The Sheet Music Art of Horace Waters, 333 Broadway, New York

Life can be full of happy accidents, and today's entry is the result of one such happy accident that happened when we were trying to think of something to write about. Normally we try not to write about anything too esoteric, but we'd like to make an exception when discussing the beautiful typographic sheet music art published by Horace Waters, whom we just discovered as we were looking for inspiration. (In which case we found what we were looking for, so--mission accomplished!)

 "Buckley's Melodies" sheet music cover (1854)

[Image source: https://levysheetmusic.mse.jhu.edu]

After a bit of research on Horace Waters, we found that he was primarily a hymn publisher and musical instrument manufacturer, active between 1845 and 1864, when his sons took over the business. All of the sheet music we found has 333 Broadway, New York printed on the covers as the publisher's address, and we couldn't help but be curious about the building itself, so we did a little more digging. Having found a Google Streetview of the place where 333 Broadway would have stood today, we discovered an article by the Tribeca Citizen which says that the entire block where Horace Waters' building stood was demolished in 1863, and replaced by a row of white marble buildings. A few decades later, the Blickensderfer Manufacturing Company, and Wickoff, Seamans, & Benedict, both typewriter manufacturers, occupied two adjacent buildings within that block and were in fierce competition. Wickoff, Seamans, & Benedict, with their lauded Remington typewriter, won in the end, and as their business grew, they annexed the whole block, making it into one big building. This building, (which is referred to as 325-333 Broadway,) remains standing today. [Source: https://tribecacitizen.com/the-history-of-tribeca-buildings/the-history-of-325-333-broadway/]

325-333 Broadway as it appeared in July, 2018. (Now we can't help wondering, what would the devoutly religious Waters think of the fact that a restaurant called Wichcraft is located in his building?) [Image source: Google Maps]

Horace Waters, circa. late 1800s

[Image source: Wikipedia]

No article on any obscure topic such as this is complete without some background information, but the real centerpiece is the sheet music art that was published by Waters, which is a veritable treasure trove of typography and illustration. Here we will showcase some of the most visually impressive examples of Horace Waters' sheet music art.

The Palace Garden Polka (1858) It was common for Horace Waters sheet music art to feature intricately detailed landscapes and architecture. [Image source: https://levysheetmusic.mse.jhu.edu]

The Rachel Schottisch (1855) Portraiture was also a common theme in the sheet music art of Horace Waters. [Image source: https://levysheetmusic.mse.jhu.edu]

I Will Not Deem Thee Faithless (1854)

[Image source: https://levysheetmusic.mse.jhu.edu]

Prescott House Polka (1853)

[Image source: https://levysheetmusic.mse.jhu.edu]

The Fireman's Heart is Bold and Free (1855)

[Image source: https://levysheetmusic.mse.jhu.edu]

St. Nicholas Schottisch (1853)

[Image source: https://levysheetmusic.mse.jhu.edu]

Melodies. No. 2. Beautiful Sea. Ballad. (Date unknown)

[Image source: https://levysheetmusic.mse.jhu.edu]

"To Morrow! To Morrow!" (1854)

[Image source: https://levysheetmusic.mse.jhu.edu]

The Swinging Schottisch (1858)

[Image source: https://levysheetmusic.mse.jhu.edu]

The Wanderer's Return (1854)

[Image source: https://levysheetmusic.mse.jhu.edu]

Mary's Beauty (1853)

[Image source: https://levysheetmusic.mse.jhu.edu]

The Sparkling Polka (1855)

[Image source: https://levysheetmusic.mse.jhu.edu]

The illustration art on these covers is undeniably breathtaking, but Horace Waters also published sheet music without illustrated covers, instead opting for simple typographic designs. These designs, in spite of their lack of imagery, are still beautiful to look at because of the intricacy of their typographic arrangements.

Poor Old Bob (1856) This cover is an interesting exception for its use of an inconspicuous image that, while not meant as an illustration in the strict sense of the word, compliments the typography very nicely. [Image source: https://levysheetmusic.mse.jhu.edu]

Bright Things Can Never Die (1855)

[Image source: https://levysheetmusic.mse.jhu.edu]

Our Banner (1855)

[Image source: https://levysheetmusic.mse.jhu.edu]

The City Guard Quickstep (1859)

[Image source: https://levysheetmusic.mse.jhu.edu]

The Right of Nebraska (1854)

[Image source: https://levysheetmusic.mse.jhu.edu]

Funeral March. In Memory of John Quincy Adams (1848)

[Image source: https://levysheetmusic.mse.jhu.edu]

We hope you've enjoyed our presentation on the sheet music cover art of Horace Waters, whom we discovered completely by accident, and are very glad we did. This begs the question, what happy accidents have you had lately? Please tell us in the comments below.

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