This collection contains sheet music themed in support of the Confederacy. Many pieces were printed within the Confederate States of America during the Civil War (1861-1865). It also contains one Confederate bond and early twentieth century facsimiles of Confederate broadsides from the Chicago Historical Society.
Scope and Contents:
Originally titled the Edward M. Cramer Confederate Sheet Music Collection in honor of Cramer, president of the music rights organization BMI from 1968-1987, this collection contains sheet music produced within the Confederate States of America, before and after the Civil War.
Series 1, Sheet Music, 1860-1868, undated, contains single sheet songs arranged alphabetically by title as well as compilations. The compilations are filed alphabetically under the song title most identified with the Confederacy. For instance, the reel "Molly Gardner" is in a collection of reels entitled Jerdon's Reels but found under the title "Molly Gardner".
Series 2, Ephemera, 1863, undated, contains one Confederate States bond and twentieth century facsimiles from the Chicago Historical Society of a variety of Confederate broadsides.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged into two series.
Series 1, Sheet Music, 1860-1868, undated
Series 2, Ephemera, 1863, undated
Biographical / Historical:
During the American Civil War (1861-1865), the South used music as propaganda and inspiration to both the Confederate forces and the civilian population. After the war the music conjured up memories of the "Lost Cause" and those unfortunate soldiers who did not return home. Subject matter for songs was wide-ranging and drew from both domestic and military themes. Even though cut off from the music publishing houses of the northern states, the South was very active in publishing music within the boundaries of the Confederacy. Nashville and Memphis, Tennessee were reported to be the most active publishing centers, with the cities of Augusta, Georgia; Columbia, South Carolina; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Mobile, Alabama also publishing sheet music. Much of this music was published on inferior grades of paper, and even though the cover engraving tended to be excellent at the beginning of the war, by war's end the covers were fairly plain and devoid of color or elaborate decoration.
Related Materials:
Materials in the Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Sam DeVincent Collection of Illustrated American Sheet Music, 1790-1980s (AC0300)
Provenance:
This collection was donated by Broadcast Music, Incorporated (BMI), 2011.
Restrictions:
This collection is open for research use.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
