Music & Musical Instruments

The Museum's music collections contain more than 5,000 instruments of American and European heritage. These include a quartet of 18th-century Stradivari stringed instruments, Tito Puente's autographed timbales, and the Yellow Cloud guitar that belonged to Prince, to name only a few. Music collections also include jukeboxes and synthesizers, square-dancing outfits and sheet music, archival materials, oral histories, and recordings of performances at the museum. The vast Sam DeVincent Collection of Illustrated Sheet Music is a remarkable window into the American past in words, music, and visual imagery. The Duke Ellington and Ruth Ellington Boatwright collections contain handwritten music compositions, sound recordings, business records, and other materials documenting the career of this renowned musician. In various ways, our collections find expression in performances of the Smithsonian Chamber Players, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, and in other public programs.

This sheet music is for the song “Hail, Hail, the Gang’s All Here (What the - Deuce - Do We Care),” with lyrics by D. A. Esrom [Theodora Morse] and music by Theodore Morse and Arthur Sullivan. It was published by Leo Feist, Inc. in New York, New York in 1917.
Description

This sheet music is for the song “Hail, Hail, the Gang’s All Here (What the - Deuce - Do We Care),” with lyrics by D. A. Esrom [Theodora Morse] and music by Theodore Morse and Arthur Sullivan. It was published by Leo Feist, Inc. in New York, New York in 1917. The original tune was written by Arthur Sullivan for the comic opera The Pirates of Penzance.

The cover art for this sheet music was made by Rosenbaum Studios. The firm was founded by Morris Rosenbaum (1886-1953) in the early 1910s. There were several artists working for Rosenbaum Studios throughout the firm’s 27 years in operation. Variations of a rosebud/RS symbol were used to sign the artwork. Morris Rosenbaum was commissioned to create the logo for the newly formed film company MGM (Metro Goldwyn Mayer) in 1924.

Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1917
publisher
Leo Feist Inc.
ID Number
1985.0403.05
accession number
1985.0403
catalog number
1985.0403.05
This cornet was made by the Buescher Band Instrument Co. in Elkhart, Indiana in 1912. It is a B-flat/A cornet, serial #15133, made of silver plated brass, and has 3 Périnet piston valves and a quick change slide.
Description

This cornet was made by the Buescher Band Instrument Co. in Elkhart, Indiana in 1912. It is a B-flat/A cornet, serial #15133, made of silver plated brass, and has 3 Périnet piston valves and a quick change slide. This cornet is accessioned with a period wooden case covered with black leatherette and lined with green plush. The cornet is engraved:

THE
Buescher
ELKHART
-IND.-

Ferdinand August “Gus” Buescher (1861-1937) began his career making instruments with the C.G. Conn Company in 1876. In late 1894, Buescher started his firm, in partnership with clothing merchant John L. Collins and salesman Harry L. Long, and formed the Buescher Manufacturing Company in Elkhart. By 1904, the company name was changed to the Buescher Band Instrument Company.

