[124] Pa. Gaz., Nov. 6, 1755.
[125] Pa. Gaz., Aug. 27, 1761.
[126] Pa. Gaz., May 15, 1763.
[127] Pa. Jour., June 8, 1774.
[128] Sonneck, Early Secular Amer. Music, p. 193.
[129] Pa. Packet, Oct. 17, 1774.
CHAPTER V.
Music Dealers, Etc.
To supply the needs of his pupils it is necessary for a music teacher either to carry a line of musical wares himself or to satisfy his wants from a merchant dealing in such things. For some time it is quite likely that each teacher imported his own musical merchandise, although it has already been noted that, at an early date, Benj. Franklin had some music on sale.[130] As in every business there is some one ready to grasp an opportunity, so in the music business a man stepped forward to relieve the teachers of buying and selling. This man was Michael Hillegas, who in 1759 opened, what may be called, the first real music store in Philadelphia. A glance at the following advertisement will not belie this claim.
“To be sold by Michall Hillegas, at his House in Second street, opposite Samuel Morris, Esq., an extraordinary good and neat Harpsichord with four stops; a good Violin-cello, an Assortment of English and Italian Violins, as well common ones, as double lined, of which some extraordinary; a parcel of good German Flutes, imported here from Italy. Also imported in the last ships from London, a large Assortment of Musick, of the best Masters, viz.: Solo’s, Overtures, Concerto’s, Sonata’s, and Duets, for Violins, German Flutes, Hautboys, French Horns, Violoncello’s, and Guitars, Voluntaries, Lessons for Organs and Harpischords, ruled paper of various Sorts for Musick, and Musick Books, Tutors or Books of Instructions to learn to play on the Violin, German Flute, Hautboy, or Common Flute, without a Master, Song Books, Cantatas, Songs on Sheets, and a Choice Parcel of Violin Strings, etc.”[131]