As the original automatic music era came to an end, the quality of the
music rolls seems to have diminished.  Here is an example of Aeolian-
Skinner's loss of quality concerning the Duo-Art Pipe organ rolls.

I have a copy of roll 3531, Sibelius's Finlandia, which is not listed in
any catalog.  The label on the roll box and the label on the roll itself
are both modified labels that were intended for the Aeolian-Hammond
electric organ rolls.  The Aeolian-Hammond, with a player system, was
introduced in 1938.  The two label examples are listed below.

On the box label, the word "semi-", from the "semi-automatic" statement,
is lined out with black ink.  Also lined out is the roll number "238"
which is for the Aeolian-Hammond version of Finlandia.

Looking closely at the roll leader, we see the section of the label
which contained "semi-automatic" and the number "238" have been cut out
of the label.  With that section of the label removed, the two remaining
parts are pushed together, closing the gap.  The roll number is applied
to the truncated label with a hand stamp.

The hand labor needed to modify this label is just a bit ridiculous, but 
it was 1938 in the era of the great depression.

Cutting corners to make the label from the failed Aeolian-Hammond
surplus is just part of the story.  Musically, the roll is not good.
Stops are turned on and off at odd times and often they bring too much
contrast in volume to be pleasing.  In 1938, or later when this roll
was released, it is doubtful that the skilled editors who masterfully
brought rolls to perfection in earlier years were still on the payroll.

Aeolian had many years earlier released a 116-note of Finlandia
(51089).  That roll is pleasing to listen to.  This Duo-Art version
appears in some sections to be copied from that 116-note version, but
the modifications are numerous.  The origins of 3531 cannot be assumed
to be from the earlier 116-note roll.  The final product of this
composition, Finlanda is rough.  It is far below the standard of earlier
Duo-Art rolls.

Bob Taylor
Missouri

 [   Box label, Aeolian Duo-Art pipe organ roll 3531
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/19/09/09/190909_021441_Box%20label.JPG 
 [   Roll leader label, Aeolian Duo-Art pipe organ roll 3531
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/19/09/09/190909_021441_Roll%20leader%20label.JPG