I've recently purchased a few cases of Ampico rolls from a private
party.  One roll in the group was particularly interesting.

The box is huge: 4"x4.75".  It has a typewritten label on
the end and on the top of the box reading "Ampico 100775, Concerto
E-Flat, Liszt, Played by Marguerite Volavy".

Predictably, the roll is huge too.  The spool's flange diameter is
3.5" and doesn't fit in the spoolbox of my Autopiano.  The flanges
are made of turned aluminum; did Ampico make this?  The factory label on
the roll leader reads "Ampico 70973B, Concerto E-Flat, Liszt, Made
expressly for Harold L. Powell of North Hollywood, California USA".

Note the different box/roll label roll number used.  Can anyone look
these numbers up in their rollography?  The roll is in excellent
condition, and looks to be consistent with their late-20's rolls,
judging from the paper color and the box style and relative condition.

I was wondering:  Who was Mr. Powell?  The rich brother of William Powell
perhaps?  So I hit the Internet searching for a reference with this
name.  There I found a Harold L. Powell who is the president of Klavier
Records Inc. based in San Juan Capistrano, CA.  (I don't think they're
affiliated with Klavier music rolls, which is in Pennsylvania).  Their
web site had some sales phone numbers and an Email address. 

I have some confidence that this may be the same man, as the web site
states, "The company was created because its founder and _still_
President, Harold L. Powell ...", possibly intoning Mr. Powell's
advanced age.  Klavier Records produces and sells on their web page
(www.klavier-records.com) recordings of swing/jazz, player-piano, and
pipe organ music.  Given the company's products, it's within reason to
guess that Mr. Powell could have owned an Ampico player.

I've sent an Email requesting that Mr. Powell receive it's enclosed
note in which I ask if he was the original owner of the roll, and if
there was any history he could give.  If this is the same Mr. Powell,
he must be up there in years, and hope he will respond to my inquiry.

I'll keep you posted if I hear anything.  It's fun to receive a piece
of history where there's a possible connection to a living person who
just might have a story and a recollection to go with, what looks to
me, to be a unique roll.  Has anyone else run across rolls produced
expressly for individuals?

Karl Ellison
Ashland, Massachusetts

 [ Powell produced Klavier Music Rolls using the Ampico masters and
 [ perforators purchased from Larry Givens.  He sold the business
 [ to Keystone Music Rolls in Pennsylvania, operated by Bob Groman.
 [ The roll you have is a recut probably produced before Powell
 [ bought the perforators.  He now operates Klavier Records.
 [
 [ Powell filed suit against John Malone (Play-Rite), claiming that,
 [ since Klavier owned the Ampico masters, he had exclusive rights
 [ to produce Ampico rolls, and John Malone was infringing those rights
 [ by copying original production rolls.  The case was dismissed.
 [ -- Robbie