Published by

Gershwin Publishing Corp.

Written by

Gershwin, George, American, 1898 - 1937

Gershwin, Ira, American, 1896 - 1983

Heyward, DuBose, American, 1885 - 1940

Illustrated by

Harris, Ben Jorj

Subject of

Mamoulian, Rouben, American, 1897 - 1987

Cotton Club, American, 1923 - 1940

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 12 × 9 in. (30.5 × 22.9 cm)

Type

sheet music

Place printed

New York City, New York County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1935

Description

Sheet music for “Bess, You Is My Woman." The front cover is a black and white illustration with an off-white margin. Across the top margin is the title "BESS YOU IS MY WOMAN." The illustration, done in the style of woodcuts, depicts several vignettes. The foremost vignette is a profile of a man and woman, face to face. Beyond them is a palm tree, under which is the silhouette of a goat-drawn cart. In the cart is a reclining figure of a man with a crutch. Along the right hand side are two wooden cabins with a boat and ocean beyond them. In the top right corner is the outline of a city skyline. There is a large arm, stemming from the profile of the front man, with a large hand pointing toward the city skyline. In the top left quarter are the words "The Theatre Guild presents/ PORGY and BESS/ Music by GEORGE GERSHWIN/ Libretto by/ DUBOSE HEYWARD/ Lyrics by/ DUBOSE HEYWARD and IRA GERSHWIN/ Production direction by/ ROUBEN MAMOULIAN." At the bottom right corner are the words "Gershwin Publishing Corp. / RKO Bldg. New York, N.Y. / Chappell & Co. Inc. / Sole Selling Agent/ Made in U.S.A."

Topic

African American

Jazz (Music)

Musical Theatre

Opera (Music)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Vicki Gold Levi

Object number

2013.223.34

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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Classification

Documents and Published Materials-Sheet music

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Composed by

Williams, Bert, American, 1874 - 1922

George Walker, American, 1873 - 1911

Produced by

Hurtig & Seamon, American

Printed by

San Francisco Examiner, American, founded 1863

Owned by

Sugg, Mary Elizabeth, American, 1839 - 1915

McDonald, Vernon Sugg, American, 1906 - 1982

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 14 × 10 5/8 in. (35.6 × 27 cm)

Type

sheet music

Place collected

Sugg McDonald House, Sonora, Tuolumne County, California, United States, North and Central America

Place printed

San Francisco, California, United States, North and Central America

Date

1899

Description

Sheet music for The VoodDoo Man with red, green, brown, and black ink on paper. The front cover features two black and white photographs. Each photograph features an unidentified man, mouth agape, wearing a boater hat. The cover text reads: [The VooDoo Man / WILLIAMS & WALKER'S / GREAT SUCCESS / Published by Permission / of Hurtig & Seamon / owners of the Copyright / MUSIC SUPPLEMENT OF THE SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER.]. The initials: [K.E.R.R.] are at the bottom center of the drawing. There is tearing around the edges of the front cover. The inside has two pages of musical bars and notes in black ink for the song The VooDoo Man. The song credits read: [Words & Music by Williams & Walker]. The music for The VooDoo Man continues on the back cover in black in. Music for two additional songs are beneath the end of The Voodoo Man. The text for the two additional songs reads: [Gladys / Written and Composed / by Theo. H. Northrup] and [I Certn’ly Was A Very Busy Man / (A Coon Rhapsody.) / Words by / Sam Bennett / Music by / Theo. H. Northrup].

Topic

African American

Minstrel (Music)

Vaudeville

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Sylvia Alden Roberts

Object number

2014.275.13

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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Classification

Documents and Published Materials-Sheet music

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Composed by

Hill, William Joseph

Written by

Yoell, Larry

Subject of

Elliott, Billy

Published by

Sherman, Clay & Co., American, founded 1870

Owned by

McDonald, Vernon Sugg, American, 1906 - 1982

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 12 × 9 in. (30.5 × 22.9 cm)

Type

sheet music

Place collected

Sugg McDonald House, Sonora, Tuolumne County, California, United States, North and Central America

