Marco, I read with interest your Introduction in Digest 970420 and note
regarding the "FIRST" piano rolls.  My interest in my Italian ancestry
has allowed me to veer a bit into the roll that Italy has played in
mechanical music.  Although there are some stereotypical anecdotes,
it appears the country has played a relatively minor role.

I would be interested in any information you might be able to uncover.
And, if it appears feasible, it might be worthy to consider publishing
an article in the Musical Box Society Journal of Mechanical Music.

If you might be interested in such an effort, please let me know.

Regards,

Angelo Rulli
St. Paul, MN
angelor@pioneerplanet.infi.net

PS: You might have noticed that my family name is directly linked to the
field of automatic pianos.

 [ Angelo, do you proudly display the mustache of an Italian
 [ organ grinder?  That's my image of you !  :-)  -- Robbie