The Funk & Wagnalls Family Library of Great Music

The Funk & Wagnalls Family Library of Great Music is a comprehensive, well-organized, and affordable musical resource.

Introduction

Few, if any, other record companies have been as eclectic as Funk & Wagnalls. A typical Funk & Wagnalls release could encompass just about anything from light classical to jazz to folk to comedy, and the company’s budget-priced LPs were remarkably good for their time and price. In addition, Funk & Wagnalls was one of the first companies to see the potential in licensing recordings from European labels such as Decca and Philips, thus giving American listeners access to many excellent classical performances that would otherwise have been unavailable.

The Funk & Wagnalls Family Library of Great Music

Funk & Wagnalls Family Library of Great Music was a series of articles and recordings produced by the Funk & Wagnalls Company. The collection was originally released in the form of 78 rpm records and later as a set of LP records. It was one of the first comprehensive collections of classical music ever assembled and released in the United States.

The History of Funk & Wagnalls

Funk & Wagnalls was an American publisher known for its reference works, including the Funk & Wagnalls Standard Encyclopedia. The encyclopedia was renamed Funk & Wagnalls New Standard Encyclopedia in 1931 and then simply Standard Encyclopedia in 1945. By 1962, it had gone out of print.

Isaac Kaufmann Funk founded the business in 1875 as I.K. Funk & Company in Lima, Ohio, where he published religious books and pamphlets. In 1888, the company moved to New York City and changed its name to Funk & Wagnalls Company; he continued to serve as president until his death in 1912. His son Adam Willis Wagnalls served as president from 1912 to 1940; upon Adam’s death, his brother Robert committed suicide, effective immediately upon learning of his brother’s death while on a business trip in Brazil.

Under Adam Wagnalls’ leadership, Funk & Wagnalls expanded rapidly through license agreements with foreign publishers and by acquiring smaller publishers outright. During this period of growth, the company began producing a number of noteworthy titles including The World’s Great Religions and Messenger’s Manual (later known as The New York Times Manual of Style and Usage).

In 1926, Funk & Wagnalls absorbed all assets of Stewart & Kidd Company, a Cincinnati publisher whose titles included Donohue’s Magazine and Every Week magazine. Despite strong leadership and growth during this period, the company was badly hurt by the Great Depression; by 1931 it was $3 million in debt ($48 million today). In that year the name of the encyclopedia was changed to Funk & Wagnalls New Standard Encyclopedia; despite this change, sales continued to decline throughout the 1930s. In 1941 Simon Michael Bessie became executive editor at Funk & Wagnalls; during his tenure he helped turn around both Messenger’s Manual and Every Week magazine (later renamed Family Circle). Under Bessie’s editorship Messenger’s Manual eventually became “the style bible for generations of reporters”, according to a obituary written about Bessie after his death in 2002.

The Funk & Wagnalls Family Library of Great Music

The Funk & Wagnalls Family Library of Great Music is a comprehensive and varied collection of the world’s most popular tunes, including lullabies, show tunes, patriotic songs, and classical favorites. Arranged by theme and genre, this four-volume set is perfect for beginning music students of all ages.

The Funk & Wagnalls Family Library of Great Music Today

The Funk & Wagnalls Family Library of Great Music is a comprehensive collection of music books, scores, and CD’s that provide an in-depth look at the history and evolution of great music. The library encompasses all genres of music, from classical to jazz to rock, and is an essential resource for anyone interested in learning more about the great musicians who have shaped our world.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Funk & Wagnalls Family Library of Great Music is a comprehensive and well-rounded collection that will provide hours of enjoyment for music lovers of all ages. With something for everyone, it is sure to be a favorite in any home.