I have been contacted by a pianist who is writing a biography of
"Blind Tom", an American slave who was a child prodigy on the piano.
He was well known in both pre- and post-Civil War days, bringing in
well over $100,000 per year for his slave owner.
In the early 1900's the Auto Piano Co. recorded "Battle of Manassas",
roll no. 81495 (P), which is believed to have been played by him.
My contact wants to know if, indeed, this is him playing and if there
are other rolls of either him playing or of his music. If there are
other rolls of either him playing or of his music, he would like to
obtain or at least record them.
Vincent Morgan, New York City
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