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
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