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

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Summary

Title:
Huntington Library Sheet Music Collection
Dates:
1792-1982, bulk 1820/1920
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.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Huntington Library Sheet Music Collection. The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

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.
Processing information:

An item-level list of the collection was created in August 1997 by Cathy Cherbosque and a brief online finding aid was created in 1999. Diann Benti combined and updated this finding aid in January 2015.

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.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Cathy Cherbosque, Krystle Satrum, and Diann Benti.
Date Prepared:
© 1997
Date Encoded:
Machine readable finding aid encoded by Diann Benti in November 2014 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

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

Terms of access:

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Huntington Library Sheet Music Collection. The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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