Mike Knudsen wrote in 000312 MMDigest:

> Today at an antique show I picked up yet another form of the
> Play-A-Sax or Rolmonica type of roll-playing, mouth-blown reed organ.
> It's called the "Fireside Player" with no other manufacturer's marks
> other than "Patent No. 1813337, Other Pats. Pending."

The patent, 1813337, was issued to Martin D. Zimmerman of Washington,
D.C., and Harry Pullen of Preston, Maryland, on July 7, 1931.  Harry
was the owner of PlaRola Corporation of Easton, MD.  A later patent
(2,200,430) issued to Harry Pullen shows the PlaRola instrument.  This
patent was originally filed on Jan. 26, 1937 but not issued until May
14, 1940.  The PlaRola instrument carries the patent #1813337.  The
later patent number was on the red plastic player harmonica with the
Nor-Cos Pocket Organ label.  I am not sure if this instrument was made
in Easton.

Since I am now living in Easton, MD, I have been trying to obtain
information on the PlaRola Corp.  The Pullen's lived in Easton, but
Harry's wife's family had a farm in Preston, MD.  A local gentleman,
who remembers Harry and his children, claims that they have all moved
from the area.  Our Historical Society has lots of information in their
basement, but at this time they don't know what they have.  When I
trace the children or find more information from the Historical
Society, I will send it in.

I would like to obtain a "Fireside Player" to round out the instruments
made by Harry Pullen.

Ed Schmidt