I am passing on a request for information from Tim Wardle as follows
below.  If anyone can throw any light on this machine, which sounds in
a bad way, I will pass on all replies.

Best wishes to all

Nigel Perry

 - - -

I am not sure where to start with my player piano, nor do I know very
much about it.  The old lady I bought it from, some years ago, told me
its age, which was either 1904 or 1914.  The rolls appear to be earlier
rather than later.

The piano is marked Lister - London and is of immense mahogany construc-
tion.  The mechanism is 66-note and marked "The Duplex player".  It has
a speed lever, a forward/rewind lever, another unidentified lever and
two buttons which I think are meant to work the pedals - PP Bass and PP
Treble.

With the motor in the right hand foot well, there is a plethora of cogs
and miniature bicycle chains to drive the roll.  The two banks of small
bellows look to be in reasonable condition.

The leather bellows on the motor, one of the springs on the bellows,
and most of the piano action and strings are fairly badly worn and
rotten.

I have in mind getting the pianola mechanics working, then - no doubt
inspired by the results - dealing with the fairly major problem of the
piano action itself!

Tim Wardle