Finding Aid for James S. Parker Sheet Music Collection, 1860-1970 | The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

By Carol Berthold

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Archives Research Center, 1707 S. Orchard Street	Box 01-03

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Collection Overview

Title: James S. Parker Sheet Music Collection, 1860-1970

ID: 12/9/177

Primary Creator: Parker, James S. (1940-)

Extent: 1.0 cubic feet

Arrangement: Unarranged.

Date Acquired: 03/07/2023. More info below under Accruals.

Subjects: Accordion, Banjo music, Chicago, Illinois, Hawaiian guitar music, Music, Music - United States, Music -- Wisconsin, Poland, Polkas, Vocal music

Languages: English, Polish

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Consists of published sheet music and method books by New York and Chicago publishers dating between 1860 and 1970, documenting the musical careers of the Frank Gore, who had a small band in the early 1900s, and Lou Gore, who played piano in this band as well as several other local bands in Poy Sippi, Wisconsin after WWII. Of note are several Polish dance folios published by W.H. Sajewski of Chicago, including a book by Frank Pryzbylski.

Biographical Note

James S. Parker was born April 24, 1940 into a musical family—his grandfather Frank Gore and uncle Lou Gore were both professional musicians. James attended Lane Tech High School in Chicago and graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1963. In 1967, Parker worked as a part-time photographer and later as a partner at Copelin Commercial Photographs, which was established in Chicago in 1856. Parker bought Copelin in 1972. Following this, he worked at City Hall in Chicago and served as an aide to Congressman Frank Annunzio until 1992.

Subject/Index Terms

Accordion
Banjo music
Chicago, Illinois
Hawaiian guitar music
Music
Music - United States
Music -- Wisconsin
Poland
Polkas
Vocal music

Administrative Information

Repository: The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

Accruals: Additional material acquired March 16, 2023.

Acquisition Source: James Parker

Acquisition Method: Gift

Related Materials: For more on Sajewski Music Store see Richard Spottswood, "The Sajewski Story: Eighty Years of Polish Music in Chicago," in Ethnic Recordings in America: A Neglected Heritage (1982).

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1],
[Box 2],
[Box 3],
[All]

Box 1

Folder 1: 24 Happy Home Songs, 1941: Complete songs for voice and piano. Shapiro, Bernstein & Co.: New York.
Folder 2: Celebrated Song Hits, Feist, 1936: Leo Feist, Inc.,: New York.
Folder 3: Community Songs, Treasure Book of, 1936: Edward Schuberth & Co., Inc.: New York.
Folder 4: Dance Folio for 1941, Gem, 1941: Shapiro, Bernstein & Co.: New York.
Folder 5: Old Time Song Hits, 1935: Treasure Chest Publications Inc.: New York.
Folder 6: Piano Accordion Folio No. 3, Gem, 1939: Pietro Deiro, arr. Shapiro, Bernstein & Co.: New York.
Folder 7: Song Folio, BVC. No. 3, 1940: Bregman. Vocco & Conn, Inc.: New York.
Folder 8: Song Treasures, Lanny Ross, undated: Stasny Music Corp.: New York.
Folder 9: Songs of the Gay Nineties, Bill Hardy's, 1938: Robbins Music Corp.: New York.
Folder 10: Strauss Waltzes, Instrumental, 1939: M.M. Cole Publishing Co.: Chicago.
Folder 11: Stuart Hamblen and His Lucky Stars, 1932: M.M. Cole Publishing Co.: Chicago.
Folder 12: Time Tested Melodies That Never Grow Old, 1930: M.M. Cole Publishing Co.: Chicago.
Folder 13: Waltz Time With Abe Lyman, 1943: Mayfair Music Corp.: New York.
Folder 14: Music Method Books and Dictation Book, 1940-1941: Home Study Course, Piano Accordio: Lessons 13-24, 25-36,37-48. U.S. School of Music: New York. Music Dictation Book.

Browse by Box:

[Box 1],
[Box 2],
[Box 3],
[All]