Place printed

San Francisco, California, United States, North and Central America

Date

1923

Description

Sheet music for the song Rock-A-Bye My Baby Blues. The front cover of the sheet music features an image of Billy Elliott in blackface makeup. A caption under the image in blue type reads: [Successfully Introduced By / BILLY ELLIOTT]. A green and blue silhouette of the moon behind a house appears in the background of the front cover. Blue and green type the top of the front cover reads: [ROCK-A-BYE MY BABY BLUES]. A text box, next to the image of Elliot, has blue type that reads: [WALTZ / BALLAD / by / BILLY HILL / AND / LARRY YOELL / Writers of / The West, A Nest and You]. A logo for the publisher in a white box with blue type reads: [Sherman, Clay & Co. / SAN FRANCISCO]. White type at the bottom of the front cover reads [P O M/ GRIFFITH]. The inside of the front cover contains sheet music for a song titled [The West, A Nest, And You]. The interior of the sheet music contains three pages of music bars and notes in black ink for Rock A Bye My Baby Blues. The back cover features sheet music in blue ink for the songs titled: [I DON'T KNOW WHY] and [ORIENTAL LOVE DREAMS].

Topic

African American

Minstrel (Music)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Sylvia Alden Roberts

Object number

2014.275.4

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

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Classification

Documents and Published Materials-Sheet music

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Composed by

Maywood, Geo.

Written by

Bodine, Lester

Published by

S Brainard's Sons Co., American, founded 1837

Printed by

San Francisco Examiner, American, founded 1863

Owned by

Sugg, Mary Elizabeth, American, 1839 - 1915

Sugg, Mary Elizabeth, American, 1839 - 1915

McDonald, Vernon Sugg, American, 1906 - 1982

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 13 7/8 × 10 11/16 in. (35.2 × 27.1 cm)

Type

sheet music

Place printed

San Francisco, California, United States, North and Central America

Place collected

Sugg McDonald House, Sonora, Tuolumne County, California, United States, North and Central America

Date

1897

Description

Sheet music for song Ambolena Snow. The front cover of sheet music features an image of a caricatured African American woman in a green dress with a salmon jacket and hat. The woman is holding an umbrella in her proper left hand. Red and black type surrounds her and reads: [AN / AFRO-AMERICAN / MILITARY / BALLAD / BY / BODINE AND MAYWOOD / AUTHORS / OF / "MOLLY ON / THE / TROLLY" / PUBLISHED BY / PERMISSION OF / THE S BRAINARD'S SONS CO / CHICAGO. / COPYRIGHT / SECURED / IN / ENGLAND / SUP- / PLE- / MENT. / TO THE / SAN FRANCISCO / EXAMINER / SUNDAY / DEC. / 5 / 1897. / ALL / RIGHTS / RESERVED]. Underneath the woman a signature in black in reads: [KEANE]. The inside has two pages of musical bars and notes in black ink for the song Ambolena Snow. The credits under the title in black in read: [Words by Lester Bodine / Music by GEO. Maywood]. The song’s musical bars continue on the back cover.

Topic

African American

Band (Music)

Caricature and cartoons

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Sylvia Alden Roberts

Object number

2014.275.6

Restrictions & Rights

Public Domain

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Classification

Documents and Published Materials-Sheet music

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Composed by

Johnson, Lee

Published by

Lee, Johnson & Co., American

Owned by

Sugg, Mary Elizabeth, American, 1839 - 1915

McDonald, Vernon Sugg, American, 1906 - 1982

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 14 1/16 × 10 7/8 in. (35.7 × 27.6 cm)

Type

sheet music

Place collected

Sonora, Tuolumne County, California, United States, North and Central America

Place printed

San Francisco, California, United States, North and Central America

Date

ca. 1900

Description

Sheet music for the song Your Money's No Good. The cover is black and white with black type set against a white background. There is a black and white photograph of a man in blackface in proper left of the cover. Next to the photograph, in the center of the cover, there is an illustration of a caricatured African American in clothing adorned with dollar symbols, who is standing next to a woman in a dress saying "No No!" several times. The black type at the top of the cover reads: [YOUR MONEY'S / NO GOOD ]. Below the photograph, black type reads: [WORDS AND MUSIC / BY / LEE JOHNSON / COMPOSER OF / "MA ANGELINE" "MY HONOLULU LADY" / "THE BELLE OF HONOLULU" "MA CAROLINE" ETC / AND / J. Dewey]. Underneath the illustrations, black type reads: [A / COONTOWN / DISAGREEMENT]. There is a publisher’s logo at the bottom of the cover that reads: [Published / By / Lee, Johnson & Co. / 41 Geary St. / San Francisco CA.]. The number 5 is next to the logo. There are dollar signs around the edges of the cover. The back side of the cover has sheet music on it in black ink.

