Books and Manuscripts

Shumway, Nehemiah
The American Harmony: Containing, in a concise Manner, the Rules of Singing; Together, with a Collection of Psalm Tunes, Hymns, and Anthems…
Philadelphia: Printed and sold by John M'Culloch, 1793. First edition. Oblong 24mo. 176, 181-212 pp. (complete). Full contemporary mottled brown calf, boards rubbed and soiled, extremities and corners rubbed and moderately worn, boards slightly bowed; all edges trimmed; contemporary ownership inscription of Moses Willcocks on front free endpaper; title-page slightly soiled and worn, small dampstain in bottom edge of same; foxing and soiling to text; loss in bottom, pp. 11/12, affecting some text; top and bottom edges trimmed close, partially shaving some page numbers and headlines. Evans 26162; Sabin 80766; OCLC 207964253

A rare and early American songbook in a contemporary binding. Shumway (1761-1843) was born in Oxford, Massachusetts, and educated at the College of Rhode Island (now Brown University). Active in Central New Jersey and Albany and Schenectady, New York, he is remembered for his musical compositions in the Sacred Harp tradition, such as “Schenectady” and “Ballstown”. This first edition prints dozens of hymns and psalm tunes, several of Shumway's own compositions, and features numerous examples from other New England composers, many of which were never before published. 

Rare, according to RBH this is the first copy to be offered at auction since 1995.