American Historical Ephemera & Photography, Featuring Property from the James Milgram, M.D., Collection of Broadsides, Ephemeral Americana & Historical Documents

Leather-covered wood travel case, 15 1/2 in. (w) x 10 1/4 in. (w) x 8 1/4 (h) in., embossed with gilt "Glenn Miller" on lid and "Piano" above center latch. Leather carrying handle attached at center top, bottom corners reinforced with metal. Latches in working condition. Two straps attached to interior of lid and additional two straps to interior base. Case acquired with approximately 170 manuscript scores many identified to members of the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band, and the post-war Glenn Miller Orchestra under the direction of Tex Beneke (1914-2000). In addition to several scores believed to bear edits in Miller's hand, the archive includes arrangements identified to Jerry Gray, Norman Leyden, Mel Powell, John Carisi, Carmen Mastren, Ralph Wilkinson, George Ockner, and Harry Katz. Other scores identified to Johnny Desmond and "The Crew Chiefs," the war-date vocal group which accompanied Miller and his musicians as part of the Army Air Force Band. Titles in the archive constitute an array of popular tunes and military music.

AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE AND LARGE GROUP OF MUSICAL ARRANGEMENTS FROM ONE OF THE GREATEST AGGREGATIONS OF DANCE MUSICIANS EVER ASSEMBLED

Scores date from approximately 1939-1946, with the bulk dating from 1942-1945 and a large portion dating from 1942-1944 while Miller was still alive and leading the Army Air Force Band. A group of 14 scores are on yellow "2nd Radio Production Unit / Army Air Forces" paper. Notably rare arrangements include: "Sad Eyes" (19??) which was never performed; "President's Birthday Ball" (1944) which was a 1942 Irving Berlin piece arranged in celebration of FDR's birthday but not broadcast; and "All's Well Mademoiselle" (1944) a score written while the band was in England.

Scores typically with only one or sometimes two instrumental versions in the collection, though a small number of titles have a variety of instrument parts. "Runnin' Wild," a 1939 score, is present in eight versions all of which bear the identification number "209" from the original Glenn Miller Band book including "Trumpet I," "Trumpet II," "Trumpet 3," "4th Trumpet," "Trombone II," "3rd Trombone," "1st Sax E," and "5th Sax B."

Condition of scores generally good with expected wear given age and usage. Scores legible and generally intact, though some have separated from adhesive attaching pages in a multi-page score. A full condition report and a complete listing of scores contained within the archive are available upon request.

[With:] Ephemera related to "The Modernaires," a vocal group associated with the Glenn Miller Orchestra from 1940 until 1942. Hal Dickinson and Paula Kelly (1919-1992), both members of "The Modernaires," had married in 1939 before going on to achieve prominence performing with Miller. In later decades, "The Modernaires" continued performing throughout the country, incorporating Paula and Hal's daughter, Paula Kelly Junior, as a primary member. Ephemera includes in part: a pamphlet for the "Glenn Miller Club of Birmingham England" signed ("Glenn Miller") by Miller, likely while he was stationed in England as part of the Army Air Force Band; publicity photographs of "The Modernaires"; and contracts and riders associated with the later incarnations of the performing group. Personal ephemera includes family photographs of Paula Kelly and Hal Dickinson's daughters, along with report cards, vaccination records, and other miscellaneous family papers that suggest the provenance of the Miller Army Air Force Band manuscript scores may be through a member of "The Modernaires."

Consignor relates that the original scores and "Modernaires" items were found together and purchased by his son at an antique fair in Southern California approximately 20 years ago. 

[Also with:] A small group of approximately 20 printed or facsimile musical scores.
 
Alton Glenn Miller was the best-selling recording artist in the United States leading one of the world's best-known big bands when he volunteered to join the U.S. military during World War II. Initially, Miller served and performed stateside as a captain in the Army Air Forces during which time he produced a weekly radio broadcast "I Sustain the Wings." In the summer of 1944, Miller and his 50-piece Army Air Force Band relocated to England where they performed widely entertaining the troops. Miller also simultaneously worked on behalf of the Office of War Information and the American Forces Network. Following U.S. military advances in the wake of D-Day, Miller intended to move his entire band to Paris. On December 15, 1944, Miller's plane disappeared while flying over the English Channel enroute to Paris. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star "for meritorious service in connection with military operations as Commander of the Army Air Force Band (Special), from 9 July 1944 to 15 December 1944." His citation declared that "Major Miller, through excellent judgement and professional skill, conspicuously blended the abilities of the outstanding musicians, comprising the group, into a harmonious orchestra whose noteworthy contribution to the morale of the armed forces has been little less that sensational." 

The Estate of Glenn Miller has authenticated the musical scores offered as Lot 218 and states that the rights to any public performance of the music remain with the Estate, which exclusively licenses its music to Glenn Miller Productions, Inc. for public performance.