Huntington Library Sheet Music Collection, 1792-1982, bulk 1820/1920

Summary

Abstract:

The Huntington Library Sheet Music Collection chiefly illustrates the physical and thematic development of sheet music printed in the United States from the late eighteenth century through the early twentieth century. The collection includes over 3800 items, the bulk of which spans the years 1820-1920.

Extent:

approximately 3800 items in 35 boxes and 28 volumes

Language:

English.

Background

Scope and content:

The Huntington Library Sheet Music Collection chiefly illustrates the physical and thematic development of sheet music printed in the United States from the late eighteenth century through the early twentieth century. The collection includes over 3800 items, the bulk of which spans the years 1820-1920. Musical genres included are English and American theatre music, comic opera, patriotic songs, Scottish and Irish melodies, “Englished” versions of Italian opera, contemporary topical themes (such as the Civil War, including a small number of Confederate imprints), and modern Broadway music. Subjects and themes covered include sentimental songs, especially courtship and maternal relationships; songs offered in tribute (e.g. to Washington, Lincoln, Bonaparte; Jenny Lind, etc.); and patriotic songs, especially of the Civil War. Major and minor publishers are represented. Cities most prominently featured as publishing centers include Boston, Philadelphia, New York, and Baltimore; there are also imprints from Cincinnati, Chicago, Milwaukee, San Francisco, St. Louis, and New Orleans. A significant portion of the collection is illustrated which, along with the themes and lyrics of the songs themselves, provides further insight into the attitudes and values of the American people over time.

Acquisition information:

The provenance of individual items within the collection is primarily unknown. The collection has been developed gradually since 1923 through donations of single items and donations and purchases of scrapbook volumes containing sheet music.

Arrangement:

The collection consists of individual pieces arranged chronologically by publication date within folders, and then alphabetically by song title. These are stored flat in boxes. A portion of the items have been bound into numbered scrapbooks, reflecting the tastes and musical interests of various compilers.

Items without a date are arranged alphabetically by song title in a “n.d.” (no date) sequence. These are housed in a separate “no date” box.

Please note that in some cases, the publication dates are only approximate dates assigned by the cataloger.

Rules or conventions:

Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Note:

Finding aid last updated on February 13, 2015.

Related resources

Related material:

Beyond the Sheet Music Collection which is housed in the Prints and Ephemera Division of the Rare Book Department, sheet music has also been catalogued in numerous locations in the Rare Book Department. Other catalogued material include: Librettos, Song Books, Song Sheets, and Broadsides.

Indexed terms

Subjects:

Dramatic music -- United States.
Dramatic music -- England.
Patriotic music -- United States.
Songs, Irish.
Songs, Scots.
Operas.
Sentimentalism -- Songs and music.
Courtship -- Songs and music.
Motherhood -- Songs and music.
Love songs.
Topical songs.
Celebrities -- Songs and music.
Music -- Pictorial works.
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Songs and music.
Broadway (New York, N.Y.) -- Songs and music.
Confederate States of America -- Songs and music.
Sheet music.
Songs.

Restrictions:

Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.

Location of this collection:

Huntington Library, Prints and Ephemera Collections

1151 Oxford Road

San Marino, CA 91108, US

Contact:

(626) 405-2191

reference@huntington.org

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