Original Literature of
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WARNING: This area is not for dial-up users.
Most files range from 2-6Mb, a few are 50-100Mb+ |
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| Player Pianos | Reproducing Pianos |
| Pipe Organs | Reed Organs |
| Music Roll / Instrument Catalogs | Promotional Literature |
| Other Instruments | Trade Periodicals |
| Broadsheets | Miscellaneous |
Many thousands of people worldwide share a common interest in vintage mechanical musical instruments. They may share an affection for the music and its musicians of that golden era. Others share a fascination for the incredibly ingenious mechanical mechanisms devised without benefit of computers and contemporary technology. Some choose to associate with one another through associations such as AMICA (Automatic Musical Instruments Collectors Association), MBSI (Musical Box Society International) and PPG (Player Piano Group). There are many other associations worldwide, these are but a representative few.
Many collectors of this unique slice of our musical heritage also collect original literature associated with the manufacturing and marketing of these wondrous machines. All too often, this segment of our collecting passion tends to be obscured by the highly visible machines themselves, appealing to the 3 senses of sight, hearing and touch. Very often, these delightfully appealing machines are shared with the general public, be they home tours, local charity events, association events, and/or neighborhood gatherings.
However, serious research into the remarkable history of these music machines can only be realized through access to original literature. Regrettably, much of this original literature tends to be hidden away in filing cabinets, workshops, libraries, et al, and all too often not accessible to serious researchers. In my own 40+ years in this delightful avocation, I too accumulated my fair share of original literature. But why should I be the only one to be able to see, enjoy and absorb our published history?
So, I set about to make my own collection of original literature accessible by converting it into digital files and posting these files on an open public web site. The documents following are a beginning, a fine example of the internet at its best. Most are in Acrobat PDF format. Others will emerge with time.
Since I started this project, others such as Richard Stibbons, Anthony Robinson, John Dousmanis, Ed Gaida, Marv Polan, and Larry Norman have kindly made available to me portions of their personal collection of original literature. Others are encouraged to do likewise.
Once such collection I am working on is the Howe Collection of some 25,000 items (500,000 pages) donated to the University of Maryland (IPAM) in 1995. Negotiations are currently underway to encourage the university to make available digital copies of portions of this collection. Due to the mammoth magnitude of Richard Howe's collection, this will be a very long term project that will in all certainty long outlive me. Stay tuned.....
There is no reason why others cannot do likewise. In vast majority of cases, internet users do have web site space available to them, albeit very often unused. Sharing original literature is relatively easy to do. All that is required is a flat bed scanner and web space. Think positive about sharing various items within your personal collection of original literature.
Enjoy!
All third-party
materials have been used with the assumed owner's permission, however if you
claim copyright on materials here and you wish them removed please contact the
Website Manager on the
Contact page. If I don't know you I'll ask you to supply proof of ownership
(a notarized copyright registration certificate will be your best bet). If
your claim is valid and verified then the materials will be removed immediately.
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