Reference Library
Mechanical Music Reference Library
I collect books, articles, manufacturer publications including music catalogs, audio recordings and other reference documents related to mechanical music -- mostly AMPICO related information. Below is a list of items presently in my reference library.
Books
Bowers, Q David. The Encyclopedia of Automatic Musical Instruments. Vestal Press, 1972
Dolge, Alfred. Pianos and Their Makers. Dover Publications, 1972 (reprint of 1911 Covina Publishing version)
Dolge, Alfred. Pianos and Their Makers, Vol II. Covina Publishing, 1913 (Original – was later reprinted with the title “Men Who Have Made Piano History”)
Fine, Larry. The Piano Book: Buying and Owning a New or Used Piano. Brookside Press, 1987
Flexner, Bob. Understanding Wood Finishing: How to Select and Apply the Right Finish. Reader’s Digest Publications, 2005
Givens, Larry. Re-enacting the Artist; a Story of the Ampico Reproducing Piano. Vestal Press, 1970
Obenchain, Elaine. The Complete Catalog of Ampico Reproducing Piano Rolls. William H. Edgerton, 1977.
Reblitz, Arthur A. Piano Servicing, Tuning, and Rebuilding. Vestal Press, 1993
Reblitz, Arthur. Player Piano Servicing and Rebuilding. Vestal Press, 1985
Roehl, Harvey N. Player Piano Treasury. Vestal Press, 1969
Saul, David L. How to Rebuild the Model A AMPICO. Vestal Press, 1974
Manufacturer Publications
American Piano Company, AMPICO Bulletin, October 1928 – Original
American Piano Company, Inspectors’ Instruction Book 1919 with 1920 Supplement, 1919 – Reprint by Vestal Press (3 copies)
American Piano Company, Inspector’s Reference Book: The AMPICO Reproducing Piano, 1923 – Original (1) and Vestal Press reprint (2)
American Piano Company, The AMPICO Service Manual (Model B), 1929 – Original (1) and reprint by American Piano Supply Company (1)
American Piano Company, The Complete Supremacy of the AMPICO (Sales Brochure), No Date, 4 pages – Original
American Piano Company, Record Music Rolls for the AMPICO (Music Catalog), July 1920 – Reprint by Frank Adams
Ampico Corporation, AMPICO – A Catalog of Music (Music Catalog), 1923 – Original
Ampico Corporation, The AMPICO: How a Miraculous Invention Brings You the Living Art of the Great Pianists (Sales Brochure), 1925, 19 pages – Reprint by AMICA, 2000
Ampico Corporation, A Catalogue of Ampico Music (Music Catalog), 1925 – Original
Ampico Corporation, Handy Volume Catalog of Ampico Recordings (Music Catalog), January 1929, 239 pages – Original (2 copies)
Ampico Corporation, Handy Volume Catalog of Ampico Recordings (Music Catalog), March 1929, 80 pages – Original (2 copies)
Mason & Hamlin Co., The AMPICO in the Mason & Hamlin Pianoforte (Piano Catalog), 1926 – Reprint by AMICA, 1991
Audio Recordings
LPs
The AMPICO Recordings, Sergei Rachmaninov, Vol I, L’Oiseau-Lyre, distributed by The Decca Records Co., LTD., London (414-096-1)
The AMPICO Recordings, Sergei Rachmaninov, Vol II, L’Oiseau-Lyre, distributed by The Decca Records Co., LTD., London (414-099-1)
The AMPICO Recordings, Sergei Rachmaninov, Vol III, L’Oiseau-Lyre, distributed by The Decca Records Co., LTD., London (414-122-1)
The AMPICO Recordings, Josef Lhevinne, Vol I, L’Oiseau-Lyre, distributed by The Decca Records Co., LTD., London (414-097-1)
The AMPICO Recordings, Josef Lhevinne, Vol II, L’Oiseau-Lyre, distributed by The Decca Records Co., LTD., London (414-121-1)
The AMPICO Recordings, Josef Lhevinne, Vol III, L’Oiseau-Lyre, distributed by The Decca Records Co., LTD., London (414-123-1)
The AMPICO Recordings, Moriz Rosenthal, L’Oiseau-Lyre, distributed by The Decca Records Co., LTD., London (414-098-1)
The Golden Age of Piano Virtuosi : Ampico Piano Rolls – Record 1, Argo (BBC Recordings), 1966, (DA 41)
The Golden Age of Piano Virtuosi : Ampico Piano Rolls – Record 2, Argo (BBC Recordings), 1966, (DA 42)
The Golden Age of Piano Virtuosi : Ampico Piano Rolls – Record 3, Argo (BBC Recordings), 1966, (DA 43)
CDs
Rachmaninov plays Rachmaninov, The AMPICO Piano Recordings (1919-29), Decca CD 425 964-2
A Window in Time I, Rachmaninoff Performs His Own Works, Wayne Stanhke, TELARC CD-80489
A Window in Time II, Rachmaninoff Performs the Work of Others, Wayne Stanhke, TELARC CD-80491
Videos
Brougher, Craig. Correct Method for Rebuilding the AMPICO Vacuum Pump.
http://www.player-care.com/video_2.html
Vintage Advertisements
Below is a sampling of some vintage Ampico advertisements. When known, the publication and date of the ad is provided. Click on the links below to see the advertisements.
"New York Hears the AMPICO", The Literary Digest, January 20, 1917
"An Invitation", The Literary Digest, February 17, 1917
"It's Easy To Identify The AMPICO", Scribner's Magazine, Sep/Oct 1922
"Give Your Children The Right Start In Music", The Literary Digest, August 30, 1924
"Another Great Piano Can Offer You The AMPICO", The Literary Digest, December 20, 1924
"Will Your Child Love or hate Practice", The Literary Digest, September 27, 1924
"Who Plays These Songs For You?", The Literary Digest, April 25, 1925
"Here Is Your Season Ticket", Harper's Magazine
"Perfect Recording Plus Perfect Re-enactment", Add featuring Rachmaninoff
"Rachmaninoff Can Only Be Heard Through The AMPICO",
"Leopold Godowsky - American Tour Season - 1927-1928"
"Moritz Rosenthal - Tour Season - 1923-1924"
Last Updated: 1 May 2008