Re: What's a Connorized Roll?
By Bruce Clark
Among my treasures back in the late 40's were a few Connorized rolls. Way back in my memory bank remains a glimmer of something I read on a leaflet attached to a Connorized box. It stated that a Mr. Connor owned the company, and he had patented a process to prevent the paper in his rolls from expanding or shrinking under various atmospheric conditions (humidity). Therefore that's the explanation of Connorized music rolls. As I recall, the paper was different than most rolls. It was tan, and a bit crinkled, like it had been wet and then dried.
When I read about Link endless rolls being incorrectly separated and rolled on to a spool, I could not believe what I was reading! Since then, others have presented the correct method. The rolls were indeed rolled up with a two pronged instrument with a small crank, and placed, double-wound, in their boxes.
Not far from my home is Binghamton, New York, where Edwin Link started his business. There were quite a few Link instruments in the area. One of the Link Theater organs has been restored, and is located in the Roberson Center in Binghamton.
Not far in the other direction is the spot where Hope Jones had his organ factory, in Elmira, New York. Ampico was in Rochester, and Amphion in Syracuse. (Amphion made parts for Ampico). I'm surrounded!
When I was in grade school (during the second war, not the first) I was able to purchase ANY piano roll at the local Salvation Army thrift store at _three_ for 25 cents! Yes, there were Duo-Arts, Ampico, Welte, and even Duo-Art Organ rolls. If only we could go back in time, just for one day!
Bruce Clark
|
(Message sent Fri 17 Jan 1997, 15:37:52 GMT, from time zone GMT-0500.) |
|
|
Mechanical
Music Digest™ Archives
