Hymnals and Song Books
Essex - contains about 500 American hymnals and song books of the early nineteenth century. More than 100 vocal and instrumental instruction books are also present. Shape-note hymnals are included, and a number of the books are of reduced size, suitable for transportation to camp-meetings in the minister's saddle bags. Works edited by Lowell Mason are substantially represented. A smaller number of hymnals and song books will also be found in the
Baker, Postel, and
Mohler collections.
The Library also has a general group of about 150 nineteenth-century song books acquired from various sources. A recent addition to the collection is an 1838 exercise book for singing schools by Lowell Mason, the gift of Mrs. Hope Wood of Boca Raton, Florida. The book is made in large format for classroom use.
E-mail comments and inquiries about the Concert Bills and Programs to Therese Dickman at
tdickma@siue.edu or call 618-650-2695.
