Hunt-Berol Sheet Music Collection, 1700s-1900s
Summary Information
At a Glance
- Call No.:
- Hunt-Berol Sheet Music
- Bib ID:
- 4079543 View CLIO record
- Creator(s):
- Berol, Alfred C., 1892-1974; Berol, Madeleine, 1895-1985
- Repository:
- Rare Book and Manuscript Library
- Physical Description:
- 244 linear feet (227 boxes; 25000 items; oversize )
- Language(s):
- English .
- Access:
- You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.
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Several items in this collection contain language commonly used in the 19th century that is today considered offensive or harmful, in particular expressions of racism.
Series I and II of this collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.
This collection has no restrictions.
Note: The container list for Series I and II provides only the first piece of sheet music in each box. Use this list in conjunction with the paper card catalogs in RBML to request the correct box from off-site storage.
Description
Summary
Printed music from the 18th-20th centuries, primarily 19th century American. Almost half the items are popular editions of European composers' instrumental music. The collection contains a large quantity of patriotic music such as the 1798 "Adams and Liberty" and the first and third editions (both 1798) of "Hail Columbia" and a comprehensive collection of music from the Civil War. There are also early printings of "The Star Spangled Banner," first and later editions of Stephen Foster's music, and a large collection of Benjamin Carr materials. Collection of 16th-20th century rare music books was cataloged individually. Primarily collected by Arthur Billings Hunt, 1890-1971, baritone, musical director and broadcaster. Most of the items are of American origin, and reflect Hunt's wide-ranging interests in sacred and secular music.
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These songsheets and broadsides are primarily of 19th-century American origin. They were formerly known as the Hunt-Berol Songsheets, and were integrated into this collection in 2021.
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19th-century American periodicals that contain printed music, as well as music-related advertisements, articles, and notes.
Arrangement
A card index for series I and II, listing each individual title, is available in the RBML.
- Series I: American Imprints
- Series II: Foreign Imprints
- Series III: Song Sheets
- Series IV: Music Periodicals
Using the Collection
Conditions Governing Access
Rbml Advance Appointment
Several items in this collection contain language commonly used in the 19th century that is today considered offensive or harmful, in particular expressions of racism.
Series I and II of this collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.
This collection has no restrictions.
Note: The container list for Series I and II provides only the first piece of sheet music in each box. Use this list in conjunction with the paper card catalogs in RBML to request the correct box from off-site storage.
Related Materials
For related scores, books, and bound volumes, see the CLIO records for the Hunt-Berol Book Collection .
RBML also holds the Arthur Billings Hunt Papers.
Accruals
Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Source of acquisition--Berol, Alfred C. and Madeleine. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1964. Accession number--M-1964.
Gift of Mr and Mrs Alfred C. and Madeleine Berol, 1966.
About the Finding Aid / Processing Information
Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Processing Information
Processed JR 10/--/88.
The songsheets and broadsides in series III were formerly known as the Hunt-Berol Songsheets, and were integrated into this collection in 2021. One box of19th-century publications containing music was also added in 2021. kws
Revision Description
2019-11-25 Added list showing first piece of music in each box. kws
2021-08-13 Added series III and IV
Subject Headings
The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches for other collections at Columbia University, through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, and through ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.
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