Mike Morrey's piano roll search service proposal is certainly an
idea whose time has come, and I imagine it will be well received and
eventually materialize.  Right now, however, while weathering this
recession I am more concerned about preserving the rolls I already
have.

Many of my older piano rolls are languishing unboxed, a dozen or so
per cardboard carton, which doesn't do what's left of the leader and
tab area any good.  Others are in original boxes that are literally
falling apart.  I already have a supply of new boxes, but what about
labels?  With today's technologies, authentic custom-made reproductions
of box labels should be available at a very reasonable cost.  Or is
someone I don't know about already supplying these?

In case a label is missing, databases already exist for QRS and other
major brands, particularly reproducing rolls.  In many cases, a number
stamped at the end of a roll can reveal the title and artist.  You can
Google most any song title and bring up the composer(s), publisher and
copyright year, plus, in many cases, even the sheet music cover.

Another idea whose time has come!

Jeffrey R. Wood