LAFFARGUE
The Laffargue Piano Company was based in
New York City and existed from 1896 to 1932. The company stopped making
player pianos in 1923 just two years after this Piano was manufactured. The
company was finally driven out of business by the effects of stock market
crash in 1929 and the Great Depression which followed. Today, second-hand
piano sellers consider Laffargue Pianos to be of very good quality and they
draw a good price especially when well restored. See Player Piano Brochure
Circa 1912.
LAGONDA PIANO CO.
Widely known pianos and players are made and
marketed by: the Jesse French & Sons Piano Co., New Castle,
Ind., who are the proprietors and exclusive factors for the same. Lagonda
pianos are fully warranted by the Jesse French & Sons Piano Co., which is
adequate assurance of the merit of the instruments and the responsibility of
their makers. The Lagonda pianos and players, both foot-power and electric,
are made in a large variety of styles and sizes as well as all the fancy
woods. They are handled by many of the most enterprising piano houses in
this country as well as being exported to lands beyond the seas. They are
attractive and thoroughly reliable instruments. The Lagonda player-piano
enjoys a daily increasing demand which tells plainly of its merits and
satisfaction giving qualities. The advertising phrases used in connection
with these instruments tell the story: "Lagonda Pianos, Maximum Values": "Lagonda
Pianos, thousands in use and the demand increasing."
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LAKESIDE
Well-made instruments manufactured by the
Cable-Nelson Piano Co., of Chicago and South Haven, Mich. Lakeside
pianos are produced with greatest care, according to the well-known
standards of this progressive house. Their musical quality is excellent and
their case designs are especially attractive. They are considered
exceptional value, and are sold by many of the leading piano merchants of
the country. Lakeside pianos and player-pianos enjoy a
well-merited popularity and their place in the trade is securely
established. The company is responsible in every way.
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LANCASTER
1956 - 160000 1959 - 169000
1962 - 180000 1965 - 191000
1957 - 163100 1960 - 172000 1963 - 183000 1966 - 195000
1958 - 166000 1961 - 176000 1964 - 187000
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LA PETITE
by Kimball
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LAUGHEAD, GORDON, COMPANY.
Established 1942. Factory was located in
Grand Haven, Michigan. Gordon Laughead Piano Co. were manufacturers of
beautiful vertical pianos produced under the personal direction of the
founder of the company, .Gordon Laughead. He was a leader in the piano
industry for forty years, is the son of the late Edward Rankin Laughead, a
practical piano builder and tuner. This fine firm has kept abreast of the
demand for small 88-note vertical pianos of the highest quality. They build
a complete line of Spineta Consoles and School Pianos~receiving wide
acceptance. An engineering staff equal to the best, is headed by Joseph
Klepac, a graduate of the Trade School for Piano Builders, Berlin, Germany.
Mr. Kiepac is recognized on two continents as a respected and outstanding
piano authority and acoustical engineer. Mr. Klepac's latest scalewith the
much advertised "Miracle Bridge" has received great praise throughout the
nation, including a fine compliment from Dean Sternberg, Baylor University,
Waco Texas, America's largest Baptist University. Mr. Klepac's famed
acoustic laboratory is also in Grand Haven.
Gordon Laughead Spinets, Consoles and School
pianos are actually custom built. Thirteen bearings or measurements are made
for each piano in fitting the bridge to the cast iron plate. Craftsmen with
years of practical experience now combine their efforts to create an
outstanding vertical piano of superb, high quality, acoustically perfect and
attractively designed. The finest materials obtainable are furnished by the
world's leading supply houses. The firm's trademark, "Gordon Laughead
Piano-fortes" is cast in the plate of each instrument.
1948 - 4100 1952 - 7500 1955 - 9500
1959 - 13800
1949 - 5000 1953 - 8200 1956 - 10100 1960 - 15000
1950 - 5900 1954 - 8900 1957 - 10960 1964 - 22130
LAUTER
The Lauter piano and the Lauter Humana
player-piano's have been made for many years and lay claim to distinctive
features. The Lauter Co. was established in 1862 in Newark, N.J.
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LAWSON
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LEGNICA
The roots of the Legnica pianos are rich with
history and go all the way back to 1849 and what was then the E. Seiler
piano factory in pre-war Germany. After the war, the city where the factory
was located became part of Poland and was renamed Legnica.
Today, the Legnica piano factory is a modern
production facility with over 360 skilled craftsmen. Yearly production
exceeds 5,000 units. Legnica pianos are sold in every country in Eu-rope.
They are also widely known and sold in Australia, the Orient, Africa, and
the Middle East. Legnica pianos are not mass produced. Each piano is hand
made in the Old World Eu-ropean tradition. Upright models feature a "full
perimeter" iron frame design. Due to this extra-wide de-sign, the frame can
withstand and distribute the tension much more evenly, which helps the piano
stay in tune longer.
