Mediterranean Style cabinet with quarter-sawn burled panel Machine Co. 78 rpm record first on a Victor IV and then on the doors. It contains an RCA 6 tube radio No. 047856 and a 78 rpm mysterious phonograph marked Victor Auxetophone. The crowd Brunswick phonograph with a 12" speaker originally owned by was effectively blown out of their seats! The Auxetophone Type Robert Hutchinson in Chicago. The piano is 61 notes but it plays A is seldom seen and very seldom heard and operates with all of the notes of an 83 note roll by having the extra notes cou- mechanical compressed air which provides four times the volume pled to the octave. In 1928, this unit new sold for $4,200 which of contemporary machines. The quality of sound of acoustical translates into $53,652 in 2010 dollars. recordings is startling, producing a fantastic range and character One of the showcase instruments returned just one week of voice and sound. before the meeting was the Italian Renaissance hand carved Music boxes were demonstrated including a Regina- Mason & Hamlin RAA grand piano. Its Ampico B system phone, style 240, with the griffin head design, Fortuna and Sym- received a museum quality restoration by Art Reblitz. This piano phonion, and various Edison, Victor, Columbia, Duplex Kalama- zoo, Zonophone horn phonographs, Electrolas, and Capeharts
394 AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 during the afternoon tours. Another restored instrument of rarity is the 1931 Sparton Visionola which shows 16mm movies syn- chronized with 16" audio sound records played at 33 rpm. Fortu- nately, Ken has two sets of movies with their audio recordings but due to their extremely rare and irreplaceable nature they stay in their film cans. The afternoon turned into evening and mechanical music continued to fill the house for the members and guests who were unswerving and just could not get enough. Appetizers were again in hand for more demonstrations and music including the Aeolian Duo-Art organ console as well as eight hand roller and cob organs. A more thorough tour was next of the roll and phonograph record collection which fills a library from floor to ceiling and with center cabinets. Rolls included Aeolian Duo-Art organ 176 note, Apollo/Art Echo, Duo-Art, Welte Licensee, Welte Red T-100, Ampico, and 88 note piano. The meeting proved rewarding and was thoroughly enjoyed by the guests and host. The time spent in preparation for More AMICA Members and Guests Assemble the meeting was well rewarded by the smiles, applause, and effu- sive and positive commentary that each demonstrated instrument received. The outstanding benefit is that we have received new Auxetophone members as a result of the meeting, and hope that previous mem- is Demon- bers will re-join and renew their excitement and enthusiasm for strated mechanical music and the AMICA society. This was a record number of attendees of a Texas AMICA meeting, all of whom Ken welcomed back to hear their
Clark and Lauren Long, Brother & Niece of Host
favorite special instrument. Knabe Italian Renais- sance Ampico B
AMICAn Steve Chapman with Wurlitzer Apollo Reproduc- ing Grand
AMICA Members and Guests Assemble for Meeting
AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 395 Music Room with 1925 Baldwin Welte Grand
Victor, Edison, and Columbia Phonographs
Mrs. Molnar with Wurlitzer Apollo Reproducing Grand
1928/29 Mason & Hamlin RAA Ampico B Reginaphone and Custom Victor 9-54 Changer
Kohler and Campbell Welte Piano, Phonograph, Radio
1927 Baldwin Welte 7' Reproducing Grand
1922 Figured Walnut 6'3" Baldwin Welte in Music Room
396 AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 Victor 10-70 Phonograph Changer
Sparton Visionola Projector, Radio, Phonograph
Library of 78 rpm Records, Piano and Organ Rolls, Collector Books and Literature.
Dining Room Table Hors d'oeuvres
Victor 10-25 Radio/ Phono- graph Dessert Table Awaits AMICA Members and guests
Ed Sewall and Bill Flynt
1926 Steinway AR in Italian Lombardy Art Case
AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 397 Larry Williams admiring the 9' Knabe Ampico B Concert Grand Bill Boruff Seated at the Aeolian Duo-Art Organ
Bill Flynt responding to receipt of Honorary from Ken Long and Rich Clayton
398 AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 Band organ Rally Sutter Creek by Shirley Nix Thanks to John Motto-Ros and the lovely city of Sutter organ from Santa Clara, and Daryl Creek AMICA held another organ rally the weekend of October Coe brought his Stuber organ and 9th and 10th. Founding and Southern California Chapters had a “monkey” from Redwood City. Dan good showing of organs, with Jerry Pell’s Bruder, and his 103. Danko and John Iles and his wife were Shirley Nix Jerry brings his crew to help him, with Diane Minzey, Josh and down from Washington with their monkey organs. It was enough Tawnya Rapier, and Patrick and Virginia Martin. (Jerry must to keep the town in music and entertainment all day, and we had have been a boy scout, because he comes prepared, but maybe quite a few of the shopkeepers thank us for coming. Sutter Creek that’s his Coast Guard training) Frank and Shirley brought their is a charming town, with many period buildings, both in the Limonaire and the Hofbauer monkey organ, and the monkey downtown shopping area and nearby homes. This is the area organs of Bob Meyer, Daniel and Philip Wright, Rick Shaw, where gold was mined, and it has a lot of historical sites nearby. Sandy Swirsky and Lyle Merithew rounded out the So. Cal. con- The whole area is historical and a great place to spend some time. tingent. It lends itself well to the organs. It’s a long drive, but the event is so much fun, and the food provided by John and Nadine Motto-Ros is so good that it’s all worthwhile. Visi- tors Mike and Marilyn Ames from Solana Jerry Pell, Patrick Martin, Josh and Beach and Richard Reut- Tawnya Rapier in front of Jerry’s Louis Motisher, Karen Simon (V.P. of the Founding Chapter) marvelous Bruder organ. linger from San and Julie Porter Francisco spent the day enjoying the music, and joined us for dinner at John’s in the evening. Of course, after dinner the party This is a great way to get AMICA out in public, and we went downstairs to enjoy the Motto-Ros collection of American give out a lot of applications. If just one or two decide to join us nickelodeons, which is quite spectacular. that will be a real benefit. We do want to give special Diane Minzey thanks to demonstrating Nadine and her Jerry’s 103. helper Sharyn Cunningham, See the silent salesman? who worked most of the day getting the food ready. These gals are the ones who make the dinner a suc- cess, and some- Sharyn Cunningham and Nadine Motto-Ros times get over- take a break looked when the kudos are handed out. John, too, has a whole crew of helpers who are there to help load and unload organs, put up street barri- cades, help John at the house, and anything else that is needed. Daryl Coe We really do appreciate all the work that goes into this event. and friend Talking about long drives, John had also arranged for Julie Porter to bring her Wurlitzer band organ and a monkey
AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 399 Bob Bob Meyer Gonzalez with his and Frank monkey Nix deep in organs discussion, while an attentive monkey listens in.
Like the kids in the proverbial candy shop, Bob Meyer and Dan Wrightin- Philip and spect some of Dan Wright John's myriad of and their rolls, with Jerry monkey and John in the organs background.
Sandy Swirsky and Lyle Merithew with their Raffin organ
John Motto-Ros, John and Marna Iles, Rick Shaw
This is an important sign for obvious reasons
Richard Reutlinger and Bob Gonzalez enjoying the Motto-Ros collection of coin pianos.
400 AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 AMICAn In The Spotlight Frederick Hodges The Citizen Duncan, BC, Canada 22 September 2010 Ragtime pianist leads Palm Court's Roaring '20s
By Lexi Bainas
It's time to travel back to the days when everyone knew how to dance the quickstep, the Viennese waltz and the tango. You don't even have to think you can dance. Just toddle over to the Cowichan Theatre and enjoy a Sunday afternoon with the fabulous Palm Court Light Orchestra. This highly-talented and fun-loving group was first organized in 1986 by the Valley's own Charles Job, who has par- layed his love of the vivacious "Palm Court" music of the late 19th and early 20th century into a joyful experience for music lovers all up and down the Island. The orchestra's three concert season at the Cowichan Theatre opens on Sunday, Sept. 26 at 2:30 p.m. with the return by popular demand of San Francisco ragtime pianist Frederick Hodges in a concert entitled: The Roaring Twenties. Last season, Hodges received a standing ovation for his brilliant technique and artistic interpretation of the music of Scott Joplin, Cole Porter and George Gershwin -- a trio of composers to moisten the brows of music lovers everywhere. Called one of the best ragtime pianists in the world, through the Tulips." Hodges has appeared at festivals across North America including Hodges will also lend his vocal stylings to "Home in the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee, the Westcoast Ragtime Festival and Pasadena" and "Don't Bring Lulu." Sedalia's Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival. Never heard of them? Well, come along and find out Classically trained as a concert pianist, he has estab- why this music is so much fun. lished a reputation as a truly versatile artist equally sought after The orchestra will once again be augmented with a sax- as soloist, singer, guest soloist with the California Pops Orches- ophone section, a tuba and banjo maestro Borgy Borgerson from tra, and dance band pianist with Don Neely's Royal Society Jazz the Dixieland Express. Orchestra. With dances like the Charleston and Black Bottom be His extensive repertoire includes all the best ragtime, prepared to kick off your shoes and join those naughty flappers. stride, and novelty piano solo pieces. Tickets are $29 for adults with a few eyeGO student This season, he'll join the orchestra in Duncan for such seats available at $5 each. Call the Cowichan Ticket Centre at pieces as "Ain't She Sweet," "My Blue Heaven" and "Tiptoe 250-748-PLAY to order or for information.
AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 401 In The News The Star there is a thriving business in grey-market instruments in North Toronto, ON, Canada America (where containers full of used, freshened-up Japanese 15 October 2010 pianos are shipped over to eager cut-rate merchants on this side of the Pacific). The piano teacher kept insisting that these were Crooked instrument merchants mean local pianos, despite evidence to the contrary. (In case you're interested, pianos originally sold in Japan come with a plastic you can never let down your guard sleeve on the inner, bass-side rim as well as a serial-number plate on the underside of the lid -- both features missing from North by John Terauds American-market pianos.)
402 AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 space. But the problem, Brylawski said, is they must be constant- last 15 years. They never come on the market because all the fair- ly maintained and backed up by audio experts as technology ground people keep them." changes. That requires active preservation, rather than simply He said the organ was being sold by an elderly man who placing files on a shelf, he said. planned to use the funds from the sale to buy himself and his The study co-authored by Rob Bamberger was mandat- wife a barge. ed by Congress in a 2000 preservation law. "He has been in the fairground world since he was about Those old analog formats that remain are more physical- 14 and travelled all over the world working on the fairgrounds," ly stable and can survive much longer than contemporary digital said Mr Woodcock. "He had always wanted to own one so recordings, the study warns. Still, the rapid change in technology bought this one. He's had it about 20 years. His exact words yes- to play back the recordings can make them obsolete. terday were 'with a very heavy heart' he needs to sell it now." Recordings saved by historical societies and family oral Mr Woodcock said the German-made organ dated back histories also are at risk, Brylawski said. to around 1880, and is known as an "old 65 key scale". "Those audio cassettes are just time bombs," Brylawski Although listed at between £30,000 and £40,000, it said. "They're just not going to be playable." could sell for up to £100,000. "Because it's so rare it could make The study recommends several solutions and its findings anything from £30,000-£40,000," he added. "But it could, we will be followed by a National Recording Preservation Plan believe, the way the Japanese and Americans are at the moment being developed by the Library of Congress later this year. buying mechanical music, make £100,000. We've just got no New training and college degree programs for audio idea." archivists are essential to improve preservation, the study found. The auction will be held at Unique Auctions' sale room Currently, no universities offer degrees in audio preservation, in Lincoln on October 23. though several offer related courses. The study also calls for legal reforms to enable more http://tinyurl.com/2f2l4mf preservation. A hodgepodge of 20th century state anti-piracy laws Ed, note: A subsequent news item reported that the organ sold has kept most sound files out of the public domain before U.S. copyright law was extended to sound recordings in 1972. The for £38,000 to somebody in South Korea. study found only 14 percent of commercially released recordings are available from rights holders. Glen Cove Patch Later this year, the library will debut a National Jukebox Glen Cove, NY online after securing a license to stream sound recordings con- 1 October 2010 trolled by Sony Music Entertainment. The Treasure Trove at The Piano Exchange "The more copies of historical recordings are out there, the safer they are," Brylawski said. by Tony Tedeschi The study also calls for changes in copyright law to help preservation. As it stands now, Brylawski said, copyright restric- Even though you get a sense of size when you view The tions would make most audio preservation initiatives illegal, the Piano Exchange from School Street, unless you've gone inside authors wrote. you really can't comprehend the treasure trove it holds. Dwindling resources