Greetings fellow MMDigest Ampico collectors, I recently came across
an extremely rare and probably a one-of-a-kind classical Ampico roll.
Several Ampico collectors have suggested that this is a possible
"sub-master" roll, given it's markings etc, and was probably never
released.

The roll is "Taranella, Venezia e Napoli" by Listz, played by Olga
Steeb, probably recorded around 1921.  I have included two links to
pictures of this roll.  As you can see, there is no Ampico roll number
on the roll box label, as well as the roll label itself.  The labels are
hand-written, and there is no tempo marking.  The roll is not listed
in the Obenchain Ampico rollography.

There are some markings that look like corrections on the top side of
the roll.  On the underside of the roll there are many colored pencil
markings, which seems to suggest this was some sort of master roll or
as one collector mentioned, a sub-master" roll that had perhaps the
final corrections made to it before a master would have been produced.

It's over eight long, definitely a larger "A" roll, and it plays
beautifully on my 1925 Mason & Hamlin RBB.  It's a delightful piece
with lots of sparkle and a powerful ending; in other words, it's not
a "dirge".  Although I must say, it puts the Ampico to work with some
staccato notes, etc., but nothing that a well functioning Ampico can't
handle.  An MP3 audio recording of the Ampico roll is available at
http://www.box.net/shared/90brxxkfpi and the label photos are at

http://s43.photobucket.com/albums/e355/musicalnoats/?action=view&current=AmpicoRollOlgaSteeb1.jpg
http://s43.photobucket.com/albums/e355/musicalnoats/?action=view&current=AmpicoOlgaSteeb2.jpg

In any case, I think it's an important piece Ampico history, and I
would like to share that with everyone here.  Dave Saul has kindly
agreed to make some re-cuts of this roll.  I would like to get an idea
of how many re-cuts to order.  Please email me and let me know if you
are interested and I will get a list going.

Thanks, John Del Carlo
musicalnoats@gmail.com.geentroep [delete ".geentroep" to reply]