Vintage piano music cover art — Piano & Theory Lessons

The art work on the covers of some of the vintage and older music is really lovely and I would like to share some covers I have.

Firstly , the cover of Walter Carroll’s Scenes at a Farm, A Series of Easy Pieces for Beginners. This cover is a little reminiscent of some art work that is on the cover of Marjorie Helyer’s compositions. The cover on Walter Carroll’s set of pieces certainly evokes the bucolic character of an English farm with a haymaking scene, a barn and a few haystacks for example. In the preface to this set of pieces, Walter Carroll discusses the necessity of a teacher being not only a good performer but a good teacher too. This set of pieces was composed in 1912.

Over the years there must have been numerous copies of Edward Macdowell’s To a Wild Rose printed and the publisher in this instance, Elkin and Co, Ltd in London states that there are other versions available. Coupled with this copy of To a Wild Rose, is Carrie Jacobs-Bond’s Seven Songs as unpretentious as the Wild Rose. Carrie Jacobs-Bond composes many sentimental songs that gained much popularity at the time. She moved to Chicago after her second husband died where she continued to write many songs however these were not published. With the help of a loan she published this set of Seven Songs, and in this set there are two of her most famous songs, ‘'Just A-wearyin’ For You’ and ‘I Love You Truly’'. The financial success of this publication enabled her to open The Bond Shop, where she was able to sell her sheet music. This you can see at the bottom of the front cover. The front cover also has a beautiful Eady’s Music sticker which must be from the very early 1900s.

Next is a beautiful cover from Dorothy Wade’s piano composition, ‘'The Grasshopper and the Cricket’. Dorothy Wade, was as far as I know, an Australian composer and it was published by Allan and Co, an Australian publishing business.

Next, is a song called ‘'Only Me Knows Why’ which comes from a pantomime production of Jack and the Beanstalk. the music was published in 1925 by Collins Ltd, possibly the production of this pantomime was playing in Australia at the time.

There is an interesting article in the Auckland Sun dated 18th April 1927 discussing their time in Auckland. Both state that they would like to go to the races but they cannot due to their work commitments. According to the article, Elsie Prince was the youngest principal boy (possibly this is how it was written at the time) at the age of 17 in a production of Aladdin. Jimmy Godden is described as having a rather cheery face which belies the fact that he is a serious student of the drama. He did not go on stage until the age of 32, he was a civil servant before taking up acting. Both Elsie Prince and Jimmy Gooden enjoy playing tennis.

Elsie Prince was an actress born in Wood Green, London in 1902 and her father was a clerk. In the 1921 Census Elsie Prince is staying in Leeds at possibly a boarding house. She is staying there with her sister who is 17 and Elsie in 1921 is 18. There are three of them living in this house at the time who are working for the Wylie and Fate Theatrical Productions, including Elsie and her sister Edna. Both sisters are working as ‘artistes’. From the 1939 Register Elsie Prince is living at the same address that is listed for her family in the 1911 Census. Her mother is listed as her Companion and Manager and Elsie is a ‘'Professional Artiste’'. This information has come from Ancestry.com

The above photos come from Star Christchurch, 21st May 1927, Sun (Auckland) 30th June 1928 and Sun (Auckland) 2nd July 1927.

Jimmy Godden was born in Maidstone, England in 1879.In the 1891 Census James Godden is boarding at the Christ’s Hospital School in Newgate, London. The 1901 Census shows that he is working as a civil servant at the Inland Revenue Department. When James Godden marries in 1905 he is listed as a civil servant, and his mother Celia Maria Godden is a witness. But by the 1911 Census he is living with his wife, mother and servant in Streathem Hill, London and he is working as a Comedian (Vocalist) on his own account. In the 1921 Census is at the Road Club in Westminster where is an actor working on his own account. By the time of the 1939 Register Godden is living in London and is working as a film and stage actor.

There are many documents online that show these two actors travelling to other countries to perform.

The next cover is a song which has come from a pantomime production of Aladdin, published by Albert’s Music Stores of Sydney in 1912. This production apparently changed the setting of the play from Tartary to China and included in the production were a number of specialty acts who were well-known vaudeville artists. It was shown in Sydney in late 1913 and early 1914, then in New Zealand in the first half of 1914 and then returning to Australia until June 1914. Carrie Moore was an Australian actress.

