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"Harmony" Piano Rolls by Montgomery Ward Co.
By Bob Pinsker

Hi, all -- Bob Riopel asked, "Does anyone know who manufactured piano
rolls sold under the "Harmony" label by Montgomery Ward Co. (MWC)?"

As far as I can see, the Harmony label was manufactured by Imperial
Player Roll Co. of Chicago, just as various roll manufacturers made
"Supertone" to be sold by Sears, last (I think) by Capitol (also of
Chicago).

The Harmony rolls are identical to the Imperial issues of the same
tunes, although to make them cheaper the lyrics present on the Imperial
issues of word rolls seem to have been omitted from the Harmony rolls.
The Harmony issues also do not name the player on their label on the
ones I have.

I have not seen Harmony issues from 1922 or later, which is the time
at which Imperial ended its independent existence and was acquired by
QRS, but I wouldn't be surprised if there are Harmony rolls from later
made by another firm.  Anybody have any such?

Bob Pinsker
San Diego, California


(Message sent Sat 13 Mar 2010, 20:47:36 GMT, from time zone GMT-0500.)

Key Words in Subject:  Co, Harmony, Montgomery, Piano, Rolls, Ward
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