My relatively-modest inquiry about the Welte rolls and the recording
process has indeed produced a welcome response, for which I thank all
of you.
In today's MMD, many contributions have been made, including those
of Richard Simonton, Jr. I've written privately to him, and he has
graciously responded. When we get all of this sorted out, let's
work together to locate and arrange to preserve the rolls which his
brilliant father introduced to this country in the late 1940s and
1950s.
California members in the vicinity of USC could perhaps begin to make
inquiries there, and proceed with a program to determine just what they
have, and whether or not it might be lent for scanning. Richard has
stated that the rolls may well be deteriorating in a basement, as
nothing has been done with them, as far as can be determined since his
father's gift.
More anon. The non-profit accreditation of Reproducing Piano Roll
Foundation (RPRF) is nearing completion, and we should soon be able to
announce some progress towards fund raising. I invite all of you to
participate. We are 'all in this together', and we have Robbie and
Jody to thank for bringing us to this point.
Albert M. Petrak
[ Visit RPRF at http://www.rprf.org/ -- Robbie
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