I've received the following email from a friend; can anyone help?

Hi Ian,

I wonder if I can enlist your help again? One of the now sadly neglected players from the early 20th century is John (Jack) Cuninghame. Though interested in him and having completed a fairly thorough bio some time ago it occurred to me when listening to one of his recordings that we are approaching a shadow line where his manuscripts if they survive, could just vanish for good. I have compiled a list from various sources:

Stunt One*
Stunt Two
Fly Around*
Myfanwie
Patrol March Past
Wainalong Rag
Duckbuy March
Marmie Rag
Somerset March
Keynotes Club March
Minuet


None of Cuninghame’s above compositions are catalogued at the British Library. I doubt most or any were published commercially. Recordings exist for those marked with an asterisk, and Richard has shared the manuscript of Somerset March on the Ning website and Joel has shared Keynotes Club March from what looks to be an old  issue of BMG.

If the manuscripts survive they will be in the paper collection of Richard or other elder banjoists. Delicate subject, but these folks will not be around forever. It would be a tragedy if Cuninghame’s compositions were lost in the sunami of clearing and admin that usually follows a death.

I don’t have contact details. Would you be willing to contact and delicately encourage that anyone with copies share these on the Ning website asap?

As you can see this is not a selfish request, it comes from genuine concern to avoid a loss of creativity.

Best wishes