Monday, August 09, 2010

"The Headlight" - a Singing Book from 1873




This weekend at the flea market I bought this book to tear up and use in art projects.

It's called, "The Headlight : A new and original singing book for the use of juvenile classes, public schools and seminaries including the popular operetta entitled, Grandpa's Birthday." It was published in 1873 by White, Smith & Co. of Boston.



I thought I should search it online before I ripped it up and now I'm not so sure I should. There's one online for $46 and one for $107. Of course, they're both still there, which is also telling.



One of my favorite things about it, and what prompted me to part with my $2.50 was the writing in it. I love handwriting and this is beautiful, old fashioned script.



The owner, apparently, was Miss C A Childs of Burlingame, Kansas in 1874. On the inside front cover are numerous other names and cities. Olathe, Leavenworth, Blue Rapids, ElDorado and Montanau Kansas are all mentioned.



I'm not sure what I'll end up doing with this book, but I'm thinking it was worth the $2.50 I paid for it.