The "Cracker Jack Two-Step," an instrumental piece for piano by Niu-Va, is the first known appearance of Cracker Jack on the musical scene. Toes were tapping to the music more than a hundred and five years ago, some twelve years before Norworth and Von Tilzer would immortalize Cracker Jack in 1908 with Nelly Kelly's insisting "Take Me Out to the Ball Game."

According to the information on the sheet music cover, the "Cracker Jack Two-Step" was published by the S. Brainard's Sons Co. of Chicago in 1896, the very same year that Cracker Jack was given its name. 

"Cracker Jack" in the title is not merely a case of "crackerjack," a slang term of the day, being used, but is instead a specific reference to the popcorn confection. The cover of the sheet music indicates that the name "Cracker Jack" is used "by permission of F. W. Rueckheim & Bro.," makers of Cracker Jack.  

Further supporting this, the wonderful red and blue cover illustration entitled "The Cracker Jack Party" clearly depicts several boxes of Cracker Jack on the table and floor.  The design of the original Cracker Jack box, with the familiar "Cracker Jack" written diagonally and the R's in circles, is painstakingly detailed on some of the boxes in the drawing.  Even the lettering on the sheet music resembles the original style of Cracker Jack boxes.

Since the sheet music says that the tune was also copyrighted in England, it is clear that word of "Cracker Jack" had spread both here and abroad during the very first year of its existence.  No wonder the Rueckheims readily embraced the opportunity for their newly christened product to receive such exposure by granting the use of its name!