"The Little Lost Child" published as an illustrated song

Background. Joseph W. Stern & Co. was established in New York City in 1894 by Edward B. Marks and Joe Stern. The company began modestly, operating from a basement at 314 East Fourteenth Street with minimal capital. Stern was a self-taught pianist and traveling salesman, while Marks co-founded the firm. Their first publication was the waltz "The Little Lost Child," which quickly became a sensation.

Promotion. The song's significance in cultural history stems from its promotion as an illustrated song. The idea came from a person identified in the source only as "George H." (surname truncated in the retrieved passage), who approached the publishers about illustrating the song. Ten slides reproducing the lyrics were used during the first performance at the Grand Opera House in Manhattan. The work is usually considered the first promoted as an illustrated song, an early precursor of the music video.

Reception. "The Little Lost Child" achieved commercial success with between one and two million copies sold in sheet music. It was the first hit song written by Marks and Stern together and the first published by their company. The song remained well-remembered several decades later, establishing the publishers' reputation.