laTeST - Music & Sound Retailer

World Premiere of a New Column!
Appraisal Scene
INVESTIGATION is Born
By Rebecca Apodaca
As a qualified appraiser with the
American Society of Appraisers
and restorer of musical instruments
and their related accessories,
I come across many instruments;
one-of-a-kind oddities, or
perhaps even the prototype to a
model that became a standard in
our industry. Everyone has fun
watching “Antique Roadshow”
trying to second guess at what
price that Gibson Guitar might
be valued. This column will be
for those interested in seeing
some different instruments that
our industry has produced over
the last 300 years. I picked 300
years because that is the oldest
instrument I have worked on. This
column might give everyone a bit
more knowledge and pique some
interest in instruments most of us
have rarely seen. We keep a strict
privacy policy, but I received permission
to use my client’s name
and to reveal the value.
Brooks Anderson of Northern
California contacted me about
appraising this unusual machine
that was originally owned by his
father. Although not truly a musical
instrument, it was a related
accessory that was used by small
publishing houses and band directors.
His father originally owned
it. It is called the Keaton Music
Typewriter and is made in San
Francisco. Keaton applied for the
patent in 1933 and again in 1947.
It was finally approved in 1953.
The Keaton types on a sheet of
manuscript paper lying on the flat
plate under the machine.
One was sold in 2005 at famed
Bonham’s Auction house in
London. It is rare to find one in
workable condition with all the
keys. This one in particular was in
good working condition except for
one missing key. The owner was
looking to sell it.
As a legal appraiser, I must actually
see the instrument to witness
it exists and to note the condition.
If a client is unable or unwilling
to ship it to us, we contract with
the nearest reputable repair
technician in their area to be my
eyes and ears. The tech fills out a
detailed report and takes technical
photos. This is much
different that the inexpensive
online appraisals.
This appraisal was
accomplished with the
help of Mick Loveland
of Loveland’s Music in
Northern California.
According to the
instructions, this
machine was “long
awaited by music
writers and printers to
speed and ease their
tasks—a machine
designed solely to type
precise music notation
(not a refitted alphabet typewriter)
and to do it swiftly and inexpensively.”
One commentator wrote,
“Swiftly? The only way to make
this machine any slower would be
to douse it in molasses... in January...
in Maine! Inexpensively?! It
was $255 when new; a new 1956
17-inch TV was only $115 in the
Sears catalog! Had this machine
truly been swift and inexpensive,
it probably would have enjoyed
more success. Its lack of success
is probably why they are so rarely
found!” This machine would be
the predecessor to software such
as Finale or Sibelius. We’ve come
a long way, baby!
The Technical Side—The
typewriter has a handle, called the
scale shift handle, to the left of the
circular keyboard, which moves
over a notched metal arc. This
moves a long needle, adjacent
to the ribbon, which indicates
where the next symbol is to be
printed. The machine contains two
keyboards—one smaller, stationary
keyboard and the other larger,
moveable keyboard, which is
moved by the scale, shift handle.
The smaller keyboard contains
bar lines and ledger lines, which
remain in a fixed position to the
staff paper. (Preprinted staff
paper is used with the Keaton
typewriter.) The larger part of
the keyboard contains the notes,
rests, sharps, flats and other musical
symbols.
There are three spacing keys
used for different purposes, such
as adding spaces for accidentals,
grace notes or dots. The keys are
pressed straight down onto the
staff paper where the long needle
indicates the position. A printing
ribbon runs under the symbols,
which allow for the printing to
take place.
ONLY 10 LEFT!—Although it
was not as much of a success to
go into mass production, it was
a great attempt at a mechanical
device for printing sheet music.
Some sources show that there
are less than 10 left in the United
States that are in full working condition,
including one owned by the
Smithsonian Institution. This item
would be considered “Rare.”
After my appraisal, the Music
Typewriter was eventually sold
to a man in Dubai, United Arab
Emirates.
We are welcoming
readers who want to
find out more information
about the history
or other details
of a particular musical
instrument to send in
photos with any information that
they might have. Send digital photos
and information to Rebecca
Apodaca via e-mail at admusic@
cox.net. Contact us if you want
to know more about appraising
instruments. If we use your photo
and run a story, you will receive a
free A & D Music T-shirt.
The Fair Market Value was
$2,200.00 for the Keaton Music
Typewriter
Fair market value (FMV) is the
price that property would sell for
on the open market. It is the price
that would be agreed on between
a willing buyer and a willing seller,
with neither being required to
act, and both having reasonable
knowledge of the relevant facts.
Rebecca Apodaca, President/
CEO, Appraiser/Authenticator/
Conservator of Musical Instruments,
A & D Music Incorporated,
has been in operation for 32 years
in Laguna Hills, Calif. Now specializing
as an appraisal & restoration
business, including consultant
work for movies and television.
Music & Sound Retailer 43