Aren't little girls wonderful!  I brought these antique piano rolls home, (the rare ones with the pin ends) and my two little girls were all excited.  I was informed that our three year old  had just finished going potty and had just finished off the last of our toilet paper supply, and how did I know that we needed more.  I quickly explained that this was not six rolls of toilet paper, but rather six old piano rolls.  Of course they wanted to know what they were for.  So I explained that they are used to play old pianos.  I took one out of the box to show them, and tried to explain how piano rolls work.   I showed them the little holes in the paper and tried to explain how each hole played a different note. 

"Can it play do, a dear, a female dear, ray, a drop of golden sun, mi, a name I call myself.........." 

       About this time the littlest one joined in and before long they were dancing and singing all around the room, the only things missing were  the Alps and the Von Trapp family.  The performance finaly came to an end after what seemed like hours. (If you have ever heard the entire routine, you already know what I'm talking about) 

 "Daddy, can it play that?" 

 "No, it only plays old songs that nobody has ever heard of." 

 "Daddy, how come it won't play Sound of Music?" 

 "Because these were made a thousand years before that movie was made." 

       My oldest girl then questioned whether or not pianos were even around a thousand years ago.  I told her I didn't know and was quickly asked,

"Well if there weren't any pianos back then, then what did they use the rolls for? 

       I just told her "Never mind. It doesn't really matter because these are going to be sold on Ebay."  She then wanted to know who would want to buy thousand year old toilet paper.  We then had another discussion/agrguement concerning why the rolls looked like toilet paper. 

"Look daddy, they even have a wooden thing in the middle, just like the thing that holds the toilet paper in the bathroom." 

       During this dialogue, I failed to notice that the three year old had removed one of the rolls from its' box, and was now in the bathroom trying to fit it into the empty toilet tissue holder.  I suddenly heard an echoing shout from the bathroom.

"Daddy. . . . . . . .it doesn't fit."

"What. . . . . . . . . what doesn't fit?"

       I thought she was using the potty and was having trouble getting her underwear back up over her little rear end.  I was wrong.

"Daddy. . . . . . .the toilet paper won't fit. . . . . . . . it's too long."

       If a land speed record can be broken over a span of just twenty feet, I broke it getting to the bathroom to rescue my antique "toilet roll" from my three year old.

"I told you guys this isn't toilet paper!  It plays a piano!"

       The little darlings finally lost interest in the toilet paper rolls.  They wouldn't fit in the holder in the bathroom.  There was no piano around to try them on, and the rolls apparrantly didn't play "Do a Dear".  So they decided to go find Ken and Barbie and see what they were up to.  However, Ken and Barbie were probably aware of my growing lack of patience with my two little knuckleheads, and were quite likely cowering together in a dark corner under the bed, afraid of becoming the next listing on Ebay.  So they weren't about to show their little faces until the coast was clear.  So the girls just went out back to play in the mud.  

       Ok folks, so what we have here are six antique piano rolls with the pin ends.  Now as I understand it, the rolls with the pin ends pre-date the more numerous regular player pianos and rolls that were designed to be exclusively played on genuine player pianos.  The older pin end rolls were designed to fit a separate mechanical playing device that would be placed up to a regular piano's keyboard.  This device had a range of hammers that would play the piano keys as the piano roll went through this contraption.  At least that is what my father in law told me about these things.  I sure hope I explained things clearly enough.  Included in this lot are six antique pin end rolls.  Rather than try and list everything on the box labels, just use the enlarging device on your computer to read the labels.  The photos should be clear enough to read for yourselves.  The rolls all look to be in good condition, though I have not unrolled them.  The boxes are well worn, with a few split seams, but they still hold the rolls securely in place, and the end pins fit quite securely in the slots on the wooden end brackets.  I don't know exactly how old these things are.  I just know they are older and rarer than other rolls you will see listed on Ebay.  You collectors out there will most certainly know more about these than I do.  If you would like to pass on any useful information, please feel free to email me, and if necessary I will will revise my listing to include any new info.  I have tried my best to accurately describe these items.  Please study the photos, and check out our perfect feedback.  We plan to keep it that way.  Included in this sale are. . . .

4 - Aeolian player piano rolls

1 - Geo. A. Baker player piano roll

1 - Simplex piano roll

Since these Items are so old, they are offered "as is" with no warranty expressed or implied.  All sales final.  Payment through Paypal only.  Payment expected within three days of close of auction.  Items will be shipped on Saturday following close of auction.  Shipping to continental U.S only.  NO OVERSEAS SHIPPING.  Not responsible for damage or loss during shipping.  Insurance recommended.  Please get your bids in early, before my little girls use these rolls for some unintended purpose.  If you have any questions or comments, please email me.  I love to talk with my customers.    Good luck bidding.    Voxrox