also hamper preservation efforts at For starters, The Piano Exchange has more than 400 many smaller libraries and archives. The study calls for more pianos on display at its showroom or stored at a second location coordination among preservationists to prioritize efforts and in Glen Cove. While there is a shiny assortment of new instru- develop techniques that can be used by institutions with smaller ments, the vintage pianos draw your attention, some literally budgets. works of art. One Steinway, for example, covered in artwork, (contributed by Keith Bigger) cost $12,000 new in 1929, considerably more than the average house would have cost. http://tinyurl.com/2566jz9 "It is a 'reproducing piano,'" said proprietor Richard Smith, pointing out the difference between it and an ordinary Guardian player piano. "Yes, it plays piano rolls, but with expression." East Midlands, UK To demonstrate, Smith spun the roll to the beginning of 7 October 2010 "Rhapsody in Blue," and the sound almost filled the cavernous Rare fairground organ 'could fetch £100,000' room. The pianist on the roll was the famed composer, George Gershwin, himself. A rare fairground organ dating back to the 1800s is to go Smith owns more than 20,000 piano rolls, which he says under the hammer in Lincoln, an auctioneer has said. is the largest collection of its kind in the world. He is also a col- The 19th century full-size organ is expected to fetch lector of reels from classic motion pictures and has thousands of upwards of £30,000 at auction later this month. those as well. Terry Woodcock, owner of Unique Auctions in Lincoln, A child of very modest means, Smith loved pianos, but said that, in 15 years, he had never seen an organ like it before. could only plink around on them when he was at the home of "It's a proper old fairground organ with the dancing someone who had one. He spent his younger adulthood restoring wooden figures and xylophone, bass drums and castanets," he automobiles for a living and it was not until he moved that busi- said. "It's all fitted into a 1974 Leyland lorry. ness to Glen Cove more than 30 years ago that he got his first "It's the first time I've seen one for sale probably in the piano.
AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 403 "It was in the back of a garage at the house across the as possible of the original action, ivory keys, soundboard, case, street from mine," he said. "The owner had a classic MG that and all other components of the piano. New is not always better, needed a paint job and I made a deal to do that work in exchange and does not mean that the piano will last longer or have a better for the piano. The piano needed a lot of work, but I'm a mechanic tone. We recognize the value of pianos from the heyday of Amer- and I figured out how to do that." ican piano manufacturing, and strive to return them to their origi- That episode graduated into a new career of buying and nal glory." selling pianos, out of his house at first. See: "When I had 11 pianos in the house, I knew it was time to find a bigger place," he said. He opened The Piano Exchange http://www.thepianoexchange.com/ on School Street, 33 years ago, and the collection has expanded http://tinyurl.com/274q7tm steadily to the hundreds it includes today. Smith found that work on pianos had at least one advan- tage over working on automobiles. "Unlike cars, if there is some- Lake Zurich Patch thing that doesn't work," he said, "you can see exactly what it is Lake Zurich, IL and where." 21 October 2010 Along with the classic and vintage pianos it restores, the More Music Machines Than You Can Imagine at Place de la Musique By Ann Piccininni BARRINGTON HILLS, IL - The romance of listening to a recording on vinyl, played on an antique victrola, will be amplified dozens of times Saturday at the Foglia YMCA's Gala Masquerade Ball. The ball, celebrating Foglia's 10th anniversary, will be presented at the Sanfilippo Estate, a private residence in Barring- ton Hills that is home to a world-famous collection of music machines and other antiques. "Everything on display has been meticulously restored
The Piano Exchange features vintage pianos with intricate detail.
