Hi Group,  Bill Finch asked about a list of Wurlitzer Style 150 band
organ rolls.

Yes, I have a list that I have worked on since the late 1960's.  It
covers approximately 436 rolls from all manufacturers that I know of.

I have produced it using PageMaker desktop publishing software.  It is
available with 157 8-1/2x11 inch pages, punched for three-hole binder,
with dividers and binder, postpaid in the US for $30.00.

The list has a brief introduction, a list of roll numbers included,
a numerical listing of roll label information with roll numbers and
tune titles, an alphabetical listing of tune titles with associated
roll numbers, and samples of some of the information sources.

I am always looking to communicate with anyone with a 150 roll
collection or a historical paper collection on Wurlitzer.  Many people
have provided information over the years.

There have been a couple of negative reports recently on IPAM which
houses the Richard J. Howe collection.  Several years ago I tried to
contact IPAM for this project and did not even get a reply.  I tried
again this April and got a very different response.

Ms. Bonnie Jo Dopp did a search of the Richard J. Howe Collection and
provided a photo copy of the only Wurlitzer Band Organ Roll Catalog
in the collection.  The catalog finished size is 4 X 5 inches and
contains 8 pages.  There were no roll advertising post cards like
those Tom Wurdeman has that were sent to his father Oswald.  The
research time and photo copy cost about $15.00.  This catalog is dated
January 1925.  Are there any more of these catalogs with different
dates out there?

If you have not tried IPAM recently you might want to try again.

  Ms. Bonnie Jo Dopp
  Curator, Special Collections in Performing Arts
  Performing Arts Library
  University of Maryland
  2511 Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
  College Park, MD 20742-1630
  Phone: (301) 405-0256
  FAX: (301) 314-7170
  Email: bd55@umail.umd.edu
  Web Address: http://www.lib.umd.edu/UMCP/MUSIC/scim.html

A frustrating part of this research is that there is a member of
the MMD that is about 88 years old and says that he worked for the
Wurlitzer roll department.  He says he has the roll department ledger
that lists all Wurlitzer 150 rolls produced.  He asked that I send
him a copy of my list that he would check for accuracy and send any
information that I was missing.

I sent my list and never heard another word from him.  I sent him
multiple emails, snail mails, and even a registered letter return
signature required.  He signed for the registered letter but never
responded.  I gave up on this lead a couple of years ago.  Very
frustrating that this information could be lost forever.

If you would like help with this research project contact me and
I will let you know how you can help.

Thanks,

Jack M. Conway
2828 Angus Street
Los Angeles, CA 90039 USA