“Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go” is a saying that has been printed on many posters and that was first published in several newspapers in 1930. The author was not identified.
American publisher and author William Feather (1889-1981) has usually been credited as the author since 1976, but it’s not known if Feather wrote the saying as early as 1930.
21 February 1930, Hyde Park Herald (Chicago, IL), pg. 8, col. 2:
EPIGRAMS FROM HYDE PARK LIONS SONGBOOK
Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go.
28 August 1930, Ironwood (MI) Daily Globe, pg. 4, col. 2:
One well known gent insists that success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go.
2 December 1930, Sheboygan (WI) Press “Office Cat” by Junius, pg. 22, col. 4:
Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go.
Old Fulton NY Post Cards
4 December 1930, The Wave (Rockaway Beach, NY), “Home Brew” conducted by Wild Oat, pg.12, col. 1:
Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go.
8 December 1933, Hyde Park Herald (Chicago, IL), pg. 12, col. 4:
Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go.
21 April 1976,Wellington (KS) Daily News, pg. 9, col. 5:
Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go. — William Feather
8 November 1982, Knoxville (TN) News-Sentinel, “Aces on Bridge” by Bobby Wolff, pg. A-7, col. 1:
“Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go.”—William Feather
Google Books
Words of Wisdom to Live By:
An Encyclopedia of Wisdom in Condensed Form
By Alfred Armand Montapert
Los Angeles, CA: Books of Value
1986
Pg. 69:
SUCCESS seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go. — William Feather
Twitter
Motivational Quotes
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Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go. -William Feather #quotes
12:11 AM - 15 Jun 2015
Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.
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Above, Big Apple Corner at 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. Google Maps. Stolen and missing, 2021-2024.
Above, John J. Fitz Gerald, from the Aug. 15, 1931, Binghamton (NY) Press, pg. 14.
Listen to Robert Emmerich introduce "The Big Apple," a hit song from 1937. Music written by Bob and performed by Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven with Bob on piano. Lyrics written by Buddy Bernier and sung by Edythe Wright. Audio provided by Dorothy Emmerich.
Also listen to a 1937 "The Big Apple" song by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra. See a 1929 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald and a 1931 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald.
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