RPRF (Reproducing Piano Roll Foundation) is pleased to announce that
the "Reader's Digest" version of the following catalogs is now in PDF,
and available to all at <apetrak@wclv.com>. It consists of:
(1) DUO-ART (from 5501 - 8024, eliminating pop, salon, show, operetta,
et al.)
(2) AMPICO (from 5000 to 10006, " " +forgotten performers/pieces)
(3) WELTE-MIGNON (Original T-100 "Red" and successors) (from 168 -
4190)
(4) WELTE-MIGNON (LICENSEE) (6000 - 7924)
The term "Reader's Digest" indicates an attempt to limit the information
to the performances of the historic artists (list on request). The
intent of this material is to provide a guide to what should be
preserved, when the goal of creating a data bank for posterity is
achieved. No attempt is made to judge the quality, attractiveness or
desirability of a given roll; but rather, its place in history.
N.B. [Nota Bene = "note well"] The listings of the Welte product also
remove the similar material as indicated for Duo-Art and Ampico. The four
catalogs total 50-plus pages, and are cast in this format:
DUO-ART:
6928 Bach-Busoni - Violin Partita No. 4, d, S.1004 - 4th mvt.:
Chaconne Ferruccio Busoni
However, all entries are confined to one line, regardless of the
complexity of information.
N.B. All listings are _numerical, and eliminate the final letter for
Duo-Art and Ampico. All available catalog information indicates that
this letter denoted category or price etc. Including it would make the
listings confusing in regard to _numerical_ sequence. (Example: Ampico
51775G; 51784F.. the eye wants to read "775, 784' clearly not sequential.
Whereas, 5177 obviously precedes 5178).
In coming weeks, we will offer to interested collectors the complete
Duo-Art listing (from 5501 to D-933, including the British production
of the Aeolian Co., Ltd.) and complete Ampico (from 5000 to 10106, the
"Jumbo" roll series). These catalogs will contain whatever "pop"
accompaniment, specialty, etc. rolls are included in these number
sequences, and so may be considered complete, as far as the "classical"
listings are concerned. We will advise of their availability (at a
later date).
There is no charge for any of this material. The Web site for RPRF is
nearing completion. We will again advise on the MMD when it is ready
for viewing.
Regards,
Albert M. Petrak
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