Joe Orens wrote [990202 MMDigest]:

>I have found reference in early Aeolian literature to a roll playing
>instrument called the Aeriola.  I cannot find it listed in the usual
>sources.  I would appreciate learning what kind of mechanical
>instrument it is.

I've seen two Aerolias.  One is a flat-top 65-note pushup identical
to one of the later Pianolas (say, about 1908) in the possession of
Michael Broadway whose wife Frances runs the Post Bid Enterprise roll
auction in London.  It differs in the transfers applied to it, which
do not include the words "Orchestrelle" or "Aeolian", and by having the
treble-bass stack divide several notes lower than usual.  A reminder
of this is an engraved vertical line on the tracker bar at the divide
point.

The other was a fairly cheap upright which looked like a stencil
piano of circa 1911 with a Aeolian player action installed in it.
No peculiar stack divide in that case.

The suspicion must be strong that the name was used for Aeolian
products sold "round" [bypassing] the company's own agents -- like
Hupfeld's "Claviola" marque.

Dan Wilson, London