Popular Entertainment

Elvis Presley Record

This Museum's popular entertainment collections hold some of the Smithsonian's most beloved artifacts. The ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz reside here, along with the Muppet character Kermit the Frog, and props from popular television series such as M*A*S*H and All in the Family. But as in many of the Museum's collections, the best-known objects are a small part of the story.

The collection also encompasses many other artifacts of 19th- and 20th-century commercial theater, film, radio, and TV—some 50,000 sound recordings dating back to 1903; posters, publicity stills, and programs from films and performances; puppets; numerous items from World's Fairs from 1851 to 1992; and audiovisual materials on Groucho Marx, to name only a few.

Date: 1910s

“The Sons of Freedom March”

This sheet music is for the song “The Sons of Freedom March” written and composed by Oliver J. Bunten. H. Howard Cheney of Waltham, Massachusetts published this sheet music in 1919.
Description (Brief)
This sheet music is for the song “The Sons of Freedom March” written and composed by Oliver J. Bunten. H. Howard Cheney of Waltham, Massachusetts published this sheet music in 1919. The cover features an illustration of two young men in uniform holding rifles, ready to go to war. The cover is signed “Fisher” in the lower right.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1919
publisher
H. Howard Cheney
ID Number
1983.0424.159
accession number
1983.0424
catalog number
1983.0424.159

"I'm Waiting for Ships That Never Come In"

This sheet music is for the song “I'm Waiting For Ships That Never Come In,” with words by Jack Yellen and music by Abe Ouman. It was published by Forster Music Publisher in Chicago, Illinois in 1919.
Description
This sheet music is for the song “I'm Waiting For Ships That Never Come In,” with words by Jack Yellen and music by Abe Ouman. It was published by Forster Music Publisher in Chicago, Illinois in 1919. The cover features an illustration of man sitting on a dock with a boat moored to the dock and an inset image of [Charles] Rudolf Friml, Jr.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1919
publisher
Forster Music Publisher
ID Number
1986.0021.11
accession number
1986.0021
catalog number
1986.0021.11

“Myra”

This sheet music is for the song “Myra,” a waltz that was composed by Frederick W. Vandersloot and published by the Vandersloot Music Publishing Company of Williamsport, Pennsylvania in 1919.
Description (Brief)
This sheet music is for the song “Myra,” a waltz that was composed by Frederick W. Vandersloot and published by the Vandersloot Music Publishing Company of Williamsport, Pennsylvania in 1919. The plain white cover features an illustration of a young brunette girl with red flowers in her hand, a red bow in her hair, and a red rose beneath her folded arms.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1919
publisher
Vandersloot Music Publishing Company
ID Number
1983.0424.029
accession number
1983.0424
catalog number
1983.0424.029

"Huckleberry Finn"

This sheet music is for the song, “Huckleberry Finn,” by Sam M. Lewis, Joe Young, and Cliff Hess. It was published by Waterson, Berlin & Snyder Co.
Description

This sheet music is for the song, “Huckleberry Finn,” by Sam M. Lewis, Joe Young, and Cliff Hess. It was published by Waterson, Berlin & Snyder Co. in New York, New York in 1917.

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
1917
publisher
Waterson, Berlin & Snyder Co.
ID Number
1988.0693.14
accession number
1988.0693
catalog number
1988.0693.14

"Solaret (Queen of Light)"

This sheet music is for the composition “Solaret (Queen of Light),” by Thomas S. Allen. It was published by Walter Jacobs in Boston, Massachusetts in 1917.
Description

This sheet music is for the composition “Solaret (Queen of Light),” by Thomas S. Allen. It was published by Walter Jacobs in Boston, Massachusetts in 1917. The pink cover features an illustration of a girl dancing.

The cover art for this sheet music was made by brothers William Starmer (1872-1957) and Frederick Starmer (1878-1962) Born and raised in England, the brothers moved with their family to New York, William in 1898 and Frederick in 1899. The Starmer Brothers flourished until 1929. William became a U.S. citizen in 1924, while Frederick returned to England in 1929.

Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1917
publisher
Walter Jacobs
ID Number
1984.0568.19
accession number
1984.0568
catalog number
1984.0568.19

"Irene"

This sheet music is for the song "Irene," with music by Harry Tierney and lyrics by Joseph McCarthy. It was published by Leo Feist, Inc.
Description

This sheet music is for the song "Irene," with music by Harry Tierney and lyrics by Joseph McCarthy. It was published by Leo Feist, Inc. in New York, New York in 1919.

