Chicago Sheet Music Collection, 1845-1871 | Rare Book & Manuscript Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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Collection Overview

Title: Chicago Sheet Music Collection, 1845-1871

ID: 01/01/MSS00115

Primary Creator: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Library

Extent: 6.0 Cubic Feet. More info below.

Arrangement:

Arrangement reflects original ordering by the University Library in 15 volumes, which is primary ordered chronologically by acquisition date, then alphabetically by composer last name and title of the composition within volumes.

Volume 1: alphabetically by composer last name then title.

Volumes 2-5: chronologically by publication date across volumes (v. 2 1849-1861, v. 3 1862-1865, v. 4 1865-1871, v. 5 1871- undated) then alphabetically by composer and title within each volume.

Volumes 6-7, 9-11 contain imprints ordered alphabetically by composer last name and title across volumes in the following order: v.6 (A-E), v. 7 (F-K), v. 11 (L-O), v. 9 (R-V), v. 10 (W).

Volume 8 and volumes 12-15 are ordered alphabetically by composer last name and title within each volume.

The physical collection has been rehoused into 20 boxes, ordered continuously by item based off of the original call and volume numbers. See the finding aid for a box/item listing.

Date Acquired: 08/01/1939

Subjects: H. M. Higgins (Publisher), Higgins Brothers (Chicago, Ill.), Lyon & Healy, Music publishing -- Illinois -- Chicago, Root & Cady, United States - History - Civil War, 1861-1865

Forms of Material: Sheet Music

Languages: English, French, German, Italian

Abstract

A collection of 19th century sheet music printed in Chicago, Illinois before the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The Chicago Sheet Music Collection is a collection of 19th century sheet music printed in Chicago, Illinois before the Great Fire of 1871. It consists of a wide range of popular music from the time, including popular vocal and piano pieces, songs, ballads, waltzes, polkas, marches, comic pieces, opera selections, and parlor music. Thematic strengths include the American Civil War; stage shows and productions by comic actors, opera stars, minstrel performers, and family singing troupes; Chicago businesses and social organizations; and social issues such as temperance, reconstruction, and women's suffrage.

The items in the collection were predominantly published by the Chicago firms Root & Cady, H.M. Higgins, Lyon & Healy, and the DeMotte Brothers and their associated national imprints. Consisting of approximately 850 items, the collection was assembled by the University of Illinois Library between 1939-1943. Volumes 1-5, 8, 12, 14 and 15 contain music published and printed in Chicago, while volumes 6-7, 9-11, 13, and 15 contain imprints published in other American cities with Chicago distributors.

Collection Historical Note

In 1939, the University of Illinois began collecting sheet music printed in Chicago before the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 in response to renewed interest in the academic community regarding Chicago’s role in music publishing during the Civil War and before the Fire. The Fire devastated the Chicago music industry, destroying the storefronts and inventories of most of the publishing houses. As a result, only one pre-Fire firm survived into the 20th century and information about the scale and national reach of the Chicago music publishing industry was largely forgotten. Between 1939 and 1943, the University Library amassed over 850 pieces of sheet music that either were printed in or would have been available in Chicago before 1871.

In 1941 the University Library hired a student assistant from the Library Science program to catalog and arrange the collection, Dena J. Polacheck Epstein (1916-2013). Epstein, who had a bachelor’s degree in music was inspired to write her master’s thesis, Music Publishing in Chicago before 1871: the Firm of Root & Cady, 1858-1871, using the Illinois collection, which was later serially published in the Music Library Association of America Notes journal between 1944-1946 and in a revised book edition in 1969, which has remained an influential work in the study of early American music publishing. Epstein later became a noted Music Librarian at the University of Chicago and an ethnomusicologist, best known for her foundational scholarship into early American Black folk music and her 1977 book Sinful Tunes and Spirituals: Black Folk Music to the Civil War.

Sources:

Epstein, Dena. Interview by Chris D’Arpa. 14 March, 2008. Voices of Illinois Oral History Portal, University of Illinois Archives. https://www.library.illinois.edu/voices/collection-item/dena-epstein/, Accessed 28 February. 2023.

Epstein, Dena Julia Polacheck. “Music Publishing in Chicago Prior to 1871 : the Firm of Root & Cady, 1858-1871”. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1943.

Epstein, Dena J. Polacheck. Music Publishing in Chicago before 1871 : the Firm of Root & Cady, 1858-1871. Detroit: Information Coordinators, 1969.

Epstein, Dena J. "Music Publishing" in Encyclopedia of Chicago, Chicago: Chicago Historical Society, 2005

University of Illinois Library. Annual Report 1939-1940. University of Illinois Archives, 35/1/801.

Subject/Index Terms

H. M. Higgins (Publisher)
Higgins Brothers (Chicago, Ill.)
Lyon & Healy
Music publishing -- Illinois -- Chicago
Root & Cady
United States - History - Civil War, 1861-1865

Administrative Information

Repository: Rare Book & Manuscript Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Alternate Extent Statement: 20 boxes (853 items)

Access Restrictions: The collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions:

The RBML reproductions policies can be found here:

http://www.library.illinois.edu/rbx/collections/reproduction-services/

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted materials. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be "used for any purpose other than private study scholarship or research." If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use," that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgement, fulfillment of the order would damage materials or involve violation of copyright law.

