With reference to Bob Loesch's posting regarding Scott Joplin's "Silver
Swan Rag," that rag is attributed to Scott Joplin, and was published in
1971 in "The Collected Piano Works of Scott Joplin" (New York Public
Library, 1971).  According to the introductory text (page x), here is
the story:

    "The work, recorded on a player-piano roll, was discovered in 1970
    by Albert Huerta, a Los Angeles piano roll collector, among a pile
    of long-since purchased and forgotten piano rolls stored in his
    garage.  Realizing that it was credited to Joplin, Mr. Huerta
    brought 'Silver Swan Rag' to the attention of Richard Zimmerman and
    other members of the local ragtime society, The Maple Leaf Club,
    who decided to circulate a tape recording of the roll among Joplin
    scholars for their judgment on its authenticity.  It was generally
    agreed that it was indeed a Joplin composition, although no
    manuscript nor published copy has ever been known to exist; nor has
    any reference to the work been found except in 1915-16 catalogs of
    the QRS Music Company.  Mr. Huerta's roll had been issued by the
    National Music Roll Company of St. Johnsville, New York.  Oddly
    enough, since his discovery, a copy of the QRS roll is reported to
    have been found.  Both rolls are believed to have been released at
    about the same time (1914-15).  Whether they are duplicate versions
    is not known."

Based on the piano roll, the music was transcribed and included in the
collection (adjusting for the usual embellishments found on rolls).
There is apparently remaining some residual doubt regarding whether
the tune is indeed a Joplin original.  The reference rollography shows
that "Silver Swan Rag" was issued by National (number unknown) and QRS
31533.

Karl Van Scyoc