Sam DeVincent Collection of Illustrated American Sheet Music

Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Guide to the Sam DeVincent Collection of Illustrated American Sheet Music

Summary

Collection ID:: NMAH.AC.0300
Creators:: DeVincent, Sam, 1918-1997
Dates:: 1790-1980s
Languages:: English
.
Physical Description:: 260 Cubic feet
approximately 1244 boxes
Repository:: Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Primarily published sheet music, plus some related ephemera. Originally included 781 boxes of American sheet music and assorted clippings, articles, photographs, etc.; also 93 boxes of 33-1/3 RPM phonograph records, 30 boxes of 45 RPM records, and 20 boxes of 78 RPM records

Scope and Contents

Sam DeVincent organized his collection topically and the present organization is built upon his basic system. In the course of processing this huge collection organized into hundreds of topics, a set of more encompassing topical headings have been developed. For example, the series designation "transportation" gathers together DeVincent's topical headings of "automobiles," "railroads," "bicycles," etc. Each of these larger, conceptual, headings is considered a series and is given a series number. Transportation is series number 1. Each series will be described separately and a composite index will lead researchers into the appropriate series. Terminology is consistent with Library of Congress Subject Headings whenever possible.

Within each series, the topical headings used by DeVincent, or a heading of similar level and type, receive sub-series numbers. For example, "railroads" is part of series 1, transportation, and is given the sub-series number 7. Therefore, "railroads" is designated as 1.7.

All of the sheet music has been placed in folders (from 1 to 45 items per folder) and given a letter of the alphabet. Within each folder, the music is arranged alphabetically by song title. A researcher searching the index for the song Wabash Cannonball (note that very few song titles are indexed) would be directed to "1.7 V." The researcher would then turn to the railroad section of the container list (1.7) and look for folder V and read the folder description.

Most of the sheet music is either a solo piano or a piano/vocal arrangement. There are very few orchestral or band parts and very little music for instruments other than piano. When the word "instrumental" is used in folder descriptions and titles, the music referred to has no lyrics and is for solo piano. Music for other instruments or ensemble parts will be mentioned explicitly in the folder description and usually indexed. Also, duplicates have not been kept in the file unless the sheet is particularly old or fragile (in which case one duplicate was kept if available). Sheets with slightly different covers, different ink colors, or variations in advertising matter are not considered duplicates.

In addition to the sheet music, the collection includes ephemera files corresponding to each series. These files contain items such as lists of sheet music, DeVincent's correspondence with other collectors, wire service printouts received at the radio station where he worked, his notes to be used for cross-indexing ("see also" references), and miscellaneous items relating to the topic. Some materials kept by DeVincent have not been incorporated into the ephemera files, for example most of the popular magazines, Fort Wayne Indiana newspaper clippings about non-musical topics, and some advertising matter.

The ephemera files are numbered with the same series and sub-series numbers as the sheet music. For example bicycles are 1.3 in both the music and ephemera files. A description of the ephemera file follows the sheet music container list. It is followed by an index to the entire series. Many topical headings not directly concerned with the topic of the series are indexed (for example "Women, images of" is an important topic in the bicycle sub-series). The author of each series description made the decisions about topics for indexing.

Series 1: Transportation

Dates

circa 1800-1980

Contents

Series 1: Transportation contains circa 3,900 pieces of sheet music documenting the development of and popular attitudes towards transportation technology in the United States.

1.1: Aeronautics
1.2: Automobiles
1.3: Bicycles
1.4: Boats and Boating
1.5: Horse-Drawn Vehicles
1.6: Motorcycles
1.7: Railroads
1.8: Urban Transportation
1.9 Ephemera

Series 2: Armed Forces

Dates

circa 1810-1980

Contents

Series 2: Armed Forces contains circa 3,400 pieces of sheet music and song folios documenting the military history of the United States; there are only a handful of foreign imprints.

2.1: Pre-Civil War
2.2: Civil War
2.3: Pre-World War I
2.4: World War I
2.5: World War II
2.6: Post -World War
2.7: Naval History
2.8: Marine Corps
Ephemera

Series 3: African-American Music

Dates

circa 1828-1980

Contents

Series 3: African-American Music contains circa 7,800 pieces of sheet music and folios dating from the 1820s to the 1980s; most of the material dates from after 1890.