In addition, this frame design permits
cabinet design with a slimmer silhouette which is not so bulky looking as
some pianos. All wood parts are season outdoors for two years, then undergo
further dry-kiln season-ing. The outcome is a low moisture c(~ntent of only
five percent. This meets and exceeds all North American standards. Legnica
has taken the finishing of pianos a step beyond most manufacturers. The
backs of all cabinet parts are also finished with the same quality polyester
finishing process as are the fronts. No wood parts are left exposed to
ef-fects of atmospheric conditions. All Legnica pianos feature the agraffe
string-ing system. The small 4'9" models have the treble strings in
agraffes, while the rest of the models have all strings in agraffes.
The actions are made of solid wood with a
center rail maide of densified beech hardwood. Legnica's craftsmen prefer to
build pianos with tried and true methods that have stood the test of time.
Therefore, no cheap mold injected plastic action parts are ever used to
sacrifice quality for the sake of speeding up production. All keys are
lodividually balanced with the insertion of tiny lead weight. This provides
a consistency of touch and a smooth flowing ease of playing.
Other Legnica features include Roslau strings
from West Germany, Japanese hammers, fall board locks, solid brass hardware,
full or half-size toe blocks, castors, three working pedals, and other
quality features.
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LEHR
Made by H. Lehr & Co., Easton, Pa. This
concern was organized in 1890 and has had a continuous record of
successfully producing fine instruments. The original owner. Horace Lehr, is
still at the head and now has associated with him his two sons, Horace A.
Lehr and Henry S. Lehr. A complete line of Lehr upright, player, electric
player, grand and reproducing grand pianos are made. Their high musical
value is recognized throughout the country as well as their reliability and
beauty, of construction. Manufactured under most favorable conditions,
instruments of high quality are produced at a reasonable cost. The LaFayette
pianos and player-piano's are also made by H. Lebr & Co. to supply the
demand for good instruments at a popular price.
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LEINS
Admirable pianos and player pianos bearing
this name have appeared since 1859, when the industry producing these
instruments was established in New York City. The Leins piano is thoroughly
well made, of choice materials It Is the product of E. Leins Piano Co.,
incorporated, at the head of which is Mr. E. Leins, whose name the piano
bears. Fredrick B. Roth, secretary and treasurer. It may easily be realized
that under such conditions the Leins piano is the embodiment of careful
workmanship and an ambition to excel. The Leins pianos are not produced in
vast numbers, but each one is the result of deliberation and care. Leins
pianos are now sold by many dealers and the factory output increases with
the spread of the demand for good pianos. It may be said that the Leins
piano is the product of one of the few remaining industries controlled by
actual piano makers who personally superintend the progress of their pianos
from beginning to the finished product. The Leins player piano is equally
reliable and has won distinction by its merits.
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LENNOX
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LEONARD & CO.
Upright, player and grand pianos which bear
this name arc of fine quality are manufactured by the Lester Piano Co., of
Philadelphia. They are instruments of beautiful tone quality and superior
workmanship. The material and construction are unexceptional and the Leonard
stands high in the judgments of critical trade. Leonard pianos and players
are increasing in popularity as they become widely known, and they are
commended with the utmost assurance of satisfaction, and are sold by the
best class of piano merchants throughout the country. Until recently the
Leonard & Company line consisted of uprights and player-pianos only, which
have become so popular with the trade because of their sterling quality and
reasonable price that the company decided in 1925 to make the Leonard line
complete by the addition of the Leonard & Company grand. This marvelous
grand, while only 4 feet 11 inches long, possesses the tone and other
desirable features found heretofore only in the larger grands.
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LESAGE
LESAGE Canadian Affiltate - Aeolian
1960 - 36000 1967 - 47000 1975 - 56500 1982 - 65800
1961 - 37050 1968 - 48000 1976 - 58000 1983 - 66300
1962 - 38600 1969 - 49500 1977 - 60000 1984 - 66750
1963 - 40300 1970 - 50500 1978 - 61200 1985 - 67300
1964 - 42000 1971 - 51500 1979 - 62700 1986 - 67730
1965 - 44000 1972 - 53000 1980 - 64000 1987 - 67905
1966 - 45500 1974 - 54500 1981 - 65500 1988 - 70000
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LESSING
Reliable pianos of pleasing tone quality,
attractive de signs and finish, and most durable construction. Made,
marketed and guaranteed by Smith, Barnes & Strohber Co.
Chicago. In creating the Lessing the manufacturers had in mind the great and
growing demand for pianos of the utmost durability, to be sold at very high
prices, and still to insure lasting value and satisfaction. Lessing player
pianos are no less attractive. It need not be said that the
Smith,
Barnes & Strohber Co. Is an industry of unquestioned merit and
ethics. The Lessing piano was the single most sought after instruments in
areas of the country where bad weather was a factor. The Lessing was popular
in Canada and Alaska. There is more Lessing upright pianos in use than any
other manufacturer. Large factories in Chicago and North Milwaukee. One of
the very few uprights worthy of restoration due to the excellence in
materials and workmanship.