Topic

African American

Caricature and cartoons

Minstrel (Music)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Sylvia Alden Roberts

Object number

2014.275.7

Restrictions & Rights

Public Domain

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Classification

Documents and Published Materials-Sheet music

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Composed by

O'Brien, Charles Sydney

Written by

Johnson, Lee

Published by

The Zeno Mauvais Music Company, American, 1877 - 1906

Owned by

McDonald, Vernon Sugg, American, 1906 - 1982

Sugg, Mary Elizabeth, American, 1839 - 1915

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 14 × 10 5/8 in. (35.6 × 27 cm)

Type

sheet music

Place collected

Sonora, Tuolumne County, California, United States, North and Central America

Place printed

San Francisco, California, United States, North and Central America

Date

1895

Description

Sheet music for the song Ma Angeline. The front cover of the sheet music features a black and white photograph of a man in blackface. An image of the man not in makeup appears in bottom left corner. Red type on top portion of front cover reads: [Respectfully Dedicated to Mr. Carroll Johnson. / Ma / ANGELINE]. Type along proper left edge of front cover reads: [GREATEST / COON SONG / Of the Age / BY / Charles / Sydney / O'Brien / Authur [sic] of / "De Ole Black Coon" / "De Happy Virginny Darkey" / Arranged By / Lee Johnson / Authur [sic] of / THE POPULAR / "NEW / BULLY."]. Type directly below photograph of man in blackface reads: [Published by / THE ZENO MAUVAIS MUSIC COMPANY, / 769 Market Street, San Francisco. / Copyright, 1896, by THE ZENO MAUVAIS MUSIC COMPANY.]. Type along proper right side of the cover reads: [Sung / with / Electric Success / by / Carroll Johnson / KING OF / Singing Comedians].The bottom corners of the cover have text that reads: [4 / Schottische / 4 / Song]. There is handwriting, in pencil, on the top of the cover that reads: [Mr. Earnest Sugg / Comp. of D.W.M. / March. 22. 96.]. Handwriting on the bottom of the cover, in black ink, reads: [Yours in Color / Carroll Johnson]. The interior of the sheet music contains four pages of music bars and notes in black ink. The back cover has several other short songs.

Topic

African American

Minstrel (Music)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Sylvia Alden Roberts

Object number

2014.275.9

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

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Classification

Documents and Published Materials-Sheet music

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Composed by

Williams, Bert, American, 1874 - 1922

Subject of

George Walker, American, 1873 - 1911

Written by

Furber, Edward

Published by

Jos. W. Stern & Co., American

Owned by

McDonald, Vernon Sugg, American, 1906 - 1982

Sugg, Mary Elizabeth, American, 1839 - 1915

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 14 × 11 in. (35.6 × 27.9 cm)

Type

sheet music

Place collected

Sonora, Tuolumne County, California, United States, North and Central America

Place printed

New York City, New York County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1898

Description

Sheet music for the song He's Up Against The Real Thing Now. The front cover features three photographs. The photograph on left side of cover depicts an African American man in a suit with white type at bottom of the photograph that reads: [Williams]. The photograph on right side depicts an African American man in a suit with white type at bottom of photograph that reads: [Walker]. The photograph in the center features the two men in the other photographs dressed in costume, Walker is in blackface and Williams has an exaggerated collar. A plant-like design, in green ink, surrounds the photographs. Red type on front cover reads: [WILLIAMS AND WALKER'S Latest Comic Coon Craze / HE'S UP AGAINST / THE REAL THING NOW / WORDS BY / Edward Furber / MUSIC BY BERT A. WILLIAMS]. Underneath the photographs a text block contains a logo for Jos. W. Stern & Co. On the bottom of the cover there is an ink stamp that reads: [The Model, / Music Store / Washington St. Sonora, Cal.]. The interior of the sheet music contains five pages of music bars and notes in black ink. The music is for several songs. The back cover contains additional songs in red ink.

