Joseph Platt & Gena's Sheet Music Cover

 

Over several months of letters in 1922 were discussions between Miss Branscombe and Mr. Austin at the Arthur P. Schmidt Company of Boston.  The subject matter:  a set of songs Gena Branscombe wrote for her daughters.  She desperately wanted the “Un-improving Songs for Enthusiastic Children and One for Sleepy Time” to be published for the Christmas season sheet music market. 

Proofs of the songs were mailed between Gena and Mr. Austin.  With the Christmas season deadline fast approaching, there was a Post Office delay in the corrected proofs being delivered in a timely fashion.  Anxiety haunted the composer.

Yet, what came as a surprise in these letters was the discussion of who would create the sheet music cover art work.  When sheet music was the rage, the covers for the music were colorful and eye-catching.  A talented designer was a must!

Gena’s friend, Mrs. Elise Nevins Morgan of Methuen, Massachusetts, recommended her artist friend, Joseph Platt, for the job.  Quite surprised at the suggestion of such a famous artist of the era, Miss Branscombe agreed Mr. Platt would be the right person for the job.  

In 1922 the Arthur P. Schmidt Company would pay artists $25.00 to design cover art.  Mrs. Morgan offered that if Mr. Platt charged more than $25.00 she would pay the difference.  What a kind gesture and one that demonstrates Mrs. Morgan’s support of Gena’s musical talent and her on-going success in selling her music.

Mr. Joseph Platt, indeed, was famous.  He had designed the interior movie sets for “Gone with the Wind,” “Rebecca,” and “Lady of Burlesque.”   Industrial design, painting murals, magazine covers, office design and creating the Whitman’s sampler chocolate box were among his many commercial artistic accomplishments. 

And, he designed a cover for Gena’s songs!  After submitting several preliminary sketches to Miss Branscombe and Mr. Austin for approval, changes were made.  The final cover work was sent with a bill for $25.00.  Such a famous artist accepted $25.00 for one cover when his other work garnered thousands of dollars.

His cover art defines the four songs in this collection with charming sketches.  On the upper left of the cover are the three Maidens from Japan, in the middle Sprightly Mrs. Grasshopper and her friend Mrs. Caterpillar are having tea, then the misbehaving Birthday Party attendees.  The song for Sleepy Time is at the bottom with a child nestled in her bed. 

 

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