Idolizing

Floyd M. Storm illustrated the cover of this 1926 sheet music. Like our late local muralist James Abbott, Storm's work is much better handling backgrounds than people.

The Web of Love

A great cover graphic by Porter M. Griffith on this sheet music, copyright 1929. The artifact is interesting on many levels. For openers the piece is printed on a single sheet and folded. This early talking film was "personally directed" by James Cruze. Apparently part of it was in color!

The movie is about a ventriloquist who is slowly going insane. I have to wonder. This stack of scores originally belonged to my great grandmother, Jennie Hoss. Her brother, Lafe Reeves, worked as a barber but he was also an accomplished ventriloquist. I wonder if he was teased about this movie? 

My Little Grass Shack in Kealakekua

 

1934. Cover art by D.G.

The photo insert was printed and interchanged with the portraits of several different musicians. This one has Ted Fio Rio.

What's the Use o' Feelin' Blue?

A simple and elegant line drawing and a nice image of the era by W.R. Cameron on the cover of this 1926 piece.

Every Little Thing

1926. Cover by P.M. Griffith. "Look to the West for melody" is a tiny logo on the back cover.