Music, the Mail, and Ephemera

[Szykneij]

Although he doesn't appear to be from the classical musical world, I'm fascinated by this character named Jolly Franzl. There's an individual by the same name who is a Bavarian yodeler, but our Jolly was an American musician.

In the photo on his autographed postcard, he's holding a conductor's baton indicating he was a bandleader, but I'm stumped as to the significance of the strap around his chest bearing his last name. It doesn't seem to be in the right location to be some kind of saxophone lanyard. Maybe it's just part of his band attire to go along with his spiffy vest and oversized necktie.

[Szykneij]

The only historical mention I can find about Jolly is a listing in a 1941 Billboard Magazine edition, which shows him as performing at a Chicago nightclub called "Links". The club was located in Links Hall, a building built by and named for dentist John J. Links in 1914. Starting in 1978, a dance company operated there for 35 years, taking the name of the building as its own. Google maps shows the location as it appears today.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Although he doesn't appear to be from the classical musical world, I'm fascinated by this character named Jolly Franzl. There's an individual by the same name who is a Bavarian yodeler, but our Jolly was an American musician.

In the photo on his autographed postcard, he's holding a conductor's baton indicating he was a bandleader, but I'm stumped as to the significance of the strap around his chest bearing his last name. It doesn't seem to be in the right location to be some kind of saxophone lanyard. Maybe it's just part of his band attire to go along with his spiffy vest and oversized necktie.

I wonder whether or not it might attach to the inside of his vest and perhaps helps to keep his tie/scarf out of the way--like a tie pin or clip?

[Szykneij]

I wonder whether or not it might attach to the inside of his vest and perhaps helps to keep his tie/scarf out of the way--like a tie pin or clip?

That could be, with an opportunity for some self-promotion at the same time.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

That could be, with an opportunity for some self-promotion at the same time.

Yes, I did notice his name--in rather large letters there! 

PD

[Szykneij]

*This Day in Music History*
February 4, 1677

Johann Ludwig Bach, German composer and violinist, was born in Thuringia (d. 1731).
He was a third cousin of Johann Sebastian Bach.

Stamps specifically for Thuringia were issued only between 1945 and 1946 during the Soviet occupation.

[Szykneij]

*This Day in Music History*
February 5, 1887

Giuseppe Verdi's opera "Otello" premieres at La Scala in Italy, his first new opera in over 15 years.

[Szykneij]

This envelope was mailed in 1900 by Margarethe von Mitzlaff-Miellez, Director of Vocal Music at the Columbian School of Music in Springfield, Massachusetts.

[Szykneij]

I can't find much information on M. von Mitzlaff-Miellez, except for an ad in a 1908 Boston Symphony program for singing lessons. A couple of other individuals on that page – Arthur H. Turner and Emil K. Janser – seem to have had some early 20th century success getting their compositions published. 

[Pohjolas Daughter]

*This Day in Music History*
February 4, 1677

Johann Ludwig Bach, German composer and violinist, was born in Thuringia (d. 1731).
He was a third cousin of Johann Sebastian Bach.

Stamps specifically for Thuringia were issued only between 1945 and 1946 during the Soviet occupation.

Interesting!  I wonder why only during that period?

*This Day in Music History*
February 5, 1887

Giuseppe Verdi's opera "Otello" premieres at La Scala in Italy, his first new opera in over 15 years.

Love that opera! 

[Szykneij]

Interesting!  I wonder why only during that period?

Prior to the Russian occupation, stamps of Germany would have been used. After that, stamps of East Germany (GDR). During the occupation, Russia issued stamps for the specific areas it  controlled.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Prior to the Russian occupation, stamps of Germany would have been used. After that, stamps of East Germany (GDR). During the occupation, Russia issued stamps for the specific areas it  controlled.

Thanks for the info; that makes sense.

[Szykneij]

*This Day in Music History*
February 6, 1851

Robert Schumann's 3rd Symphony "Rhenish" premieres in Dusseldorf

[Szykneij]

*This Day in Music History*
February 7, 1931

Opera "Peter Ibbetson" by Deems Taylor premieres at Metropolitan Opera, New York City.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

*This Day in Music History*
February 7, 1931

Opera "Peter Ibbetson" by Deems Taylor premieres at Metropolitan Opera, New York City.

How was the opera received?  I've never heard of either the opera nor him. 

[Szykneij]

How was the opera received?  I've never heard of either the opera nor him. 

It seems February 7th was a slow day for classical music. 

Information is here:

http://www.usopera.com/operas/peteribbetson.html

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Thanks!

[Szykneij]

*This Day in Music History*
February 8, 1942

Igor Stravinsky's "Danses Concertantes" premieres in Los Angeles

[Szykneij]

*This Day in Music History*

February 9, 1893
Giuseppe Verdi's opera "Falstaff" premieres in Milan

February 9, 1964
First Beatles appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show".

[Szykneij]

Looks like, even back in 1928, there were classical music audiophiles searching for the best listening experience. This radio and phonograph, part of Amrad's "Symphonic Series", was all electric and had a Dynamic Power Speaker. At that point in time, it could only have received AM radio signals (significant FM broadcasting didn't begin until the 1940s) so one has to wonder just how good the sound was over that frequency band. (Today, the Amrad building houses various businesses, including a gym I used to belong to.)