Between 1907 and 1918 the Telelectric company in Pittsfield, MA made
two different all-electric piano player systems.  The earlier one was
a 65-note system called the "Telelectric", and the later one was an
88-note system called the "Telektra."  Both systems were designed
originally to use 3 thousandths inch thick (.003") brass rolls.

Sometime in the mid 'teens the Telektra was redesigned to use heavy
paper rolls, probably due to the brass shortage during WW1.  The new
paper roll reader was quite different from the old brass roll reader,
and the rolls looked something like miniature standard paper rolls,
including plastic end pieces.

I am looking for one of these paper roll readers.  Ideally I'd like to
buy one, but at least I'd like to document it thoroughly for our next
Rollography volume.  Does anyone have a lead on a reader like this?

Attached is a file showing the only known (to me!) picture of the
reader.  It was scanned from a 1961 newspaper article in the Berkshire
Eagle, a Pittsfield, MA local rag.

Bob Billings

 [ We have several images and sounds to place at the MMD web site.
 [ Watch for image teprdr4.jpg at  http://mmd.foxtail.com/Pictures/
 [ -- Robbie