Exchange also deals in new pianos from such manufacturers as Steinway, Knabe, Mason, Hamlin, among other fine brands, in a complete selection of styles, details, woods and colors. The business has changed a great deal since Smith became interested in pianos as a young boy. "At one time, a piano was the most important cultural statement you could make about yourself," he explained with a note of nostalgia. "It elevated you above others. Today, a young person is glued to screens of electronic and digital devices, but so is everyone else. I can't think of anything today that makes a statement of cultural importance that a piano once did." Electronic and digital keyboard systems that have made playing much more portable and far less expensive have cut into business in traditional pianos, Smith said, but pianos themselves have also been a factor. "They last forever," he said. "It can be decades before you need one restored." The Piano Exchange is the oldest piano dealer on Long Island, and the only one with a fully equipped rebuilding and refinishing shop on premises, according to Smith. Aside from selling instruments, the company has leasing plans and party rentals available. "Our beautifully restored vintage pianos surpass any At the top of the residence’s main staircase is an Imhof and other," Smith said. "We believe that vintage pianos are works of Mukle Orchestrion, a German-made music machine built in the art and have a soul, and aim to restore their original appearance, 1890s. Credit courtesy of the Sanfilippo Foundation sound, and historical character. We preserve and repair as much
404 AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 and plays the way it was," said Greg Leifel, director of the San- Saturday's event will begin with a tour at 5 p.m., said filippo Foundation. "Our mission is to showcase the collection Heather Miller, Foglia YMCA's member relations and marketing and to educate people." director. Foglia YMCA is located in Lake Zurich at 1025 Old The wonderland, housed in the expansive mansion and McHenry Road and is part of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chica- in a nearby building, is known as the Place de la Musique. go organization. Leifel said there are literally thousands of music There will be a cocktail hour from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., she machines, from music boxes to orchestrions to pipe organs, said, followed by a formal dinner. placed inside the sprawling house's rooms. There are more than The event is a fundraiser for the YMCA's Strong Kids 300 phonographs, alone, he said. Program, a scholarship program that allows disadvantaged chil- Visitors may wander through and take it all in with the dren and adults the opportunity to participate in YMCA pro- help of knowledgeable guides. grams, obtain YMCA memberships and be a part of the YMCA's "We have docents and historians turning on the before and after school care program, Miller said. machines in various rooms," said Leifel, adding that ball guests "Last year, we gave away over $240,000 in scholar- will also have the opportunity to see the mansion's collection of ships," she said. arcade and gambling machines, chandeliers, art glass and the The dinner program will include testimonials from past world's largest restored pipe organ. scholarship recipients and others touched by the YMCA's pro- In 1997, the family unveiled a new addition at the grams. There also will be a live auction, featuring sports trea- sures such as a Chicago Bears helmet, a Chicago Blackhawks jer- sey and Cubs skybox tickets. Miller said area and regional merchants donated about 70 items to the silent auction, which will offer a wide selection of values, from wine packages to trips to an 18-carat gold and dia- mond necklace. The silent auction will use cutting edge technology that will enable bidders to watch the bidding from their seats and keep an eye on the auction action, Miller said. Miller said this is the first time the YMCA has presented a Gala Masquerade Ball. The evening is black tie optional. Masks are optional, too. "People are not required to wear masks but they are wel- come to," she said. Miller said ticket sales have been brisk; more than 270 people are expected to attend. Tickets are $200 per person and several are still available. For more information about tickets to the gala, call 847- 410-5362. For more information about Foglia YMCA, call 847- 438-5300.
http://tinyurl.com/28wn8tj
BBC Tees UK Tees, UK 25 October 2010 estate, the carousel building, where a European carousel, built in Cuts threat to Tees Wurlitzer 1890, stands. The building also houses railroad engines, antique Cuts in public spending have called into doubt the future clocks and a collection of fairground and dance hall organs. of Teesside's only surviving Wurlitzer organ. "It's a pretty full evening of experiencing this multi-mil- The seven tonne instrument has spent the last 29 years lion dollar mansion," Leifel said. at James Finegan Hall in South Bank. Leifel said attendees may also get to meet the Sanfilip- The building is in a poor state of repair and in need of pos, who regularly allow various charities to host fundraising either investment, or demolition. events at the estate. But following the Comprehensive Spending Review, "The Sanfilippos are almost always there for the event," Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council can only guarantee the he said. venue's future until March. Leifel said that since 1987, a total of about $6 million The old Wurlitzer was built in the 1930s and was first has been raised by local and regional charities through hosting housed in a cinema in Bedford, at a time when organists would events on the estate's grounds.
AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 405 If no money can be found to keep James Finegan Hall open, the trust taking over ownership of the organ will have to figure out how to move a seven tonne piece of machinery and, more importantly, where else they can put it. While the trust hopes to find a home locally for the Wurlitzer, there's no guarantee that a suitable venue will be found on Teesside.
