Dan, Robbie and all,

The ratio is currently 12,866 kangaroos to each player piano, not
counting wallabies, potaroos, and bettongs (these are smaller marsupial
macropods)!  It also depends on whether you count non-working players
like a couple of mine.

There are enough working players around to keep Mastertouch, in Sydney,
going (just) since 1919.  Their current catalogue still lists many of
their very early rolls.  I don't know how Mastertouch is going with
computerizing their roll production, but I won't hold my breath for
reproducing rolls, although they did talk about it a while back.  They
used to make a few Recordo-style expression rolls years ago.

As for old roll prices in Australia, Dan's figures would not be far off
the mark.  88-note rolls are very common, although it is hard to find
the old ones in good condition.  Prices in South Australia are usually
around AU$5 (US$4), but popular songs, long rolls or reproducing rolls
could be up to double that.  Reproducing rolls were all imported and are
hard to find now.  Many sellers don't know them and might sell them for
the same as 88-note rolls.  We don't have any roll auctions here, as far
as I know.

Cheers,  Darrell