Acquisition Source: Purchased

Acquisition Method: Acquired between 1939-1943 through purchase installments from various rare book dealers including Edward H. Terry, L. E. Dicke, Fred Lockley, Wellman and Harry Dichter.

Related Publications: Epstein, Dena J. Polacheck. Music Publishing in Chicago before 1871: the Firm of Root & Cady, 1858-1871. Detroit: Information Coordinators, 1969.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1],
[Box 2],
[Box 3],
[Box 4],
[Box 5],
[Box 6],
[Box 7],
[Box 8],
[Box 9],
[Box 10],
[Box 11],
[Box 12],
[Box 13],
[Box 14],
[Box 15],
[Box 16],
[Box 17],
[Box 18],
[Box 19],
[Box 20],
[All]

Box 7

Volume 6

Item 8: "Violet Schottisch" (from The Bouquet: 10 Gems for the young pianist by Harry Badger), comp. Harry Badger, 1867: Piano. Published by Harry Badger (Jackson, MI).
Item 9: "Our girls: ballad," comp. Thomas Baker, lyrics by C.D. Stuart, 1854: Piano, voice. Published by Horace Waters (New York).
Item 10: "Marcia Fantastica" (from Third Series. A Choice Selection of Compositions for the Piano; no. 1), comp. W. Bargiel, before 1871: Piano. Published by Oliver Ditson & Co. (Boston).
Item 11: "Für Elise" (from Beethoven's last compostions), comp. L. van Beethoven, before 1871: Piano. Published by Oliver Ditson & Co. (Boston).
Item 12: "Fisher's hornpipe waltz" (from Chit Chat for piano by Jas. Bellak; no. 13), comp. Jas. Bellak, 1856: Piano. Published by Oliver Ditson & Co. (Boston).
Item 13: "May breezes waltz" (from The Leaflets: 50 Pleasing Duets for the piano, by James Bellak; no. 29.), comp. James Bellak, 1861: Piano. Published by Oliver Ditson & Co. (Boston).
Item 14: "Merry Zingara polka" (from Diamonds for the piano, by Jas. Bellak; no. 21.), comp. Jas. Bellak, 1856: Piano. Published by Oliver Ditson & Co. (Boston).
Item 15: "Shower of Pearls" (from Saloon Pieces by Various Authors; no. 3), comp. James Bellak, 1866: Piano. Published by J. L. Peters (New York).
Item 16: "Casta Diva de Bellini" (from L'anima dell opera: 10 cavatines Italienne pour piano forte et flute par W. Forde; no. 6), comp. Bellini, arr. W. Forde, before 1871: Piano. Published by Russel & Tolman (Boston).
Item 17: "La Somnambula: No. 13. Repertoire des jeunes pianistes" (from Cottier & Denton's Collection of Choice and Elegant Compositions for the piano forte by the most eminent composers; no. 14.), comp. Fred Beyer, before 1871: Piano. Published by Cottier & Denton (Buffalo).
Item 18: "Still so gently o'er me stealing: Bellini" (from Transcriptions Elegantes, A Selection of Gems for the piano-forte by Adolph Baumbach; no. 20.), comp. Adolph Baumbach, 1863: Piano. Published by Henry Tolman & Co. (Boston).
Item 19: "Sweet silver bell: Schottische," comp. E.A. Benson, 1869: Piano. Published by E.A. Benson (Memphis).
Item 20: "Reveries at Eve: morceau de salon," comp. Louis Berge, 1863: Piano. Published by Wm. A. Pond & Co. (New York).
Item 21: "Suis Moi! = Follow Me: Gallop," comp. Adolph Bernstein, 1863: Piano. Published by Wm. Hall & Son (New York).
Item 22: "Leaf by lead the roses fall," comp. T.B. Bishop, lyrics by Caroline Dana Howe, 1865: Piano, voice. Published by John Church & Co. (Cincinnati).
Item 23: "La tendresse: grande valse brillante," comp. Henri Bollman, 1867: Piano. Published by Bollman & Schatzman (St. Louis).
Item 24: "Alone in crowds," comp. O.B. Brown, lyrics by Thos. Moore, 1860: Piano, voice. Published by Henry Tolman & Co. (Boston).
Item 25: "Paulinen polka: arranged for the piano-forte," comp. Edward Bȗchel, 1851: Piano. Published by G.W. Brainard & Co. (Louisville).
Item 26: "Kiss me quick and go," comp. Fred. Buckley, lyrics by Silas S. Steel, 1856: Piano, voice. Published by Firth Pond & Co. (New York).
Item 27: "Io vivo, e t'amo = I live and love thee: Duettino" (from L'inione armonica (The Harmonic Union): A collection of Vocal Duets with Italian & English words), comp. and lyrics by F. Campana, trans. M.L.L., 1866: Piano, voice. Published by G. Andre & Co. (Philadelphia).