”Irene” was featured in the musical, Irene, with book by James Montgomery, music by Harry Tierney, and lyrics by Joe McCarty. Irene opened on Broadway at the Vanderbilt Theatre on November 18, 1919 and closed on June 18, 1921 after a run of 675 performances.

Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1919
publisher
Leo Feist, Inc.
ID Number
1985.0637.05
accession number
1985.0637
catalog number
1985.0637.05

"Celebrated Hebrew Song & Dance"

This sheet music is for the music “Celebrated Hebrew Song and Dance,” arranged for piano solo by Joseph Bonime. It was published by Joseph P. Katz in New York, New York in 1916.Currently not on view
Description
This sheet music is for the music “Celebrated Hebrew Song and Dance,” arranged for piano solo by Joseph Bonime. It was published by Joseph P. Katz in New York, New York in 1916.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1916
arranger
Bonime, Joseph
publisher
Katz, Joseph P.
ID Number
1986.0961.05
accession number
1986.0961
catalog number
1986.0961.05

"All Through the Day"

This sheet music is for the song “All Through the Day,” with words by Oscar Hammerstein II and music by Jerome Kern. It was published by Williamson Music, Inc.
Description

This sheet music is for the song “All Through the Day,” with words by Oscar Hammerstein II and music by Jerome Kern. It was published by Williamson Music, Inc. in New York, New York in 1946.

”All Through the Day” was featured in the 1946, 20th Century Fox musical film, Centennial Summer, directed by Otto Preminger and starred Jeanne Crain, Cornel Wilde, Linda Darnell, and William Eythe. “All Through the Day” was nominated for Best Original Song at the 19th Academy Awards. There are images of the stars of the film on the sheet music cover.

Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1946
performer
Crain, Jeanne
publisher
Williamson Music, Inc.
ID Number
1985.0403.01
accession number
1985.0403
catalog number
1985.0403.01

“Kiss Me, My Honey Kiss Me”

This sheet music for the song "Kiss Me My Honey, Kiss Me" was written by Irving Berlin and composed by Ted Snyder. The music was published by the Ted Snyder Co. of New York, New York in 1910.
Description
This sheet music for the song "Kiss Me My Honey, Kiss Me" was written by Irving Berlin and composed by Ted Snyder. The music was published by the Ted Snyder Co. of New York, New York in 1910. The cover is a mixture of pink and green with an image of Little Amy Butler sitting and leaning forward on a stool. Butler was a vaudevillian actress in the early 20th century, and is advertised as having sung this sung “with great success” on the cover.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1910
lyricist
Berlin, Irving
composer
Snyder, Ted
publisher
Snyder Publications
ID Number
1982.0439.22
catalog number
1982.0439.022
accession number
1982.0439

"The Liberty Bell"

This music box disc was made by The Symphonion Company, in Leipzig, Germany, around 1900-1910. It is Symphonion Disc #6491 - "The Liberty Bell" (March), by John Philip Sousa.
Description
This music box disc was made by The Symphonion Company, in Leipzig, Germany, around 1900-1910. It is Symphonion Disc #6491 - "The Liberty Bell" (March), by John Philip Sousa. 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
composer
Sousa, John Philip
ID Number
MI.74.27a.06
catalog number
74.27a.06
accession number
314637

“In My Harem”

This sheet music is for the song, “In My Harem,” that was written and composed by Irving Berlin.
Description (Brief)
This sheet music is for the song, “In My Harem,” that was written and composed by Irving Berlin. The Waterson, Berlin & Snyder Company of New York City published this sheet music in 1913.The green cover features an illustration of a middle east styled room with a woman inside it. Gene Buck signed the illustration in the lower left of the corner. There is an inset photograph of the vaudeville duo “Berry & Betty” on the bottom of the cover.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1913
composer
Berlin, Irving
publisher
Waterson, Berlin & Snyder Co.
ID Number
1983.0424.154
accession number
1983.0424
catalog number
1983.0424.154

"Just You Alone"

This sheet music is for the song “Just You Alone,” with lyrics by Rennold Wolf and music by Louis A. Hirsch. It was published by M. Witmark and Sons in New York, New York in 1918.”Just You Alone” was featured in the musical,The Rainbow Girl, with music by Louis A.
Description

This sheet music is for the song “Just You Alone,” with lyrics by Rennold Wolf and music by Louis A. Hirsch. It was published by M. Witmark and Sons in New York, New York in 1918.

”Just You Alone” was featured in the musical,The Rainbow Girl, with music by Louis A. Hirsch and book and lyrics by Rennold Wolf. The Rainbow Girl opened at the New Amsterdam Theatre on April 1, 1918 and closed on August 17, 1918.

Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1918
publisher
M. Witmark & Sons
ID Number
1985.0624.11
accession number
1985.0624
catalog number
1985.0624.11

"Break the News To Mother"

This sheet music is for the song, “Break the News To Mother,” with words and music by Charles K. Harris. It was published by Charles K. Harris in New York, New York in 1916.
Description

This sheet music is for the song, “Break the News To Mother,” with words and music by Charles K. Harris. It was published by Charles K. Harris in New York, New York in 1916. This song was originally published in 1897.

The cover art for this sheet music was made by brothers William Starmer (1872-1957) and Frederick Starmer (1878-1962) Born and raised in England, the brothers moved with their family to New York, William in 1898 and Frederick in 1899. The Starmer Brothers flourished until 1929. William became a U.S. citizen in 1924, while Frederick returned to England in 1929.

Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1916
publisher
Chas. K. Harris
ID Number
1988.0693.10
accession number
1988.0693
catalog number
1988.0693.10

"They Go Wild Simply Wild Over Me"

This sheet music is for the song “They Go Wild Simply Wild Over Me,” with lyrics by Joe McCarthy and music by Fred Fisher. It was published by McCarthy and Fisher, Inc. in New York, New York, in 1917.
Description

This sheet music is for the song “They Go Wild Simply Wild Over Me,” with lyrics by Joe McCarthy and music by Fred Fisher. It was published by McCarthy and Fisher, Inc. in New York, New York, in 1917. The cover features a man on stage with a blue jacket, red tie, red striped shirt, holding a red and black boater hat. His shadow depicts female faces in adoration.

Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1917
publisher
McCarthy and Fisher Inc.
ID Number
1985.0393.16
accession number
1985.0393
catalog number
1985.0393.16

Julian Eltinge in the Fascinating Widow

Post card made by Kraus Manufacturing Co. in New York, New York, in 1911. Card number K. 205, is made of off-white paper card stock with black ink. There is an image of actor Julian Eltinge on the front of the postcard.
Description (Brief)

Post card made by Kraus Manufacturing Co. in New York, New York, in 1911. Card number K. 205, is made of off-white paper card stock with black ink. There is an image of actor Julian Eltinge on the front of the postcard. The back of the card is printed with information about the musical play The Fascinating Widow, starring Julian Eltinge, at the Nixon Theatre in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Monday, January 30th, 1911.

Julian Eltinge, born William Julian Dalton (1881-1941), was an American actor and female impersonator. Eltinge began his career in vaudeville and acheived his greatest sucess in the 1910 musical comedy The Fascinating Widow, written by Otto Hauerbach specifically for Eltinge. The play premiered in Atlantic City, New Jersey, then toured the United States for 10 months before appearing on Broadway in September 1911. Eltinge is considered to be one of the greatest female impersonators of the 20th century.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1911
depicted (sitter)
Eltinge, Julian
ID Number
2014.0311.02
accession number
2014.0311
catalog number
2014.0311.02

Triangle

This triangle was made in the United States, around 1900 to 1910. It is made of metal.This triangle was used by William T. Armstrong (1879-1965), orchestra leader and musician in vaudeville and silent film theaters.
Description

This triangle was made in the United States, around 1900 to 1910. It is made of metal.

This triangle 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
1984.0335.36
catalog number
1984.0335.36
accession number
1984.0335

“Before the World Began”

This sheet music for the song "Before the World Began" was written as a poem by Andrew B. Sterling and composed by Alfred Solman. The music was published by the Joe Morris Music Co. of New York, New York in 1917.
Description
This sheet music for the song "Before the World Began" was written as a poem by Andrew B. Sterling and composed by Alfred Solman. The music was published by the Joe Morris Music Co. of New York, New York in 1917. The cover notes that the song was “introduced Harry Ellis, America’s Famous Tenor.” The “B” in “Before” of the title is written in a fancy script in red, and the first letter of most words on the cover is red.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1917
lyricist
Sterling, Andrew B.
composer
Solman, Alfred
publisher
Joe Morris Music Company
ID Number
1982.0439.21
catalog number
1982.0439.021
accession number
1982.0439

"Till We Meet Again"

This sheet music is for the song, “Till We Meet Again,” with lyrics by Raymond Egan and music by Richard A. Whiting. It was published by Jerome Remick & Co. in New York, New York in 1918.Currently not on view
Description
This sheet music is for the song, “Till We Meet Again,” with lyrics by Raymond Egan and music by Richard A. Whiting. It was published by Jerome Remick & Co. in New York, New York in 1918.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1918
publisher
Jerome H. Remick & Co.
ID Number
1988.0693.17
accession number
1988.0693
catalog number
1988.0693.17

“Where Do We Go from Here”