The Spokesman-Review Spokane, WA 22 September 2010 National Carousel Association
The 'Eston Wurlitzer'. meets in Spokane again Picture by Wayne Ivany play live musical soundtracks to accompany silent movies. by Mike Prager With the advent of 'talkies', the organs fell from use and The National Carousel Association returns this week to in 1975, when the cinema in Bedford decided to get rid of its dis- Spokane – home of a 101-year-old Looff Carrousel – for the used organ, a group of Teesside enthusiasts stepped in to find it a group’s annual convention to promote and protect carousels new home. around the country. There's no doubt about the affection Trevor Bunce, sec- Wendy Kirbey, of Albany, Ore., is attending her first retary of Langbaurgh Theatre Organ Society has for the piece of convention as chairwoman of a community effort to rebuild a history he and his friends rescued all those years ago. carousel in her hometown. Community volunteers there are "We spent two weeks and we took it all apart; seven building new figures for a historic carousel frame, and they hope tonne, over six hundred pipes, controls like a telephone to have the ride running in their historic downtown south of Port- exchange. land four years from now. "Eventually we had two huge lorry loads, which I drove “I’ve always loved carousels,” she said on Tuesday back and came up to the Teesside area." while checking out the carousel figures in Riverfront Park. For a few years in the late seventies, the organ was to be Conventiongoers will spend part of the week traveling seen - and heard - at Redcar Pier Ballroom, before the venue was throughout the region to see carousels and carousel projects. found in 1981 to be unsound. For example, Kennewick is planning to construct a Since then, the organ has lived and, maintained by a building to house a newly restored 1910 carousel purchased from group of local volunteers, been performing every month at James Michigan. Republic, Wash., has a 1900s vintage carousel that Finegan Hall in South Bank. was obtained in the 1950s. But as the Chancellor announced the outcome of the Butte residents are carving new figures for a carousel Comprehensive Spending Review, the old organ's future was there. again in doubt. Artist Bette Largent, of Spokane, has been repainting James Finnegan Hall needs money spending on it, if it's and repairing Spokane’s hand-carved wooden carousel figures to stay open - the scaffolding clothing the front of the building is since 1991. Largent is president of the carousel association. testament to that - and like so many community centres up and The association raises money from its members and is down the country, reduced funding for local authorities makes its using the proceeds to help communities with their carousels, she future very uncertain indeed. said. They also provide technical workshops on carousel opera- Next door, is Redcar and Cleveland Town Hall. Inside, tion and preservation. Council leader George Dunning was getting to grips with the The National Carousel Association last came to Spokane details of the spending review and what it could mean for local for its national convention in 1995. services. Among those attending is Jerry Reinhardt, director of He said the plans to create a new home of the organ and the C.W. Parker Carousel Museum in Leavenworth, Kan., where the community groups who presently use James Finegan Hall, a 1913 Parker Carry-us-all carousel was restored over a period of had fallen victim to the economic circumstances. eight years. "If the credit crunch and the recession hadn't got in the The museum also has a Liberty Carousel and a Primitive way, then we'd be looking to a new, multi-purpose, all-singing, Carousel, circa 1850-1860. The Primitive Carousel is on perma- all-dancing building on the corner of the Trunk Road and Nor- nent loan from the carousel association. manby Road. The Liberty Carousel from the 1950s was built by C.W. "We wish and we dream of these things, and two or Parker’s son, Paul Parker, and has 20 aluminum horses. three years ago it was a firm reality. “It’s our biggest tourist attraction,” Reinhardt said of the "But then the recession got in the way and we all know museum. what happened then." The association’s archives are housed at the museum. The council is already in talks with those who use the Spokane’s carousel – with 54 horses, a giraffe, a rare hall about moving to alternative venues further afield within the “sneaky tiger” and two Chinese dragon chairs – was a wedding borough.
406 AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 This year, with little fanfare, only one historic wooden carousel returned to operation. Not at a children's museum, but at a family fun center. A good old fashioned bowling alley and amusement center, Pin Station, has now added a historic carousel. The three- row Allan Herschell merry-go-round was built in the late 1920s, just before the Great Depression and the end of the "Golden Age" of carousels.
Wendy Kirbey of the Albany Brass Ring Historical Carousel and Museum Project in Albany, Ore., takes a break from a gathering of the National Carousel Association in Riverfront Park to interact with Geri the giraffe, on the Looff Carrousel gift from Charles Looff to his daughter, Emma, and her husband, Louis Vogel, owners of the old Natatorium Park. In 1975, it was moved to Riverfront Park. The city estimates the Looff Carrousel has provided 21 million rides in 101 years. Largent said it has become a legacy for generations of Spokane residents.
