SAM DeVINCENT COLLECTION OF ILLUSTRATED AMERICAN SHEET MUSIC, ca. 1790 - 1987
#300

Container List

Series 2: ARMED FORCES, ca. 1810-1980

by: Karen Linn, 1989

Pre-Civil War, Illustrated Covers, ca. 1820-1860:

Box 30

Folder

A, A - D
B, E - O
C, P - Z

All of these Pre-Civil War sheets have illustrated lithographic covers, many in color. They date from the heyday of flamboyant militia uniforms and many covers offer detailed depictions of the uniforms. Most of the pieces are quickstep marches and brass bands are usually named on the covers as performers. One 1852 imprint is dedicated to and includes a portrait of General (later President) Franklin Pierce. The majority of the sheets date from the 1840s. (55 items)

Pre-Civil War, Non-Illustrated Covers, ca. 1820-1860:

D, A - B
E, C - F

Box 31

F, G - N
G, O - Z


Most of the compositions are quicksteps, although there are some programmatic pieces. The names of many brass bands are written on the covers. The music is usually dedicated to a particular officer or militia unit. (81 items)

H, Pre-Civil War, Covers Only, ca. 1830-1839:

Only the illustrated lithographic covers of these sheets have been preserved. All pieces are quicksteps; fragments of the music remain. (5 items)

The Battles, Program Music, ca. 1810-1905:

I, Leipsic and Prague

J, Waterloo, etc.

These programmatic compositions are intended to describe in music the action of famous battles. The Battle of Prague, by the 18th century Bohemian composer Frantisek Koczwara, and the Battle of Waterloo both enjoyed great popularity in this country; there are many editions of these two pieces in the collection. The earliest edition of Battle of Waterloo in the DeVincent Collection dates from ca. 1810-1819 and lists C. Ogilvy as composer. Subsequent editions credit arranger G. Anderson as the composer. Several other European battles are also represented. (26 items)

Box 32

K, Hewitt's Quick Step, 1840-1843:

This composition (in various editions) by T. Rebhun is dedicated to and features an illustrated lithographic cover of Lt. James L. Hewitt of the New York Light Guard. Uniform details are included. (7 items)

L, War With Mexico, 1847-1848:

Only one sheet is vocal music, the rest are instrumental quicksteps and marches for piano. Santa Anna figures in several pieces. (14 items)

M, Gen. Persifor F. Smith, 1848-1907:

Smith had a long military career; the items in folder M, all versions of the same piece, are concerned with his leadership in the war with Mexico. The piece, composed by T. J. Martin, has a variety of titles; the most common is Smith's March. (13 items)

N, The Officer's Funeral, ca. 1856:

The folder contains different editions of this piece by Mrs. Norton. The lithographic cover depicts the military funeral tradition of the rider less horse with reversed riding boots in the stirrups. (4 items)

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