Anyone who has sung in musical groups in high school, college, or at Church is probably familiar with the Theodore Presser company, a major publisher of sheet music. This company is the largest and oldest publisher of music in America.
Here is an excellent and inspiring story of the founder and the company:
Presser was incredibly inventive in promoting music and music appreciation.
At various times, the Theodore Presser Company published playing cards in which famous composers were featured in the royal cards.
Presser also invented a game of "Composers" in which players collected 'sets" of a composer's major works and laid them down to gain points.
I had seen advertisements for Theodore Presser "Reward" cards, but had never handled any until I found a few cards in a bin at an antique shop.
So far, I have not been able to confirm the years in which they were circulated, but the copyright indicates that the Theodore Presser Company was located in Bryn Mawr - Presser moved the company there in 1949.
Each "reward" card featured a picture of the composer, and a drawing of his birthplace.
On the reverse of the card was found a short biography and a list of major works.
Here is the theodore Presser "Reward" card for Frederic Chopin:
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Here is the biographical sketch on the reverse:
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Comments: 29
I am not going to undertake any more collecting, but I would love to see some of the cards if you could post them.
On a related topic, we did scavenge a box of old posters (of composers) tossed out during a library remodeling. I wonder what ever happened to that?
So very true, Mariana.
Whenever I find some cool thing, I go looking for more of them.
I will publish three composers that I acquired in this set.
Yes, Lori.
Unlike some of the postcards, from which I remove scratches, tears, and discoloration, this bright card has not been re-touched.
I know the name from choral music, Beaker. I believe the firm publishes all kinds of sheet music, however.
Theodore Presser was quite a guy.
He set up a foundation to turn the profits from his business into a foundation to support music education.
In his will, he endowed an institution to care for impoverished music teachers.
Peter, thanks for the information.
And I may have to contact that institution for impoverished music teachers at some point if the investment business doesn't work out. :-)
Glad to hear it, K.D.
When I started looking for information about the "Reward" cards, I was surprised at the inventiveness and the generosity of Theodore Presser.
No, no, not another devastating pun.
I have a great desire to travel through middle and eastern Europe, Sheryl.
In recent weeks, I have been desperately searching for charitable foundations that support "gentlemen in reduced circumstances".
No luck so far, Kate.
Avon Books was the foundation of Avon cosmetics?
I did not know this, Kate. Thanks.
I t would be too perfect if the publisher of boddice-rippers was selling perfumes and ungents.
I have fond (and not so fond, since it was often late at night) memories of him (re-?)mastering Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1 when he finally got his Steinway.
Spartan recalls that cards like these were used as rewards for piano lessons.
The history is fascinating, Kate.
I love to see entrepreneurs create new markets where none existed.
Oswego is north of Syracuse, on Lake Ontario.
(I looked it up.)
One of few things that motivated me to continue piano lessons was the desire to play Chopin.
Nice to hear from you, Mary Louise.
Do you still play?
Can you scan and post some of them?
I did not know about these "reward cards" until I found a few at the Flea Market.