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Bert Feldman
Bert Feldman
Bert Feldman
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Bertram Feldman (29 September 1874 – 25 March 1945) was a British music publisher whose innovations "forged the foundations of a commercial music industry in Britain".[1]

Biography

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Feldman was born in Hull, the son of a piano maker and music shop owner. In 1895, he went to London and set up in business as a song plugger, the first in the country, buying new songs cheaply from their writers and then aggressively promoting their sheet music sales.[1]

His business expanded when he began acquiring the publishing rights to American songs, particularly after visiting New York City in 1907. The songs he purchased included "Alexander's Ragtime Band", "Down at the Old Bull and Bush", "Teddy Bears' Picnic", and (for 5 shillings) "It's a Long Way to Tipperary", all of which became very popular in Britain. Feldman helped establish Irving Berlin's international reputation, by featuring his songs in his annual song books.[2]

Around 1909, Feldman established his own publishing company in what became known as Feldman's Arcade in Blackpool, later moving it to London. His business continued to expand until his death, his later successes including "The White Cliffs of Dover".[3][4]

He died in Blackpool in 1945. His business was sold after his death to the publishing firm of Francis Day & Hunter.[4]

References

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Bert Feldman

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Bert Feldman is a British music publisher known for his pioneering efforts in developing the commercial popular music industry in the United Kingdom, particularly through his firm's publication of "It's a Long Way to Tipperary," which became the most famous marching song of the First World War, and for securing British rights to influential American popular songs. Active from the late 1890s as a music publisher, Feldman founded B. Feldman & Co. around 1909. He traveled to the United States in 1907 and again in 1912 to acquire sub-publishing rights for several major works, including "A Bird in a Gilded Cage," "Alexander’s Ragtime Band," and "The Teddy Bears’ Picnic." These efforts helped introduce ragtime and other American popular styles to British audiences during a formative period for the industry. His company grew into one of the notable popular music publishers in early 20th-century Britain, representing composers such as Herman Darewski, Victor Herbert, and Rupert Friml. He is associated with publishing sheet music and related materials as early as the late 1890s, including a chromolithograph portrait of music hall performer Vesta Tilley. In 1945, B. Feldman & Co. was acquired by its rival Francis, Day & Hunter, later becoming part of EMI Music Publishing.

Early Life

Birth and Background

Bert Feldman was born in 1874 in Hull, Yorkshire, England. He was a native of England, remaining in the country throughout his life until his death in Blackpool, Lancashire.

Childhood and Early Years

Bert Feldman's childhood and early years remain largely undocumented in available historical sources. He was born in Hull, England, in 1874, and worked in his father's business as a musical instrument retailer during his youth. No verified details exist concerning his schooling, specific childhood events, family life beyond his father's occupation, or other early influences that may have shaped his later career. This scarcity of information is common for individuals of his era and background whose prominence emerged only in adulthood.

Career

Professional Life and Film Involvement

Bert Feldman (1875–1945) is primarily known as a British music publisher, but he has a minor documented association with film listed on IMDb (nm0271005), where he is categorized under Soundtrack. He appeared as himself in the 1935 British film Regal Cavalcade (also known as Royal Cavalcade), an episodic drama depicting events from the reign of King George V that included cameos by various real-life entertainers. Additionally, he receives a posthumous soundtrack credit as publisher for the song "Happenings Ten Years Time Ago" in the 2021 documentary The Sparks Brothers. No other credits, such as acting, directing, producing, or technical roles in film or television, are documented in major industry databases. His primary professional contributions were in music publishing, not film production.

Known or Attributed Works

Bert Feldman's documented film-related works are limited to the above: a self-appearance in Regal Cavalcade (1935) and a publisher credit in The Sparks Brothers (2021). Other individuals named Bert Feldman have credits in unrelated films, but they do not match this individual's biographical details.

Personal Life

Family and Relationships

Little is known about Bert Feldman's family and personal relationships, as contemporary accounts, obituaries, and biographical sources contain no references to a spouse, children, or other relatives. He maintained lifelong residences in England, beginning in Hull, Yorkshire, and later settling in Blackpool. The absence of any documented family details in available historical materials suggests limited public information on this aspect of his life.

Residences and Later Years

Bert Feldman was born in Hull in 1874, establishing his early association with the city in the region later designated as Humberside. In his later years, he developed a significant connection to Blackpool in Lancashire, where he operated Feldman's Arcade, which opened in 1924. His music publishing business was based in London, including premises on Shaftesbury Avenue. Feldman died in Blackpool on March 25, 1945.

Death

Passing and Circumstances

Bert Feldman passed away on March 25, 1945, in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, after a week's illness. He was 70 years old at the time of his death. His funeral was held at Willesden Cemetery on March 28, 1945. Probate records later reported his estate at £488,422.

Legacy

Historical Recognition and Sources

Bert Feldman (full name Bertram Feldman) has limited but documented historical recognition in British music publishing history, primarily for his pioneering role in commercial popular music and introducing American songs to UK audiences. Contemporary sources include a New York Times obituary noting his death at age 70 and crediting him with popularizing "It's a Long Way to Tipperary" , as well as tributes in industry publications such as Melody Maker (March 31, 1945). His estate was reported as substantial (nearly £500,000 in some accounts) in period newspapers. Birth records vary slightly, with some sources giving 1874 in Hull (no exact date consistently documented) and others (including IMDb nm0271005) listing 3 January 1875; he died on 25 March 1945 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK. IMDb provides basic vital statistics and minimal credits: an appearance as Self in the 1935 film Regal Cavalcade and a posthumous soundtrack credit as publisher in the 2021 documentary The Sparks Brothers. These represent the extent of his documented film involvement. Secondary accounts appear in historical summaries of music publishing (e.g., IMSLP on B. Feldman & Co.) and collections (e.g., V&A Theatre and Performance), though comprehensive biographies remain scarce, with no major awards or extensive posthumous honors documented.

Areas of Incomplete Coverage

Biographical details beyond professional activities are limited in accessible sources. No information is available on family members, relationships, or marital status, nor on private residences beyond associations with Hull, London, and Blackpool. The precise cause of death in Blackpool on 25 March 1945 is not specified in available accounts. While his career achievements—including founding B. Feldman & Co., promoting major songs, and operating entertainment venues in Blackpool—are covered in historical summaries, many personal and professional aspects remain sparsely documented. Potential further details may exist in undigitized local newspapers from 1945 or British entertainment archives.
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