Brooklyn sheet music collection
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Abstract
The Brooklyn sheet music collection contains several pieces of sheet music published in Brooklyn and, to a lesser extent, New York City, by various composers, arrangers, and lyricists during the period circa 1830 to 1930.
Historical Note
Prior to the late 19th century, music publishing in America was dispersed throughout various urban centers, particularly Boston and Philadelphia. In the 1890s, when Charles K. Harris's song "After the Ball" sold nearly five million copies, the music publishing industry began to develop and centralize in the New York City area, especially in Tin Pan Alley, a district in Manhattan heavily populated by composers and music publishers. Originally located at Broadway and 14th Street, Tin Pan Alley underwent several relocations, ultimately centering near Broadway and 49th Street, though the actual music district stretched from 42nd to 56th Streets.
Source:
- Jasen, David A., and Nicholas E. Tawa. "Tin Pan Alley," in The Encyclopedia of New York City, ed. Kenneth T. Jackson (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press; New York: New York Historical Society, c1995), 1187-1188.
Scope and Contents
The Brooklyn sheet music collection contains several pieces of sheet music published in Brooklyn and, to a lesser extent, New York City, by various composers, arrangers, and lyricists during the period circa 1830 to 1930. The majority of the sheet music is comprised of individual publications, though a smaller portion is compiled in two bound volumes that were formerly the property of Brooklyn resident Catharine Vanderveer. A wide range of musical forms are represented in the collection, including waltzes, polkas, military marches, parade marches, religious hymns, popular songs, and other forms based upon or inspired by various musical traditions around the world. Though the majority of the song titles and lyrics are in English, some are written in French, German, Hebrew, and Italian. An inventory of the contents of Boxes 1 through 5 is contained in Box 1, while a printed card index of the contents of the collection's remaining boxes is contained in Box 10.
Subjects
Topics
Conditions Governing Access
Open to researchers without restriction.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright restrictions may apply. Please consult library staff for more information.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date (if known); Brooklyn sheet music collection, ARC.226, Box and Folder number; Brooklyn Historical Society.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Volumes belonging to Catharine Vanderveer in accession 1985.007 were the gift of Edward V. Ditmars, date unknown. Sources and dates of acquisition for the remaining items in accessions 1985.007 and 1988.015 are unknown.
About this Guide
Processing Information
Minimally processed to the collection level.
The collection combines the accessions 1985.007 and 1988.015.
Sponsor Note
Note Statement
Repository
Container
This finding aid does not include an online listing of contents.
To learn about viewing this collection in person, please contact cbhreference@bklynlibrary.org.
