The vast majority of rolls can be identified very easily by certain features. Some rather rare roll types are puzzling at first – and require closer examination. The overview with the dimensions in the title image already gives some clues. In other articles we show most of the roll types that can still be found today in detail.
Even a layperson can find out quite quickly what type of music roll it is. The paper width and the roll flanges – along with the roll’s label – are the most important clues. The music roll boxes do not always contain what is written on them. Rolls were given different labels as early as the manufacturing process. And in collections, rolls were occasionally put into the wrong boxes. So it is always advisable to check the roll itself, not just the boxes.
In Germany today, the standard music rolls by the manufacturers Hupfeld, Philipps, SM, Aeolian and others predominate. Reproducing rolls are very rarely found. Each manufacturer solved the construction of its music rolls individually – here, too, it was about finding unique features but also about getting around existing patents. The rolls differed in practically every respect, i.e. the selection and processing of the paper, the choice of spool core and flanges, the design of the roll leader, the perforation shape (hole diameter from 1.5 mm for DUCA to 2.7 mm for DEA), the paper width, the box design and labeling, etc.
There were a large number of music roll manufacturers, as this was a very lucrative business for a while. In addition, instrument makers sometimes sold the music rolls of certain manufacturers under their own brand name (e.g. Broadwood rolls based on Aeolian or Hupfeld). Hupfeld has a large number of roll type variations for its various products such as Clavitist, Phonoliszt, Universal, etc. Every music roll is worth preserving – even if it may no longer fetch a significant price.
If you have music rolls to offer or know of rolls for sale, we would be pleased to hear from you.