George Karpel inquired in MMD 140910 if anyone has information about
Staffnote piano rolls with musical staffs as part of the printed words.

I have one similar roll.  Although undoubtedly related to the
Staffnote label in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, that issued George's roll,
mine is on the "Musicnote" label, issued by the Musicnote Song Roll
Company in Dixon, Illinois.  It is number 176, "He's Had No Lovin'
For a Long, Long Time" (Words by William Tracey, Music by Maceo
Pinkard, 1919).  There is no pianist credit.

The leader lists three music roll patent numbers, which will give
George and other interested parties more information about this
unusual word, staff and note system.  The patents were issued to
Frederick C.  Billings of Milwaukee and can be viewed at Google
Patents, https://www.google.com/?tbm=pts 

  1,194,811 (August 15, 1916)
  1,263,022 (August 16, 1916 - this best describes my roll)
  1,263,023 (April 16, 1918 - describes the printing press used)

It would be interesting to know how long this system survived and
how many rolls were issued.  George's roll dates from 1920.  I have
never seen another Musicnote roll, but I do have an instrumental
issued by that company on the Key Note label in 1918 (James Scott's
"Rag Sentimental", number 1075).

Perhaps someone has more information.

Gary Watkins
Sun Valley, California