3.1: Minstrel Shows and Blackface Entertainers
3.2: Uncle Tom's Cabin
3.3: African-American Folk-songs and Spirituals
3.4: Songs about African-American/Vocal Ragtime
3.5: Instrumental and Ragtime Music
3.6: Ragtime Composers and Publishers
3.7: Blues and Jazz Music
3.8: Composers and Performers
Ephemera

Series 4: Songwriters

Dates

1817-1982

Contents

Series 4: Songwriters: The song sheets associated with each songwriter in this series are generally arranged in the following order: General Songs; Ethnic Songs; Armed Conflict Songs or other Topical Headings; Ragtime; Instrumental; Musical Theater Production Songs; Motion Picture Production Songs; Specialized Song Sheets/Editions; Professional/Artist Copy Song Sheets; and Folios/Volumes.

List: 4.1 - 4.217
Ephemera

Series 5: Politics and Political Movements

Dates

circa 1817-1982

Contents

Series 5: Politics and Political Movements contains circa 1,565 pieces of sheet music and song folios documenting the political history of the United States.

5.1: Patriotic Music
5.2: Politicians and Political Figures
5.3: Politics and Political Parties
5.4: Ku Klux Klan
5.5: Prohibition and Temperance
5.6: Trade Union
5.7: Women's Rights
Ephemera

Series 6: Moving Pictures and Movie Stars

Dates

1911-1986

Contents

Series 6: Moving Pictures and Movie Stars:

6.1 Academy Award Songs
6.2 Child Stars
6.3 Dance Folios
6.4 Disney Productions and Other Cartoon Movies
6.5 Female Stars
6.6 Male Stars
6.7 Movie Music
6.8 Silent Films
6.9 Songs About the Movies
Ephemera

Series 7: Sports

Dates

1834-1983

Contents

Series 7: Sports contains 1,254 pieces of sheet music and song folios. Most of the sheet music is either piano or piano/ vocal arrangements.

7.1: Baseball, 1860-1976
7.2: Boxing, 1893-1982
7.3: Fishing, 1847-1962
7.4: Football, 1894-1978; undated
7.5: Gambling and Games of Chance, 1891-1980
7.6: Golf, 1893-1953
7.7: Horse Racing, 1899-1968
7.8: Hunting, 1834-1951
7.9: Ice Skating, 1861 -1978; undated
7.10: Olympics, 1932-1983
7.11: Ping Pong, 1901-1902
7.12: Roller Skating, 1871-1980; undated
7.13: Skiing, 1908-1971
7.14: Sleighs and Sledding, 1846- 1967; undated
7.15: Sports, Miscellaneous, 1866-1977
7.16: Tennis, 1893-1914, 1951
Ephemera

Series 8: Geography

Dates

1794-1987

Contents

Series 8: Geography is divided into three sections: the United States, Foreign Countries, and Natural Features. The more than 13,000 sheets date from 1830-1987 and include undated sheets that are probably earlier. The series comprises 33 cu. ft.

8.1-8.49: United States, 1830-1987 (States)
8.50-8.51: United States, 1830-1987 (U. S. Regions)
8.53-8.89: Foreign Countries, 1794-1982 (Afghanistan - Italy)
8.90-8.126: Foreign Countries, 1794-1982 (Japan - Vietnam) & (Foreign Regions)
8.127-8.128: Natural Features, 1834-1980
Ephemera

Series 9: Domestic and Community Life

Dates

1827-1986; undated

Contents

Series 9: Domestic and Community Life documents family, love, marriage, home, and social organizations. It does not include Health or Business items, which are included in separate series. Certain issues, such as women's rights, are in Series 2: Politics and Political Movements.