This sheet music is for the song “Where Do We Go from Here,” which was written and composed by Howard Johnson and Percy Wenrich. The song was published by Leo Feist Inc. of New York, New York in 1917.
Description (Brief)
This sheet music is for the song “Where Do We Go from Here,” which was written and composed by Howard Johnson and Percy Wenrich. The song was published by Leo Feist Inc. of New York, New York in 1917. The colorful cover features an illustration of a soldier ripping through a page, while the action of World War I occurs behind him, and there is an inset photograph of the singer Al Herman on the lower left of the cover.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1917
publisher
Leo Feist, Inc.
ID Number
1983.0424.017
catalog number
1983.0424.017
accession number
1983.0424

“In the Sweet Long Ago”

This sheet music is for the song “In the Sweet Long Ago.” Bobby Heath and Arthur Lange wrote the lyrics to the song and Alfred Solman composed the music. The Joe Morris Music Company published this sheet music in 1916.
Description (Brief)
This sheet music is for the song “In the Sweet Long Ago.” Bobby Heath and Arthur Lange wrote the lyrics to the song and Alfred Solman composed the music. The Joe Morris Music Company published this sheet music in 1916. The cover features an illustration of a bonneted young girl in a large hooped skirt. Andre C. DeTakacs signed the illustration in the lower right hand corner of the cover.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1916
publisher
Joe Morris Music Company
ID Number
1983.0424.142
accession number
1983.0424
catalog number
1983.0424.142

“I'm Going to Follow the Boys”

This sheet music is for the song “I'm Going to Follow the Boys” that was written by Howard Rogers and composed by James V. Monaco. The sheet music was published by M. Witmark & Sons of New York in 1917.
Description (Brief)
This sheet music is for the song “I'm Going to Follow the Boys” that was written by Howard Rogers and composed by James V. Monaco. The sheet music was published by M. Witmark & Sons of New York in 1917. The cover features a photograph of a saluting Gladys Leslie wearing a military cap. Leslie was a star for Vitagraph studios, an early motion picture production company. The novelty song talked about a girl wanting to follow the boys to war, to help keep their spirits up.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1917
publisher
M. Witmark & Sons
ID Number
1983.0424.062
accession number
1983.0424
catalog number
1983.0424.062

"Wait Till the Cows Come Home"

This sheet music is for the song “Wait Till the Cows Come Home,” with music by Ivan Caryll and words by Anne Caldwell and R. H. Burnside. It was published by Chappell & Company, Ltd.
Description

This sheet music is for the song “Wait Till the Cows Come Home,” with music by Ivan Caryll and words by Anne Caldwell and R. H. Burnside. It was published by Chappell & Company, Ltd. in New York, New York in 1917.

"Wait Till the Cows Come Home" was featured in the musical Jack O’Lantern. The musical opened on Broadway at the Globe Theatre on October 16, 1917.

Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1917
publisher
Chappell & Company, Ltd.
ID Number
1986.0370.04
accession number
1986.0370
catalog number
1986.0370.04

“It's a Long, Long Way to Tipperary”

This sheet music is for the song “It’s A Long Long Way to Tipperary.” The song was written and composed by Jack Judge and Harry Williams. The song was published by Chappell and Co. Ltd. in the United States, but by B. Feldman & Co. in all other countries.
Description
This sheet music is for the song “It’s A Long Long Way to Tipperary.” The song was written and composed by Jack Judge and Harry Williams. The song was published by Chappell and Co. Ltd. in the United States, but by B. Feldman & Co. in all other countries. The cover features an image of an Irish soldier marching in full battle regalia. The soldier is called Tommy Atkins, a generic term for a soldier in the British Army. The sheet music was “Courtesy of Leslie’s Weekly,” a weekly illustrated newspaper published in the U.S.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1912
composer
Williams, Harry
Judge, Jack
publisher
Chappell-Harms Inc.
Chappell and Co. Ltd.
ID Number
1982.0736.05
accession number
1982.0736
catalog number
1982.0736.05

"Old Glory"

This sheet music is for the song “Old Glory,” with words and music by Kurt P. Hirsekorn. It was published by Kurt P. Hirsekorn in Brooklyn, New York in 1914.The cover art for this sheet music was made by American artist and designer Albert Wilfred Barbelle (1887-1957).
Description

This sheet music is for the song “Old Glory,” with words and music by Kurt P. Hirsekorn. It was published by Kurt P. Hirsekorn in Brooklyn, New York in 1914.

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
1914
publisher
Kurt P. Hirsekorn
ID Number
1986.0021.25
accession number
1986.0021
catalog number
1986.0021.25

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