"She is my Picnic Girl," 1893 sheet music

A lovely piece from the New York Public Library Digital Collection. You can find the actual music in the archive as well. The artwork on some early sheet music is outstanding. This was a supplement to The Examiner; could be the San Francisco Examiner.

My Pony Boy, 1909

The excellent Duke Digital archive has been revamped. Great sheet music art.  Music from a Ziegfeld show called "Miss Innocence" with Anna Held, who no doubt held the reins of her "Pony Boy."

The Harmless Little Girl, 1896

Sheet music for a song from "The Lady Slavey," performed at the Casino, N.Y. Archie Gunn is the artist. This was distributed as a supplement to The New York Journal, April 26, 1896. The plot revolves around a Major who wants to marry one of his four daughters to an American millionaire, who falls for the wrong daughter--a fifth one who the American thinks is a maid, a role she has taken to help her father out. Marie Dressler has a role as "a flighty music hall singer." All of this background can be found in the preview of the stage show that ran in the NY Times, February 2, 1896 (the Times vast archive is available to subscribers free). The play was a German farce adapted for English audiences and had a successful run in London prior to New York.

From the ever fabulous Duke Digital Archive.

I'm Happy Go Lucky, 1919

I get a kick out of how popular phrases are incorporated into pop music. My guess is that "happy go lucky" was a catch phrase in this period. It's still around of course. More divine stuff from Duke.

The Teddy Bear March and Two Step, 1907

Song sheet from the fabulous Duke Digital Archive. Love the little guy's face!

Virginia Moonlight, 1920

Sheet music from the Duke Digital Archive.

Composer:

Freeman, Harold B.

First Line:

"There's a little cabin where the honeysuckles twine"