In 1916, Buescher sold a major share of the company and remained with the company until his resignation in 1929.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1912
maker
Buescher Band Instrument Co.
ID Number
1985.0017.09
accession number
1985.0017
catalog number
1985.0017.09
This sheet music is for the song “Oh! How I Hate to Get Up in The Morning,” by Irving Berlin. It was published by Waterson, Berlin and Snyder Co. in New York, New York in 1918.
Description
This sheet music is for the song “Oh! How I Hate to Get Up in The Morning,” by Irving Berlin. It was published by Waterson, Berlin and Snyder Co. in New York, New York in 1918. The cover features an image of a WWI soldier and an inset of American comedian, singer, dancer, actor, and song writer Eddie Cantor, who performed this song in Ziegfeld Follies on Broadway.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1918
publisher
Waterson, Berlin & Snyder Co.
ID Number
1985.0392.12
accession number
1985.0392
catalog number
1985.0392.12
This sheet music is for the song “Little Girls, Good Bye,” with lyrics by William LeBaron and music by Fritz Kreisler and Victor Jacobi. It was published by T. B. Harms and Francis, Day & Hunter in New York, New York in 1919.
Description
This sheet music is for the song “Little Girls, Good Bye,” with lyrics by William LeBaron and music by Fritz Kreisler and Victor Jacobi. It was published by T. B. Harms and Francis, Day & Hunter in New York, New York in 1919. This song was featured in the Broadway operetta Apple Blossoms, with book and lyrics by William LeBaron and music by Fritz Kreisler and Victor Jacobi. Apple Blossoms opened at the Globe Theatre on October 17, 1919 and ran for 256 performances.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1919
composer
Kreisler, Fritz
publisher
T. B. Harms and Francis, Day & Hunter
ID Number
1983.0694.11
accession number
1983.0694
catalog number
1983.0694.11
1983.0694.10
This sheet music is for the song “Dancing Around,” with words by Joe McCarthy and music by James V. Monaco. It was published by Broadway Music Corporation in New York, New York, in 1913.Currently not on view
Description
This sheet music is for the song “Dancing Around,” with words by Joe McCarthy and music by James V. Monaco. It was published by Broadway Music Corporation in New York, New York, in 1913.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1913
publisher
Broadway Music Corporation
ID Number
1983.0830.28
accession number
1983.0830
catalog number
1983.0830.28
This sheet music is for the song “Three Wonderful Letters from Home.” with words by Joe Goodwin and Ballard MacDonald and music by James F. Hanley. It was published by Shapiro, Bernstein & Co. in New York, New York in 1918.
Description

This sheet music is for the song “Three Wonderful Letters from Home.” with words by Joe Goodwin and Ballard MacDonald and music by James F. Hanley. It was published by Shapiro, Bernstein & Co. in New York, New York in 1918. The cover of this popular World War I song depicts a mother, wife, and daughter writing letters with marching troops and a plane, ship, and tank in the background.

The cover art for this sheet music was made by American artist and designer Albert Wilfred Barbelle (1887-1957). With a prolific career spanning over forty years, Barbelle created numerous works of cover art for sheet music and albums.

Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1918
publisher
Shapiro, Bernstein & Co., Inc.
ID Number
1985.0808.13
accession number
1985.0808
catalog number
1985.0808.13
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1919
unspecified
National Park Service
associated person
Edison, Thomas Alva
ID Number
MI.73.03.02
catalog number
73.03.02
accession number
301353
catalog number
73.03B
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1919
transfer
Thomas Edison National Historical Park
ID Number
MI.73.03.01
catalog number
73.03.01
accession number
301353
catalog number
73.03A
This sheet music for the song "Talk About Eyes!" was written by Bobby Heath and composed by Gus Benkhart. The music was published by Thomas J. Kennedy of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1910.
Description
This sheet music for the song "Talk About Eyes!" was written by Bobby Heath and composed by Gus Benkhart. The music was published by Thomas J. Kennedy of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1910. The cover features an illustration of a girl's face with a very flirty look, and a flower design on the right.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1910
publisher
Kennedy, Thomas
ID Number
1982.0439.04
catalog number
1982.0439.04
accession number
1982.0439
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1914
depicted (sitter)
Tucker, Sophie
maker
Jerome H. Remick & Co.
ID Number
2017.3021.317
nonaccession number
2017.3021
catalog number
2017.3021.317
This sheet music is for the song “The Vamp,” a novelty foxtrot composed by Byron Gay. The sheet music was published by Leo Feist Inc. of New York City in 1919. The cover is a portrait illustration of a young woman, with a large flower in her hair.
Description (Brief)
This sheet music is for the song “The Vamp,” a novelty foxtrot composed by Byron Gay. The sheet music was published by Leo Feist Inc. of New York City in 1919. The cover is a portrait illustration of a young woman, with a large flower in her hair. The illustration is signed by Henry Hutt. The song was a lively tune with lyrics describing new steps to a dance called “the Vamp.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1919
composer
Gay, Byron
publisher
Leo Feist, Inc.
ID Number
1983.0424.100
accession number
1983.0424
catalog number
1983.0424.100
This snare drum was made by Walberg & Auge in Worcester, Massachusetts, around 1903-1910. It has a stained wood shell and skin heads. The hoops are made of wood and have 14 sets of metal hooks for rope which is laced through leather ears, used to tighten the hoops.
Description (Brief)

This snare drum was made by Walberg & Auge in Worcester, Massachusetts, around 1903-1910. It has a stained wood shell and skin heads. The hoops are made of wood and have 14 sets of metal hooks for rope which is laced through leather ears, used to tighten the hoops. The drum has a metal screw device to activate the gut snares.