Item 28: "Sans souci polka," comp. Carberry, 1871: Piano. Published by Marshall & Wendell (Albany, NY).
Item 29: "Weary Watching," comp. E.N. Catlin, lyrics by Geo. Cooper, 1870: Piano, voice. Published by White & Goulland (Boston).
Item 30: "The Crab Apple Tree: ballad," comp. M.B. Clark, lyrics by G.M. Ballard, 1867: Piano, voice. Published by Benham Bros. & Co. (Indianapolis).
Item 31: "Aileen, Aroon!," comp. and lyrics by Charlie C. Converse, 1853: Piano, voice. Published by O. Ditson & Co. (Boston).
Item 32: "The sword of Bunker Hill" (from National Melodies; no. 5.), comp. Covert, lyrics by William Ross Wallace, 1855: Piano, voice. Published by Henry Tolman & Co. (Boston).
Item 33: "Katy Drew: song & Chorus," comp. H.P. Danks, lyrics by Geo. W. Elliott, 1867: Piano, voice. Published by Wm. Hall & Son (New York).
Item 34: "Robin and Jeanie: Song and Duet," comp. and lyrics by E.C. Davis, 1865: Piano, voice. Published by Oliver Ditson & Co. (Boston).
Item 35: "Gaily chant the summer birds: soprano in A," comp. and lyrics by De Pinna, 1868: Piano, voice. Published by Oliver Ditson & Co. (Boston).
Item 36: "Beulah Bell Polka," comp. Mrs. Stephen W. Downey, 1867: Piano. Published by Wm. A. Pond & Co. (New York).
Item 37: "How the gates came ajar: song & chorus," comp. Eastburn, lyrics by Helen A. Bostwick, 1869: Piano, voice. Published by S. Brainard & Sons (Cleveland).
Item 38: "Swiss Song" (from Gems of German Song, with English Words), comp. and lyrics by Eckert, 1852: Piano, voice. Published by Wm. Hall & Son (New York).
Item 39: "The Maidens of Jersey: comic song," comp., arr., and lyrics by Henry Eikmeier, 1871: Piano, voice. Published by G.H. Ditson & Co. (New York).
Item 40: "Flowers, Fresh Flowers," comp. Geo. T. Evans, lyrics by Pascal Loomis, 1871: Piano, voice. Published by G.H. Ditson & Co. (New York).
Item 41: "Old Folks at Home" (from Sung by Mlle. Nilsson), comp. and lyrics by E.P. Christy, 1857: Piano, voice. Published by Oliver Ditson & Co. (Boston).
Item 42: "Nancy Lee: ballad," comp. Stephen Adams, lyrics by Fred. E. Weatherly, M.A., before 1871: Piano, voice. Published by Oliver Ditson & Co. (Boston).
Item 43: "The Buttonwood tree at the door," comp. and lyrics by A.E. Drake, arr. H. Augustus Pond, 1851: Piano, voice. Published by F.W. Ratcliffe (Louisville).
Item 44: "Popsy Wopsy," comp. Paul Ritter, lyrics by Ada Alexander, 1870: Piano, voice. Published by A. Wundermann (New York).
Item 45: "Flee as a bird," comp. and lyrics by Mary S.B. Dana, 1857: Piano, voice. Published by O. Ditson & Co. (Boston).
Item 46: "Ah! I could teach the Nightengale = Ach Könnt ich doch: Select Vocal Duetts, No. 17" (from Peter's Standard Edition of German Songs, Duets, and Choruses with English and German Text), 1868: Piano, voice. Published by J.L. Peters (New York).
Item 47: "Les Variétés Parisiennes: new quadrille," comp. Sociéte Académique of Paris, 1865: Piano. Published by Wm. A. Pond & Co. (New York).

Volume 7

Item 1: "Ah Che a voi perdoni iddio = heaven may to you grant pardon" (from Vocal Beauties of Flotow's Opera of Martha), comp. and lyrics by Flotow, 1856: Piano. Published by Oliver Ditson & Co. (Boston).
Item 2: "Guide me, O thou great Jehovah," comp. and lyrics by Flotow, arr. J.N. Pattison, 1863: Piano, voice. Published by Wm. A. Pond & Co. (New York).
Item 3: "Come where my love lies dreaming: quartette," comp. and lyrics by Stephen C. Foster, 1855: Piano, voice (quartet). Published by Wm. A. Pond & Co. (New York).
Item 4: "Bingen on the Rhine," comp. M.H. Galey, arr. F. Langguth, lyrics by Mrs. Norton, 1864: Piano, voice. Published by A.M. Benham & Co. (Indianapolis).
Item 5: "The Nightingale's Trill" (from The songs of Mademoisele Parepa as sung by her at the Bateman Concerts (in America)), comp. Wilhelm Ganz, arr. D. Angelos, lyrics by Zeila, 1865: Piano, voice. Published by Wm. A. Pond & Co. (New York).