Topic

African American

Minstrel (Music)

Vaudeville

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Sylvia Alden Roberts

Object number

2014.275.15

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

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Classification

Documents and Published Materials-Sheet music

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Subject of

Jolson, Al, American, died 1950

Composed by

Mitchell, Sidney D., American, 1888 - 1942

Gottler, Archie, American, 1896 - 1959

Meyer, George W., American, 1884 - 1959

Published by

M. Witmark & Sons, American, 1886 - 1929

Owned by

McDonald, Vernon Sugg, American, 1906 - 1982

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 11 7/8 × 1/16 in. (30.2 × 0.2 cm)

Type

sheet music

Place collected

Sugg McDonald House, Sonora, California, United States, North and Central America

Place printed

New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1930

Description

Sheet music for the song "Little Sunshine" from the film Big Boy starring Al Jolson. The front cover of sheet music features a large black and white photo of Al Jolson's face in blackface set against an orange background. Black type on top portion of the cover reads: [LITTLE SUNSHINE / WARNER BROS. PRESENT / AL JOLSON / IN / "BIG BOY"]. Type near bottom right corner of the cover reads: [WORDS & MUSIC BY / SIDNEY MITCHELL / ARCHIE GOTTLER / AND / GEO. W. MEYER]. Underneath, is the publisher’s information which reads: [M. WITMARK & SONS / NEW YORK / MADE IN U S A]. Type in bottom left corner reads: [TOMORROW / IS ANOTHER DAY / LITTLE / SUNSHINE / LIZA / LEE / HOORAY FOR / BABY AND ME / WITH BANJO, UKULELE / GUITAR & MANDOLA / ACCOMPANIMENT.]. [Vernon Mcd. / 404] is handwritten, in pencil, at the top of the cover. The interior of the front cover has an additional song in black ink. The interior of the sheet music contains three pages of sheet music, in black ink, for Big Boy. The back cover has a black and white photograph of Dorothy Mackaill and a few bars of music.

Topic

African American

Actors

Blackface

Minstrel (Music)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Sylvia Alden Roberts

Object number

2014.275.16

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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Classification

Documents and Published Materials-Sheet music

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Composed by

Jones, Irving

Subject of

Wilson, George R.

Published by

Jos. W. Stern & Co., American

Owned by

McDonald, Vernon Sugg, American, 1906 - 1982

Sugg, Mary Elizabeth, American, 1839 - 1915

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 14 × 10 7/8 in. (35.6 × 27.6 cm)

Type

sheet music

Place collected

Sonora, Tuolumne County, California, United States, North and Central America

Place printed

New York City, New York County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1897

Description

Sheet music for the song Take Your Clothes and Go. The front cover features a black and white image of a woman pointing at a suitcase full of clothes while a man looks at her. The black and blue type on the front cover is set against a white and blue background and reads: [A GENUINE RAG TIME COON ODDITY / TAKE YOUR / CLOTHES AND GO / SUNG WITH / UNBOUNDED / SUCCESS BY / GEO. WILSON OF / PRIMROSE AND WEST'S / MINSTRELS / LEW / DOCHSTADER / IRVING JONES / BILLY FARREL / JOHNSON AND DEAN / AND / OTHER WELLKNOWN / VOCALISTS / WORDS AND MUSIC BY / IRVING / JONES / 5 / LEAVE THIS HOUSE WHEN YOU GET YOUR TRUNK PACKED. / PUBLISHED BY JOS. W. STERN & CO / 45 EAST 20th ST / NEW YORK / FRANK DEAN & CO., 31 Castle St. Oxford St., W., London.]. The interior of the front cover has sheet music for several short songs. The interior of the sheet music contains five pages of musical bars and notes in black ink for the song Take Your Clothes and Go. The back cover has additional sheet music for several more short songs.

Topic

African American

Minstrel (Music)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Sylvia Alden Roberts

Object number

2014.275.10

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

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Classification

Documents and Published Materials-Sheet music

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Subject of

Hall, Artie

Composed by

Gumble, Albert, 1883 - 1946

Published by

Jerome H. Remick & Company, American

Owned by

McDonald, Vernon Sugg, American, 1906 - 1982

Sugg, Mary Elizabeth, American, 1839 - 1915

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 13 3/8 × 10 5/8 in. (34 × 27 cm)

Type

sheet music

Place collected

Sonora, Tuolumne County, California, United States, North and Central America

Place printed

New York City, New York County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1905