There is a cast metal plate on the top hoop that is marked:

WALBERG & AUGE
W AND A
WORCESTER, MASS. USA

This drum was used by William T. Armstrong (1879-1965), orchestra leader and musician in vaudeville and silent film theaters. Armstrong grew up in South River, New Jersey and began playing drums at the age of 14. He continued his musical career through the mid-1910s, after which, Armstrong began work in banking and finance. This artifact is part of a collection of drums, sound effect instruments, and other percussion instruments used by Armstrong.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1903-1910
ID Number
1984.0335.03
accession number
1984.0335
catalog number
1984.0335.03
This sheet music is for the song, “They’re All Good American Names,” with words by William Jerome and music by Jean Schwartz. It was published by Jerome H. Remick and Co. in New York, New York in 1911.
Description
This sheet music is for the song, “They’re All Good American Names,” with words by William Jerome and music by Jean Schwartz. It was published by Jerome H. Remick and Co. in New York, New York in 1911. There is an inset image of Jerome and Schwartz on the cover.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1911
publisher
Jerome H. Remick & Co.
ID Number
1988.0538.17
accession number
1988.0538
catalog number
1988.0538.17
This snare drum was made by Duplex Manufacturing Co. in St. Louis, Missouri, around 1897-1910. It has a stained wood shell with skin heads. The hoops are made of wood and have 20 sets of tensioning rods attached with screws on the inside of the hoops.
Description (Brief)

This snare drum was made by Duplex Manufacturing Co. in St. Louis, Missouri, around 1897-1910. It has a stained wood shell with skin heads. The hoops are made of wood and have 20 sets of tensioning rods attached with screws on the inside of the hoops. The drum has a metal screw device to active the gut snares. There is a cast metal label on the top hoop that is inscribed:

DUPLEX DRUM
MADE BY
THE DUPLEX
MFG. CO.

(and a metal badge around the vent hole that is cast):

DUPLEX
PAT. 83-87-97

There are three United States patents associated with this drum:

U.S. Patent #274900 – “New and Improved Tension-Rod for Drum Heads,” Emile Boulanger, April 3, 1883

U.S. Patent #371415 – “Drum,” Emile Boulanger, October 11, 1887

U.S. Patent #578198 – “Drum Construction,” Emile Boulanger, March 2, 1897

This drum was used by William T. Armstrong (1879-1965), orchestra leader and musician in vaudeville and silent film theaters. Armstrong grew up in South River, New Jersey and began playing drums at the age of 14. He continued his musical career through the mid-1910s, after which, Armstrong began work in banking and finance. This artifact is part of a collection of drums, sound effect instruments, and other percussion instruments used by Armstrong.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1897-1910
ID Number
1984.0335.04
accession number
1984.0335
catalog number
1984.0335.04
patent number
274900
371415
578198
This glockenspiel, also known as school bells, was made in the United States, around 1900 to 1910. It is made of 30 metal bells, two and a half octaves, with a wood frame. his set of school bells was used by William T.
Description

This glockenspiel, also known as school bells, was made in the United States, around 1900 to 1910. It is made of 30 metal bells, two and a half octaves, with a wood frame.

