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 13

Volume 11

Item 45: "Faded Flowers," comp. James Power, lyrics by J.H. Brown, 1851: Piano, voice. Published by Russell & Tolman (Boston).
Item 46: "Every one for his own = Jedem das Seine" (from Standard German Songs with English Words), comp. and lyrics by G. Preyer, trans. Jul. Fränkel, 1871: Piano, voice. Published by G. Andre & Co. (Philadelphia).
Item 47: "Married soon we'll be" (from Bobby Newcombs Songs. As sung by him with immense success at the San Francisco Mistrels, Broadway - New York), comp. Maynesly Scott, arr. David Braham, lyrics by Bobby Newcomb, 1867: Piano, voice. Published by C.H. Ditson & Co. (New York).
Item 48: "No one to love me yet: ballad" (from Favorite Ballads as sung with great applause by Hattie Brown Miller, arranged by George G. Stimpson), comp. and arr. George G. Stimpson, 1861: Piano, voice. Published by Wm. S. Mackie, City Music Store (Rochester).
Item 49: "Song of the soldiers" (from Songs of the War, by Private Miles O'Reilly), comp. Chas. Van Oeckelen, lyrics by Miles O' Riley, 1864: Piano, voice. Published by Wm. Hall & Son (New York).

Volume 12

Item 1: "Now the swallows are returning" (from 12 Standard songs), undated: Piano, voice. Published by Root & Cady.
Item 2: "The Black Crook: Valse," comp. V.B. Aubert, 1867: Piano. Published by Lyon & Healy.
Item 3: "The Harp at Midnight: nocturne for piano," comp. V.B. Aubert, 1866: Piano. Published by Lyon & Healy.
Item 4: "The Last Dream: meditation religieuse," comp. V.B. Aubert, 1867: Piano. Published by Lyon & Healy.
Item 5: "White Fawn: Schottisch," comp. V.B. Aubert, 1868: Piano. Published by Root & Cady.
Item 6: "Our Father and Mother" (from Songs of the Bakers, composed by John C. Baker), comp. John C. Baker, lyrics by B.G.A. Wood, 1858: Piano, voice. Published by Higgins Bros.
Item 7: "Nocturne" (from Piano; no. 8), comp. Fr. Bendel, undated: Piano. Published by Root & Cady.
Item 8: "Shadow Waltz," comp. H.G. Bird, undated: Piano. Published by Root & Cady.
Item 9: "Grand Vocal Medley," comp. and arr. P.P. Bliss, 1865: Piano, voice. Published by Root & Cady.
Item 10: "Thema" (from The Youth's Musical Friend (Musikalischer Jugendfreund). A Collection of melodies arranged progressively for beginners on the piano forte by Fr. Brauer; no. 3), comp. Fr. Brauer, undated: Piano. Published by Root & Cady.
Item 11: "Ave Maria" (from Gems of German Song, with English and German Words; no. 5), comp. Cherubini, lyrics by J.S. Dwight (trans.), 1861: Piano, voice. Published by Root & Cady.
Item 12: "The lament of the Irish Immigrant: a ballad," comp. William R, Dempster, lyrics by The Hon. Mrs. Price Blackwood, 1863: Piano, voice. Published by Root & Cady.
Item 13: "La Forza del Destino (opera de G. Verdi): Transcription Elegante," comp. Charles Fradel, 1865: Piano. Published by Root & Cady.
Item 14: "Qui vive!: grand galop de concert pour piano," comp. Wilhelm Ganz, undated: Piano. Published by Root & Cady.
Item 15: "The murmuring sea" (from Higgins Bro's Bouquet of Choice Duetts; no. 2), comp. Stephen Glover, lyrics by Mrs. Crawford, undated: Piano, voice (duet). Published by H.M. Higgins.
Item 16: "Les Belles de Chicago or Les Plaisirs de la valse: valse elegante," comp. Robert Goldbeck, 1869: Piano. Published by Goldbeck's Conservatory of Music.
