In the late 70's I was an extremely avid collector of reproducing
pianos and turned up some of the rarest Ampico pianos that were made.

I discovered during this time that Dr. Clarence Hickman, who developed
the Model B Ampico reproducing piano system for Mr. Stoddard and the
American Piano Co., was a resident of Indiana.  He was actually born and
raised in a small town 30 miles west of Indianapolis.  I was approached
by his great-niece to find an Ampico B piano and restore it for them.

In the process of doing this I got to know Dr. Hickman and we exchanged
many letters and I visited him a couple of times in New York.  Over the
course of these few years that I knew him he furnished me with a great
deal of information concerning the history and activities of himself as
well as Mr. Stoddard.  Because I was so keenly interested in everything
having to do with both of these gentlemen he continually sent items to
me that was owned by each of them.

In particular, Dr. Hickman left me all of his notes and correspondence
relating to the Ampico piano, section H (H stands for Hickman) during
the second world war and his activities in producing rockets plus his
avid interest in archery and many other items.  He also sent me a lot
of items from Mr. Stoddard, including even the original contract with
the American Piano Co.  concerning the royalty he received on each
roll.  I received both his watch and Dr. Hickman's watch that they used
in the laboratories.  I received his drafting table, his bird box with
the original note to his wife, etc.

I am at the point that I am wondering what I should do with all of this
material and information on these two gentlemen. If anyone has any
suggestions on donating them or if not who would be interested in this
sizable collection.   I could sit down and make a list of all the items
that I have but it would take sometime to gather it together.

Jim Brady

P.S.:  It occurs to me that some of you may want to have an insight
into the personalities and character of these two gentlemen.  I would
be glad to occasionally share information with you on MMD.  Please let
me know if you would like to receive information on MMD.

 [ I'd love to hear about them, Jim.  About all I know is what I've
 [ read in the extracts of Dr. Hickman's diary and the Nelson & Bardon
 [ interviews.  Dr. Hickman brought the mind and personality of a
 [ research scientist to a technology characterized by cloistered
 [ experimenters.  His published documents leave little doubt that
 [ every aspect of the 1929 Ampico recording and reproducing system
 [ received attention as a _system element_.  -- Robbie