In 1981 I overhauled the player action for my double-valve Winter &
Co. player piano.  As mentioned in my article for the AMICA Bulletin
recently ("On building an Orchestrion") I found that a worker had
written in pencil on the valve chest, "December 1918".  The pouches
were in excellent condition and supple.

Not knowing any better at the time, a friend mentioned "Use neatsfoot
oil", which I did, and I have had no trouble regarding positive
response of the player action in my orchestrion.  Hopefully it will
be that way for years to come.  It would be good to see the pouches
condition today, but I lack that initiative to do so.

Steve Bentley - SB-"O"Rolls
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada