[MUSIC]. JOHNSON, Hall (1888-1970). Honor! Honor! Negro Spiritual. Handwritten sheet music and photograph. Ca 1930s-1940s.

Handwritten sheet music accomplished in ink, unsigned but possibly written by [Francis] Hall Johnson. Approx. 8 1/2 x 11 in. paper mounted on board (toned especially along top edge line, partially clipped left side resulting in omission of "S" from "Soprano," vertical crease running top to bottom at center). Accompanied by photograph of Johnson's musical group the Hall Johnson Negro Choir, ca 1937, 9 1/4 x 7 1/4 in. (small circular abrasions top left, light wear). Photograph is mounted with adhesive to white foam board surmounting the sheet music, which is also mounted to foam board, overall 12 1/2 x 23 3/4 in. (creasing to mounting board, adhesive residue on verso).

Honor! Honor! was a negro spiritual recorded by Leontyne Price, Marian Anderson, and other prominent singers. The sheet music indicates this arrangement of the classic song was by Johnson, an exceptionally gifted professional musician who transitioned into the arrangement and performance of spirituals and choral music. Johnson is also well-known for forming the Hall Johnson Negro Choir in 1925, and for arranging music for more than thirty feature-length Hollywood films.

Consignor relates that this lot was acquired from an African American collector in Harlem who opened the National Black American Historical Museum on 116th St. and Lenox Ave. in Harlem in the 1960s-1970s. This lot hung in that museum.

Property from a 35-Year Collection from the Southern United States

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Hindman strives to describe historic materials in a manner that is respectful to all communities, providing descriptive contexts for objects where possible. The nature of historical ephemera is such that some material may represent positions, language, values, and stereotypes that are not consistent with the current values and practices at Hindman.

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Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

Katie Horstman

VP, Head of Department, American Historical Ephemera and Early Photography

[email protected]513.666.4958

Ms. Horstman has spent over a decade specializing in historic photography and Americana at auction. During her tenure, she has overseen several notable single owner auctions, including property from the inventory of celebrated Americana and antique arms expert Norm Flayderman. During her time with the firm, she has maintained an active membership in the Daguerreian Society. Ms. Horstman holds an MA in Art History from the University of Cincinnati and a BA in Art History from The Ohio State University.

African Americana

[MUSIC]. JOHNSON, Hall (1888-1970). Honor! Honor! Negro Spiritual. Handwritten sheet music and photograph. Ca 1930s-1940s.

African Americana

[MUSIC]. JOHNSON, Hall (1888-1970). Honor! Honor! Negro Spiritual. Handwritten sheet music and photograph. Ca 1930s-1940s.

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