Joseph W. Stern & Co.


Joseph W. Stern & Co. was a music publisher in New York City. The Library of Congress has dozens of their songsheets including numerous coon songs in its collection.

History

Joseph W. Stern was a self taught pianist and traveling salesman. He partnered with fellow travelling salesman Edward B. Marks to found the music publishing company in 1894. They promoted their music with performances accompanied by colored lantern slides."The Little Lost Child" was the first song they published and became a huge hit.
Stern retired in 1920 and the firm became Edward B. Marks Music Company. Its publishings include hits such as "Strange Fruit" by Abel Meeropol in 1939. The company has been a subsidiary of Carlin America since 1980.

Publishings