Description:

Sousa John

1pp title page from John Philip Sousa’s 1902 novel "The Fifth String" inscribed, signed, and dated by him as “To S.D. Green from John Philip Sousa, June 1921”. Page has been torn from later edition of the book, and is in good to very good condition, with some discoloration and water stains. Page measures 5” x 7.5”. Sousa’s complete book featured illustrations by Howard Chandler Christy (1872-1952).

 

“S.D. Green” refers to Sharpless Dodson Green, an educator from Trenton, New Jersey, who regularly requested autographs from notable musicians, politicians, authors, and scientists of the day.

 

John Philip Sousa (1854-1932), 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.

 

Sousa was also an aspiring novelist. His 1902 novel "The Fifth String" recounts the story of Angelo Diotti, an Italian violinist who makes a Faustian deal with the Devil. Diotti acquires a special violin fitted with magical strings that elicit Hope, Pity, Love, and Joy from the audience. It also has an extra fatal string. Sousa writes: “ ‘But that extra string?’,  interrupted Diotti, designating the middle one on the violin, a vague foreboding rising within him. ‘That,’ said Mephistopheles, solemnly, and with no pretense of sophistry, ‘is the string of death, and he who plays upon it dies at once.’ ‘The–string–of–death!’ repeated the violinist almost inaudibly.”

 

The multitalented Sousa autographs one of his novels!

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