From the Evening Post 25th February 1914

The above photos are taken from the Freelance dated the 21st February 1912 and Sun (Christchurch) 4th April 1914.

Here’s another beautiful piece of cover art for the song, In the Heart of the Hills. There is very little information online regarding Dorothy Lee. She was born in 1872 and died in 1953. I cannot verify these dates. There is a little more information available on the lyricist Harry D. Kerr. He was an American songwriter. lyricist, author and lawyer. He practiced law until 1920 and after that he devoted all of his time to songwriting. There is an extensive list of sings that he wrote on Wikipedia. In 1909 he wrote “Get on the Raft with Taft” as President Taft’s campaign song. And in 1912, he wrote “We’re ready for Teddy again” for Theodore Roosevelt’s campaign in 1912. Harry Kerr was born on the 8th October 1880 and died on the 21st May 1957, these dates I can verify. Information provided by Ancestry.com

By Ville Miettinen from Helsinki, Finland - Beach at Punakaiki, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3499802

This piece, Nikau Waltz, was written by the then schoolboy of 17 years of age, William Denis (Denis William) Quill. It was written in 1904 according to one source although given that his birth date was 21st October 1885, the piece could have been written at an earlier date. The piece was popular with the soldiers who trained during WW1 at Trentham Military Camp. His father owned the Railway Hotel in Otaki. Quill was born in Wellington according to the military records, his birth does not seem to have been registered. He attended St Patrick’s College, Wellington which is the oldest Catholic boys’ secondary school in New Zealand. He received musical tuition from Laurence Watkins. One of his sisters, Kathleen achieved excellent results in music exams in Otaki.

Sadly, William Denis Quill did not continue composing music. His life seemed to become affected by alcohol consumption. During WW1 he spent time in training but was discharged having not served overseas. On several occasions he was fined for being drunk and once for breaking camp. The WW1 records state that he “has a muscular weakness - flexor muscles of ankle and extension of toes” which is a permanent disability. In another area of the records it states that Quill’s leg was run over by a dray in 1911 and that he complains of pain when marching. On examination it is found that he had several large linear scars on his leg from knee to ankle.

Ancestry.co.uk has entries from NZ’s Police Gazette and there are numerous entries for Quill for theft, obscene language, aggravated assault, attempting to leave NZ without a permit (presumably because it was during WW1) and drunkenness. Quill spent time in prison. Often he is listed as being a labourer, however on one occasion he was listed as being an engineer and another as a cook.

www.ancestry.co.uk

www.nzmusicalnotables.com

www.stuff.co.nz

By MurielBendel - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=45815290

Raymond Hope Weeping Willow Waltz

The website Musical Notables New Zealand states that Weeping Willow Waltz was published by Webley and Sons c1910. Raymond Hope (his real name was James Brown and he also composed under the name Adrian Hope) was living in Christchurch at the time because he is mentioned in a divorce case in Christchurch in 1911. In one report James Brown states that he is worried about the disgrace and scandal might ruin his musical career. Weeping Willow Waltz is mentioned in one of the articles on PapersPast as James Brown picks up a piece of music on the piano which happens to be the waltz. He states that he is the composer of this music.

On the website Musical Notables, it states that James Brown was one of New Zealand’s most prolific composers is the early 1900s although his first composition was published by the Dresden Piano Co. in 1894 when James Brown was about 19 years of age. It seems that James Brown’s family was Catholic, so there is a possibility that he learnt the piano at school.

The above website states “He worked for Fuller’s vaudeville company travelling around New Zealand and Australia for some years and in 1904 in Melbourne as the conductor of Maggie Moore’s company. In 1905 he returned to New Zealand. After being cited in a divorce case in 1911 he moved back to Australia where he converted to Roman Catholicism. He returned to New Zealand sometime before 1937”.

In the Evening Star, 4th December 1893 J. H. Brown is the accompanist at a concert by the Ohio Minstrels. At a Lodge meeting mentioned in the Evening Star dated 16th June 1894, Bro. J. H. Brown is mentioned as acting as accompanist and that he contributed several items during the evening. And again, J. H. Brown acted as accompanist for Pine Hill School’s fundraising evening as stated in the Evening Star 20th November 1893. At another concert in August 1893 Mr J. H. Brown played a pianoforte solo and acted as accompanist. Another mention in the Otago Daily Times dated 31st March 1894 states that Mr J. H. Brown was an accompanist at a benefit concert for the Dunedin Cricket Club.

