Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info
MMD > Archives > September 1998 > 1998.09.21 > 13Prev  Next


Ballpark Value of Silent Movie Rolls
By Jim Canavan

Bob Loesch wrote in the 9/19 MMD: "These were highly specialized rolls,
and very few instruments that use them survive."

Actually, these are regular 88-note format rolls, and will play on any
regular player. I picked up about a dozen last year (at $5 each), and
recently acquired one on eBay as part of a lot of 4 rolls for $10 (I
bought the lot for the photoroll...the other 3 rolls were foxtrots,
Hawaiian (!!!), etc.).  They're fun to play on my regular Standard
action pumper, whether I'm using them to accompany some of my silent
films on 8mm or not!

It's been my experience on eBay that folks get into last minute bidding
wars, often slipping in one minute before the item closes and jacking
up the price.  I've had better luck with smaller lots, such as the one
described above. Rolls for Chein toy player pianos have likewise been
getting crazy prices on eBay...I picked a lot of 6 of them for just $20
last month, only because they were listed under "Childrens piano rolls"
with no mention of Chein. A similar lot that was listed under Chein toy
rolls went for almost three times that! I don't have a Chein piano yet,
but figured just in case, I'd better strike while the iron was hot!

Jim Canavan


(Message sent Mon 21 Sep 1998, 13:31:28 GMT, from time zone GMT-0400.)

Key Words in Subject:  Ballpark, Movie, Rolls, Silent, Value

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page