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Cecilian 13-1/4" Music Rolls by Farrand
By John A. Tuttle

Hi All,  I'm in possession of two 13-1/4" rolls, and I'm interested
in finding out more about where they might have been used.  Here's what
I know for certain.  On the box label, above the title of the song, is
the word "Cecilian", and at the bottom of the label it says, "Farrand
Organ Company, Detroit, Mich., U.S.A."  On the roll leader, it reads
(among other things):

              MUSIC SHEET
         PATD NOV. 13th. 1900
                 Trade
           Connorized Paper
                 Mark
    This roll will Play and Rewind
irrespective of atmospheric conditions

See: http://www.player-care.com/gifs/farrand-cecilian.jpg 

Also of interest is the fact that the hole spacing is irregular.  In
the center of the roll, the spacing is 6 holes per inch and there is
0.75" between adjacent notes.  However, at the extreme bass and treble
ends, the spacing between adjacent notes is 0.125".

There is no suggested Tempo indicated on the roll, but it does have
suggested expression level marks throughout the roll on the right hand
edge.

Further, there are sections of the roll where the vertical distance
between notes of the same pitch is quite small and the length of the
perforation is also quite small (relatively speaking), indicating to
me that they might be staccato notes. This leads me to consider the
possibility that the rolls were made for a piano and not for an organ.

If anyone knows of someone who has an instrument that will play these
rolls, I'd be interested in getting in touch with them.

Lastly, it seems that those involved in roll scanning would find these
rolls quite a challenge, given the irregular hole spacing across the
scale.  Then again, I know little-to-nothing about roll scanning...

Musically,
John A Tuttle
Player-Care.com
Brick, New Jersey, U.S.A.


(Message sent Wed 30 Jan 2013, 17:06:26 GMT, from time zone GMT-0500.)

Key Words in Subject:  13-1/4, Cecilian, Farrand, Music, Rolls

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