Galleries > Music (27)
-
The Cable Company Pianos
One of my favorites because it illustrates a woman actually playing a piano, this turn of the century bookmark lists all of the products made by the company which was based in Chicago, IL. This bookmark was distributed by Reifsnyder & Sons, Lancaster, PA. Submitted by Laine Farley
-
Crown Piano (lilacs)
This die-cut and embossed bookmark is a typical style. One of the blooms is cut to form a page flap. The reverse lists Geo. P. Bent, Chicago, IL as the manufacturer and Harry W. Tebbs, Philadelphia, PA as the seller. Submitted by Laine Farley
-
Cable Company Chicago
Another stunning set of bookmarks by the Cable Company, these were distributed by O. Stranburg, Jamestown, NY. Submitted by Laine Farley
-
Angelus Piano
A beautiful bookmark in a crowded category. Because of the connection between women and home, where pianos were common and women were expected to know how to play, and because upper-class women had leisure time and were expected to read as well, it seems that most piano companies put out bookmarks as advertising vehicles. Still, as they note on the back, it was "always ready to be played by anyone, either in the usual manner from the keyboard or by means of the ANGELUS mechanism. Issued by the Wilcox & White Company of Meriden, Connecticut. Submitted by Lauren Roberts.
-
Autopiano
Autopianos meant anyone could "play"! The dress worn by the woman appears to be from the 1870s-1880s. Issued by the Chas. F. Wing Co. of New Bedford, MA. Submitted by Lauren Roberts.
-
Briggs Piano
"You would play upon me," it reads on the upper left. C.C. Briggs & Co. was a manufacturer of pianos rather than a retailer. Submitted by Lauren Roberts.
-
Cook Piano
From J.B. Cook Piano Company of Boston, MA, comes this lovely bookmark and the offer (on the backside) to pay $10 in gold to "any boy or girl who sends us the name and address of any one who will purchase a piano. Premium will be paid as soon as the piano is sold." It is also noted that they offered "an easy payment plan." Submitted by Lauren Roberts.
-
Cable Piano
Very similar to the first bookmark shown, it is one of the most stunning illustrations used on a piano bookmark. The woman playing the other woman listening , and the peacock outside the window all add to a sense of movement and beauty. Submitted by Lauren Roberts.
-
Cable Piano
Another type of bookmark this time die-cut, from Cable Piano. It is a wonder that so many of these die-cut ones with flowers survive intact because the petals are the weakest part of the bookmark. Submitted by Lauren Roberts.
-
Chase Piano
What I love about this celluloid one is the pin that appears to be sticking through it. It's part of the image, but is so real I actually felt it when I received it. Celluloid, though popular in the early twentieth century, appears to be a far second choice for piano bookmarks compared to thick paper. Submitted by Lauren Roberts.
-
Crown Piano
Another, more unusual Crown Piano bookmark. This one is harder to find and is invariably more expensive. Submitted by Lauren Roberts.
-
Cunningham Pianos
Located in Philadelphia. A very pretty bookmark in the common heart shape. Submitted by Lauren Roberts.
-
Everhart Organ and Piano Company
This company, obviously a retailer, carried pianos from Conover, Cable, Kingsbury, and Wellington. Their organs came from Chicago Cottage Organs. The butterfly is not often seen in perfect condition. The upper left corner of the wing could easily be bent and so relatively few perfect sample survive. Submitted by Lauren Roberts.
-
Harvard Piano
What I like about this bookmark from the Harvard Piano Company is the depiction of its use as a social evening. Is he courting her? Is she responding in the socially acceptable manner? Are they engaged or newly married? We can only guess, but the piano is certainly at the center of it. Submitted by Lauren Roberts.
-
Laffargue Pianos
This is the only metal piano bookmark I own, and I believe it is fairly unusual for that reason. It's horseshoe shape also is distinctive. Submitted by Lauren Roberts.
-
Lyon & Healy Piano
I don't know how good Lyon & Healy pianos were, but their bookmarks were certainly lovely. This die-shaped one is particularly stunning not only for the lovely and accurate color of the rose but for the intact flowers at the bottom and leaf on the upper right. The scroll shape is fantastic! Submitted by Lauren Roberts.
-
Milton & Lewisburg
An exquisitely detailed bookmark not only showing a woman playing but cherubs joining her in a musical interlude in a kind of musical heaven. The bird on the lower left corner is also part of the scene. Submitted by Lauren Roberts.
-
Poole Pianos
Poole used Bunker Hill Monument, which commemorates the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775, to show off its newest piano. Circling the monument is the airship, a marvel of the time, holding the piano being advertised. Submitted by Lauren Roberts.
-
Poole Pianos
This exquisite celluloid die-cut bookmark is extraordinary for its beauty. It is a lovely advertising vehicle, and would certainly entice me to look at their pianos had I been alive in the late nineteenth century. Submitted by Lauren Roberts.
-
Schaaf Pianos
The large empty space on the bottom 2/3 makes me wonder if this bookmark was created to give to retailers who could then stamp their name, address, and phone number in that area. I think it likely. Gorgeous picture above, though. Submitted by Lauren Roberts.
-
Schulz Pianos
A rather unusual picture. Not the woman per se, as women in flowing gowns were common in bookmarks, but the fact that her hands appear ready to rip the fabric off her bosom. Her head is bent backwards and the pose suggests a kind of classical statue. Submitted by Lauren Roberts.
-
Smith & Barnes
This is probably my favorite of all my piano bookmarks. I believe it is part of a series, but am not sure. The flowers are extraordinarily lifelike with some embossing on them to make them stand out from their background. The hook is the tiny white piece above the middle of the bouquet. It's amazing to me that it is in superb condition. Submitted by Lauren Roberts.
-
Stevens Organ and Piano Co.
A pretty English cottage? Or an Ohio one. Regardless, it is perfect for a piano, yes? Submitted by Lauren Roberts.
-
Stevens Organ and Piano Co.
A girl and a cat. It's music made in heaven, and a good image for a piano company. Submitted by Lauren Roberts.
-
Vose
Three of the four show "Vose & Sons," while the one on the left just shows "Vose." The left-most one is therefore likely the earliest. The dark image, which is hard to see, is Christopher Columbus landing in America. What that had to do with pianos is hard to say. The two outside ones are thick paper, the two inside ones are celluloid. And they are all approximately the same size. Submitted by Lauren Roberts.
-
Hugo Wertheim
This company got around. It not only produced pianos and organs but sewing machines and even electra cycles. Submitted by Lauren Roberts.
-
The Wittich Store
This retailer, located in Reading, PA, carried pianos, player-pianos, Victrolas, and even Victor records. Kind of your one-stop shop for many things musical. Submitted by Lauren Roberts.
