I am writing in the hope that someone here can help me.  (By the way,
thank you to those who contacted me about barrel piano repertoire a few
weeks ago, it has all gone to good use.)

I am still trying to research barrel pianos, particularly the Hicks
name and style, and there is a book by the Italian authority, Antonio
Latanza, that looks to be vital to my research.  Unfortunately, the
Italians don't appear to answer emails in English (or Italian, for that
matter).  My question is, has anyone managed to acquire a copy of 'Il
piano a cilindro' by Latanza, in which case, how is it done?

Many thanks in advance.
Nick Nourse

 [ Ref. http://www.ammi-italia.com/programma/programmafestival.html 
 [ The new book premiered 12 September, 2009, at the Longiano
 [ festival of antique crank organs -- Presentazione del libro
 [ "Il piano a cilindro" di Antonio Latanza.  It's described at
 [ http://www.ammi-italia.com/  Negozio > Libri e reviste :
 [
 [   "The Cylinder Piano" by Antonio Latanza
 [   "For two centuries (XIX and XX) the cylinder piano was the most
 [ beloved Italian instrument.  For the past fifty years it is the
 [ most forgotten.
 [   "This book, written by Antonio Latanza, honorary president of the
 [ AMMI and director of the National Museum of Musical Instruments in
 [ Rome, tells of its origin (ca. 1810) and its end (ca. 1960).
 [   "The narrated story is not a novel, nor even an adventure.  The
 [ work is developed in around 200 pages and in 20 chapters.  Many
 [ prints and photographs give witness to the theme."
 [
 [ -- Robbie