Introduction and Reference for Art Case Styles Wanted
By David Fowler
Hello fellow player piano/automata enthusiast,
I am writing you from New Haven, CT. I was a player piano/reproducing piano restorer who has recently returned to the scene. And as I acclimate myself once again in the world of automatic musical instruments I find my sources a bit dry, for most of my cronies have moved on to bigger and/or better things and places.
I, therefore, am writing to you in the hopes that you might be able and/or willing to help me reestablish myself in this rewarding field.
I am looking for anything that you might have or know of in the way of unrestored players, reproducers, or any other interesting mechanical musical instruments as well as reproducing rolls, including Duo-art, Welte, and Ampico (although primarily Ampico).
In return for this kindness I, too, have access to and information about many mechanical musical instruments which may be of some interest to you and I would be more than willing to share both my sources and resources.
I am also interested in ANY information available about PIANODISK and PIANOMATION systems and would appreciate any information from anyone out there who has installed or maintained either system. There may be other manufacturers that I have not been made aware of that would also interest me.
In closing, I am pursuing many avenues into the mechanical musical world so whether you can help me or I may be of some assistance to you, please write and share your resources as well as your wish list.
Many Thanks in Advance,
David Fowler
(KilgoreTrt@aol.com)
Hi Jody... this is a letter I recently sent out to several people on AOL who had something (anything) about mechanical musical instruments in their profiles... I hope it will suffice in lieu of a true introduction... I also wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for all your tireless work in pulling together in a coherent fashion all the many articles you receive daily into your Digest... a digest which I do so look forward to at the end of a busy day...
And I'd like to prevail upon your readers a request... I do own most (I believe all) the current books and encyclopedias on mechanical musical instruments but I find a recurring dilemma (and am hoping that someone within ear(eye)shot might know of a resource to solve it)... I receive many calls about artcase reproducing pianos where the owner tries his/her best to describe the style of the case... and although the most popular styles are represented (somewhat) in such places as the Encyclopedia, there are many names and case styles which are not pictured anywhere (to my knowledge) so... I'm looking for some publication that might clearly illustrate the many and varied art-case styles which are alluded to (but not always seen) in so many other articles, journals, and books on the subject... a definitive reference of case styles, if you will... If any one of your subscribers knows of such a thing I would really appreciate hearing of it... thanks so much for your consideration.
Dave
[ Dave,
[ Thanks a bunch for the positive feedback. I'm enclosing your entire
[ note here with a seperate Subject: line in the index so that people who
[ subscribe in the future are more likely to see your request. Please
[ share what you learn so we can add it to our "yet-to-be-written" FAQ.
[
[ Jody
[
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(Message sent Fri 16 Jun 1995, 02:52:41 GMT, from time zone GMT-0400.) |
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