his set of school bells was used by William T. Armstrong (1879-1965), orchestra leader and musician in vaudeville and silent film theaters. Armstrong grew up in South River, New Jersey and began playing drums at the age of 14. He continued his musical career through the mid-1910s, after which, Armstrong began work in banking and finance. This artifact is part of a collection of drums, sound effect instruments, and other percussion instruments used by Armstrong.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1900-1910
ID Number
1984.0335.25
catalog number
1984.0335.25
accession number
1984.0335
This sheet music is for the song “Saint Louis Blues,” with words and music by W. C. Handy. It was published by Handy Brothers Music Co., Inc. in New York, New York in 1914.Currently not on view
Description
This sheet music is for the song “Saint Louis Blues,” with words and music by W. C. Handy. It was published by Handy Brothers Music Co., Inc. in New York, New York in 1914.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1914
publisher
Handy Brothers Music Co. Inc.
ID Number
1984.0023.13
accession number
1984.0023
catalog number
1984.0023.13
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1913
lyricist
Burris, Jim
composer
Smith, Chris
depicted (sitter)
Brian, Donald
ID Number
2017.3021.242
nonaccession number
2017.3021
catalog number
2017.3021.242
This sheet music is for the song “K-K-K-Katy,” by Geoffrey O’Hara. It was published by Leo Feist, Inc. in New York, New York in 1918.Currently not on view
Description

This sheet music is for the song “K-K-K-Katy,” by Geoffrey O’Hara. It was published by Leo Feist, Inc. in New York, New York in 1918.

Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1918
publisher
Leo Feist Inc.
ID Number
1985.0238.02
accession number
1985.0238
catalog number
1985.0238.02
This sheet music is for the song “12th Street Rag ,” by Euday L. Bowman. It was published by J.W. Jenkin’s Sons Music Co. in Kansas City, Missouri in 1919.Currently not on view
Description
This sheet music is for the song “12th Street Rag ,” by Euday L. Bowman. It was published by J.W. Jenkin’s Sons Music Co. in Kansas City, Missouri in 1919.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1919
publisher
J. W. Jenkin's Sons Music Co.
ID Number
1985.0393.18
accession number
1985.0393
catalog number
1985.0393.18
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1912
depicted (sitter)
Deslys, Gaby
lyricist
Oppenheim, Dave
depicted (sitter)
Pilcer, Harry
lyricist
Oppenheim, Dave
maker
Shapiro Music Publisher
ID Number
2018.3010.219
nonaccession number
2018.3010
catalog number
2018.3010.219
This sheet music is for the song “So Long, Mother,” with lyrics by Raymond Egan and Gus Kahn and music by Egbert Van Alstyne. It was published by Jerome H. Remick and Company of New York and Detroit in 1917.
Description
This sheet music is for the song “So Long, Mother,” with lyrics by Raymond Egan and Gus Kahn and music by Egbert Van Alstyne. It was published by Jerome H. Remick and Company of New York and Detroit in 1917. There is an image of American singer, comedian, and actor Al Jolson (1886-1950) on the cover.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1917
depicted (sitter)
Jolson, Al
publisher
Jerome H. Remick & Co.
ID Number
1984.0458.17
accession number
1984.0458
catalog number
1984.0458.17
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1914
ID Number
2008.0021.01
accession number
2008.0021
catalog number
2008.0021.01
This music box disc was made by The Symphonion Company, in Leipzig, Germany, around 1900-1910. It is Symphonion Disc #6451 - "Auld Lang Syne (Scotch Song)," by Clifton.
Description
This music box disc was made by The Symphonion Company, in Leipzig, Germany, around 1900-1910. It is Symphonion Disc #6451 - "Auld Lang Syne (Scotch Song)," by Clifton. This disc is playable in a Symphonion Disc Music Box that can accommodate a 13-5/8” diameter disc.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1900-1910
user
Meggers, Edith R.
ID Number
MI.74.27a.04
catalog number
74.27a.04
accession number
314637
This sheet music is for the song “Kisses (The Sweetest Kisses of All),” with lyrics by Alex Sullivan and music by Lynn Conway. It was published by McCarthy and Fisher, Inc.
Description

This sheet music is for the song “Kisses (The Sweetest Kisses of All),” with lyrics by Alex Sullivan and music by Lynn Conway. It was published by McCarthy and Fisher, Inc. in New York, New York in 1918.

The cover art for this sheet music was made by Hungarian American artist André Stephen Chevalier De Takacs (1880-1919). Takacs immigrated to the United States in 1901 and quickly became an established artist in New York. He would continue to flourish until his untimely death in 1919.

Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1918
publisher
McCarthy and Fisher Inc.
ID Number
1985.0392.05
accession number
1985.0392
catalog number
1985.0392.05

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