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MMD > Archives > May 2017 > 2017.05.29 > 02Prev  Next


Politically Incorrect Piano Rolls
By Marshall Jose

Vestiges of an ugly past on a dusty piano roll

I spent the weekend accompanying the wife and some relatives on
a casual browse through northern Virginia's antique stores, keeping
alert for the occasional rare piano roll label. I found one I'd never
seen before called "Windle's Special", which I purchased with little
attention, and continued on my way.

The next day I idly reviewed my catches.  Studying the Windle label it
suddenly dawned on me that I was looking at a Ku Klux Klan-style hooded
rider on a horse (see attachment).  This set off a furious Googling
session which resulted in a number of references to Windle and his
wretched spoor.  The MMD referred to him in 2003 here:

http://www.mmdigest.com/Archives/Digests/200307/2003.07.26.05.html 

For the record, the label seems to have been published in Supertone
style silk-screening, presumably at the time by Columbia.  "Mystic City"
was copyright 1922 which would have been the year Supertone had already
moved on to Columbia's facilities.

Those academics eager to navigate this unpleasant historical rabbit
hole are welcome to use Google with profit, but I'm happy to stop here
and simply report my findings.

Marshall Jose

 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/17/05/29/170529_175838_WindleRolls_MysticCity.png 


(Message sent Tue 30 May 2017, 00:58:38 GMT, from time zone GMT-0700.)

Key Words in Subject:  Incorrect, Piano, Politically, Rolls

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