Description

Sheet music for the song Jessamine. The front cover of the sheet music features an illustration of a woman at center, surrounded by a flower border. A black and white photograph of a woman in blackface appears in bottom right corner with a caption in black type that reads: [Artie Hall]. Black type on front cover reads: [JESSAMINE / SONG / WORDS & MUSIC / by / ALBERT GUMBLE]. The publisher’s information is at the bottom of the cover and reads: [JEROME H REMICK & CO. Successors to WHITNEY WARNER PUB. CO. NEW YORK - DETROIT]. The back side of the front cover in black ink has an advertisement and music for a shorter song titled: [“My Irish Molly O”]. The interior of the sheet music contains three pages of music bars and notes for the song Jessamine in black ink. The back cover has an advertisement for other songs the publisher has printed.

Topic

African American

Minstrel (Music)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Sylvia Alden Roberts

Object number

2014.275.18

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

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Classification

Documents and Published Materials-Sheet music

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Subject of

Williams, Bert, American, 1874 - 1922

Composed by

Muir, Lewis F., American, 1884 - 1915

Written by

Tracey, William G., American, 1893 - 1957

Published by

J. Fred Helf Company, American

Owned by

McDonald, Vernon Sugg, American, 1906 - 1982

Sugg, Mary Elizabeth, American, 1839 - 1915

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 13 1/2 × 10 3/16 in. (34.3 × 25.9 cm)

Type

sheet music

Place collected

Sonora, Tuolumne County, California, United States, North and Central America

Place printed

New York City, New York County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1910

Description

Sheet music for the song Play That Barber Shop Chord. The front cover of the sheet music features an image of a man in blackface wearing a tuxedo and top hat. The man is set against a background of music bars and notes. On the top of the front cover, red and black type reads: [PLAY THAT / BARBER SHOP CHORD]. Above and below the image of the man, black type reads: [PROMINENTLY FEATURED BY / BERT WILLIAMS / Words by / WM. TRACEY / Music by / LEWIS F. MUIR]. At the bottom of the front cover there is a logo for the publisher that reads: [J. Fred Helf Company / 136 West 37th St. N.Y. City / Successor to Helf & Hager Company]. Underneath the logo the number 6 appears in black ink. The inside cover of the sheet music contains music bars and notes printed in black in for a song titled: [Betsy Ross]. The interior of the sheet music contains three pages printed in black ink for the song Play That Barber Shop Chord. The back cover features sheet music in blue ink for a song titled: [My Love Is Greater Than The World].

Topic

African American

Minstrel (Music)

Vaudeville

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Sylvia Alden Roberts

Object number

2014.275.5

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

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Classification

Documents and Published Materials-Sheet music

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Published by

Salabert, Francis, French, 1884 - 1946

Written by

Koger, Géo, French, 1894 - 1975

Scotto, Vincent, French, 1874 - 1952

Created by

Varna, Henri, French, 1877 - 1969

Subject of

Baker, Josephine, American, 1906 - 1975

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 10 3/4 x 7 in. (27.3 x 17.8 cm)

Type

portraits

sheet music

Place depicted

Paris, Île-de-France, France, Europe

Date

1930

Description

A piece of sheet music for the song "J'ai Deux Amours," performed by Josephine Baker. A cartoon print of Baker appears on the cover. She wears a peacock tail that a spotted cat plays with.

Topic

African American

Actors

Entertainers

Jazz (Music)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2010.36.13.5

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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Classification

Documents and Published Materials-Sheet music

Exhibition

Musical Crossroads

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 053

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Recorded by

Jordan, Louis, American, 1908 - 1975

Created by

Decca Records, British, founded 1929

Unidentified

Medium

mat board with ink on paper, vinyl

Dimensions

H x W (in frame): 29 7/8 × 15 3/4 × 7/8 in. (75.9 × 40 × 2.2 cm)

H x W (sheet music): 11 9/16 × 8 13/16 in. (29.4 × 22.4 cm)

Diameter (vinyl): 9 13/16 in. (24.9 cm)

Type

sheet music

78 rpm records

Date

1944

Description

A framed piece of sheet music and vinyl record. The glass frame has a black edge and both are objects are framed in blue matting. The sheet music is positioned above the record.

2010.59.3a: The sheet music is handwritten in black ink on paper. The title reads: [Is You Is]. There are notes and text throughout the sheet music. A note at the bottom reads: [use optional ending only if repeating (B)]. There are also red pencil marks throughout the sheet.

