THE BILLINGS ROLLOGRAPHY - PLAYER PIANO MUSIC FROM 1917-1934, by Ginny and Bob Billings. THREE VOLUME SET: Volumes One, Two and Three complete.

(A rollography is a systematic listing of all known music rolls intended to form an authoritative guide to the subject, and usually includes history and artist biographies.)

Self-Published, 1990. "This three-volume set has been compiled, edited, written, typeset, reproduced, bound and published by ROCK SOUP, Ginny and Bob Billings, Belmont, California...1990".

This is the First Edition of The Billings Rollography, self-published as a three volume set in 1990. Softcovers with tape covered spine, clear vinyl cover protectors, and photocopied pages. The set was later issued in a hardcover edition as well.

VERY GOOD condition, some scratches and shelf rubs to the clear plastic over-covers, overall lovely, tight, bright, clean, clear and unmarked.

The three volumes are:

VOLUME ONE: Two complete listings of all 88-note QRS Word Rolls, from the beginning (R No. 100, issued in 1916) to Roll No. 6000, issued in November 1934, one numerical by se number and one alphabetic by title. 357 pages.

VOLUME TWO: A history of the roll companies included in Recordo and QRS; tech information on Recordo; a complete listing by roll company of all Recordo-coded and So Carola-coded expression rolls, numeric by serial number and alphabetic by title, then a separa combined section of classical music listed alphabetically by composer; and finally, a compen composite listing of all Recordo-coded rolls, alphabetic by title. 382 pages.

VOLUME THREE: A complete listing of all pianists credited in the above two groupings, biographical information and photographs where possible, including an alphabetic list of all they played: QRS 88-note, Recordo and Solo Carola. 435 pages.

This sale is for the three volume set, Player Piano Music 1917-1934. Years later Ginny and Bob Billings compiled and published a volume 4, 5 and 6, comprising Player Piano Music from 1934-1994.

From the Introduction (on the verso of the title page):

******This three-volume set is the culmination of twenty years of combing available literature, grilling original artists, and basic research. Had the Editors worked another twenty years, the project still would not have been error free or completely to their satisfaction, but it is as close to that goal as can reasonably be expected.

The significance of QRS Word Rolls to Recordo is that most popular QRS Recordo rolls were first issued in the 88-note version before being coded with Recordo expression. The Editors hope that 88-note Imperial and 88-note U.S. lists will be compiled and published by someone else to complete the correlations.******

INTERNATIONAL BUYERS PLEASE NOTE: These three books are heavy and will require substantial additional shipping charges. After placing your order you will be notified of the additional charges and be able to accept or reject them before your payment is processed. Or you can contact us ahead of time to find out the shipping charge to your country. Thanks.