THE AMERICAN HARMONY: CONTAINING, IN A CONCISE MANNER, THE RULES OF SINGING; TOGETHER WITH A COLLECTION OF PSALM TUNES, HYMNS, AND ANTHEMS. FROM THE MOST APPROVED AUTHORS, ANCIENT AND MODERN

Shumway, Nehemiah

Published by Printed and sold by John McCulloch, at No. 1, North Third-street, Philadelphia, 1793

About this Item

176, 181-212 pp. [as issued, text complete]. Contemporary calf [some rubbing and spotting]. Ownership inscription of Moses Willcocks on front free endpaper. Lightly foxed or spotted. Tear with slight loss at leaf 11/12. A few leaves trimmed closely, occasionally shaving portions of page number and headline. Good+. Shumway (1761-1843), born in Massachusetts and educated at the College of Rhode Island (now Brown University) is remembered for his musical compositions in the Sacred Harp tradition, such as "Schenectady" and "Ballstown." His Preface says, "Nothing so much elevates the mind, rises devout affections, calms the swelling passions, calls home the wandering thoughts, and prepares the heart for the worship of the Supreme Being, as the singing of psalms." This first edition prints the Rules of Psalmody, General Observations on Singing, and dozens of hymns and psalm tunes. Shumway includes his own compositions, and features numerous examples from other New England composers, many of which were never before published. FIRST EDITION. Evans 26162. ESTC W11554. Sabin 80766. Seller Inventory # 40287

Bibliographic Details

Title: THE AMERICAN HARMONY: CONTAINING, IN A ...

Publisher: Printed and sold by John McCulloch, at No. 1, North Third-street, Philadelphia

Publication Date: 1793

Edition: 1st Edition