9.1: Adult Family Members, 1836-1985; undated
9.2: Children, 1855-1971; undated
9.3: Dolls, Stories, Toys, 1860-1984; undated
9.4: Songs About and Images of Men and Women, 1828-1972; undated
9.5: Home, Neighborhood, and Immigrants/Refugees, 1830-1980; undated
9.6: Love, 1827-1982; undated
9.7: Marriage, 1829-1976; undated
9.8: Friendship and Social Organizations, 1838-1982; undated
9.9: Age, Death, and Dying, 1834-1951; undated
9.10: Domestic Art and Clothing, 1843-1978; undated
9.11:Albums, Lockets, and Memories, 1857-1952; undated
Ephemera

Series 10: Sacred Music and Religious Themes

Dates

1822-1986, undated

Contents

Series 10: Sacred Music and Religious Themes contains approximately 4,000 pieces of sheet music, much of which is traditional Christian music, but also documents popular attitudes towards religion in the United States. Note that the Christmas and Easter subseries include their secular aspects.

10.1, Adam, Eve, and Eden, 1882-1971
10.2, Angels, 1849-1961, undated
10.3, Bells and Chimes, 1848-1956, undated
10.4, Biblical Characters and Stories, 1876-1986, undated
10.5, Cathedral, Chapel, Church, 1866-1966, undated
10.6, Choir, 1880-1937
10.7, Christmas, 1828-1984, undated
10.8, Devil and Satan, 1865-1979, undated
10.9, Easter, 1872-1975, undated
10.10, Evolution, 1925-1963
10.11, Heaven, 1866-1975, undated
10.12, Inspirational Singers, 1868-1977
10.13, Madonna, The Virgin Mary, 1855-1953, undated
10.14, Miracles, 1929-1959
10.15, Mormons, 1895-1933, undated
10.16, Paradise, 1900-1925, undated
10.17, Pilgrim, 1868-1938, undated
10.18, Psalms, 1884-1980, undated
10.19, Quakers, 1899-1940, undated
10.20, Rosary, 1897-1953
10.21, General Sacred Songs, 1822-1982, undated
Ephemera, 1899-1986

Series 11: Entertainment

Dates

1841-1984, undated

Contents

Series 11: Entertainment contains more than 12,500 pieces of sheet music and other materials documenting the development of and popular attitudes towards entertainers and entertainment in the United States. Note that movies and some musical entertainment are also covered in Series 6, Moving Pictures and Movie Stars, and in Series 16, Country, Western, and Folk Music. Blind musicians and performers are in Series 17.

11.1: Early Troupes & Bandmasters, 1841-1944, undated
11.2: Dance Bands and Orchestras, 1905-1964, undated
11.3: Novelty Bands, 1901-1952
11.4: Male Singers (Individual), 1846-1981
11.5: Female Singers (Individual), 1845-1971
11.6: Duos and Groups (Male and Mixed), 1903-1981
11.7: Female Duos and Groups, 1896-1966
11.8: Child Entertainers, 1852-1927, undated
11.9: Impersonators, 1904-1982
11.10: Actors and Comedians, 1853-1982
11.11: Theater, 1873-1973, undated
11.12: Juke Box, Nickelodeon, 1923-1981
11.13: Phonograph, Records, Tapes, 1878-1971
11.14: Radio, Transistor, Wireless, 1898-1984
11.15: Television, 1931-1987
11.16: Circus, Fair, Zoo

Series 12: Plants and Animals

Dates

1831-1984, undated

Contents

Series 12: Plants and Animals contains approximately 4,000 pieces of sheet music and other materials documenting the development of and popular attitudes towards plants and animals in the United States.

12.1, Trees, 1833-1969, undated
12.2, Plants and Flowers, 1840-1979, undated
12.3, Animals, 1831-1984, undated
12.4, Fish, Mermaids, and Aquatic Species, 1832-1978, undated
12.5, Birds, 1834-1976, undated
12.6, Insects and Spiders, 1853-1968, undated

Series 13: Agriculture, Business, and Law

Dates

1827-1985, undated

Contents

Series 13, Agriculture, Business, and Law contains approximately 3,300 pieces of sheet music and other materials documenting the development of and popular attitudes towards business, commerce, farming and food, finances, labor, law, and social order in the United States. The series comprises nine cubic feet, plus two boxes of ephemera.

