A COLLECTION OF THREE 1860s ORIGINAL AMERICAN SONG SHEET BROADSIDE BALLADS

For most of the 19th century, before Thomas Edison invented the phonograph in 1877 Americans learned popular music from printed song sheets, single printed sheets with lyrics but no music. Here is a collection of three:

A LIGHT IN THE WINDOW! Published by Horace Partridge, No. 27 Hanover Street, Boston, no date circa 1860s. Four verses and chorus with narrative text. Single sheet, 7.5" x 5", text within ornamental boarder. Ballad.

LANNEGAN'S BALL. Published by Horace Partridge, No. 27 Hanover Street, Boston, no date circa 1860s. Seven verses. Single sheet, 8.25" x 5.5", text within ornamental border. Partying song.

SAD NEWS FROM HOME. Published by George P. Reed, Boston, no date circa 1860s. Three verses and chorus. Single sheet, 8.25" x 5", text within ornamental border. Parlor Death song.

These three original 1860 Song Sheets are in GOOD CONDITION: with edgewear, small edge tears, chips and creasing, some droplet stains, faded penned writing, and wear from age and use, overall these ephemeral pieces of Americana are still in one piece, clean, bright and clear.

From popular new songs sung in music halls, beer halls, churches and soldiers barracks to new lyrics for familiar ballads some of America's most beloved tunes were printed as song sheets including "The Star Spangled Banner" and "Battle Hymn of the Republic." They were intensely popular from 1840 to 1870. To produce the song sheets printers used a raised plate to ink engraved illustrations and text onto the paper. Competing printers often printed the same song sheet but with a different border or illustration to entice collectors.