DESCRIPTION:
Welte-Mignon (Licensee) reproducing piano roll #6012. Issued September 1920. Pianist/arranger J. Milton Delcamp lived in Norristown, Pennsylvania most of his life. He led a theatre orhestra when only in his teens. He graduated from the Combs Conservatory in Philadelphia. In 1918 he joined Adam J. Carroll in recording piano rolls for the Unisolo and De Luxe roll companies in Philadelphia. After Carroll moved to New York, Delcamp joined him in making rolls for the Republic Player Roll Company in 1919. This led to arranging rolls for the Welte-Mignon (Licensee) company in 1920. The very first issued "Licensee" roll was Delcamp's "Stop, Look, Listen To The Music of the Band." Shortly thereafter Carroll and Delcamp both switched allegiance to a competing company, AMPICO (American Piano Company) where they perfected their roll-making skills. Delcamp was also heard on radio. An item in the New York Times (Mar 11, 1928) said: "Sentimental music and popular ballads will be the contribution on WJZ to the auditors of an eleven station network Thursday night at 8:30 o'clock. J. Milton Delcamp, pianist, will be the featured artist." His last roll for AMPICO was made in 1928. By 1930 Delcamp and his wife, Mabel (nee Miller), had returned to 1345 DeKalb Street in Norristown, PA with their four daughters. In the April, 1930 census he gave his occupation as music director. It is likely his brother was Robert Delcamp, organist at St. Thomas Church, 5th Ave at 53rd Street. J. Milton Delcamp's piano rolls are widely collected by members of the Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors Association (AMICA) in the USA.