Item 17(1): "50 piano studies: first series," comp. Robert Goldbeck, 1869: Piano. Published by Goldbeck's Conservatory of Music.
Item 18(2): "Harmonized progressive Finger Exercises for the piano: Book II," comp. Robert Goldbeck, 1868: Piano. Published by Root & Cady.
Item 19(3): "Harmonized progressive Finger Exercises for the piano: Book III," comp. Robert Goldbeck, 1868: Piano. Published by Goldbeck's Conservatory of Music.
Item 20: "The Million Dollar Waltz," comp. R. Goldbeck, 1869: Piano. Published by Root & Cady.
Item 21: "Savior breathe an evening blessing" (from Selections of Sacred Music for Church & Home), comp. and lyrics by Gumbert, arr. Horace G. Bird, 1863: Piano, voice. Published by Root & Cady.
Item 22: "Chanson D'amour pour le piano," comp. Jules Egghard, undated: Piano. Published by Root & Cady.
Item 23: "Lettie Waits for me" (from 25 Prize Songs), comp. Jas. E. Haynes, lyrics by Eunice P. Haynes, undated: Piano, voice. Published by H.M. Higgins.
Item 24: "Empress Henrietta Waltz," comp. H. Herz, undated: Piano. Published by H.M. Higgins.
Item 25: "Prayer in affliction," comp. H.M. Higgins and A.E. Wimmerstedt, lyrics by Mina M. Stacy, 1865: Piano, voice. Published by H.M. Higgins.
Item 26: "The Valentine or the Spirit of Song," comp. and lyrics by Libbie Higgins, 1858: Piano, voice. Published by Higgins Bros.
Item 27: "Scale Polka," comp. E. Kuschbert, 1866: Piano. Published by Root & Cady.
Item 28: "Thou everywhere (überall du)" (from Gems of German Song, with English and German words; no. 135), comp. J. Lachner, lyrics by Chas. J. Sprague (trans.), 1863: Piano, voice. Published by Root & Cady.
Item 29: "Les Cloches du Monastère = Monastery Bells: Nocturne," comp. Lefébure Wély, undated: Piano. Published by Root & Cady.
Item 30: "Les Cloches du Monastère" (from The Varieties consisting of twelve much admired Compositions for the piano by distinguished composers), comp. Lefébure Wély, undated: Piano. Published by Root & Cady.
Item 31: "We'll meet again" (from Gems of German Song, with English and German Words; no. 145), comp. Louis Liebe, 1866: Piano, voice. Published by Root & Cady.
Item 32: "El Kohinoor: polka," comp. Oscar Mayo, 1871: Piano. Published by Root & Cady.
Item 33: "La Pluie de météores = shower of meteors: mazurka caprice," comp. J.A. Metcalfe, 1871: Piano. Published by Root & Cady.
Item 34: "Alpine Bells = Alpenglöckchen: Tyrolienne" (from 12 standard pieces for piano), undated: Piano. Published by Root & Cady.
Item 35: "Gondellied" (from The pianist's music-drawer. A collection of standard pieces by various authors), comp. Theodore Oesten, undated: Piano. Published by Root & Cady.
Item 36: "Love in May" (from Compositions pour piano par J. Ascher, Th. Oesten), comp. Th. Oesten, undated: Piano. Published by Root & Cady.
Item 37: "La pluie de perles: valse brillante" (from Gleanings. A Collection of popular & standard pieces for the piano), comp. G.A. Osborne, undated: Piano. Published by H.M. Higgins.
Item 38: "Norah, the pride of kildare (J. Parry) ; Three Fishers went sailing (Hullah)" (from The Vocalist's Companion, a selection of beautiful ballads arranged with piano accompaniment by various authors), comp. and lyrics by J. Parry and J. Hullah, undated: Piano. Published by Root & Cady.