In reference to John Phillip's question about the rubber-stamped
numbers on piano rolls, I brought mention to this because on several
roll labels this can be a way to identify a roll which has otherwise
lost its label or box over the years.

In most (but not all) cases, when such a number is present either under
the leader or at the end of the roll, it corresponds directly to the
serial number of the roll.  With catalog information, it's then often
possible to match up the correct identity of the tune.   However, as
far as I'm aware there is no correlation between with issue date or
any other information.

For many years QRS stamped the serial number under the leader, behind
the area upon which the label was to be applied.   I've seen these both
on 65 and 88 note rolls issued from 1906 through about 1920, but only
on the instrumental series, i.e. 10,000 and higher, including 100,000
series QRS autograph rolls (or 03000 and higher for 65N rolls).

They apparently stopped the practice with the word roll series
beginning at number 100, however for a period from roughly 1925-35
they added the serial number to the stenciling master, so you will
frequently find the catalog number stamped at the very end of the roll,
in either green or blue ink.   This is an important way to identify
many late '20s QRS rolls on which the original light blue or green ink
title has faded away.

Some other companies also did similar serial number stamping on their
rolls.  With the many different Aeolian label variants, it is possible
to find catalog numbers stamped underneath the leader, or at the end of
the roll on the top surface.

In most cases these will be identical to the catalog number of the
roll issue, but sometimes it's an entirely different number.  Aeolian
frequently issued different roll arrangements of the same song, with
a host of different and rather confusing numbering schemes.

Early Connorized rolls (65 and 88 note) frequently have a hand-stamped
4-line quality inspector's marking at the very end of the roll on the
underside.  These are most interesting to find, because they usually
provide the date of roll manufacture, written in pencil by the editor,
along with technical information relating to the perforator operation.
Later on (during the 1920's) Connorized adopted the practice of perfor-
ating the number into the paper at the end of the roll.

I believe Imperial Roll Co. of Chicago was the first to start this in
the late teens.   Several other companies did the same thing, including
US Music Roll company of Chicago during the period of roughly
1919-1926.

Early rolls by the Standard Music Roll Co. of Orange, NJ (under
their Standard and Electra labels) almost always had a hand-stamped
serial number at the very end, in their characteristic magenta ink.
These also frequently show a date of roll manufacture, written by
the original editor in pencil.

The National Music Roll Co. of St.  Johnsville, NY stamped "stock
numbers" at the very end of each roll, but these bear absolutely no
similarity to the catalog number and are a complete mystery to me!

So, when collectors uncover rolls which have lost their labels or
leaders in the course of years playing, it's always important to
examine both sides of the paper, and especially at the end, since
a serial number is an extremely important clue to identity.

It's almost always possible to identify the original manufacturer of
a roll by examination of stenciling font type and color (if lyrics
or tempo instructions are present), paper grade and quality, flanges
(brass or black metal or ceramic, plus size and shape), and perforator
die characteristics.

Frank Himpsl