In the exhaustive discussion about the pros and cons of rubber bands
and whether or not to use them to secure piano rolls from unraveling,
not one mention was made about the few companies that secured their
rolls with a length of string attached to the eyelet or D-ring, and
a button to which the string was wound around after the string was
looped about the roll.

In my opinion, the use of the strips of the hook-and-loop fasteners
(Velcro), is well worth the initial expense.  The material come on
a roll and can readily cut to a proper length for each roll.  The
strip is easy to fasten and unfasten and, unlike a rubber band that
is rolled and dragged across the music roll, it is less likely to get
caught on a knick or tear on the leader and cause additional headache
and frustration of further damage to the roll.

And for those with children, it's a safer bet that it's a lot less
likely that they might damage a roll removing a Velcro strip than if
they were to tackle a pesky rubber band.

I've seen rubber bands that have dried out and become brittle and fallen
off of music rolls, and I have also seen rubber bands whose composition
have become unstable and became a gummy sticky mess sticking to the
music roll.

And to those who don't like it when the rubber bands cinch and wrinkle
the middle of the music roll, the Velcro strips can be adjusted either
tightly or just a bit loose, according to the individual collector's
preference.  And there are those who poo-poo the idea of having a strip
of green Velcro wrapped about their rolls.  Who cares!  Unless you're
going to leave your rolls laying about, out of their boxes, it doesn't
matter what the color as long as it is doing it's assigned job.

(And with most big companies, if you put in a large enough order, they
might be induced to make their product any color you like, 'maybe even
a light beige -- the color of rubber bands?!')

Bemusedly,

D.F. Rowe
Bronx, New York