Reinagle, Alexander | Early American sheet music with remarkable provenance , Reinagle, Alexander | Early American sheet music with remarkable provenance
Reinagle, Alexander
Federal March as performed in the Grand Procession in Philadelphia the 4th of July 1788 composed and adapted for the piano forte, violin or German flute. [Philadelphia: John Aiken, 1788]
1 page, 4to. Engraved sheet music, printed recto only, with image of a Liberty Pole and Cap at the top left; small loss to upper right corner not affecting text. Housed in a blue morocco box.
Early American sheet music — the march performed at Philadelphia's 1788 July 4th Grand Procession, celebrating the ratification of the Constitution
Produced by John Aiken, this engraved sheet music was advertised as "just published" in the 15 July 1788 issue of the Pennsylvania Packet. Born in England, Reinagle came to America in 1786, becoming one of Philadelphia's first composers whose performances at the Chestnut Theatre were attended by George Washington. Indeed, Reinagle would later become Washington's granddaughter's piano teacher.
The present lot once formed a part of the collection of Declaration-signer Francis Hopkinson, who was the chair of the committee that organized the Grand Procession. Hopkinson estimated that 5,000 people marched in the procession and that the assembled crowd numbered an additional 17,000 people; to put that number in perspective, the entire population of Philadelphia in 1790 was approx. 28,000.
Only two other examples of the engraved sheet music are extant: Library of Congress and New York Public Library. George Washington owned a copy, described within the catalogue of the final settlement of the estate. We know of no examples in private hands.
Rare, with remarkable provenance
PROVENANCE:
Francis Hopkinson
Condition Report:
Condition as described in catalogue entry.
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Reinagle, Alexander
Federal March as performed in the Grand Procession in Philadelphia the 4th of July 1788 composed and adapted for the piano forte, violin or German flute. [Philadelphia: John Aiken, 1788]
1 page, 4to. Engraved sheet music, printed recto only, with image of a Liberty Pole and Cap at the top left; small loss to upper right corner not affecting text. Housed in a blue morocco box.
Early American sheet music — the march performed at Philadelphia's 1788 July 4th Grand Procession, celebrating the ratification of the Constitution
Produced by John Aiken, this engraved sheet music was advertised as "just published" in the 15 July 1788 issue of the Pennsylvania Packet. Born in England, Reinagle came to America in 1786, becoming one of Philadelphia's first composers whose performances at the Chestnut Theatre were attended by George Washington. Indeed, Reinagle would later become Washington's granddaughter's piano teacher.
The present lot once formed a part of the collection of Declaration-signer Francis Hopkinson, who was the chair of the committee that organized the Grand Procession. Hopkinson estimated that 5,000 people marched in the procession and that the assembled crowd numbered an additional 17,000 people; to put that number in perspective, the entire population of Philadelphia in 1790 was approx. 28,000.
Only two other examples of the engraved sheet music are extant: Library of Congress and New York Public Library. George Washington owned a copy, described within the catalogue of the final settlement of the estate. We know of no examples in private hands.
Rare, with remarkable provenance
PROVENANCE:
Francis Hopkinson
Condition Report:
Condition as described in catalogue entry.
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
