The Princeton Grand March.
Philadelphia: Osbourn's Music Saloon, [1840? ]. 13½” x 10 3/8”. Disbound. Pp. [3]. Very good: disbound, lightly toned, penciled annotations throughout.
This is a rare piece of sheet music from an exceptionally important African American composer and bandleader, Francis Johnson. According to Eileen Southern in The Music of Black Americans (W.W. Norton & Company, 1983):
“Johnson was indeed a celebrity for all times! During his short career he accumulated an amazing number of 'firsts' as a black musician: first to win wide acclaim in the nation and in England; first to publish sheet music (as early as 1818); first to develop a 'school' of black musicians; first to give formal band concerts; first to tour widely in the nation; and first to appear in integrated concerts with white musicians. His list of acheivements also included 'firsts,' as an American, black or white: he was the first to take a musical ensemble abroad to perform in Europe and the first to introduce the promenade concert to the United States.”
Southern also said Johnson was “a prolific composer and arranger, his output of more than 200 compositions included cotillions, quadrilles, quick-steps and other marches, stylized dances, sentimental ballads, patriotic songs, arrangements of operatic aires, and even Ethiopian minstrel songs.” This particular march was dedicated to recent graduates of Princeton University. While there is no publication date, one source listed its issuance as 1840 and that it was first performed at the Annual Commencement Ball of the College of New Jersey, at Nassau Hall Hotel, Princeton.
OCLC locates two copies over two entries. Very good. Item #8229
Price: $2,350.00