13.1, Business and Jobs, 1927-1982, undated
13.2, Farming, Food, and Tobacco, 1836-1986, undated
13.3, Finances and Valuables, 1841-1982, undated
13.4, Law and Social Order, 1858-1972, undated
13.5, Public Services and Utilities, 1836-1984, undated
Ephemera, 1901-1987, undated

Series 14: Calendar, Time, and Weather

Dates

1811-1980, undated

Contents

Series 14, Calendar, Time, and Weather contains approximately 1,800 pieces of sheet music, documenting attitudes toward and consequences of natural events. The four seasons comprise the larger part.

14.1, Years, 1880-1945, undated
14.2, Seasons, 1850-1978, undated
14.3, Months, 1855-1978, undated
14.4, Days of the Week, 1853-1965
14.5, Clocks and Time, 1844-1967, undated
14.6, Weather, 1911-1980, undated
Ephemera, 1952-1982, undated

Series 15: Holidays and Celebrations

Dates

1847-1982, undated

Contents

Series 15, Holidays and Celebrations contains approximately 500 pieces of sheet music and other materials documenting the development of and popular attitudes towards holidays, celebrations, and travel in the United States. Note that Christmas items are in Series 10, Sacred Music and Religious Themes, subseries 7.

15.1, Holiday, Travel, Vacation, 1866-1982
15.2, Carnival, 1847-1937, undated
15.3, Mardi Gras, 1892-1958, undated
15.4, Masquerade, 1900-1973, undated.
15.5, Halloween, 1853-1962, undated.
15.6, Thanksgiving, 1853-1974, undated.
15.7, New Year, 1852-1970, undated
15.8, Park, 1869-1969, undated
15.9, Picnic, 1854-1964, undated
15.10, Rolling Chairs, 1905-1923, undated
Ephemera

Series 16: Country, Western, and Folk Music

Dates

1839-1986, undated

Contents

Series 16: Country, Western, and Folk Music, contains approximately 11,500 pieces of sheet music and other materials documenting the development of and popular attitudes towards country, western, and folk music in the United States. The dates always refer to copyright of the music and not to the subject on the cover, songwriter's life, or other events. There are 78 boxes of sheet music and 16 boxes of ephemera.

16.1, Individual Male Entertainers, 1911-1983, undated
16.2, Individual Female Entertainers, 1902-1986, undated
16.3, Duos and Groups, 1910-1981, undated
16.4, The West, 1939-1984
16.5, Barn Dance, Fiddle Tunes, and "Turkey in the Straw," 1878-1975
16.6, Blues, Feuding, Hillbilly, Honky Tonk, and Yodeling, 1885-1975, undated
16.7, Miscellaneous Songs, 1913-1983
16.8, Folios, 1914-1969
Ephemera --subseries 1-7 and subseries 9-10

Series 17: The Human Condition--Physical, Mental, Behavioral

Dates

1833-1987

Contents

Series 17, The Human Condition--Physical, Mental, Behavioral contains approximately 1,000 pieces of sheet music and other materials documenting the development of and popular attitudes towards the human condition in the United States.

17.1, Physical Health, 1833-1982, undated
17.2, Happiness, 1845-1978, undated
17.3, Crazy, Foolish, 1904-1973, undated
17.4, Rubes, 1888-1938
Ephemera

Series 18: Dance

Dates

1812-1978, undated

Contents

Series 18, Dance contains approximately 3,330 pieces of sheet music and other materials documenting the development of and popular attitudes towards dance in the United States.

18.1, General Songs about Dance, 1882-1967, undated
18.2, Ballroom Dancers and Dance Institute, 1840-1951, undated
18.3, Charleston, 1923-1964
18.4, Fox Trot, 1913-1932
18.5, Galop, 1842-1924, undated
18.6, Gavotte, 1874-1978, undated
18.7, Jigs and Reels, 1891-1951, undated
18.8, Lancers, 1857-1903, undated
18.9, Maxixe, 1913-1914, undated
18.10, Mazurka, 1854-1940, undated
18.11, Minuet, 1875-1968, undated
18.12, One Step, 1910-1921
18.13, Polka, 1845-1975, undated
18.14, Quadrilles, 1831-1883, undated
18.15, Redowa, 1853-1908, undated
18.16, Schottische, 1850-1944, undated
18.17, Skirt Dance, 1891-1893, undated
18.18, Square Dance, 1926-1964
18.19, Tango, 1909-1952
18.20, Three Step, 1903-1913
18.21, Two Step, 1894-1925
18.22, Varsova, 1851-1917, undated
18.23, Waltz, 1812-1968, undated
18.24, Folios, 1888-1953, undated
Ephemera

