Noble & Illustrious Mignonites, Et al! A few months ago I was in
touch with one of the estimable authors of the catalog, The Marvelous
Tho Unknown Popper "STELLA", and was informed that copies of it were
available no longer. ("He who hesitates loses!" plus, "Strike while
the iron is hot!" about covers it.)

Just now, while searching for information regarding this to-myself
indispensable rarity, I found referenced a page [Ref. 1] which claims
otherwise but displays no link for any ordering of the elusive,
essential opus!

By this now, plus the endured near death-struggle to obtain a copy
generally, I am just as baffled by it as are we all, regarding that
most mysterious reproducer of which nothing is known outside of alt
und neuer Deutschland (and, those there that might have knowledge of
it ain't talkin'!), the no doubt wondrous -- Popper Stella -- the last
true mystery of the known, world's great Reproducing Piano marques.
(This including even "The Celco Reproducing Medium" itself!)

Over these many decades, in only mere contemplation of what and how it
might prove truly, I've experienced most pleasant mysterious delirium!
Why this? It is to this to which a tell-tale-tail attaches, and which
thankfully is not complicated.

My one example (as taken from various of like-others) is that, the
Bowers' great Encyclopedia of Automatic Music Instruments of 1972 lists
therein for (presumed) recorded Stella luminaries, that no-less-than
Liszt student Sophie Menter herself, had also inked record-rolls!
(The earth moves.) Well, not exactly that. Yet.

At page 584 at bottom-right of The Encyclopedia, is there for examining
a list of Mignon artists and artistes, whose illustrious photographs
were said then, as gracing President Popper's home salon walls, one of
which as-accompanying the crowd of splendids being Menter's! (Again,
movement!) From thereat witnesseth all this as follows:

"In Hugo Popper's private gallery in his home there are many
photographs of prominent 'Mignon' artists, each of whom has inscribed
a personal sentiment. This is indeed a lofty collection: all of the
great musical personalities are represented. Whom should we mention?
They are all great!... " (Of these many, I simply by luck possess the
very one of Kienzel's!)

Of course, as all that are knowledgeable are aware, the great Menter
(having only missed Liszt's supreme approbation by a tiny slight turn, as
Vera Victorovna Timanova had received first -- "La creme de la creme!")
is not known to have appeared on any MIGNON reproducing record-rolls,
nor in any catalogs, having been preserved mercifully for posterity
exclusively by the Hupfelds, this by means of their past-wondrous DEA.

This mystery re Menter and Popper has occupied my mind with hot curiosity
now, for nearly half-a-century, it thanks to Mr. Bowers and his concerted
published research. That long ago, at the Hathaway & Bowers firm,
I queried the author himself on our subject, expecting then-and-there
his encyclopedic mind to recall and expand upon it. He stated that sadly
he could not, which now I can well understand, though then with which
I was disappointed. (Ah! All that so long ago now, and how wonderful
where those days when an actual middle-class existed and, possessing of
honest-gotten lucre for spending!)

That colorful little segue as-done, now getting back to the subject at
hand: I am searching for this doubtless-splendid additive work by Gerhard
Dangel and Hans-W. Schmitz so that I might complete my own, for without
it's aid I fear I could be only duplicating work already done, and thus
taking credit for any of it falsely. (Not nice!)

For any interested in exploring further re the Stella of Popper's and
its diaphanous mystery-surrounding, such a one might actually view the
various case-models of Stellas at page 587 of author/compiler Bower's
Great Encyclopedia.

The subjects and possibilities attending The World of the Reproducing
Piano, though having beginnings, surely are to suffer no endings.

Jim Miller
Las Vegas, Nevada

Ref. 1: http://www.maesto.com/US/newbookaboutwelt.html 

 [ I can't tell whether Thomas Jansen is offering a new edition or
 [ if he discovered a cache of the original book from 2006. At
 [ https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/315539483 is a description of the
 [ 2006 edition: Welte-Mignon Klavierrollen: complete library of the
 [ European recordings 1904-1932 for the Welte-Mignon reproducing piano.
 [ Author: Gerhard Dangel; Hans-Wilhelm Schmitz (Self-published)
 [
 [ A newly restored 1909 Popper "Stella" is described at
 [ https://www.faszinationpianola.de/en/produkt/1909-popper-stella-welt-konzertist-piano/ 
 [ -- Robbie