Bublitz Case Company

Assets of the Bublitz Case Company were bought by G. Leblanc Corporation, a manufacturer of musical instruments in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

[3] William Frank "Bill" Bublitz (4 May 1900 - 3 July 1962), Elkhorn, Wisconsin, son of a nearby farmer began making violins in 1912 when he was only twelve years old.

[4] "A general line of musical instruments was announced by William F. Bublitz, who opened this week (February 17, 1923) in Elkhorn, Wis."[5] “The Wisconsin inventor initially specialized in making violins especially adapted for juveniles.

The younger Bublitz was skilled as a violinist, but modestly said that his knowledge was acquired to enable him to better perfect the instruments that he makes.

Two men and three women were employed in Bill's factory when he closed the business to enter military service during World War II.

The Bublitz Case Company was initially located in the rear of a garage behind Bill's mother, Tina's home at 209 West Page Street.

He also designed and constructed the forms from which trombone, French-horn, baritone, trumpet and cornet cases were molded from layers of basswood veneer.

The collegiate models of clarinets, trumpets, cornets and saxophones cases were sewn with a leather binding and metal corner protectors were riveted in place for durability.

[7] During the Summer of 1966, due to working capital & inventory shortages brought on by the purchase of Mrs. Bublitz interest, the business was sold to one of its primary historical long term customers, LeBlanc.

National Music Museum, The University of South Dakota, 414 East Clark Street, Vermillion, SD 57069