In regard to piano rolls on eBay: I have to admit that there is an
awful lot of junk rolls on eBay and you really have to be careful
in purchasing anything, unless the seller is honest and aboveboard.
I have purchased rolls with great success on eBay and I have sold
a great number of rolls with satisfied customers that I want to keep.

The sour grapes about bad purchases on eBay is often unjust.  There are
folks who live in areas where piano rolls are as scarce as hen's teeth,
and this is an outlet from which to purchase them.

Someone mentioned antiques stores as a source, but usually it's a very
pricey source because, often as not, these antique stores put really
nutty prices on any old piano roll no matter the condition.

Then there are the big time rolls auctions -- if you think eBay is high
priced, you haven't been around one of these or bid on rolls.  Ragtime
rolls bringing hundreds of dollars and on occasion a thousand dollars
or more.  eBay has it's problems but it has its good side as well.

James Jelinek