Series 19: Art and Literature

Dates

1830-1977, undated

Contents

Series 19, Art and Literature contains approximately 860 pieces of sheet music and other materials documenting popular attitudes towards art and literature in the United States.

19.1, Art and Artists, 1839-1977, undated
19.2, Cover Artists and Early Lithograph Covers, 1830-1931, undated
19.3, Photography, 1848-1966
19.4, Carving and Whittling, 1906-1947
19.5, Books, Diary, and Stories, 1849-1983
19.6, Poets and Poetry, 1836-1969, undated Ephemera Index

Series 20: Newspapers

Dates

1844-1968, undated

Contents

Series 20, Newspapers, 1844-1968, contains materials documenting the business of and popular attitudes towards newspapers in the United States.

20.1, Songs about Advertising, the News and the Press
20.2, Songs published by Newspapers or about serialized stories
20.3, Songs about Newsboys and Newsgirls
20.4, Cartoons, Cartoonists, and Comics
20.5, Newspaper and Magazine Supplements
Ephemera

Series 21: Musical Instruments

Dates

1824-1981 and undated

Contents

Series 21, Musical Instruments, 1824-1981, undated, contains approximately 4,900 pieces of sheet music and other materials documenting the development of and popular attitudes towards the playing of music in the United States. Numerous teaching manuals are included.

21.1, Accordion, 1902-1964, undated
21.2, Banjo, 1853-1975, undated
21.3, Cello, 1891-1935, undated
21.4, Clarinet, 1905-1958, undated
21.5, Concertina, 1905-1941, undated
21.6, Cornet, 1848-1924, undated
21.7, Double Bass, 1939-1955
21.8, Drums, 1867-1971, undated
21.9, Fiddle, 1893-1981, undated
21.10, Flute, 1847-1936, undated
21.11, Guitar, 1824-1977, undated
21.12, Harmonica, 1904-1974, undated
21.13, Harp, 1866-1976, undated
21.14, Hurdy Gurdy, 1899-1969
21.15, Mandolin, 1843-1954, undated
21.16, Music Boxes, 1848-1979, undated
21.17, Organ, 1856-1973, undated
21.18, Saxophone, 1907-1953
21.19, Tambourine, 1854-1960
21.20, Trombone, 1906-1957
21.21, Trumpet, 1904-1945, undated
21.22, Ukulele, 1915-1964, undated
21.23, Violin, 1843-1957, undated
21.24, Zither, 1970-1951, undated
21.25, Various Instruments, 1835-1968, undated
Ephemera

Series 22: American Indian

Contents

Series 22: American Indian

Dates

1899-1975

Series 23: Universe

Contents

Series 23: Universe

Dates

1842-1970

Series 24: Education

Contents

Series 24: Education

Dates

1834-1964

Series 25: Vocal

Contents

Series 25: Vocal

Series 26: General Sheet Music

Contents

Series 26: General Sheet Music

Series 27: Gypsies

Contents

Series 27: Gypsies

Series 28: Opera

Contents

Series 28: Opera

Series 29: Piano

Contents

Series 29: Piano

Series 30: Marches and Quicksteps

Contents

Series 30: Marches and Quicksteps

Series 31: Dialects

Contents

Series 31: Dialects

Series 32: Christopher Columbus

Contents

Series 32: Christopher Columbus

Series 33: Reveries

Contents

Series 33: Reveries

Series 34: Indiana Publishers

Contents

Series 34: Indiana Publishers

Series 35: Sam DeVincent Personal Papers

Contents

Series 35: Sam DeVincent Personal Papers

Series 36: Folios and Songbooks

Contents

Series 36: Folios and Songbooks

Series 37: Other Materials

Contents

Series 37: Other Materials

Dates

1853-1976

Additional Topical Series

An updated list of DeVincent topical series is available via the Smithsonian finding aid portal.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into topical series.

