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1805-Dated Edition, Illustrated, Leather Oblong Edition Hardcover Songbook

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:1,200.00 - 1,800.00 USD
1805-Dated Edition, Illustrated, Leather Oblong Edition Hardcover Songbook
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Federal Period
1805 SACRED Harmony PATRIOTIC Anthems HYMNS New England Songbook Includes: “Bunker Hill” & “Washington”
1805-Dated Federal Period Edition, Illustrated Songbook titled, “The Easy instructor, or, A new method of teaching sacred harmony... Little, William. Smith, William. Albany (N.Y.), Printed by Charles R. & George Webster and Daniel Steele and Sold at Websters Bookstore, 1805.” Fine.
This rare Early American Imprint is Leather Hardcovered, Oblong Edition, “shaped-note” Songbook, is considered to be one of the first published. Full title reads: “The Easy instructor, or, A new method of teaching sacred harmony : containing the rudiments of music on an improved plan, wherein the naming and timing of the notes are familiarized to the weakest capacity : with a choice collection of psalm tunes and anthems, from the most celebrated authors, with a number composed in Europe and America entirely new, suited to all metres sung in the different churches in the United States - Little, William. Smith, William. Albany (N.Y.): Printed by Charles R. & George Webster and Daniel Steele and sold at Websters Bookstore, 1805.” This Oblong Edition measures 5.25" x 9.25".

This is a very rare early “Shaped-Note” Songbook, considered to be one of the first, and an early American imprint. The first edition was apparently published in 1798. Shape notes are a music notation designed to facilitate congregational and community singing. The notation, introduced in 1801, became a popular teaching device in American singing schools. Shapes were added to the note heads in written music to help singers find pitches within major and minor scales without the use of more complex information found in key signatures on the staff. Shape notes of various kinds have been used for over two centuries in a variety of music traditions, mostly sacred but also secular, originating in New England. "The Easy Instructor" was one of a number of tune books published between 1770 and 1850 as teachers followed migration to the South and Northwest. With many named after New Engl; and locations and Revolutionary War sites, the Hymns and anthems include: VIRGINIA, SARDINIA, MARTYRS, MONTAGUE, WALPOLE, HAVERHILL, BUNKER HILL, and much more.

Paginates as follows: PREFACE, pages 8-108, only lacking page 15-16; Wooden boards with blue paper covers, and leather backstrip. The Boards, both front and back are chipped at the corners and edges and blue paper covering is only partially in place. The hinges still holding but slightly cracked from actual use. Interior has overall even tone and scattered foxing throughout. This is an historically important, original Early American Patriotic Songbook. One of the Earliest Known Editions of this important musical book!