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MMD > Archives > July 2003 > 2003.07.08 > 06Prev  Next


Meaning of Initials B.A.B.
By Kevin McElhone

Please, can someone tell me what B.A.B. stands for?  It is mentioned
frequently in recent MMD postings but no reference is made to what this
means.

Thanks,
Kevin McElhone, Northants, UK

 [ This explanation by Matthew Caulfield is published at
 [ http://www.wurlitzer-rolls.com/index6.html :
 [
 [ "The B.A.B. Organ Company, Brooklyn, N.Y., grew out of a partnership
 [ formed in the 1920's between two Italian-Americans, Ervista Bona and
 [ Andrew Antoniazzi.  The partnership was later expanded to include
 [ Dominic Brugnolotti, and from the initials of these three men the
 [ company took its name.
 [
 [ "According to an interview with Mr. Antoniazzi taped by Tim Trager,
 [ the company originally made barrel-operated street pianos, later
 [ expanding into the organ business.  Tim Trager's research suggests
 [ that B.A.B. took over the book music department of the Berni Organ
 [ Company, included in which acquisition were foot-operated book
 [ punching machines from Gavioli's New York Bond Street office, headed
 [ by Louis Berni, Gavioli's agent for America and Canada."
 [
 [ Gordon Forcier wrote in 971216 MMDigest that he inspected one of
 [ the few organs built by the firm, instead of being a conversion.
 [ Labeled "B.A.B. Organ Works" on the front decal, the names Bona,
 [ Antoniozzi and Brugnolotti were found stamped on the wind chest.
 [
 [ Since the letters signify the proper names of three individuals (not
 [ one person like "JFK"), they are written with the period following.
 [
 [ Much more information about Wurlitzer and B.A.B. music rolls will be
 [ found at  http://www.wurlitzer-rolls.com/   -- Robbie


(Message sent Tue 8 Jul 2003, 08:09:02 GMT, from time zone GMT+0100.)

Key Words in Subject:  B.A.B, Initials, Meaning

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