1900 - 23090 1913 - 56000 1917 -
109500 1924 - 171000
1910 - 39000 1915 - 90000 1918 - 118000 1925 - 180000
1911 - 47000 1916 - 99500 1919 - 127000 1927 - 196000
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LESTER PIANO COMPANY
Lester pianos won a high place in the world
of music because of their sweetness of tone and the care expended in their
construction. Adherence, on the part of the Lester Piano Co., to the
principle of creating quality instruments, rather than to build vast numbers
of pianos, has been the basis of Lester reputation. No detail in Lester
construction, by which the tone and durability might he perfected, was
permitted to pass. As a result, many famous pianists placed their approval
upon Lester pianos. Among them a are such names as the famed director;
Louise Homer. American artists; Campanari, eminent baritone; Alice Nielson,
operatic soprano; Kneisel, violinist and concert meister; Bell Alten,
soprano of Metropolitan opera, and scores of others; also many great music
schools, as the New England Conservatory, of Boston; Syracuse University;
Broad Street Conservatory, Philadelphia; Converse College, Spartansburg, S.
C.; Lewisburg Female Institute, Lewisburg, W. Va.; East Carolina Teachers'
Training School, Greenville, N. C., and many others. Lester pianos are used
in nearly 100,000 homes, and in most of the public schools of Philadelphia.
What could speak more plainly of piano merit? The Lester player-piano is no
less prominent; its action is also the product of Lester Piano Co.
factories, and it has many special features of recognized superiority. The
latest addition to the Lester line is the Reproducing piano, operated
electrically, in both upright and grand cases. The performances of the
world's greatest pianists are accurately reproduced, among others the hand
playing of Paderewski, Pugno, Josef Hofmann, Leopold Godowsky, Busoni,
DePachmann, Gabrilowitsch. DeBussy and a host of other celebrities.
The Lester Piano Manufacturing Company also
produces the well known Betsy Ross Spinets, which have met with outstanding
success. This is a complete line pianos including spinets and consoles, 37
and 40 inch models in a wide variety of traditional and modern styles to
suit every demand. Lester also makes a 44 inch studio upright piano designed
especially for school use with extra long strings for exceptional quality of
tone and volume. In addition, the Lester Piano Manufacturing Company
produces a 73 note spinet piano for those who want a piano smaller than the
Betsy Ross Spinet. Most styles of Lester Betsy Ross Spinets and Console
Pianos are equipped with the exclusive Damp-Chaser to insure regulated
moisture control at all times. The Lester is the only piano equipped with
this amazing Damp-Chaser that protects the piano from dampness in all
climates, reduces the number of tunings, keeps the piano in perfect playing
condition and prolongs the life of the instrument.
In 1951, the Lester Piano Mfg. Co. added a
Custom Series line to the popular Betsy Ross Spinets. This new series
included distinctive models in unusual finishes; or any style could be
finished to actual order. This Custom Series of Betsy Ross Spinets was met
with wide public acceptance and was promoted by Lester national advertising
and by dealer advertising.
The Lester "one name . . one quality . . one
price" policy was met with the universal approval of dealers and consumers.
This policy meant that all Lester Pianos were always of the same musical
quality, any difference in price was based on the case. There were no ghost
or stencil pianos made by this company It means too that everyone receives
equal value since there was only one price for a Lester Piano and that was
the factory advertised price. This practice was called a "Fair Trade" policy
but was outlawed as price fixing at a later date.
Shortly after World War II, Lester introduced
a line of spinets using a new "Plastic" in their actions, plastics were very
new in 1947,plastic was new annd not intended to be used in piano actions,
after a few years these actions began to fall apart. The Lester Company
issued what was to become the first major recall of a major purchase. All of
the plastic elbows in the actions were replaced on those pianos that were
found to be defective. These pianos turn up from time to time, the parts are
still available to correct this problem through most piano repair shops.
LESTER (Betsy Ross)
1948 - 175000 1951 - 209000 1954 - 241000 1958 - 299700
1949 - 181000 1952 - 220000 1956 - 272000 1959 - 308800
1950 - 193000 1953 - 231000 1957 - 280000 1960 - 324400
LEXINGTON
Pianos of beautiful design and hand crafted
scrolling. See Jacob Doll & Sons.
.
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LINDEMAN & SONS
Established in 1836 by William Lindeman. An
endeavor to give the highest possible value in materials and workmanship at
a moderate price was the keystone of an outstanding success.
