An Open Letter to Albert Petrak

Dear Albert Petrak,  I have not been in communication recently because
I suspected that your heavy handed, interfering approach was undermining
my project to scan, and thereby conserve, as many reproducing piano
rolls as possible.

Until mid-December I was making excellent progress in gaining the
cooperation of the proprietor of one of the largest and most important
Ampico collections in the world.  Following your clumsy and ill-
informed representations he has declared that "Regarding the latest
roll transfer project ... I am not a source of Ampico rolls."

This is by no means the only instance of potential sources suddenly
"going cold" but it is the first time I have received tangible proof
of your direct responsibility for the problems.  I have already ceased
to cooperate with you but henceforth I propose to take steps to prevent
you even becoming aware of who I am working with or what I am doing.

If you go down in history (which seems unlikely) it will be as the
person who did more than any other in ensuring that the legacy of
reproducing roll music was NOT preserved !

Richard Stibbons