Early Sheet Music Collection

Collection

Identifier: SC-SheetMusic

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Early Sheet Music collection is a collection of printed sheet music published circa 1850-1950. It is comprised of 2 parts: the loose, foldered items, and the bound volumes. The "La Hache" series materials are compositions produced or collected by Theodore von La Hache. His work also comprises a major portion of the bound volumes. Five of the thicker volumes are taken up with works by La Hache as are a number of individually bound items. Other "thicker" volumes are devoted to piano music, guitar music, and music in general; two of them appear to have been compiled by individual collectors. Among the 200 or so individually bound titles are items produced by Louis Moreau Gottschalk, the DeDroit Brothers, Basile Bares, and other local musicians. The bound volumes have not yet been inventoried.

Dates

Publication: 1861 - 1953

Creator

La Hache, Théod. von (Théodor), 1822-1869 (Person)
Gottschalk, Louis Moreau, 1829-1869 (Person)
Bares, Basile (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Available to registered researchers by appointment.

Requesting Materials

Materials Request Guidelines

Conditions Governing Use

Reproduction or use of materials is prohibited without the permission of the City Archives & Special Collections. Please review the Archives' Permission to Publish note.

Biographical / Historical

Theodore von La Hache was a local music teacher, composer, and organist who wrote piano and sacred music.

Extent

13 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

The Early Sheet Music collection is comprised of 2 parts, the loose items and the bound volumes. The loose items filed in individual folders are arranged in six series:

New Orleans Early (ca. 250 items) New Orleans (ca. 25 items) Early (ca. 25 items) Southern (ca. 125 items) American (ca. 200 items) La Hache (ca. 50 items)

The items in this portion of the collection are arranged within each series in alphabetical order by name of composer/arranger. Songs categorized in the "New Orleans Early" and "Early" series were published in the 1800s. Some songs by different composers were published together, in which case there is a note about them being filed under a different composer.

Custodial History

Portions of the Library's Sheet Music Collection were transferred to City Archives and Special Collections when the old Art and Music Division was reestablished as the Periodicals, Arts, and Recreation Division.

Processing Information

Titles and descriptions are derived or transcribed from printed text as it appears on the music. Many songs contain outdated terms or information and some include offensive language, depictions, and racist terminology; these have been retained to record historical context and do not reflect the attitude of the City Archives. For details regarding language, please review the City Archives and Special Collection’s Statement on archival content and description. Series in folders were digitally indexed by volunteer Linda Angelocci based off of physical card index.