[Paul Gugelmann] DENIS, Michel ; KAUFMANN, RenéLivre Rare Book
Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ three volumes
réf. 119379Pasadena: Showcase Publications 1985. First Edition. Hardcover. Fine/Dust Jacket Included. Pasadena Showcase Publications 1985 1989 and 1995. Quarto three volumes 432 pages with over 800 illustrations; 433-950 pages with over 1000 illustrations; and 448 pages with over 250 illustrations. Synthetic cloth; a fine set with the dustwrappers in fine condition apart from a few tiny tears to the head of each spine. 'This three-volume encyclopedia provides a wealth of primary source material on the American theater sic organ an instrument designed for the movie theaters of the silent film era that has now all but disappeared from American pop culture. The first two volumes contain articles about organ manufacturing companies. The third volume is devoted to "the mighty Wurlitzer". Each entry is documented with primary source material such as photos company records stop lists advertisements drawings and interviews and correspondence with organ makers. In addition Junchen has provided an opus list detailing the histories of all of the organs built by each company. These materials will prove indispensable to anyone researching popular music in the silent-film era' Trove presumably quoting the publisher. The first two volumes are by David Junchen 1946 - 30 January 1992. The third volume by Preston Kaufmann is the first of a proposed five-volume series chronicling 'the rise and fall of the Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ plus the company and people behind the product'. Loosely inserted is the four-page prospectus for that set and a circular letter dated 15 December 1995 from the author apologising for the delay in publication of this volume and outlining some of the problems encountered since he 'fell heir to the "Encyclopedia" project four years ago'. Reading between the lines we thought we could discern why no further volumes have been produced. A quick search online unearthed the less happy truth of the matter: Preston Kaufmann died in 1998 at the age of 42. 3 items. Showcase Publications hardcover
