A New Aid to Collectors
Early in the year, the Pinwheel Press, of 142 So. 11th St., Philadelphia, will publish “Early American Sheet Music” by Harry Dichter. This is probably the first attempt to aid collectors and dealers in this fascinating field of Americana. It will be illustrated with many full-page reproductions of esteemed sheet music covers and also give much useful bibliographical information. A business announcement in this issue, gives full information as to its cost in the several editions.
About The New York Mirror
In 1823, George P. Morris in conjunction with Samuel Woodworth established the New York MIRROR. In those days Woodworth was considered quite a poet, his most permanent obeisance to the muse being “The Bucket”, later more fittingly known as “The Old Oaken Bucket”. The MIRROR lasted until 1842, but returned from its journalistic grave the year following and was known as the NEW MIRROR. It ran for a year and a half and stated in its last issue in Sept., 1844, that it was being discontinued because the Post Office charged it magazine postage which was much higher than that required of newspapers. Perhaps, to avail itself of this discrimination, it became a daily about this time, a weekly edition being gotten out for the benefit of the former NEW MIRROR subscribers. From Sept., 1844 to February, 1845, Edgar Allan Poe, so the “Papers of the Bibliographical Society of America” reports, was employed as critical writer. Perhaps this explains why “The Raven” was printed in the EVENING MIRROR, on Jan. 29, 1845, “by permission”, from the advance sheets of the AMERICAN REVIEW where it appeared a few weeks later. While the MIRROR copy is usually spoken of as the second appearance of “The Raven”, most collectors prefer it to its AMERICAN REVIEW appearance and it commands a higher price, although in neither case as much as one might conjecture.
After Willis and Morris withdrew in 1845, Hiram Fuller took charge and with certain minor changes of title, the periodical continued until 1857. Soon after Fuller came into control, he was sued by Poe for having published the Thomas Dunn English article reflecting on his character. Poe was awarded $225 damages.
WALTER R. BENJAMIN
655 Fifth Ave. New York, N. Y.
AUTOGRAPH LETTERS AND HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS
BUYS—
Leading expert in autographs will purchase for immediate cash large collections or single items of historical or literary importance. American or foreign.
SELLS—
Collectors! Send for sample copy of THE COLLECTOR, a magazine for autograph and historical collectors, established 1887. See prices quoted on letters, guaranteed authentic, of the great Kings and Queens, Statesmen, Authors, Musicians, Scientists, and Soldiers of all times and all countries.