I obtained four rolls in 2006 that were not listed in any Aeolian catalog.  The labels used to identify the rolls were from the late 1930’s.  One roll sounded pretty bad when I played it and I didn’t play it again.

The box label and the roll label are both modified Aeolian-Skinner semi-automatic Duo-Art labels.  Semi-automatic rolls are for the Hammond organ which was introduced in 1938.  Two modifications are hand-inked on the labels.  The word "semi" is lined out, and the printed number "333" has an 5 added, so that the roll number becomes 3335

Now, several years later, I decided to give this roll a second listen to see if there was anything of merit that I previously missed.  That second experience with this roll opened my eyes as I realized it really is pretty terrific once a few registration errors are corrected.  The roll is Andante Cantabile (from String Quartet No. 1) by Tchaikovsky.  No artist is listed.

I am no expert on the Hammond rolls, but I have been told that the music on those rolls comes from the E. M. Skinner rolls.  However, I believe they come from others sources, as well.

After I changed the overly loud pedal registration to something much softer, corrected the swell shutter code in several spots, and made a few other minor changes, the roll became simply beautiful music of a very quiet nature.  It sounds and appears  as if it is hand played.

Comparing this performance to recordings made by an actual string quartet reveals that this is a very good transcription.  Knowing that this roll has rarely been heard on any pipe organ, I have posted it here.  I would love to hear from anyone who has heard this roll elsewhere, or its Aeolian-Skinner companion (Hammond) roll #333.

My guess is this roll was recorded by Chandler Goldthwaite.  He recorded for both Skinner and Aeolian, and the number “3335” is within the series of numbers of his four known Aeolian recordings.

UPDATE

Within 12 hours of this posting, I was told the original recording was issued as Skinner automatic roll 519 by David McKay Williams.   It was later issued as below as 333 for the Hammond.