Greetings:  I spoke today with Ray McLeland of the Leather Supply House
in South Bend, Indiana.  I was in need of a small amount of flap
leather, and wanted to know the minimum skin size I could order from
him.  

He told me he is only able to purchase the flap leather in large, 
full skins, and has up until now only sold it by the skin (averaging
well over 12 square feet, more than I would need in several years of
rebuilding).  He also said he is only carrying it for player piano
rebuilders -- his pipe organ customers don't use it.

Ray suggested that if he knew what a typical maximum width would be 
for player exhauster and reservoir flap valves, he would have the
leather stripped to that dimension, allowing him to store it far more
conveniently in long rolls, ready for cutting by the lineal foot.  This
would likely result in less expense, and perhaps, less waste, for both
supplier and consumer.

He has, I believe, at least two thicknesses available.  The sample 
I have, which is quite suitable for my needs, measures .056" thick,
accurately described as "cowhide with hard finish on grain side, valve
surface on other".

I don't know whether it would be more appropriate for rebuilders 
to post their comments and dimensional requirements to the MMD first,
or just send them directly to the McLelands.  Perhaps Robbie could
offer a suggestion.  The Leather Supply House receives email at
<leathermus@aol.com>  and their new web site address is

    http://www.leathersupplyhouse.com/

Cheers

Doug Rhodes

 [ Let's let Ray McLeland gather the requests and offer a standard
 [ material and size for the trade.  Then we can publish a report
 [ and prices in MMD.  Maybe he will offer odd size scraps as well
 [ as standard width rolls.  -- Robbie