Hello to all at MMD,  A number of months ago, while working on
a project related to Aeolian Duo- Art piano rolls, I had occasion to
peruse some of the paperwork that remains of my father's estate.  As
a collector of Aeolian Duo-Art, I thought that he might have cataloged
some informative documents that would be of help.

While sorting through the various documents, notes, etc. I began to
come across a series of letters that he had received from Harry and
Sylvia Medcraft of London, England.  As is usually the way, all of his
paperwork had been thrown into a box in whatever order it was found,
so I set these letters aside while sorting things through, and later
filed them in chronological order.  When I finally found time to do so,
I set about to reading them.

After reading through the entire series of letters twice, I found that
I had been quite moved by the experience.  There was, of course, the
expected sensation of reconnection with my family history, and plenty
of information regarding reproducing pianos and rolls, but even further
I was struck by the "story" that these letters revealed.  After a fair
amount of deliberation, I decided that I would compile the letters and
the associated items of ephemera that had accompanied them into a book
that could be shared with others who have an interest in these
instruments and their preservation.

I am pleased to inform the MMD community that this book is now
complete.  The first version is available as a downloadable "eBook" in
Adobe PDF format for use with Adobe Reader.  While I am aware that the
hardcopy format is more accessible for many people, I felt that an eBook
could be made available more quickly and across a greater spectrum of
readers.  I am considering moving the book into a printed format
sometime in the future.

The completed book is 180 pages of transcribed letters and original
ephemera.  The letters span a period of time some seven years in
length, from February of 1972 through October of 1979.  A broad range
of subjects are covered, including the Medcraft's amazing perforator,
Aeolian Duo-Art mechanisms and roll-cutting, collector's associations,
music and musicians, and much more.

For those who are interested, I have made the eBook available for
download at my web site, www.farqpro.com  It can be found directly
on the home page, or follow the link there to the "Equipment" page
for more information.  I am very happy to be able to offer this
compilation, and I hope that others find as much satisfaction in
reading it as I have.  Thank you for taking the time to read, and
I wish everyone the very best in collecting!

Very cordially yours,

James Matheson
http://www.farqpro.com/