Description:

Sousa John



John Philip Sousa ALS Hoping the "Sousa Band left some pleasant recollections"

 

2pp ALS inscribed overall and signed by composer John Philip Sousa (1854-1932) as "John Philip Sousa" at the center of the second page. Written at The Netherland, a lavish hotel on Central Park Circle, on Christmas Eve, 1901. On textured cream stationery paper with a gilt embossed monogram at top. Expected wear including light paper folds, else near fine. The third and fourth pages are blank. 4.875" x 6.375". 

 

John Philip Sousa penned this letter to Blanche Duffield, a soprano affiliated with the Sousa Band.

 

In part, with unchanged spelling and punctuation:

 

"My dear Miss Duffield:

 

I was more than surprised at the beautiful present you and Miss Bucklin have been so good as to send me. I rather lean to the belief that your touring with the Sousa Band left some pleasant recollections, notwithstanding the very hard work. And I also take this opportunity to say that no organization could ever have had such conscientious helpers, or more splendid exsamples of American womanhood than you were all the days you were with us…"

 

Miss Duffield had joined the Sousa Band around the same time that Miss Bucklin did, and the pair later give Sousa his exciting Christmas present. Both Misses Duffield and Bucklin are mentioned in a February 2, 1901 issue of the San Francisco Call: "John Philip Sousa is the first American composer and conductor to achieve International recognition and favor. The band, which for years has retained practically the same personnel, is now in excellent form. Sousa has with him two new soloists— Miss Blanche Duffleld, a soprano, who is reputed to be of surpassing beauty and to have an exceptionally sweet voice, and Miss Bucklin, violinist and artist of great power." The Sousa Band performed over 15,500 concerts worldwide between 1892-1931.

 

John Philip Sousa, the “American March King”, was an accomplished musician, composer, and conductor. Trained in voice, violin, piano, flute, and cornet among other instruments, Sousa had perfect pitch. He also contributed to the design of the Sousaphone, a brass tuba-like instrument. Of the 136 marches that Sousa composed, “Semper Fidelis” (1888) and “Stars and Stripes Forever” (1896) are the most famous.

 

Blanche Duffield later became an established Broadway stage actress. She performed in musical comedies and operettas like The Mikado, H.M.S. Pinafore, and the Pirates of Penzance.

 



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