Sheet Music Collection

This is a brief listing of the contents of "The Sheet Music collection" held in the Annex of Special Collections & Archives. Each box contains bound volumes of sheet music, or (in Boxes 3 and 10 only) loose music sheets. Each bound volume holds approximately 50 pieces of music; those holding fewer or more pieces are indicated as "1/2" or "double" volumes, respectively. The volumes frequently bear the name of the original owner, in some cases prepared an index of her/his volume's contents. NOTE: NOT EVERY VOLUME IS DESCRIBED.

The majority of pieces therein contained share the following characteristics:

1. They date from 1840-1865.

2. They are for piano (solo) or voice (usually with piano accompaniment).

3. They were published in the United States.

4. They are in fair condition (the bindings are generally disintegrating, and the collection as a whole is dirty and dusty).

EXCEPTIONS TO THESE RULES ARE NOTED.

The works were frequently written by American composers, although works (or adaptations of works) by British composers, and "classical" composers (Donizetti, Handel, Schubert, etc.) are also numerous. Some of the pieces have illustrated covers, and a few of the designs are even tinted or chromolithographed. The songs include both sacred and secular works; a small number of them deal with historical events.