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.