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MMD > Archives > November 1997 > 1997.11.23 > 02Prev  Next


Wurlitzer Band Organ Rolls
By Bill Black

To continue the discussion on the Wurlitzer perforators, music rolls,
etc., I looked through some of my stuff and found the following.

Doyle Lane did use the perforators to produce rolls. I have quite a few
examples of these in styles 125, 150 and 165 rolls. (Doyle was using his
own printed labels)

I examined the boxes and rolls (the ones I have) produced by Ralph
Tussing when he was making rolls. I have never seen a Tussing roll which
has any mention of the Wurlitzer name on the actual roll.  I have also
never seen a Tussing roll with a label on it, just the roll number
stamped on it. The labels on the boxes may be a different story. I have
several examples of his rolls on which the boxes have what appears to be
an original Wurlitzer roll label on them (compared with original
Wurlitzer label layout and type style).  However, none had the complete
printed label on them. Some have the Wurlitzer address which was on the
bottom of the label cut off, with the Wurlitzer logo on top remaining.
Others have the same style label with the Wurlitzer name on the top and
the address on bottom both cut off. Mostly, the examples of his labels
were created "one at a time" on his typewriter.

This would seem to suggest that when Ralph obtained the equipment and
supplies from Herschell there was a supply of some previously printed
Wurlitzer labels that came with it. Since Ralph was at a different
address than Wurlitzer, he could use what labels he had (for the
appropriate roll box of course) by cutting off the Wurlitzer address on
the bottom of the label. Perhaps, Wurlitzer at some point decided they
did not want to permit this usage of their trademark logo (created by
using a stylized W,T and R's in their name). So, to comply, Ralph still
used what labels he had but then cut off the top with the trademark logo
on it also. When he need a label he didn't have, he went to the
typewriter. He apparently felt the volume of rolls which he sold didn't
warrant the expense of having box labels printed in quantity.

Doyle Lane could tell us if he received any original Wurlitzer labels
when he purchased the equipment.

I have never seen an original copy of roll #6691 which was made by
Herschell. It would be interesting to know if that had a label on it
which used the Wurlitzer trademark logo or a Herschell label and logo
(either on the roll or box).

Most of Ralph's roll boxes have a typewritten label which says, "Military
Band Organ, Style and Roll No., the songs and his 138 Miller Street
address.

His catalog of style 150 rolls is of interest also in regard to the use
of the Wurlitzer name. I have a copy which I received directly from Ralph
when he was still producing rolls. It was typeset and printed. The
example I have shows an original address of 825 Main Street, N. Tonawanda
when it was printed (business name was T.R.T. Manufacturing Co.). When
Ralph moved to 138 Miller Street, he continued to use them but used his
typewriter to cross off the old address and added the new one by typing
it on (this is the version I have). This catalog is titled "Revised List
For Wurlitzer Style 150 Band Organs" (all upper case type for the
Wurlitzer name with no stylized letters). This catalog offered a
selection of 67 rolls. Also supplied was an additional printed page
(printed later than the original catalog) offering 15 additional rolls.
Still later, Ralph took this additional sheet and typed a further list of
7 more rolls on the back. (My copy shows he used carbon paper to produce
multiple copies.)

In regard to the "PARKER" 165 roll, the label on this roll makes no
mention of the Wurlitzer name. It says, "Made At The Parker Factory,
Leavenworth, Kansas. Roll # 3 Style 165, 10 Tune Length."

Bill Black


(Message sent Sun 23 Nov 1997, 17:13:39 GMT, from time zone GMT-0500.)

Key Words in Subject:  Band, Organ, Rolls, Wurlitzer

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