NoHo in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

A Tower Of Music

Carl Fischer Music Publishers

— 56-62 Cooper Sq. —

A Tower Of Music Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Larry Gertner, July 14, 2016

1. A Tower Of Music Marker

Inscription. For over seventy-five years, this building housed the administrative offices, a spacious retail store and presses that printed millions of copies of Sheet music distributed world-wide. In 1872, German-born Carl Fischer (1849-1923) opened a musical instrument repair shop nearby on 4th Street, and soon expanded into instrument sales and sheet music publishing. After establishing a reputation as the publisher of band music, including that of John Philip Sousa, the company later became a leading publisher of classical music, such as compositions by Jascha Heifetz and Sergei Rachmaninoff.

By 1880, Fischer had moved to larger quarters on Cooper Square and in 1922 commissioned architect W.K. Benedict to design this 12-story, Neo-Classica; building of steel and reinforced concrete with brick and limestone facing. The company moved its headquarters to Bleeker Street in 1999, and Wall Street in 2013. The sheet music has been replaced by treadmills, the presses by condominiums.

-Michell Grubler, Chair, Landmarks Committee Bowery Alliance of Neighbors

Erected 2016.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.

Location. 40° 43.753′

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N, 73° 59.466′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in NoHo. Marker is at the intersection of Cooper Square and East 7th Street, on the left when traveling north on Cooper Square. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 62 Cooper Sq, New York NY 10003, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Peter Cooper (within shouting distance of this marker); Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (within shouting distance of this marker); Peter Cooper Park (within shouting distance of this marker); The Cooper Union (within shouting distance of this marker); Astor Library (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Cooper Union (within shouting distance of this marker); Astor Place Riot! (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); City Lore (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.

More about this marker. One of more than sixty entries in the “Windows on the Bowery” series.

Photographed By Larry Gertner, July 14, 2016

2. Inset

Memories of all those years of piano lessons

Photographed By Larry Gertner, July 14, 2016

3. Inset

Carl Fischer (1849-1923)

Photographed By Larry Gertner, July 14, 2016

4. Inset

The well-known clock on the north wall.

The clock, 2006 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Larry Gertner, April 28, 2015

5. The clock, 2006

The north-wall windows were added during the condo conversion.

Photographed By Larry Gertner, July 14, 2016

6. Inset

Shopping for sheet music

Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 230 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 16, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.