G'day all,

   Dan Wilson asked if anyone had information about Empeco rolls and
maybe I can offer a little help here.  Where I live, Adelaide, South
Australia, there is a recognisable German influence dating back 150
years when many Lutherans fled persecution in "Germany" (Silesia) and
settled in a number of areas including the now famous Barossa Valley
wine growing region.  Until the World Wars almost eliminated it, they
retained strong cultural links with their homeland, reflected in their
homes, furniture and language.  In more recent years, this has had a
revival for the benefit of the tourists.

   Amongst the many German "relics" to be found, it is not unusual to
come across old piano rolls, often with the name of the supplier on the
box, such as Schrapel's Emporium in the Barossa Valley.  I have
collected a few, almost always accented rolls of high quality and
usually with wooden ends.

   I have a very colourful one from Schroder, Smidt & Co of Bremen
which has a bright blue leader featuring pianist at a grand piano with
the words " Original-Kunstler-Notenrolle nach dem Handspiel erster
Meister.  (Artists' roll, hand played by the Master).  Other makes
include Standard (S M below a crown) and Hupfeld.  The latter usually
have watermarks with the year on it.

   I have a 1907 Hupfeld roll with solodant accenting and a small
attached photograph of the artist or maybe Hupfeld himself.  Now to
EMPECO.  I have only one (1923?), an accented, non expression roll (L.
v. Beethoven, Leonora overture III), and with the name M P Co on it.

   According to the book "Restoring Pianolas", this was made by Michael
Preuss and Co, Berlin.  I could not find any reference to any pianos by
that name.

   I would be intersted to hear from anyone else who has interesting
information on German or other early European roll makers.  I had a
look at my Metro-Art rolls, but none are from the U.K., although I have
many (earlier?) green label British Aeolian Orchestrelle rolls.  I
can't find any dates on the U.S. Metro-Art rolls.

Cheers, Darrell