The Music for What Eventually Became the Star-Spangled Banner
Anacreontic Song, as Sung at the Crown & Anchor Tavern in the Strand. The Words by Ralph Tomlinson, late President of that Society.
London: Longman and Broderip, 1782.
composer]. TOMLINSON, Ralph, [contributor]. The Anacreontic Song, as Sung at the Crown & Anchor Tavern in the Strand.The Words by Ralph Tomlinson, late President of that Society. London: Longman and Broderip, [n.d.ca. 1782].
First edition, later issue with 13 Hay Market. Published after Longman & Broderip added the shop at 13 Hay Market in December 1782. Newly engraved, but contains the same pagination, key, disposition of elements, and layout as the first edition. "The first edition, published sometime between 1777 and 1781, since it is listed in a Longman and Broderip catalog at the British Library bearing the printed date 1781. Page 1 is blank; page 2, melody and bass in C major with first stanza; page 3, chorus and stanzas 2-6; page 4, melody for guitar and for flute, each with first stanza." (The Music of "The Star-Spangled Banner"—Whence and Whither? William Lichtenwanger).
Folio (12 1/2 x 9 3/8 inches; 316 x 235 mm). 4 pp. Disbound. With crease at previous fold. Manuscript numbering on upper corners. Some very light soiling. Overall very good.
"Francis Scott Key's poem, inspired by the sight of the United States flag flying defiantly over Fort McHenry after the British attack in September 1812, was set to John Stafford Smith's 1770s melody "To Anacreon in Heaven." The tune, originally with words by Ralph Tomlinson, was composed for the Anacreontic Society, a British music club that held its meetings at the Crown and Anchor Tavern in the Strand. Not until 1931 was "The Star Spangled Banner" declared the nation's official anthem by an act of Congress. Note the misspelling of patriotic in the subtitle in this first edition, one of only a handful of surviving copies." (The Morgan Library).
HBS 68577.
$3,000.
Price: $3,000.00
Item #68577