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Lester
The Lester Piano Company of Philadelphia was a major contributor to the American piano industry during the Golden Age of piano building. Established in 1888, The Lester Piano Company built a full line of pianos for decades under several different names including The Lester Piano Company, Leonard & Company, Alden, Bellaire, Channing, Gramer, Lawrence, Regent, Schilling & Sons and Schubert.  The Lester Piano Company and its subsidiaries had a reputation of building very well made instruments.
The firm is most famous for their “Betsy Ross Spinet”, a small spinet piano manufactured for years after The Great Depression. It is speculated that the huge success of the Betsy Ross Spinet saved The Lester Piano Company from closing with the Great Depression along with the majority of other American piano manufacturers.  The Lester Piano Company continued to be successful until going out of business in 1960.
INSTRUMENT CATALOGS & EPHEMERA

Can you find your instrument listed in these antique catalogs?

Lester Piano Company Sales Catalog 1901
Lester Piano Catalog Sales Catalog, Circa 1901
Lester Piano Company Sales Catalog 1910
Lester Piano Company Sales Catalog, Circa 1910
Lester Golden Anniversary Year Price List 1938
Lester Piano Company Golden Anniversary Year Price List, Circa 1938
Lester Trade Cards
Full color trade card for the Lester Piano Company, circa about 1900
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