‘Enchantement‘ composed by Jules Massenet, poetry written by Jules Ruelle, and published in ‘Au Ménestrel’ (Paris, ca 1890). Cover illustration by Eugène Grasset.
Welcome back to the enchanting world of printing and publishing. Share with us the quizzical differences, variations or nuances in what could (should?) have been similar copies of sheet music covers. Sometimes these design incidents defy our imagination in how they lead to incongruity, comical twist or hilarious plagiarism. We have invented nothing. Do your own research: have a look, scrutinize and double check!
The grass is always greener on the other print
‘Das ist das alte Lied von jungen Leuten‘ by Jean Gilbert, Fritz Grünbaum, and Wilhelm Sterk. Both edition published by Rondo Verlag (Berlin, 1922) and illustrated by Wolfgang Ortmann.
The monocle and the shifty eyes
‘E arrivato l’Ambasciatore!‘, operette by Ettore Bellini, published by Fratelli Curci (Napoli, 1921) and illustrated by L. Pagano.
The trick with the husband
LEFT: ‘On n’s’en fout pas‘ by L. Cadin and Arlet Nandem, published at Gaspy Editions (Bruxelles, s.d.). RIGHT: ‘Senorita‘ tango by Jac. Grit with lyrics by Herre De Vos, published by Edition Jacques Polfliet (Bruxelles, s.d.). Both covers designed by Leo Baill.
The exchangeable dance floors
LEFT: ‘Dancing Tambourine‘ by William C. Polla, published by Salabert (Paris, 1927) – copyright Harms (New York, 1927). RIGHT: ‘Ich hab’ zu Haus ein Grammophon‘ by Karel Hasler & Jara Benes, lyrics by Beda. Published by Wiener Boheme Verlag (Vienna, s.d.), source: https://www.notenmuseum.de – Unknown illustrator.
The fairy tale makeover
‘Rotkäppchen!‘ by Hermann Wenzel, published by Fr. Portius (Leipzig, 1928 (on the left) and s.d. (right)). Unknown illustrator.
The world of enchantment, fantasy, bold imagination and daring fascination… I think I have a little idea on how to musically end this short post.
‘Mariniers-Kapel der Koninklijke Marine‘, cover of the 45rpm record published by Philips
In appreciating things of beauty and loveliness we try not to be insular, meaning that we also have an eye for other things cultural than sheet music. Last week during clean-up we found a small pile of 45rpm records. We breathed a little sigh of nostalgia —those were the days…
We thought it would be a pleasant variation in our Images Musicales Stories to publish some of these covers. Mind, the cover designs are not masterworks but nonetheless charming, and in that way very similar to sheet music.
‘Marlborough Symphony Orchestra, works of Brahms, Dvorak, Paganini and Strauss’. 45rpm record published by Camden.
‘Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite‘, cover of the 45rpm record published by Camden.
‘Michelin (Luister naar deze grammofoonplaat)‘, 33rpm publicity record in small 45rpm format. (This is not a classic plastic record in a sleeve, but a square of thick paper on which the groove is engraved in a thin transparent film).
‘Grote Planta Wedstrijd – Prijzenfestival‘, Dutch or Flemish publicity record for Planta margarine and promotional contest. Of the 3.000 prizes to win, the first one is a furnished apartment (!). Click to view the back cover of the sleeve.
Next are two children fairy tale books. The record with the spoken story and accompanying music, is engraved on the cover of the booklet (the black tracks, on a thin plastic transparent film). Inside is the written story to read and to look at the illustrations. Of course, the booklet is entirely perforated in the center for the axis of the turntable. Does it bring back sentimental memories..?
‘Roodkapje‘ (Little Red Riding Hood), published by Mulder & Zoon, Amsterdam, s.d.
‘Roodkapje‘, illustration by Truus Vinger on one of the inside pages.
‘Klein Duimpje‘ (Tom Thumb), fairy tale record-booklet published by Mulder en Zoon, Amsterdam, s.d.
Inside illustration of the above record-booklet ‘Klein duimpje’, by Truus Vinger.
The following illustrations are of Sint-Niklaas en Zwarte Piet (Saint-Nicolas and Black Pete). They are funny folkloristic characters who visit children’s homes in the Netherlands and the Flemish part of Belgium to bring presents and treats on the evening of December 5. Or better they were, because Black Pete is now seen as a blatantly racist stereotype. Black Pete is Saint-Nicolas’ loyal servant and he is usually portrayed in black face with a frizzy wig, golden earrings and painted large red lips. This gave rise to a divisive conflict: does a tradition that is experienced by some as offensive needs to be adapted or maintained?
‘Zie ginds komt de stoomboot en andere St.Nicolaas liedjes‘, Record-booklet with children song published by Mulder & Zoon, Amsterdam, s.d. Cover design by Leendert van Groen.
Illustration on one of the inside pages in the above record-booklet ‘Zie ginds komt de stoomboot…’ by Nans van Leeuwen.
‘O, kom er eens kijken, en andere St.Nicolaas liedjes‘ record-booklet with children songs published by Mulder & Zoon (Amsterdam, s.d.). Cover design by Leendert van Groen.
Inside illustration for the above record-booklet by Leendert van Groen.
Now sing along with us and Mary Hopkin, to bring back those days my friends…
‘Mystery?‘ – A foxtrot by Joseph A. Cirina. Published by Herman Darewski (London,1919) and illustrated by Lionel S. Reiss.
The world of sheet music illustration never stops to amaze the assiduous collector. She/he has to face up to mysteries that defy the imagination, pictorial challenges to her or his ingenuity. The collector stumbles in an enigmatic world where things become unexplainable and surpass fantasy. Here is the continuation of our popular series on accidentally —sometimes wilfully— assembling duplicates.
The Apparition of the Seaside Resort
‘Zalig plekje aan zee‘ composed by A. Van Oest (LEFT) and ‘Mooi Zandvoort‘ by Vorrattie (RIGHT). Published by B H Smit (Amsterdam, s.d.). Illustrator: D. Coene.
The Case of the Blue Hat
‘Camouflage‘, One-Step by James Bodewalt Lamp. LEFT: the 1917 publication by Jerome Remick (NY, Detroit), not in our collection. RIGHT: the redrawn version by Francis Salabert (Paris). Unknown illustrator.
The Subtle Substitution
‘Fleur de Cerisier‘ and ‘Fleur de Pommier‘. Composed by Adrian de Lorme, published by Duff & Stewart (London, s.d.) and illustrated by William Spalding.
The Instrument Swap
‘Whistling Rufus‘, a Two-Step Polka or Cake-Walk by Kerry Mills. LEFT: the original guitar publication by Mills, F. A. (New York, s.d., unknown illustrator). RIGHT: the Swedish banjo version published by Carl Gehrman (Stockholm), s.d., illustrated by Nils Ringström.
The Apprentice Twins
‘Le Petit Mousse Noir‘, a Romance by P. Cheret & Marc Constantin. LEFT: undated publication by Choudens (Paris, s.d.). RIGHT: publication by Mayence (Anvers & Bruxelles, s.d.). Unknown illustrator.
