Sep 28, 2023 - Sale 2646

Sale 2646 - Lot 82

Price Realized: $ 1,250
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 1,500 - $ 2,500
(CIVIL WAR--CONFEDERATE.) Volume of sheet music, including an early printing of Dixie, and several other Confederate songs. 36 pieces of sheet music in one volume. Folio, original 1/2 sheep, worn, boards detached, lacking backstrip; intermittent wear and dampstaining; variously inscribed or signed by Henrietta "Hattie" Lillia Richardson (1841-1873) of Savannah and Eden, GA, with her gilt label on the front board. Various places, 1842-circa 1864

Additional Details

Includes an early printing of Dixie, which became the unofficial Confederate national anthem, and one of the most controversial songs in American history. This printing is titled "I Wish I Was In Dixies Land," and credited "Words by Mr. J. Newcomb, music by Dan'l D. Emmett, arranged by J.C. Viereck," New Orleans, LA: P.P. Werlein, 1860. This was the second printing of the full words and music crediting Emmett as the composer, preceded only by scarce uncredited editions and song sheets. It has 5 pages including the title, bears an inked stamp by a Savannah music seller, and also a manuscript inscription; it has dampstaining to the outer edges. The song first became popular in New Orleans after a 9 April 1860 performance. A full printing by Werlein soon followed on 29 April 1860 with plate number 547. This is Werlein's second printing, issued a few days later with plate number 549, revising the words and adding the page 2 title "Dixey's Land." See Fuld, World-Famous Music, pages 196-198.

The volume also contains 6 Civil War songs: 3 published in Georgia, one pro-Confederate song published in Maryland early in the war, and oddly enough two published in the North. They include:

A.F. Toulin of the Patapsco Institute. "Confederacy March." Lacking cover. Baltimore: George Willig, 1861.

George F. Root. "Just Before the Battle, Mother." Illustrated title. Chicago: Root & Cady, 1864.

C.C. Sawyer and C.F. Thompson. "Who Will Care for Mother, Now." Parrish & Willingham 7635. Macon & Savannah, GA: J.C. Schreiner & Son, circa 1864-1865.

Mrs. Norton. "The Officer's Funeral." Parrish & Willingham 7316. Macon, GA: John C. Schreiner & Son, circa 1863-1865.

E. Bowers and Henry Tucker. "Dear Mother, I've Come Home to Die." New York: William A. Pond, 1863.

E. Heineman. "Gen. Beauregard's Grand March." Parrish & Willingham 7035. Macon, GA: John C. Schreiner, circa 1863.

Beyond the Civil War, the volume also includes Stephen Foster's "Under the Willow She's Sleeping" (New York: Firth, Pond, & Co., 1860) and "Gentle Annie" (New York: Firth, Pond, & Co., 1856). A complete list of contents is available upon request.