Dear Fellow MMD'ers:  I'm a bit behind in my Digests, so some of you
may already know that longtime Chicago player restorer, Frank Trotta
passed away in February after a long series of illnesses.  He was 78.

Frank had long been known as a character who loved to wheel and deal
in pianos, reproducers and nickelodeons and just about anything else
that struck his fancy.  Over the years a number of interesting pianos
and other instruments passed through the doors of his Southside shop.

As the neighborhood declined, so did Frank's business.  And as his
health declined he would sell everything off, only to restock as he got
on the mend.  Frank was partial to Cable players -- I bought two from
him myself.  He enjoyed all kinds of music from ragtime to what he
called "that long-haired stuff" meaning classical music.

I met Frank when I was fourteen and bought pianos from him, sold an
occasional one to him and had him restore many for me when I was
working on pianos in my high school and college days.  He was quite
a character (who of us in this hobby isn't) and he could sometimes be
stubborn.  He could also be surprisingly generous and made several
gifts to me of rare piano rolls over the years.

He was always helpful when I couldn't figure out a player related
problem and had lots of advice about buying and selling.  We remained
friends long after I moved from Chicago to Los Angeles.  He was a good
friend and I'll miss that guy.

Now that shop on South Western Avenue still has some goodies left in
it.  Frank was always in the middle of a number of projects even as his
health was failing.  His brother Mike and his sister Millie would like
to sell the remaining pianos in his shop as well as the parts and
rebuilding supplies so that the building can be readied for sale.
They'd like to sell all of the following as one lot.  I have no personal
interests at stake in this sale.  To discuss or make inquiries, please
call them directly between 7 and 9 PM Chicago time at 773 581-0684.

Best regards,

Marc Sachnoff

 -- Inventory of Frank Trotta Estate For Sale --

Note: Mike Trotta (Frank's brother) tells me that all pianos are
uprights and are believed to be complete (except as noted) though most
are disassembled and some are partially restored.  I have not inspected
these pianos and cannot vouch for any of the following descriptions
which I provide only as a service to the family and fellow MMD'ers.
The family will consider any bona fide offer for the lot listed below.

 1. Gulbransen pumper
 2. Kreiter (incomplete)
 3. Stroud Duo-Art (needs motor)
 4. Stroud Duo-Art
 5. Stroud Duo-Art (pumper)
 6. Story and Clark studio upright
 7. Apollo pumper with spring motor in Deco cabinet
 8. Stroud Duo-Art (pumper)
 9. Straube studio upright
10. Werner studio upright
11. Euphona Cable (electric Recordo?)
12. Howard
13. Unknown make player
14. Huntington
15. Marshfield
16. Stroud Duo-Art
17. Hardman Duo-Art spinet electric
18. Stroud Duo-Art (pins and strings off w/ new replacements included)

Plus 13 piano benches, 16 Duo-Art or other reproducing piano pumps
of various sizes, 20 reproducing grand drawers of various makes and
conditions, plus many stacks, roll frames, air motors, pumps and
restoring supplies of various kinds.  Sale is FOB Chicago.