Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info
MMD > Archives > March 1998 > 1998.03.24 > 17Prev  Next


Leabarjan Perforators - Part 1
By Ed Gaida

In the 1920's, a local roll cutting company in San Antonio produced a
number of rolls primarily with Mexican music.  There is evidence, two
extant rolls, that they also produced "A" rolls for the "nickle pianos"
as most of the old timers called them.  San Antonio in those days had
the largest red light district in the state, a "distinction" held until
the United States Army issued an ultimatum to the city in 1942 to
either shut it down, or downtown San Antonio would be placed "off
limits" to all military personnel.

The labels all have a picture of a bell on them, as the owner's name
was Beltran.  "Bel" is in the upper part of the picture, and "tran" is
in the lip of the bell.  I have reproduced one of the labels and it is
on my web site at:

    http://www.txdirect.net/~egaida/bell.html

Again, this is accessible only if you read the MMD.

Years of searching, talking to the "old timers" that I knew, have
produced little information on this operation.  If a Leabarjan
perforator was used, and I suspect that's what it was after reading
Douglas Henderson's previous posts, then the question arises, did
Leabarjan make perforators for 6 to the inch spacing, as that is what
those "A" rolls are.  The labels are again the same, but the "logo" is
stamped with a rubber stamp, and the titles are typed, not printed as
the example on the web site is.

Any input would be appreciated.  Vicente Beltran was his full name,
and his address appears rubber stamped on all of the rolls.  A housing
project has covered the site for many years, and a search of San
Antonio telephone books in my collection from the twenties list no
Vicente Beltran.

Ed Gaida


(Message sent Tue 24 Mar 1998, 14:04:54 GMT, from time zone GMT-0600.)

Key Words in Subject:  1, Leabarjan, Part, Perforators

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page