Kim Bunker wrote:

> "I personally have held a feeling that the value of all types of after-
> market products such as player rolls, music box cylinders, all sizes of
> music discs, book music, etc., are greatly under priced.  Furthermore,
> the famous people who did all of those fabulous arrangements have been
> forgotten.  Therefore, "hooray" for the person who got the [silent
> movie rolls]!  Quite possibly, they now have something that otherwise
> might have been lost forever, and they  also are helping to set these
> rolls up to their true value."

True value? Hooray for the person who paid over $30 each for rolls that
can be found in other places for $5?!  If someone overpays for
something, does that make it worth more...or is it more likely a case
of, "a fool and his money are soon parted"?

I disagree that rolls, etc. "are greatly under priced." Seems to me that
in recent years, "auction fever" has taken hold with piano rolls, organ
cobs, etc...just as it did several years ago in the record and cylinder
market, not just on eBay, but also on mail auctions like QRS'. While
price may be set solely by how much someone is willing to pay for an
item, I believe value is another thing entirely. Just because something
has historical value does not necessarily mean it's worth a lot of
money... unless someone wants it REALLY badly. We're not talking
one-of-a-kind items here...yes, a given roll may be the "only copy
known to exist," (I always chuckle when I hear antique dealers say that)
but let's not forget how easily copies of this roll can be made, not
to mention MIDI recordings, etc.

I agree that as collectors we have the responsibility to preserve and
promote the music of the past. I love playing rolls and recordings of
songs, or long- forgotten Broadway shows of the 'teens for friends, and
seeing their enjoyment. But when someone with a great deal of
disposable income overpays for a bunch of rolls, it only results in
making our hobby less affordable for those of us of moderate means.

Jim Canavan