2010.59.3b: The vinyl record is below the sheet music. The blue DECCA Records, Inc., label reads: [Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t / (Ma’ Baby) / From Universal Picture “Follow The Boys” / (Billy Austin – Louis Jordan) / Louis Jordan And His Tympany Five / 8659 B]. The label notes that the style of music is a [Fox Trot / Vocal Chorus by / Louis Jordan].

Topic

African American

Rhythm and blues (Music)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2010.59.3ab

Restrictions & Rights

© 1943, 1944 Universal Music Corp.. Permission required for use.

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Classification

Media Arts-Audio Recordings

Documents and Published Materials-Sheet music

Exhibition

Musical Crossroads

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 053

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Published by

Wm. A. Pond & Co., American, founded 1871

Created by

Braham, David, British, 1834 - 1905

Written by

Harrigan, Edward, American, 1844 - 1911

Subject of

Hart, Tony, American, 1855 - 1891

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 13 3/8 x 10 1/4 in. (34 x 26 cm)

Type

sheet music

Date

1876

Description

Sheet music with cover with title "Slavery Days Song and Chorus Sung by Harrigan & Hart" and Cover illustrated with two seated men and basket of cotton.

printed ink on paper

Topic

African American

Minstrel (Music)

Slavery

Stereotypes

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift from the Liljenquist Family Collection

Object number

2011.51.16

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

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Collection title

Liljenquist Family Collection

Classification

Slavery and Freedom Objects

Documents and Published Materials-Sheet music

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Written by

Weston, Horace, American, 1825 - 1890

Published by

S. S. Stewart, American, 1878 - 1910

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 14 3/16 x 10 7/8 in. (36 x 27.6 cm)

Type

sheet music

Place printed

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America

Date

1883

Description

Printed sheet music for "Seek No Further March" by Horace Weston.

The three page folio has a cover featuring an illustrated portrait of Weston standing with his five-string banjo. Above the illustration is the text [HORACE WESTON'S WORLD RENOWNED BANJO MUSIC] in decorative type. To the right of the portrait is a listing of Weston's songs with prices for the sheet music. The songs include [THE ROARER MARCH (for 2 Banjos)], [WESTON'S NEW SCHOTTISCHE], [ELDERBERRY CLOG HORNPIPE], and others. A blue mark has been made on [SEEK NO FURTHER MARCH]. Below the portrait and song listing is the text [PUBLISHED BY S. S. STEWART, PHILADELPHIA, PA / BANJO MANUFACTURER AND BANJO MUSIC PUBLISHER / ALSO PUBLISHER OF "THE BANJO AND GUITAR JOURNAL"].

The center of the folio contains two pages of sheet music, with the title [SEEK NO FURTHER MARCH] at the top of the left side, along with [Composed for the Banjo, By HORACE WESTON.]. At the bottom of the left page is the notice [Copyright 1883 by S.S. Stewart]. At the bottom of the right page are price listings for orchestra accompaniment and piano accompaniment.

The back page of the folio features an advertisement for [S.S. STEWART'S $125 PRESENTATION BANJO] with engraving illustrations depicting the front and back of the banjo. At the bottom of the advertisement is the text [S.S. STEWART / Nos. 221 AND 223 CHURCH STREET / PHILADELPHIA, PA].

Topic

African American

Composers (Musicians)

Instrumentalists (Musicians)

Minstrel (Music)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2012.46.67

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Documents and Published Materials-Sheet music

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Published by

Harold Rossiter Music Company, American

Subject of

Rusco & Hockwald's Famous Georgia Minstrels, American

Produced by

Hockwald, Arthur

Rusco, W. A.

Owned by

McDonald, Vernon Sugg, American, 1906 - 1982

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 13 3/4 × 10 1/4 in. (34.9 × 26 cm)

Type

sheet music

Place collected

Sonora, Tuolumne County, California, United States, North and Central America

Place printed

Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States, North and Central America