Music Notables lists his compositions under the names James Brown, Adrian Hope and Raymond Hope. Many are published by Charles Begg and Co. and some are published in Australia. Listed are 34 compositions, the latest date being 1916. Weeping Willow Waltz is the only piece that is published by Webley Sons and Gofton Ltd of 243 High St Christchurch.

These three postcards are from a collection that is held in the Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington, NZ.

James Brown died in Christchurch on 14th July 1947 and was buried in the Ruru Lawn cemetery on 16th July 1947. His sister, Florence Marshall Morgan is buried with him.

nzmusicalnotables.com/notables/notables-a-b/#james-brown

www.paperspast.natlib.govt.nz

Horsey! Keep Your Tail Up

This sheet music was published in 1923. This song has been recorded by later artists and groups. Marie Kendall was a long-lasting star of the music hall era, dying in 1967 at the age of 94 years of age.

The Shiek of Araby

The Paramount Theatre in Courtenay Place, Wellington closed in September 2017 after 100 years in business. In September 1923 the film “The Shiek of Araby” was shown at the theatre. Rudolph Valentino plays the leading role in the film. The song, “The Sheik of Araby” is one that is inspired by the film. The Wanganui Chronicle dated 29th October 1923 states “the huge audience was convulsed with laughter at Ben Turpin’s latest burlesque-comedy”. According to the Taranaki Daily News dated 18th December 1923, the film consisted of five reels.

The song was a Tin Pan Alley hit and it became a jazz standard. It was written in 1921.

Princess Mary, later Princess Royal was the aunt of Queen Elizabeth II and the only daughter of King George V and Queen Mary. She was married on 28th February 1922 to Viscount Lascelles at Westminster Abbey. One of her attendants was Queen Elizabeth II’s mother, Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon.

By Vandyk, Ltd. (photographer); Beagles' postcards (publisher) - http://www.jcosmas.com/rppc4.html, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=25005774

paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WC19231029.2.7?items_per_page=10&page=5&query=Sheik+of+Araby&snippet=true

paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TDN19231218.2.5?items_per_page=10&page=5&query=Sheik+of+Araby&snippet=true

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sheik_of_Araby

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary,_Princess_Royal_and_Countess_of_Harewood

The Pink Lady Valse Ivan Caryll

There is little information concerning the piece of music however there is more information regarding the composer, Ivan Caryll.

By Alfred Ellis - John Hollingshead (1903) Good Old Gaiety, Gaiety Theatre, London, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2967605

In the Maoriland Worker date 31st October 1917 from PapersPast there is an article concerning the Pink Lady. It discusses a queue outside the Grand Opera House, Wellington where “The Pink Lady” a comic opera would be performed. The article states that it is “light in its construction, catchy in its musical composition, sparkling in its dialogue, dazzling in its scenery, and occasionally daring in its acrobatic items that accompanies the clever dancing”. The Pink Lady is one of the protagonists of the musical comedy.

Ivan Caryll was the pen name for Felix Marie Henri Tilkin, a Belgian-born composer of operettas and Edwardian musical comedies. In the Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News dated 10th September 1921 there is an article concerning the “Late Ivan Caryll”. It reminds readers of Caryll’s military moustached, conducting at the old Gaiety with great flourishes, the many musical comedies. According to the article he began his career composing songs before he composed full scores for these musicals. The Stage newspaper of 1st December 1921 writes that he moved to London in 1882, and initially he survived by writing songs and music-teaching. Later, he became the musical director at the Gaiety. The Pink Lady was written in 1911. He and his first wife divorced in 1903, on the grounds of his cruelty and adultery. There is an account of their wedding in the Globe, dated 31st March 1891. Ivan Caryll’s wife, Geraldine Ulmar, is described as the prima donna at the Lyric Theatre where Ivan Caryll is the conductor. The chorus of the Lyric Theatre sang at the wedding.

According to one account, Ivan Caryll attended the Liege Conservatory of Music and whilst studying there, he won the Saint-Saens prize for the piano. Later he went to the Paris Conservatoire, where he studied with Saint-Saens himself.

Later in his life, Ivan Caryll spent time in the United States. On one such trip in 1917, Caryll is accompanied by Maud Caryll and their children Primrose, Georgette, Marcel and Marica. In the 1901 Census Ivan and Maud are living in Kingston, Surrey with their son aged 4 and daughter Primrose aged 1. They have four servants working for them.

