Black Memorabilia Sheet Music, Including Bert Williams

  This lot consists of 7 pieces of sheet music and one sheet music cover relating to black Americana. All are in used condition; I don’t normally deal in ephemera, so please ask questions before bidding. The list follows:

 

1. ‘Nobody,’ by Alex Rogers and Bert Williams. Photo of Williams on cover; Starmer design. Small tears along right edge, a staple attached to cover edge. Cover pages partially attached, wear along top and bottom edges. Fifth page has 5-inch vertical piece missing (photo available). Measures 13 3/4 x 10 1/8 inches. Published by Gotham Attucks, New York, 1905.

 

2. A front cover with advertisement inside for two so-called ‘coon songs’ — ‘Ev’ry Morn I Bring Her Chicken’ and ‘The Military Coon.’ Tears along all edges repaired with invisible tape; pieces missing around edges. (Cover is for ‘Your Dad Gave His Life For His Country.’) Measures 13 1/2 x 10 1/2 inches. Published by American Advance Music Co., New York, no date (penciled year of 1903 on upper right of advertisement).

 

3. ‘They Made It Twice as Nice as Paradise And They Called It Dixieland,’ by Raymond Egan and Richard A. Whiting. Color illustration of elderly black woman with white child on her lap. Highly creased, with mended tears along all edges and losses to corners. Covers attached with cellophane tape on the inside, soiled on the 5 inside pages. Cover design by Einson. Measures 13 1/2 x 10 1/2 inches. Published by Jerome H. Remick Co., New York/Detroit, 1916.

 

4. ‘Any Rags’ by Thomas S. Allen. Black and white illustration of black man carrying sack on a dark red background, with photo of performer Dan Colman. Designer signed ‘F’ in a square. Some large creases, small tears around perimeter, mended with tape, cover pages attached with tape. Pen signature and year in upper right corner. Inside pages slightly soiled with mended tears around edges, dog-eared corners. Measures 14 x 10 3/4 inches. Published by George M. Krey Co., Boston, 1903.

 

5. ‘Old Black Joe,’ a revised version of Foster’s original work for piano by Louis A. Drumheller. No cover illustration, just black and white text. Creased, small tears around edges, pencil marks, covers attached with tape; inside pages intact with minor tears. All pages soiled. Measures 12 1/4 x 9 1/4. Published by Standard Music Publishing Co., Philadelphia, 1906.

 

6. ‘The Minstrel Man,’ a piano solo by Bernice Frost. Black and white image of minstrel in top hat on bright red background. Slightly creased, no tears or repairs. The year ‘1939’ penciled at upper right corner. Pencil marks inside on music. Measures 12 x 9 inches. Published by Boston Music Co., 1939.

 

7. ‘Swingin’ on the Swanee Shore,’ by James Cavanaugh, John Redmond and Lee David. Illustration of black couple dancing to banjo music with three black onlookers, riverboat in background. Design by Scott. Some creasing, soiled inside and out; minor tears mended with tape on edges. Pencil marks on music; penciled date of 1936 on upper right corner. Measures 12 x 9 1/8 inches. Published by Stasny Music Corp., New York, 1936.

 

8. ‘The Darktown Strutters’ Ball,’ by Shelton Brooks. Decorated with white staff and notes on orange background. Creased, soiled, edge tears mended with tape inside and out. Pen marks on cover, and date ‘1917’ penciled on upper right corner. Measures 11 x 8 1/2 inches. Published by Francis, Day & Hunter, London, 1917; copyright held by Will Rossiter, Chicago.

 

Payment must be in U.S. dollars.

 

Buyer pays shipping and insurance costs. New Jersey buyers must pay 7% sales tax; New York buyers also must pay applicable sales tax, which varies depending on the shipping destination. Contact me if you need to know what your tax will be.

 

I usually ship USPS, unless another method is requested. I am happy to combine items for shipping.

 

Please e-mail me if you have any questions at all; I am not a sheet music or ephemera expert. Thanks for looking, and happy bidding!

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On Nov-07-09 at 05:34:35 PST, seller added the following information:

 Regarding No. 7, 'Swingin' on the Swanee' -- I just noticed a repaired 1-inch tear at the bottom of each page. I originally took it for a crease on the front, as the tape repair is inside.