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 sheet music is for the song “Time Waits For No One,” with music and lyrics by Cliff Friend and Charles Tobias. It was published by Remick Music Corp. in New York, New York in 1944.”Time Waits For No One” was featured in the 1944 Warner Bros.
Description

This sheet music is for the song “Time Waits For No One,” with music and lyrics by Cliff Friend and Charles Tobias. It was published by Remick Music Corp. in New York, New York in 1944.

”Time Waits For No One” was featured in the 1944 Warner Bros. musical film, Shine On, Harvest Moon, directed by David Butler and starred Ann Sheridan and Dennis Morgan. The cover features a still from the movie.

Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1944
publisher
Remick Music Corporation
ID Number
1985.0393.17
accession number
1985.0393
catalog number
1985.0393.17
This sheet music is for the song “I ‘Wanna’ Sing About You,” by Cliff Friend and Dave Dreyer. It was published by Irving Berlin, Inc. in New York, New York in 1931. The cover features an image of Husk O’Hare and his band, a popular East Coast territory band.
Description
This sheet music is for the song “I ‘Wanna’ Sing About You,” by Cliff Friend and Dave Dreyer. It was published by Irving Berlin, Inc. in New York, New York in 1931. The cover features an image of Husk O’Hare and his band, a popular East Coast territory band. Husk O’Hare (1896-1970) was an American jazz bandleader active during the 1920s and 1930s.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1931
publisher
Irving Berlin, Inc.
ID Number
1983.0694.07
accession number
1983.0694
catalog number
1983.0694.07
This sheet music for the song “By Studying My Lady’s Eyes” was written by Thomas Bailey Aldrice and composed by Julius S. Lyons. The song was originally published by Wm. A. Pond and Co.
Description
This sheet music for the song “By Studying My Lady’s Eyes” was written by Thomas Bailey Aldrice and composed by Julius S. Lyons. The song was originally published by Wm. A. Pond and Co. of New York, New York in 1889, and appeared as a supplement to the “New York Herald” on May 31, 1903. The sheet music features a pencil drawing of a woman casting a sultry gaze at the viewer.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1902
lyricist
Aldrich, Thomas Bailey
composer
Lyons, Julius J.
publisher
William A. Pond & Co.
ID Number
1982.0440.42
accession number
1982.0440
catalog number
1982.0440.42
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
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1963
composer; lyricist
Leiber, Jerry
Stoller, Mike
depicted (sitter)
Richard, Cliff
maker
Belinda (Johannesburg) (Pty.) Ltd.
ID Number
2018.3010.351
nonaccession number
2018.3010
catalog number
2018.3010.351
This sheet music is for the song “Canary Bird Waltz,” by William Withers, Jr. It was published by Marsh in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1857.
Description
This sheet music is for the song “Canary Bird Waltz,” by William Withers, Jr. It was published by Marsh in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1857. The cover indicates that this song was performed with “great success” by Wither’s Cornet Band at the Metropolitan Mechanics Fair.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1857
publisher
Marsh
ID Number
1986.0588.04
accession number
1986.0588
catalog number
1986.0588.04
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 “Fairy Tales,” with libretto by Harry B. Smith and music by Victor Herbert. It was published by Edward Schuberth and Company in New York, New York in 1897.
Description
This sheet music is for the song “Fairy Tales,” with libretto by Harry B. Smith and music by Victor Herbert. It was published by Edward Schuberth and Company in New York, New York in 1897. This song was featured in the Broadway three-act operetta The Idol’s Eye, libretto by Harry B. Smith and music by Victor Herbert. The Idol’s Eye opened at The Broadway Theatre on October 25, 1897 and ran for 56 performances.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1897
publisher
Edward Schuberth and Company
ID Number
1983.0694.10
accession number
1983.0694
catalog number
1983.0694.10
1983.0694.11
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
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1953
referenced
Cole, Nat King
Ames Brothers
maker
Southern Music Publishing Co., Inc.
ID Number
2017.3021.280
nonaccession number
2017.3021
catalog number
2017.3021.280
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1952
depicted (sitter)
Andrews Sisters
ID Number
2017.3021.286
nonaccession number
2017.3021
catalog number
2017.3021.286
This song book The Harry Von Tilzer Dance Folio Number 5, was published by the Harry Von Tilzer Music Publishing Company of New York, New York around 1900.
Description
This song book The Harry Von Tilzer Dance Folio Number 5, was published by the Harry Von Tilzer Music Publishing Company of New York, New York around 1900. The cover advertises the folio as “containing arrangements for the piano of the latest and most popular music of the day, arranged by Alfred J. Doyle.” The red and white cover features a small photo of Harry Von Tilzer at the bottom. Folios like this contained 40 piano compositions, usually without the lyrics, at a cheaper price than buying them individually.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
ca 1900
publisher
Harry Von Tilzer Music Publishing Co.
ID Number
1982.0005.15
accession number
1982.0005
catalog number
1982.0005.15
This sheet music is for the song “Hong Kong Blues,” with words and music by Hoagy Carmichael. It was published by Larry Spier, Inc. in New York, New York in 1939. There is an inset image of Hoagy Carmichael on the cover.”Hong Kong Blues” was featured in the 1944 Warner Bros.
Description

