Greetings all, Going through the boxes I came across a 3-ring binder
with mimeographed articles about the Ampico not ordinarily seen.
There are about 250 pages that include the 1927 Tuners Journal
Convention Address by Charles Stoddard; a listing of all the patents
issued to Dr. Clarence Hickman (this specifically concerns the Hickman
piano action); an autobiographical sketch by Dr. Hickman (originally
privately printed for the family); article from the Acoustical Society
of America, October 1929, on the Spark Chronograph; transcriptions of
the taped interviews of Dr. Hickman; a list of the patents issued to
American Piano Company, 1900-40 (90 patents); an article by Nelson
Barden "Fidelity and the Ampico".
I got the binder from Tom Ahern sometime in the mid 1980s and have been
hauling it around ever since. It was compiled by Nelson Barden, with a
copyright of 1969. I'd like to see it go to one of our younger members,
with a rebuild or two under his/her belt and a burning curiosity about
the times and people who designed these marvelous machines.
It's available, for free, to the 3rd person who contacts me via email.
I ask that you pay postage (sent USPS Media Mail). I'd also like to
suggest that the older generation go through closets and boxes and
start giving the stuff away that you haven't looked at or used in 10
years! Generating interest and becoming a mentor is one of the direct
ways we can keep our favorite interests available to those that come
after.
Cheers,
John McClelland
Portland, Oregon
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