Sep 28, 2017 - Sale 2455

Sale 2455 - Lot 173

Price Realized: $ 938
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 1,000 - $ 1,500
(MUSIC.) Davis, Will H. Diary of a Calgary orchestra leader. [365] manuscript diary pages plus [15] pages of memoranda. 12mo, original limp calf gilt, minor wear; minimal wear to contents. Vp, 1 January to 31 December 1915
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Additional Details

Will H. Davis (1880-1931) was a musician, composer, and orchestra leader who often provided accompaniment for theaters and silent films, and also gave lessons. Born in the state of Washington, he spent his early years working in Seattle, Tacoma, Portland, OR, Alaska, and British Columbia according to his list of New Year's Eve performances in the rear of the volume. In 1915, he settled in Calgary, Alberta, where this diary was written. He notes each concert he performs, often listing the program or noting the quality of the crowd and performance: "Shriners Minstrels, very good show and went well. Leader of church choir was our musical director--some guess work on our part, but we pulled it through" (19 February). The next night "didn't go as good as last night, too much scotch introduced." He accompanied Charlie Chaplin's "A Night Out" on 14 June, and the Ku Klux Klan epic "Birth of a Nation" from 13 to 20 December ("big motion picture . . . big business"). On 26 July he gives the program for a vaudeville act involving blackface and Jewish sailors. He sometimes describes his advance preparation: "Writing horn pts and extra violin pts for Sunday night concerts" (7 January) and "To theatre 10 a.m. to dope out pictures: John Barleycorn, rotten picture" (3 May). A monthly cash account in the rear of the volume also provides insight into his operations; he was an active member of the musician's union.
On a more personal level, Davis takes trips with his wife Sarah (usually called "Bubbles"), who he had married in Skagway, Alaska in 1902 (see 1 October entry). He also alludes to a battle for sobriety. On 13 April he mentions in passing some morning drinking while on a train to Seattle: "Got Calgary beer in saloon & came back to train and had breakfast." This conflicts somewhat with his 17 November anniversary: "One year ago today I climbed onto the waterwaggon." He was an avid baseball fan, attending a minor league game in Seattle on 18 April and participating in a game between two theaters: "I got hit on leg by pitched ball in 1st in., but stayed in the game" (21 August). World War One was a concern throughout the year. On 20 February, Davis observes "War--Charity--Duty, are the three prominent industries of Canada." On 18 May he noted that "the German musicians are all being sent home because of the war." On 31 October, "Big musician's union benefit for Red Cross, Patriotic Fund & wounded soldiers. I directed entire concert." Davis continued as a musician after 1915 in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Additional notes on the diary are available upon request.