Biographical note

Sam DeVincent was born January 8, 1918 and lived in Fort Wayne, Indiana for most of his life. DeVincent collected sheet music and related materials during most of his lifetime. His interest included both the music and the cover art. Because he had little money to support his collecting, DeVincent gathered most of his material through careful searches and travel.

DeVincent and his wife used much of the music he collected in their musical group "Nancy Lee and the Hilltoppers." The group performed regularly on radio station WOWO in Fort Wayne, Indiana, from 1945 to 1955. After 1955 (and the emergence of rock and roll), "Nancy Lee and the Hilltoppers" played only once a week on the radio station. At this time, Mr. DeVincent worked as an all-night disc jockey at WOWO. In 1960 he became music director and music librarian at the station. His position as music librarian helped him to add to his collection, especially the phonograph recordings (many promotional copies are included).

DeVincent retired from WOWO in 1983. He and his wife continued to perform publicly including a weekly radio show on WOWO. The National Museum of American History acquired the DeVincent collection in the spring of 1988. Sam DeVincent passed away November 29, 1997.

Administration

Author

NMAH Staff

Processing Information

Series 1: Transportation by: Karen Linn, 1989
Series 2: Armed Forces by: Karen Linn, 1989
Series 3: African-American Music by: Karen Linn, 1989
Series 4: Songwriters by: Robert S. Harding, archivist and Cooby Greenway, volunteer, 1994
Series 5: Politics and Political Movements by: Karen Linn, 1991
Series 6: Moving Pictures and Movie Stars by: Robert S Harding, archivist and Corinne Barger, 1991
Series 7: Sports by: Robert S Harding, archivist and Yaraslav Senyk, intern, 1997
Series 8: Geography by: Cooby Greenway, volunteer and Robert S. Harding, archivist, August 2001
Series 12: Plants and Animals processed by Cooby Greenway (volunteer), August, 2006; supervised by Vanessa Simmons Broussard, archivist.
Series 13: Agriculture, Business, and Law processed by Cooby Greenway (volunteer), February 2007; supervised by Vanessa Broussard Simmons, archivist.
Series 14, Calendar, Time, and Weather processed by Cooby Greenway (volunteer), February, 2008; supervised by Vanessa Broussard Simmons, archivist.
Series 16, Country, Western, and Folk processed by Cooby Greenway (volunteer), December, 2009; supervised by Vanessa Broussard Simmons, archivist.
Series 17, The Human Condition --Physical, Mental Behavioral processed by Cooby Greenway (volunteer), October, 2010, supervised by Vanessa Broussard Simmons, archivist.
Series 19, Art and Literature processed by Cooby Greenway (volunteer), May 2011, supervised by Vanessa Broussard Simmons, archivist.
Series 20, Newspapers processed by Cooby Greenway (volunteer), June 2011, supervised by Vanessa Broussard Simmons, archivist.
Series 21: Musical Instruments processed by Cooby Greenway (volunteer), 2016, supervised by Vanessa Broussard Simmons, archivist.
Series 22: American Indian processed by Cooby Greenway (volunteer), 2017, supervised by Vanessa Broussard Simmons, archivist.
Series 23: Universe, processed by Cooby Greenway (volunteer), 2017, supervised by Vanessa Broussard Simmons, archivist.
Series 24: Education, processed by Cooby Greenway (volunteer), June 2017 supervised by Vanessa Broussard Simmons, archivist.
Series 25: Vocal, processed by Cooby Greenway (volunteer), June 2017 supervised by Vanessa Broussard Simmons, archivist.
Series 26: General Sheet Music, processed by Eva Buchanan, Katie DeFonzo, Stephanie Haeg, Amanda Scott, and Monisha Bernard, interns; supervised by Vanessa Broussard Simmons, archivist.
Series 27: Gypsies, processed by Eva Buchanan, Katie DeFonzo, Stephanie Haeg, Amanda Scott, and Monisha Bernard, interns; supervised by Vanessa Broussard Simmons, archivist.
Series 28: Opera, processed by Eva Buchanan, Katie DeFonzo, Stephanie Haeg, Amanda Scott, and Monisha Bernard, interns; supervised by Vanessa Broussard Simmons, archivist.
Series 29: Piano, processed by Eva Buchanan, Katie DeFonzo, Stephanie Haeg, Amanda Scott, and Monisha Bernard, interns; supervised by Vanessa Broussard Simmons, archivist.
Series 30: Marches and Quick Steps, processed by Eva Buchanan, Katie DeFonzo, Stephanie Haeg, Amanda Scott, and Monisha Bernard, interns; supervised by Vanessa Broussard Simmons, archivist.
Series 31: Dialects and Foreign Songs, processed by Eva Buchanan, Katie DeFonzo, Stephanie Haeg, Amanda Scott, and Monisha Bernard, interns; supervised by Vanessa Broussard Simmons, archivist.
Series 32: Christopher Columbus, processed by Eva Buchanan, Katie DeFonzo, Stephanie Haeg, Amanda Scott, and Monisha Bernard, interns; supervised by Vanessa Broussard Simmons, archivist.
Series 33: Reveries, processed by Eva Buchanan, Katie DeFonzo, Stephanie Haeg, Amanda Scott, and Monisha Bernard, interns; supervised by Vanessa Broussard Simmons, archivist.
Series 34: Indiana Publishers, processed by Eva Buchanan, Katie DeFonzo, Stephanie Haeg, Amanda Scott, and Monisha Bernard, interns; supervised by Vanessa Broussard Simmons, archivist.
Series 35: Sam DeVincent Personal Papers, processed by Eva Buchanan, Katie DeFonzo, Stephanie Haeg, Amanda Scott, and Monisha Bernard, interns; supervised by Vanessa Broussard Simmons, archivist.
Series 36: Folios and Songbooks, processed by Eva Buchanan, Katie DeFonzo, Stephanie Haeg, Amanda Scott, and Monisha Bernard, interns; supervised by Vanessa Broussard Simmons, archivist.
Series 37: Other Materials, processed by Eva Buchanan, Katie DeFonzo, Stephanie Haeg, Amanda Scott, and Monisha Bernard, interns; supervised by Vanessa Broussard Simmons, archivist.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was purchased by the Smithsonian Institution in 1988 from Sam and Nancy Lee DeVincent.