When Caryll died on 29th November 1921 at the Ambassadors Hotel in New York, probate was granted on the 28th April 1922 to Jocelyn Boosey and Marton Handon. His effects were £7873 9s 2d. He was buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, New York.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivan_Caryll

www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk

Edward Taylor Paull

Edward Taylor Paull was an American composer however he was also an arranger and a sheet music publisher. He set up his own publishing company after some success with a few compositions. His compositions were for the sheet music trade. One of his specialities was writing marches.

Paull knew that the marketing of the sheet music was very important for sales. The front cover illustrations were designed so that the buyer would be attracted to them. The cover art for this copy is not as colourful as some of the other copies made at the time.

Another marketing technique was his use of the word “descriptives”, a less complex variety of programme music. When looking through this copy there are statements such as “Crack o’ the whip”, “Warning! Railroad Crossing” and “Arriving Home”. In addition to this, it enabled the same music to be sold to beginner-level pianists in a second round of sales.

In an article in the Hawera and Normanby Star, dated 22nd December 1909 it states “Paull’s Marches are in great demand. “The Storm King”, “The Hurricane”, The Midnight Flyer”, “Zizi”, “America For Ever”, “Silver Sleigh Bells” and others and E. Dixon and Co.

A somewhat tatty copy of E. T. Puall’s ‘Napolean’s Last Charge’.

enhttps://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HNS19091222.2.6?end_date=31-12-1912&items_per_page=10&page=2&query=Silver+Sleigh+Bells&snippet=true&start_date=01-01-1906.wikipedia.org/wiki/E._T._Paull

The Policeman’s Holiday 1 or 2 step Montague Ewing

Someone has had fun ‘colouring’ the face of the policeman on the front cover.

Montague Ewing was a British composer, born in East Ham, London in 1890. He was a self-taught musician and in 1911 he published this piece, which apparently became one of his biggest hits, and is (reportedly) still played by bands today.
Besides this piece, he also wrote several novelty-style pieces, songs, and foxtrots. His pieces were cheerful and often had descriptive titles such as “Fairy on the Clock”, “Solider on the Shelf” and “Butterflies in the Rain”. There were often additions in the compositions such as “A Humorous Interlude” or a “Humorous One or Two-Step.”

Montague Ewing used pseudonyms as well as his own name, some of the other names he wrote under were Sherman Myers, Brian Hope and Herbert Carrington.

Postcard by Frederick Christian Palmer of Tower Studios, Herne Bay, Kent, England. Showing the Jollity Boys who performed at Herne Bay in 1910, wearing boaters. They are listed on the back as Arthur Vernon, Charlie Howard, Stanley Stewart, Willie Garvey, Warwick Bates, Victor Hunter and Montague Ewing, who became a fairly well-known composer.
By Fred C. Palmer (d.1941) - Ebay, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=58444087

He died in 1957 in Friern Barnet, London leaving £8270 13s 2d.

musescore.com/crono23/scores/5196342

Three Dances Henry VIII Edward German

Edward German was an English composer of Welsh descent, and he is best remembered for his substantial amount of incidental music he wrote for the stage. He is also seen as an heir apparent to Arthur Sullivan in the field of English comic opera. The comic opera “Merrie England” written by German was enormously successful.

Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1837088

His real name was German Edward Jones and in 1883, whilst at the Royal Academy of Music he decided to change the order of his names. Eventually, for artistic reasons he decided to drop the name Jones entirely. He was knighted in 1928.

German’s father was a church organist and he studied with his father both the piano and the organ. In his youth he played the violin and led the town orchestra in Whitchurch, Shropshire. In addition to this, he was also a singer. In 1888 he became the music director at the Globe Theatre in London and this incidental music was written for a production of Henry VIII in 1892. German incorporated elements of old English dance into the score. 30,000 copies were sold of the sheet music of these dance numbers. He taught the violin for a period at the Royal Academy of Music.

The inspiration for some of his works was English drama, poetry and folklore. Apparently German was uncomfortable with the changing musical styles later in his life and as a result, he ceased composing in 1922.

He died on the 11th November 1936 and in his will he left £57117 2s 3d. He is buried at Whitchurch Cemetery.

www.wikipedia.org.wiki