The Immensely Popular End Song, In the Morning by the Bright Light, as performed by Harrigan & Hart, words and music by James A. Bland
Boston: John F. Perry, C. 1879. First or early printing (it was also printed in NY the same year), 14 inches tall, 6 pp. including covers, with two woodcut illustrations, on the front wrap, and the verso of the front wrap, illustrating an ad for 'Carry Me Back to Old Virginny.' Very good, light wear and soil, faint ink stamp of a Pittsburgh music dealer. Bland (1854-1911) was one of the greatest and most popular of the African-American composers of the 19th century who made full use of their own heritage. He wrote over 700 songs, some of which have entered the mainstream of American folk music. Very RARE, few copies in institutions; 3 pieces of Bland's sheet music including this sold for a total of $2750 at Swann in 2017. The woodcuts are so extreme in their caricatures that they remind one of Jose Posada's Mexican illustrations. Very Good. Item #H6461
Price: $350.00