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Estimate: $ 1,200 - $ 1,800
(ENTERTAINMENT--MUSIC.) 4 letters and 2 printed pieces by classical composer R. Nathaniel Dett. 4 Typed Letters Signed with manuscript notes from Dett to Julius J. Lenkes, each one page and about 11 x 8½ inches, most on Hampton Institute letterhead; mailing folds, minimal wear. Plus two printed items as described. Various places, 1900-1929
Robert Nathaniel Dett (1882-1943) was the descendant of Underground Railroad refugees to Canada. He was the first African-American graduate of Oberlin Conservatory of Music, and became widely known as a touring pianist and composer who incorporated Black spiritual influences into the classical music tradition.
Dett was director of the Hampton Institute's School of Music when he wrote these letters in 1928 and 1929. The recipient was a friend, German-American artist and illustrator Julius J. Lankes of Hilton Village, Virginia, a few miles across the Virginia Peninsula from the Hampton Institute. On 3 December 1928, he wrote "As I suspected Saturday night, there was a crowd of people waiting at the house for me, some of whom are great admirers of yours." The 12 December 1928 letter describes the use of illustrations by Lankes for a book project Dett had in view, as well as for Dett's submission to Opportunity Magazine: "As you are now meeting a new audience, I want you to go with your best foot forward." On Christmas 1928, Dett sent a typed poem, "Once, as I journeyed northward. . . ." with a manuscript note at bottom, explaining that the poem was inspired by a Lankes woodcut. Finally, on 10 January 1929, Dett requests more illustrations for future poetic submissions to "Opportunity", as well as "the Southern Workman" ("This has very select readers").
In addition to the letters, this lot includes Dett's first published piece of sheet music, "After the Cake Walk" (New York: Vandersloot Music, 1900), with only 3 listed in OCLC, moderate wear; and the catalogue pamphlet "Songs & Choral Works by the American Negro Composer R. Nathaniel Dett" (New York: John Church Company, circa 1919), with OCLC showing only one microfilm copy at New York Public Library, minimal wear.
