posted on September 7, 2010 10:57:29 AM new
At a yard sale I got a large hardbound book, leather corners and spine, full of sheet music from before 1900 (the individual songs in their own cover, if you know what I mean). On the front cover of this book is a 2x4 ornate name plate, "Nannie White," which is made to match the lettering on the spine and the general decor of the book.
There's no copyright date, publisher's page, or title page in the book. It just begins with the first piece of old ornate sheet music.
Is it possible that people could send their favorite sheet music to a book maker who would then bind all of them in a nice cover with name on front?
In all my years, I've never seen anything like this. Any ideas?
posted on September 7, 2010 12:07:33 PM new
"Is it possible that people could send their favorite sheet music to a book maker who would then bind all of them in a nice cover with name on front?"
Yes.
Natties favorite songs.
posted on September 7, 2010 12:12:42 PM new
So to clarify, Max40--you've seen such a book with just a name like "Nettie White" on the cover? Or is this an educated guess?
posted on September 7, 2010 12:33:54 PM new
To clarify---
Bookbinders used to make up "special" books for many reasons. Usually for documents that the owner wanted to protect.
In fact you can still have it done, as I've seen custom BOUND IN covers for research documents.
Type in Bookbinders on Google.
[ edited by max40 on Sep 7, 2010 12:36 PM ]
posted on September 7, 2010 02:03:02 PM new
Many people also had a year's magazine issues specially bound for their personal libraries. This is not uncommon at all.
posted on September 7, 2010 03:34:34 PM new
Thanks, people. I think what threw me was the age of this large book--can't be later than about 1900. I did know about "books" with magazines bound in them but hadn't seen any of that from so long ago.
posted on September 7, 2010 04:35:15 PM new
I have many from the 1860's - Godey's Lady Book, Grahams, etc. Now I think that to have something like that done would be very expensive!
posted on September 7, 2010 07:15:55 PM new
My grandmother had such a book not as ornate I suspect. She played the piano and organ and had a book or folder of the songs she like and had learned to play well. Professionals would have a more extensive book that clients could select from much like the DJ's of today. Interesting piece!
