THE TEXAS QUICK STEP AS PERFORMED BY THE MILITARY BANDS ARRANGED FOR THE PIANO FORTE.

[Texas]:

Edité par New York: Published by Firth, Pond, & Co., [ca. 1847].

A propos de cet article

A scarce piece of sheet music published by the prolific music firm of Firth, Pond & Co., likely produced to celebrate the annexation of Texas or to capitalize on the Mexican-American War in the late 1840s. The lithograph on the front page, accomplished by George Endicott, depicts a soldier in uniform marching in the direction which a sign labels "to Texas," with his pack slung over a bayonetted rifle on his shoulder. In the background is a column of other soldiers in formation. While the United States recognized Texan independence as early as 1837, Mexico never acknowledged the rebellious state until it was ceded to the United States in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo more than a decade later, and skirmishes between Texan rebels and Mexican and indigenous forces continued more or less regularly until the outbreak of the Mexican-American War. In addition, the possible annexation of the large slaveholding state was one of the most significant political issues in the middle of the 19th century, and would have loomed large in the minds of most Americans. This piece plays on the patriotic angle, and purports to be a faithful rendition of a march performed by the military bands of Texas. This copy, copyrighted (and presumably composed) by J. Willis and engraved by D.C. Driscoll in 1841, was published by Firth, Pond & Co. of New York. Firth and Pond, formerly in partnership with William Hall, were leading sheet music publishers in New York for several decades in the mid-1800s, helping popularize the work of such notable American musicians and songwriters as Stephen Foster and Louis Gottschalk. While this piece of sheet music was originally published in 1841 (and retains that copyright date) under the imprint of Firth, Pond, & Hall (and simultaneously by Hewitt & Jacques), the imprint of "Firth, Pond & Co." on this copy suggests that it was printed around 1847, after their partnership with Hall had dissolved. It is identical to the first issue in all aspects except for the imprint; even the subtitle above the score still declares the piece "Published by Firth & Hall." A reissue around this time would certainly be appropriate. The Mexican-American War represented a new height in American media coverage and public interest in current events, and a patriotic, pro-Texas song would have been a surefire hit. OCLC locates only a handful of copies of any version of this piece, and only the copies at Brown and the University of Texas, Austin record Firth, Pond, & Co. as the publisher. OCLC 25722520, 1328980602. STREETER, TEXAS 1402 (Hewitt & Jacques edition). Single bifolium. Soiling and staining, heavier to titlepage. A few short, closed marginal tears. Very good overall.

N° de réf. du vendeur 65772

Détails bibliographiques

• Titre: THE TEXAS QUICK STEP AS PERFORMED BY THE MILITARY BANDS ARRANGED FOR THE PIANO FORTE.
• Éditeur: New York: Published by Firth, Pond, & Co., [ca. 1847].