I read the same information you did and held the same assumption. I have also read that QRS / Imperial took advantage of the dwindling market and bought out several other roll manufacturers labels. I believe to this day QRS owns the rights to Connorized and US Music Rolls.
As a longtime Imperial roll collector (50 years) I'm offering this information for all who are interested. Imperial Music Rolls prior to ownership by QRS, were manufactured in Chicago. Max Kortlander purchased the company around 1924 from the info I have available. The early, prior to 1926 rolls have a serial number beginning with 'X' followed by four numbers. The QRS/Imperial began with '0' followed by four numbers, beginning with 06000.
...Most of these middle-period arrangements were done by J. Lawrence Cook, although uncredited, and some are quite good. By the very late 20's, most Imperial rolls were basically identical to the equivalent QRS rolls, also usually by Cook. I think the Imperial label was continued as a "budget" label into the 1930s, after which it was dropped altogether in favor of the main QRS brand. Nice roll!
@KawhackitaRag See my prior post. Imperial used a different perforator after the QRS buyout. Imperial used different pianists in addition to J Lawrence Cook. Some arrangements were mastered on an arranging table and edited and embellished by whatever pianist was avaiable. Imperial produced many private label rolls: U.S, Gimbel, Weil, Ideal, RedLine and some late Wurlitzer rolls both for music and department stores. Imperial survived until around 1935 when production was moved to NYC.
Most, if not all, of the late Imperial rolls were done by J. Lawrence Cook. Imperial was originally its own company, with Charley Straight as the chief editor (I believe). This was circa 1916-1922. In 1922, Imperial was bought by QRS, but continued to run more-or-less autonomously for about two more years. About 1924 (I think), they let go of most of their artists and generally stopped crediting pianists, although the arrangements were still different than normal QRS ones...
Hey this is great!! I love this tune, and the piano has that classic old bar room piano sound, perfect for this song,
maynardcat 8 months ago
Glad you enjoyed it
Thanks for subscribing and friend invite
Loved your videos to
Turkeydoodlers 1 year ago
I've always loved this tune - and it sounds great on your piano.
SwingBandHeaven 1 year ago
Beautiful piano piece! This song was widely recorded in 1927, the best known rendition being the one by Jan Garber and his Orchestra on Victor.
EdisonSquirrel 1 year ago
Wow, thanks for all the history, i never knew that, i thought Max Kortlander bought QRS and changed the name to imperial, or am i wronge?
Im glad you liked it, stick around there will be more posted this weekend
Turkeydoodlers 2 years ago
I read the same information you did and held the same assumption. I have also read that QRS / Imperial took advantage of the dwindling market and bought out several other roll manufacturers labels. I believe to this day QRS owns the rights to Connorized and US Music Rolls.
pm0501 2 years ago
@Turkeydoodlers
As a longtime Imperial roll collector (50 years) I'm offering this information for all who are interested. Imperial Music Rolls prior to ownership by QRS, were manufactured in Chicago. Max Kortlander purchased the company around 1924 from the info I have available. The early, prior to 1926 rolls have a serial number beginning with 'X' followed by four numbers. The QRS/Imperial began with '0' followed by four numbers, beginning with 06000.
4netranger 10 months ago
...Most of these middle-period arrangements were done by J. Lawrence Cook, although uncredited, and some are quite good. By the very late 20's, most Imperial rolls were basically identical to the equivalent QRS rolls, also usually by Cook. I think the Imperial label was continued as a "budget" label into the 1930s, after which it was dropped altogether in favor of the main QRS brand. Nice roll!
KawhackitaRag 2 years ago
@KawhackitaRag See my prior post. Imperial used a different perforator after the QRS buyout. Imperial used different pianists in addition to J Lawrence Cook. Some arrangements were mastered on an arranging table and edited and embellished by whatever pianist was avaiable. Imperial produced many private label rolls: U.S, Gimbel, Weil, Ideal, RedLine and some late Wurlitzer rolls both for music and department stores. Imperial survived until around 1935 when production was moved to NYC.
4netranger 10 months ago
Most, if not all, of the late Imperial rolls were done by J. Lawrence Cook. Imperial was originally its own company, with Charley Straight as the chief editor (I believe). This was circa 1916-1922. In 1922, Imperial was bought by QRS, but continued to run more-or-less autonomously for about two more years. About 1924 (I think), they let go of most of their artists and generally stopped crediting pianists, although the arrangements were still different than normal QRS ones...
KawhackitaRag 2 years ago
I always liked this one too... thanks !!!
Pianosyncrazy 2 years ago
...Leo Feist should be the music publisher ;)
pianolasociety 2 years ago
Yes this piano has a wonderful cabinet. When i start to use my digital cam corder to film these you will see a better detail. This is a 1921 Schultz
Turkeydoodlers 2 years ago
you know , it almost looks older than that , like around 1912 or so, but I guess you would know the age from the serial number.
hotsickle 2 years ago
beautiful cabinet on this piano.
hebechoc 2 years ago