The new pavilion annex at Pin Station http://tinyurl.com/2acb8b8 built to house the historic carousel.
New Carousel News Designed as a portable machine, after years of traveling, 11 September 2010 the carousel landed at a park in Fairfield, VA, until the until the park went defunct. In 1974, Henry Revels purchased the carousel Antique Carousel Joins Family Fun (sight unseen) from a private party as a Christmas present for his Center in Newton, NC wife, Alice. Their dreams of taking the carousel on the road would not come to fruition however, and the 36 wooden horses By Roland Hopkins and mechanism would remain stored in their cellar for 30 years. Prominent Newton, NC, citizen, Wayne Dellinger heard Newton, NC – Luckily some things never change, and it of the carousel stored nearby and eventually convinced the Rev- is always special when a carousel comes to town. It is even more els that in his hands, the carousel would not be broken up, and special when that carousel is one of the less than 200 historic, would be put to public use. Dellinger then hired Marsha wooden, hand-carved carousels that remain from the early 1900s. Schloesser and The Carousel Workshop of Deland, FL, to restore With so few of these historic machines still in existence, the 36 horses and trim to their original glory. Wayne and his it is not often that one emerges from storage and returns to opera- crew of two restored the 80 year-old mechanism, and this sum- tion. Understandably, it is usually big news when one does as mer the carousel was reborn at Pin Station. was the case in 2009 with Nunley's Carousel in NY, and in 2008 And, thanks to Wayne, one more antique wooden with the 1902 Dentzel carousel at the Please Touch Museum in carousel can be added to short the list of these operating Ameri- Philadelphia. can treasures.
AMICA Bulletin › Nov/Dec 2010 407 ADVERTISING FoR SALE
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT ALL ADVERTISING IN ThE GOLDEN AGE of AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS. ThE AMICA BULLETIN Art Reblitz' award-winning reference that brings history, musi- cal and technical information to life with hundreds of spectacular All advertising should be directed to: color photos. 448 oversize pages. We guarantee you'll find this to Terry Smythe 55 Rowand Avenue be one of the most interesting, inspiring, informative books you Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3J2N6 have in your library--or your money back. Everyone has been Phone: (204) 832-3982 (email preferred) delighted, and some readers have ordered several copies. Get e-mail:: [email protected] your copy today! $120 plus $5 S/H (single copy USA ground shipment). MEChANICAL MUSIC PRESS-W, 70 Wild Ad copy must contain text directly related to the product/service being Ammonoosuc Rd., Woodsville, NH 03785. 603-747-2636. offered. Extraneous text will be deleted at the Editor's discretion. Adver- tisers will be invoiced, with payment to AMICA Treasurer. Telephone http://www.mechanicalmusicpress.com 6-11 ads will not be accepted due to high risk of errors. AMICA reserves the Ampico Symphonique B 5' grand piano. All restoration work right to edit or to reject any ad deemed inappropriate or not in keeping with AMICA'sgoals and objectives done by professional Don Dusenbury & Son - new finish, plate . and sound board, new pin block and pins, new strings, new key The BULLETIN accepts advertising without endorsement, implied or tops, new hammer shanks and butts. I have over $10,000 in the otherwise, of the products or services being offered. Publication of busi- piano. Will sell for $5,500.00. Photos on request. Contact ness advertising in no way implies AMICA's endorsement of any com- Carl DeNunzio, Jr., 789 Lake Rd., Conneaut, OH 44030, (440) mercial operation. 593-2155,
Special 6 for 5 Ad Offer - Place any ad, for a full year (6 issues), and pay for only 5 issues. Payable in advance. Photographs or halftones $15.00 each. Loose Sheet or Insert Advertising: Inquire
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While one finds satisfaction in himself and his pursuits, he cannot feel old, no matter what his years may be. Amos Bronson Alcott
408 AMICA Bulletin › Sep/Oct 2010 AMICA Bulletin409 › Sep/Oct 2010 410 AMICA Bulletin › Sep/Oct 2010 PLEASE VISIT THESE SUPPLIERS oF RoLLS
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