This sheet music is for the song “Hong Kong Blues,” with words and music by Hoagy Carmichael. It was published by Larry Spier, Inc. in New York, New York in 1939. There is an inset image of Hoagy Carmichael on the cover.

”Hong Kong Blues” was featured in the 1944 Warner Bros. romance-war-adventure film, To Have and Have Not, directed by Howard Hawks and starred Humphrey Bogart, Walter Brennan, Lauren Bacall, Dolores Moran, and Hoagy Carmichael.

Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1939
referenced
Bogart, Humphrey
Bacall, Lauren
depicted (sitter)
Carmichael, Hoagy
publisher
Larry Spier, Inc.
ID Number
1987.0423.03
accession number
1987.0423
catalog number
1987.0423.03
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
This sheet music is for “Patsy Montana's New Songs: Those Two Little Kids of Mine / Montana, I Hear You Calling Me. It was published by Hilliard-Currie Corporation in Chicago, Illinois in 1945.
Description (Brief)
This sheet music is for “Patsy Montana's New Songs: Those Two Little Kids of Mine / Montana, I Hear You Calling Me. It was published by Hilliard-Currie Corporation in Chicago, Illinois in 1945. The cover features an image of country music vocalist, Patsy Montana, and on the back an image of Patsy Montana's family. The front is signed: "To Darlene from Patsy Montana."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1945
depicted (sitter)
Montana, Patsy
maker
Hilliard-Currie Corporation
ID Number
2014.0087.01
accession number
2014.0087
catalog number
2014.0087.01
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
1962
depicted (sitter)
Presley, Elvis
ID Number
2017.3021.386
nonaccession number
2017.3021
catalog number
2017.3021.386
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1948
depicted (sitter)
Boone, Pat
maker
Edwin H. Morris and Company
ID Number
2018.3010.242
nonaccession number
2018.3010
catalog number
2018.3010.242
This sheet music is for the song “Happy Days Are Here Again,” with music by Milton Ager and words by Jack Yellen. It was published by Ager, Yellen and Brownstein, Inc. in New York, New York in 1929.
Description
This sheet music is for the song “Happy Days Are Here Again,” with music by Milton Ager and words by Jack Yellen. It was published by Ager, Yellen and Brownstein, Inc. in New York, New York in 1929. The song was featured in the 1930 Metro-Goldwyn Pre-Code romantic musical film Chasing Rainbows, directed by Charles Reisner and starred Bessie Love and Charles King, Jack Benny, Marie Dressler, and Eddie Phillips.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1929
publisher
Ager, Yellen & Bornstein Inc.
ID Number
1984.1117.13
accession number
1984.1117
catalog number
1984.1117.13
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
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1937
composer
Romberg, Sigmund
maker
Chappell and Co.
ID Number
2017.3021.327
nonaccession number
2017.3021
catalog number
2017.3021.327
This sheet music is for the composition, “Ciribiribin,” by Alberto Pestalozza. It was published by Belwin, Inc. in New York, New York in 1931. This sheet music is No. 495 from the Belwin series Edition Beautiful, published from 1920s-1930s.
Description

This sheet music is for the composition, “Ciribiribin,” by Alberto Pestalozza. It was published by Belwin, Inc. in New York, New York in 1931. This sheet music is No. 495 from the Belwin series Edition Beautiful, published from 1920s-1930s.

Belwin was formed in 1918 by music publishing employee Max Winkler (1888-1965), film-maker Max Winkler (1875-1961), and publisher of original composition and arrangements for silent cinema S.M. Berg. The name Belwin was created by combining the surnames of Berg and Winkler.

Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1931
publisher
Belwin Inc.
ID Number
1984.0568.43
accession number
1984.0568
catalog number
1984.0568.43

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