A local auction-house here in Vestal NY has a Cremona A-roll piano,
with mandolin attachment, that will be auctioned early in February.
It's very similar to that in the Bowers' Encyclopedia on page 498,
lower left, but without the carved post caps. The piano is all
original, but some years ago work was done -- rather sloppily -- on
the pneumatic system.
I did not hear it play, but I was assured that it works; how well,
I don't know. It has about ten A-rolls. The cabinet is pretty good,
in ery nice quartered oak, and the art-glass is intact and appears
to be original.
I have no personal interest in this other than to help it find a good
home. I know the auctioneer well; he's 100% reliable and well-known
locally. He says they valued it at $2,000 to $3,000, but who knows
what it will bring?
The auction is also on the Internet, and this piano will be pictured
in late Jan. or early Feb. Check their web site:
http://www.mapesauction.com/
Harvey Roehl
Vestal, NY
[ Don Teach, in MMD 97072, notes that the Cremona model G played the
[ A-roll. See also the photos of the Quality Electric (Cremona)
[ nickelodeon at http://mmd.foxtail.com/Pictures/hgjohnson.html
[ -- Robbie
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