What about this series P?  Is it truly French Aeolian production?

Yes, the series P label is an original creation: no red sticker on it,
entirely in French, with the Aeolian logo and the name of The Aeolian
Company Paris.  Here I chose a fox trot sung by the famous Maurice
Chevalier, "Quand j'entends c't'air des Dolly Sisters" [When I hear
the Dolly Sisters' song]; "c't'air" is a contraction of "cet air",
imitating the popular accent used by street people in Paris.

The roll begins with a leader of the usual gray Aeolian design. The
title is not printed but the same Aeolian label is used as is on the
box.  Under this label is seen another lovely label from Francis
Salabert editor, owner of the music copyright.  There is also the Edifo
stamp label found on every mechanical reproduction of music, such as
phono records or organ book music.

Now, have a look on the perforated roll: these words "fabrication
francaise" on the left and the tempo design are not unknown.  You are
right: this roll has been made by L'EMP !

At this point I have more questions than information. Aeolian sold in
France rolls imported from England and had a local commercial agreement
with l'EMP for more music.  As we saw, the two firms were in
competition to sell the same classical music in the 'twenties.  So,
more enquiry is needed to date the L'EMP rolls bearing a red label
sticker for Aeolian or Odeola.

As early as 1921, there appears in advertisements an address for the
Aeolian library at 64 rue La Boetie, and these addresses appear also
in the Aeolian roll catalog of 1925.

From the newspaper "Musique et Instruments", which is the official
organ of the music making syndicate, two advertisements are
interesting: the first one is one of the many published and tells us
the address used by l'EMP during the entire nineteen twenties, and it
lists new music rolls with their usual references (the letter from the
composer's name plus a number).

Later in November 1930 the address for L'EMP is the Aeolian library
address, 64 rue de la Boetie, and codification has changed to the usual
Aeolian system.  We know that Aeolian has purchased music from Pleyel
when their player piano activity was falling.  Is it the same situation
here?  Or is there another explanation due to commercial links between
the two firms?

I am waiting with impatience for more information from MMD members !

Lorraine Aressy
Perforons la musique Society
France