Eldridge Publishing Celebrates 100 Years

Back in 1906 Harry C. Eldridge decided to start his own firm in his hometown of Franklin, Ohio when he couldn’t get his children’s operetta, “The Captain of Plymouth,” published. Eldridge, an educator, violinist and composer, and his wife, a gifted children’s author, soon joined with Seymour Tibbals, the local newspaper publisher, forming the Eldridge Entertainment House. (Rumor has it that visitors to the small town thought the house provided a different kind of entertainment!)

At first the two partners wrote all the plays, songs and operettas themselves, printed them at the newspaper office and did most of the selling by mail. Their early works were extremely popular, and as business grew, they began to buy manuscripts from other playwrights. The business is credited with getting Franklin its own post office.

In 1926, the partnership was dissolved and the business was incorporated. Harry died in 1946 and one son, Harry Jr., operated the Ohio headquarters while another son, Ted, opened a branch in Colorado. Cousins Anna and Lillian Eldridge were also involved with the business.
By 1985, however, two Eldridge granddaughters living out of state found they could not manage the company effectively, and sold it to the first non-family members, Steve and Nancy Vorhis. Interestingly, Steve’s parents met in the 1940s while performing an Eldridge play.

Soon, rows upon rows of file cards were replaced with the company’s first computer. More plays were published. Advertising increased. Catalogs grew larger. Steadily they ushered the business into what you know us as today. Among Eldridge milestones: Freeviews, which allow 20% of any script to be read online for free (we were the first drama publisher to offer this); printing-on-demand, which eliminates the need for any script inventory; state-of-the-art web technology for the convenience of customers and playwrights alike; and international sales through Anco Publishing in the Netherlands.

But Eldridge’s success and longevity is nothing without its talented playwrights and composers, many of whom have become friends as well as business associates over the years, and you, our loyal customers for your continued support. It is our privilege to serve you, and we look forward to the opportunity to do so for many years to come!


Sincerely,

Nancy Vorhis
President

Pictures: Top right: Eldridge’s 100 year golden seal, Harry C. Eldridge and an early vocal score. At left: Covers from early catalogs. Below right: Governor’s letter.