Date

1920

Description

Sheet music for songs from Rusco & Hockwald’s Famous Georgia Minstrels’. The front cover features blue and white images of W. A. Rusco [top left] and Arthur Hockwald [bottom right]. There are also two caricatured illustrations of African American men, one positioned behind the “G” in the word Georgia, and one playing the banjo next to Hockwald’s image. Red and black type on front cover reads: [NEARLY HALF A CENTURY OF SUCCESS / FORTY PEOPLE / BAND AND ORCHESTRA / RUSCO & HOCKWALD'S / FAMOUS / GEORGIA / MINSTRELS' /SONG / ALBUM / PRICE 50¢]. A text box at the bottom reads: [HAROLD ROSSITER MUSIC COMPANY / Chicago - 323-325 W. Madison St. - Illinois]. The inside of the front cover has red ink and is titled: [New Jokes by Old Jokers]. The sheet music interior has sixteen pages in black ink. The pages include music bars and notes, lists of songs, jokes, and cartoons. The back inside cover is also in red ink and is titled: [Komikal Konundrums]. The back cover in black ink reads: [WITCHES' DICTIONARY OF DREAMS].

Topic

African American

Minstrel (Music)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Sylvia Alden Roberts

Object number

2014.275.1

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Documents and Published Materials-Sheet music

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Subject of

Irwin, Flora

Composed by

Hausley, Walter

Published by

Will Rossiter Publisher, American

Owned by

McDonald, Vernon Sugg, American, 1906 - 1982

Sugg, Mary Elizabeth, American, 1839 - 1915

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 13 5/8 × 10 3/4 in. (34.6 × 27.3 cm)

Type

sheet music

Place collected

Sugg McDonald House, Sonora, Tuolumne County, California, United States, North and Central America

Place printed

Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States, North and Central America

Date

1898

Description

Sheet music for the song "That Nigger Treated Me All Right." The front cover of the sheet music features an image of a white woman in a dress. The image has a blue hue. A colorful design borders the image. Blue type on the front cover reads: [That Nigger / Treated Me All Right / AS SUNG BY / FLO IRWIN / WORDS AND MUSIC BY / Walter Hausley / AUTHOR OF / FLO I LOVE YOU SO / I'll Carve That Nigger When / We Meet ]. Underneath the image is another text box that reads: [FLO-IRWIN / MUSICAL SUPPLEMENT / TO THE / SUNDAY EXAMINER / PUBLISHED BY WILL ROSSITER CHICAGO ILL N.Y.]. The interior of the sheet music has two pages of music bars and notes, in black ink, for the song. The music bars and notes for the song continue on the back cover in blue ink. At the bottom of the music bars, the lyrics are written out.

Topic

African American

Minstrel (Music)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Sylvia Alden Roberts

Object number

2014.275.17

Restrictions & Rights

Public Domain

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Documents and Published Materials-Sheet music

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Composed by

Breuer, Ernest, 1886 - 1981

Written by

Walsh, J. Brandon, American, 1882 - 1955

Subject of

Tucker, Sophie

Published by

Will Rossiter Publisher, American

Owned by

McDonald, Vernon Sugg, American, 1906 - 1982

Sugg, Mary Elizabeth, American, 1839 - 1915

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 13 7/8 × 10 7/16 in. (35.2 × 26.5 cm)

Type

sheet music

Place collected

Sonora, Tuolumne County, California, United States, North and Central America

Place printed

Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States, North and Central America

Date

1914

Description

Sheet music for the song When The War Breaks Out In Mexico I'm Going To Go To Montreal. The front cover features an illustration of a caricatured African American man running and following a sign for Montreal. To the left of the illustration there is a black and white photograph of Sophie Tucker. Blue type on top portion of front cover reads: [Written for laughing purposes only! / WHEN THE WAR BREAKS OUT IN MEXICO / I'M GOING TO GO TO MONTREAL / WORDS BY / J. BRANDON WALSH / MUSIC BY / ERNEST BREUER / WRITERS OF / "MOTHER GOOSE'S TANGO BALL" / "THE IRISH TANGO." ETC / Published for / BAND and ORCHESTRA]. The publisher’s logo in the bottom right of the cover reads: [Will Rossiter / The Chicago Publisher / 136 W. Lake St. Chicago, Ill. / Copyright MCMXIV By Will Rossiter]. There is a signature in the bottom left hidden in the illustration that reads [STARMER]. The interior of the sheet music consist of four pages of music bars and notes, in black print, for the song. The back cover features advertisements for additional songs in blue print.

Topic

African American

Caricature and cartoons

Minstrel (Music)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Sylvia Alden Roberts

Object number

2014.275.20

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Documents and Published Materials-Sheet music

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture