Going Postal : Vintage and Historic Sheet Music Featuring Letters, Mail, and Stamps
By Perry G.
Thu, July 26, 2012
On July 26, 1775 – 237 years ago today – the first Post Office was founded right here in Philadelphia, with Ben Franklin at the helm as the first Post Master General. But not even Ben could’ve predicted that, from that point on, the musical floodgates would open for countless songs about stamp collecting, love letters, and waiting on that ever-reliable Mr. Postman to be written.
Let’s take a look at some postal-focused illustrations from the Music Department’s historic collection of sheet music. Some are even older than the Civil War!
The Stamp Galop (1861) / composed by Arhur O’Leary. Boston : Ditson
Beatrice Fairfax Tell Me What to Do! (1915) / words by Grant Clark and Joe McCarthy. New York : Leo Feist Inc.
Instead of consulting her parents, a young woman writes to America’s first Miss Lonely Hearts columnist for advice on courting a new beau. Choice line: "Pa said he's a loafer, but I know he's a chauffeur."
The Lost Letter (1883) / words & music by Henry C. Work. Chicago : S. Brainard's Sons
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