To make clear what I said regarding the auction, and the source(s)
of same, as stated by Nicholas Simons and Julian Dyer:  Julian says
I must have mixed up the going prices for the piano and the rolls.

Not so.  I quoted Dr. Frank Csik, who was bidding on the telephone and
presumably noted down the final bid of $48,000 for the rolls.  As he
wasn't bidding on the Steinway, there could be no mix-up.  Simons says
I must have misquoted Fisher or Christies.  Not so.  Here are his exact
words:  "Although Christies cannot reveal the identity of buyers or
vendors, I can reveal that both the library and the Steinway have found
a home in a Russian museum."

He would not reveal the prices and so I concluded that they were not
available to the general public.  I was quite surprised to find that
they could be obtained as Simons states, and I concur that the [cost]
additions to what one has committed are a rip-off.

We'll shed no tears for the Russkies, however, as they clearly have no
bottom to their money stash, and are determined to make the museum a
spectacular asset to the tourist trade they are experiencing or hope to.

My only regret is that this superb assemblage of the contents of the
Duo-Art catalog will now not be heard (or available for trade or
purchase of duplicates, probably) in either the U.K. or this country.
Also, the Russians are neophytes as regards the rolls and will not
know the unusual or rare items included therein.  They'll probably wind
up playing the same old titles that are popular items known worldwide.
As our friend Tom Jansen from Monschau would say, "Schade [Too bad]!"

Albert M. Petrak, Founder
The Reproducing Piano Roll Foundation