Automatic Pianos: A Collector's Guide to the Pianola, Barrel Piano, & Aeolian Orchestrelle

Ord-Hume, who is currently Director and Senior Administrator of The Library of Mechanical Music & Horology and lives in Surrey, England, provides an impressive guide to the history, workings, and worth of self-playing pianos manufactured in the U.S., England, and Europe. The reproductions and scholarship are exceptional, and topics include perforated music and the wrath of the copy-right-holders; expression pianos and electric actions; caring for automatic pianos and music rolls; how to play the player piano artistically; and the technical evolution of the player piano and its industry. Appendices include advertisements of the early 1900s, a list of makers and inventors, music roll makers and brand names, and a valuation and price guide. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)