Lindeman made not only in the small grands
but in the highly popular spinets in which the beautiful Lindeman tone has
been brought into the confines of these smaller cases. Lindeman was a
product of the Aeolian American Corp.
The Lindeman & Sons is the second oldest
piano factory in America, Lindeman & Sons pianos have been manufactured
since 1886, and have been famous for high quality and reasonable prices. The
line includes uprights, grands and players, The
Celco Reproducing
Medium is included in Lindeman & Sons' pianos.
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LINDNER
Manufactured for many years by M. Lindner,
Buffalo, N. Y. They are instruments of good tone quality and durable
construction, Mr. Lindner is a piano builder of note and he is ably assisted
by Mr. C. F.Linder, also an expert piano specialist.
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LINK
Player pianos, coin operated, reproducing
pipe organs and pianos, with selective rolls for theaters, etc. is
manufactured by the Link Piano Co., Inc.
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LOCKHART
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LOVE, MALCOM
1956 - 160000 1959 - 169000 1962 -
180000 1965 - 191000
1957 - 163100 1960 - 172000 1963 - 183000 1966 - 191800
1958 - 166000 1961 - 176000 1964 - 187000 1967 - 191950
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LOWREY
In late 1977 Lowrey unveiled a completely new
line of elegant console pianos. These instruments were entirely new pianos
that were designed to complement and maintain the standard of quality and
craftsmanship the Lowrey name has come to mean. All Lowrey pianos are 42
inches in height. There are no spinets in the Lowrey line, primarily because
a console is the best piano for the average family. In addition, the company
recently introduced a 5'6" grand piano. With refinements like a grand piano
top, lead weighted keys, brass accents and Swedish steel strings, these
pianos are truly distinctive instruments. Authentic furniture styling and a
unique piano scale that carries the Charks Frederick Stein trademark are yet
other attributes which set the Lowrey line apart from other pianos.
LOWREY
1963 - 349000 1967 - 449000 1971 - 463000 1975 - 519000
1964 - 364000 1968 - 421000 1972 - 477000 1976 - 533000
1965 - 379000 1969 - 435000 1973 - 491000 1977 - 528325
1966 - 393000 1970 - 449000 1974 - 505000 1978 - 541325
LUDWIG
Ludwig grand pianos, uprights and player-pianos and
reproducing pianos are noted for handsome case designs and full resonant and
sympathetic quality of tone, and this, together with the high quality of the
action, has established their superiority and popularity. They are fine
instruments in which there is distinctive character and high order of
attainment. The famous Ludwig instruments are manufactured by Ludwig & Co. a
company of practical piano makers, and the foremen of the factories have
been given an interest in the business in order that they should have an
additional and personal incentive to attain the highest efficiency in their
respective departments. This company is of high standing and responsibility
The plant being one of the finest and best
equipped in the world. Ludwig & Co. Is the originator of the Unit Valve
Player Action with which the Ludwig player-piano is equipped. The unit
system, which permits each valve to be removed separately, appeal not only
to the executive, but to the maintenance man. It reduces the upkeep expense
to a minimum, because its mechanism, in perfect playing condition, is simple
and easy. All parts of the players' action are easily accessible from the
front without removing the action. The Ludwig player-piano is easily
operated and its accurate and sensitive action leaves an effect like that of
the human fingers and thereby affords correct musical expression. The
construction of this player, combining simplicity, strength and durability,
insures lasting service. The players' action, while a part of the piano, in
no way interferes with hand playing. The Ludwig Piano was signally honored
with a high award at the Paris Exposition of 1900 and it was given the
highest award given to Ludwig pianos at the Pan American Exposition.
Buffalo, N. Y., 1901, also the London Crystal Palace Exposition, London,
England in 1902. A number of prominent artists and musicians have endorsed
the Ludwig piano in terms of the highest praise.
LYON &
HEALY
Manufacturers of harps and harp accessories.
Since 1889 this firm has made a wide variety of quality products which have
earned international recognition and fame. The Lyon & Healy piano is the
product of the old established general music house of the same name, of
Chicago. Its manufacturers refuse to build in greater numbers than is
consistent with the utmost care. The case designs are after sketches by
well-known architects and are acknowledged models in their way. The "Apartment
Grand" is an instrument of unique character and is recognized as a
fine specimen of artistic piano manufacture. It presents some special
features and in tone quality it is remarkable not only because of its power
and clarity, but in that, while small in dimensions, it is in every
essential feature a real grand. This instrument is also made in the popular
art period designs. The new Lyon & Healy Concert Grand has already won
commendation for its purity and sonority of tone. This instrument is full
concert size. The Lyon & Healy Reproducing Piano is made both in grand and
upright models. The instruments are attractive in designs, of admirable tone
quality, and they have made a decided impression on the trade and music
loving public. They are perfectly reliable in every particular. The
manufacturers are experts and their experience has taught them what the
piano buying people prefer.
