Welte-Mignon (Licensee) Recording: Fiction To Fact, Part 1

On these MMD pages as well as elsewhere, over a long while there have 
been discussions had concerning the recording processes that might have
been used by the German Welte-Mignon, as well as it's U.S. counterpart,
it's Licensee.  As to fact, always these end as unsettled, and
continuing-on as speculation.  Not very satisfying.

Now, for a refreshing change, comes something of irrefutable substance.
For any interested, I have attached for inspection a rotogravure from
the 'Twenties.  This image shows two gentlemen, one being none other
than William C. Heaton himself, president of the various divisions held
by Kohler & Campbell, and a freshly recorded pianist.

The accompanying (but omitted here) text explains that he had recorded
his selection but only an hour before Dr. Davis presented to the two
a finished and ready-to-play roll of his performance.  The view shows
them examining the master record, with President Heaton pointing to
it's rightmost margin where the seismographic indications for dynamics
are written (the accompanying text states this explicitly).  These are
not visible as the photo is not high resolution and the inscribings fine.

Next to these at far left and right inwardly, can be seen what appear
as not holes, but rather ink markings perhaps then, the note-field
in between those.  It is obvious to the observer that the roll width
itself is greater than a normal playing copy size of merely 11.25
inches.  Just as a guess, I would say it's around thirteen inches wide
or, coincidentally, about the size of a German T-100 sized record-roll
at just over 12-7/8" wide.

When I have cleaned adequately what is a rain-soaked and stained copy
of the original page, I will post this next as Part 2 along with more
observations.  At last we now have a view, coarse as it is, of an
originally photographed, seismic-inscribed master.  Better than nothing,
as before.

Jim Miller
Las Vegas, Nevada

 [ President Heaton and Pianist Examine Master Record
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/19/08/19/190819_174858_HeatonCropped.jpg