J.M. Sahlein

J.M. Sahlein Music Co.
Jules Moses Sahlein was a major San Francisco Musical Instrument distributor and one of the first to seriously distribute the Ukuleles being made in Hawaii in the 'teens and 'twenties to the Mainland.

In addition to distributing, they also re branded with their most famous brand name being Y'Ke'Ke, (registered in 1926). These Ukuleles were manufactured by a number of makers including some Chicago firms, (as well as the Hawaiian Mahogany Co. I have seen George Mossman, Richter Manufacturing Co. and Regal) re branded and sold on by Sahlein. Well not so much re-branded as having the Y'Ke'Ke branding put on as well as the makers branding.

Other brand names I know Sahlein registered for use on musical instruments, possibly including Ukuleles, (but I haven't seen any Ukuleles branded as such), are Hula Lu (1926 and made by Globe), Crest (1927 - I have seen post war Japanese made Ukuleles branded as Crest so possibly made for Sahlein?), Westbrook (1935), Granada (1937), Carlton (1951), Chapelain (1952), Seville (1977), Silvagni, and Jules Revan.

Then there is Merano, which I know was a Sahlein registered brand name but I have read they were distributed by Merit Musical Instrument Co. (of which I can find no information on?)

I don't know the full history of the company, they lasted certainly until 1993, but they don't appear to be in business today?