Some years ago, longer than I can to remember, I purchased a lot of
player piano rolls. Most were torn, had labels missing, flanges
cracked, etc. One roll was complete and ended up being the shop "test"
roll for pumper players. It played more notes per foot than most and
over the next 20+ years we used it on all the players that were rebuilt
in our shop. If you could pump the player with one foot and have this
roll play, the piano was ready to be delivered.
The title of the roll is "Heaven's Artillery March" and was marketed by
US Music Rolls: "The Roll of Honor". It is their number 9887.
In a series of moves in the late 1980's the roll was "misplaced" and
I thought lost forever. Last year I found it while cleaning out a
store room in anticipation of moving the shop. I sent it to Janet
Tonnesen and told her to save it if she could. Since Custom Music
Rolls _stays_ busy, I added that there was no rush.
In July the recut rolls arrived, perfect in every way. Janet allowed
that she had spent four hours editing the first four feet since the
roll had suffered through the years.
I have ten copies of the roll to sell. If you want one, let me know.
The cost is $14.95 and that includes shipping via Special Standard
postage rate. It is not quite as "busy" as "Ching Chong", but it runs
a close second.
Ed Gaida
egaida@txdirect.net
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