Hi All,  While searching for technical information about a few piano
companies I happened to find what I hope is a treasure trove at the
University of Maryland.  It's called the Howe Collection.   Here's what
they say about it:

  Howe Collection of Musical Instrument Literature: Piano Series

  Introduction: The Howe Collection of Musical Instrument Literature
documents the history of the music industry mainly in the United
States.  The largest known collection of its kind, it contains material
about the manufacture of pianos, organs, and mechanical musical
instruments.  The collection is divided into five separate series:
Piano, Organ, Phonographic Materials, Mechanical Musical Instruments,
and General Music Subjects.  It was created, and given to the
University of Maryland, by Richard J. Howe.

The URL is: http://www.lib.umd.edu/UMCP/MUSIC/HowePiano.html

I've written and called the curator about going down to Maryland to
look through the boxes of information but was asked to hold off until
they can determine if there IS any information that relates to player
pianos.  I'll keep the group informed as things unfold.

Musically,

John A. Tuttle

 [ Also located at University of Maryland is International Piano
 [ Archives at Maryland (IPAM), which claims to have a fine collection
 [ of reproducing piano rolls and some Duo-Art master rolls, but this
 [ organization has been notably uncooperative when approached about
 [ using their holdings.  I hope that the Howe collection is more
 [ accessible.  -- Robbie