I've been following the discussion re Archival Music Roll Scanning
with interest.  As many of you know, my personal interest is in
organettes, where quality recut paper rolls have been available for
years, and now, thanks to Charlie Moore, even Roller Organ cobs are
able to be scanned and reproduced.  Since I have a cob collection of
over 750 titles, and another hundred of early arrangements of the
same titles, and since I sell the recut (and new) cobs at both shows
and via the web, I have some experience in that area.

First of all, may I point out that I am happy to allow Charlie to
copy anything in my collection, and he now has quite a large number
of scans.  He in turn provides me with some remuneration, and MIDI
files which I use for reference and research.  Unlike piano rolls,
the MIDI files are relatively simplistic, and it's unlikely that they
are of significant value on their own, without being pinned for play.

Secondly, I have very little interest in "collecting" repro or new
music -- I'm very much interested in the historic value of the
instruments _and_ the original music.  I have used a repro cob as
a "placeholder" in my collection until I could purchase an original,
and I sometimes play a new tune as a demo for those interested.
On paper roll instruments, I very often play repro rolls so that the
original rolls do not wear.  But I _do_ keep original rolls with the
machines where possible, and do play those in sufficiently good
condition.

But I have no doubt that the existence of scans, and reproduction
music _does_ change the market dynamic.  Rare cobs (such as Christmas
titles) are less likely to see the "bidding wars" of recent years.
I admit that, having a significant collection of rarer titles myself,
it crossed my mind that by allowing scans and reproduction I would be
lowering the market value of my collection.  But so what? I don't
collect to make money anyway, and cash value would only be realized
if I _sold_ everything--not what a collector would choose to do.
(My heirs will never recoup the money I've invested anyway.)

The good news?  A wider interest in organettes, specifically in Roller
Organs, as I "show them off" at phonograph shows and in the public's
view.  There's a better archive of history, as one can compare music
of cobs you may not even own.  And a more stable market where even
rarer titles are found at reasonable prices.

The bad news?  There is now less interest in the originals, and they're
less likely to be well cared for.  Less popular titles are even less
desirable than ever -- I worry that these originals will be seen as
"valueless" since better tunes are readily available, and that they'll
disappear altogether.  There are fewer fellow collectors of original
music, and less benefit from a collecting "community".

My conclusion?  Scan 'em.  There's really no choice, because the
possibility of permanently losing historic information is always an
overriding factor.  And scanning make the content available to more
people.  As far as my own collection -- cobs, rolls, ephemera,
instruments -- it's all open for public reference.  Come on over and
bring your camera and photocopier and scanner.

Todd Augsburger - Roller Organs
www.rollerorgans.com