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Use

Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

The Sam DeVincent Collection of Illustrated American Sheet Music, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution

Materials in Other Organizations

Sam DeVincent Collection of American Sheet Music, Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana

The Sam DeVincent Collection of American Sheet Music contains approximately 24,000 pieces of sheet music, songbooks, and folios. DeVincent arranged his collection into categories based on either personal names of musicians or performers or on subjects he defined that were as diverse as the American Red Cross and Halloween. The Lilly Library has maintained this arrangement.

All the sheet music in the DeVincent collection is listed in the IN Harmony: Sheet Music from Indiana: Lilly Library web site. Digitized images are available for some items.

Materials in the Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Donald J. Stubblebine Collection of Musical Theater and Motion Picture Sheet Music and Reference Material, 1843-2010 (AC1211)

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms	Keyword Types
Lithographs	Genre Form	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Musical revue, comedy, etc	Topical	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Music -- United States	Topical	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Music -- Performance	Topical	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Transportation -- Music	Topical	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Ragtime music	Topical	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Sound recordings	Genre Form	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Phonograph records	Genre Form	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Musicians	Topical	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Armed Forces -- Music	Topical	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Country music	Topical	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Papers	Genre Form	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Photographic prints	Genre Form	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Music -- 20th century	Topical	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Music -- African-American	Topical	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Music -- 18th century	Topical	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Sheet music	Genre Form	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Music -- 19th century	Topical	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Photographs -- 19th century	Genre Form	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Politics -- Music	Topical	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
WOWO (radio station).	Corporate Name	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid

Archives Center, National Museum of American History

P.O. Box 37012

Suite 1100, MRC 601

Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

archivescenter@si.edu

https://americanhistory.si.edu/archives